Everyone has had a classic no-bake cookie at some point in their life and w2ill quickly recognize this delicious combination of flavors. No-bake chocolate oatmeal cookies use just 7 ingredients you probably already have in your pantry. They are a great easy treat that is soft but has texture from the oats and plenty of that chocolate and peanut butter flavor we all love.
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No-Bake Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies
These are perhaps one of, if not the most iconic no-bake desserts of all time. If you haven't had these, then you are in for a treat with the rich chocolate flavor and just enough texture to make them special. They are an ideal cookie to make year-round, especially if you don't have an oven or don't want to crank the heat up in your kitchen.
Variations of No Bake Peanut Butter Chocolate Cookies
Since this recipe is so easy to make, I love using it for part of the holiday cookie exchange events. However, I like to give it a little something extra for pizzazz. So, below are some fun ways you can make these just a little bit different that work for holidays, parties, events, etc.
- Before refrigerating, sprinkle with seasonal colored sugar or sprinkles.
- Stir in ¼ cup mini chocolate chips, peanut butter chips, or white chocolate chips along with the oats.
- Add ¼ to ⅓ cup plain or peanut M&M candies just before scopping out onto the wax paper.
Since the basic process is the same and these are just last-minute additions, none of these should change the texture or end result.
Ingredients
- Unsweetened cocoa powder
- Sugar
- Unsalted butter
- Milk
- Peanut butter
- Vanilla extract
- Rolled oats
Kitchen Tools Needed
How to Make No Bake Cookies
Prepare a baking sheet or dish by placing a layer of wax paper over it and set it aside.
In a medium saucepan, over medium heat, melt the butter.
Mix in the cocoa powder, sugar, and milk and bring to a boil stirring constantly.
Once boiling, continue cooking for 1 ½ to 2 minutes until the mixture reaches 230°F, stirring constantly then remove from the heat.
Add in the vanilla and peanut butter and stir until the peanut butter is incorporated.
Next, add the rolled oats and stir until the mixture is completely combined.
Spoon 2 tablespoons of the mixture onto the prepared sheet of wax paper leaving ½" between each "cookie".
Transfer the baking sheet or dish of cookies to the refrigerator and chill for one hour or until firm.
Tips for Making No Bake Cookies
I always reach for quick oats because they tend to give the best texture. They are softer and won't be so tough once the cookie hardens in the refrigerator.
When your batch of no-bake cookies doesn't set up or harden, it typically means that you did not cook the mixture long enough. For the cookies to harden, the mixture needs to reach 230°F. This usually takes between 1 ½ to 2 minutes of boiling the chocolate mixture before adding the peanut butter and vanilla.
The other reason they may not set is due to weather conditions. A more humid climate can make them not harden as easily.
If after you have mixed your cookies together and let them refrigerate for at least 30-minuets, they are still falling apart or gooey, you can try a few things to help them harden.
(1) The first is to let them refrigerate for another 30 to 45 minutes.
(2) Dip the entire cookie into melted chocolate and let that harden.
(3) Stir in another ¼ cup rolled oats and then scoop back onto wax paper and repeat the refrigeration process.
You can definitely make this cookie without peanut butter. It works best with almond butter, cashew butter, or sunflower butter. You can also skip the nut butter altogether, but you will have to follow a different recipe that uses more sugar and different measurements of the other ingredients.
If you need to make this as a vegan recipe, you can definitely do so using your favorite non-dairy butter and milk substitutes. Almond milk works best and any vegan butter or coconut oil will work in place of dairy butter.
Storing No Bake Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies
Once you have refrigerated these initially to harden, they do not need to be stored in the refrigerator. They can be stored at room temperature but should be kept in an airtight container to keep fresh.
When stored in an airtight container at room temperature, no-bake chocolate peanut butter cookies are good for up to 10 days.
Yes. You can easily freeze these cookies for up to 3 months. Simply place in a freezer storage container that has been dated and labeled once the cookies have fully hardened.
Want More No-Bake Recipes?
If you love the idea of having more no-bake recipes on hand for those last-minute needs, below are a few of our latest favorites. Make sure that you bookmark the recipes or print them and keep them on hand to make them over again in the future!
- No-Bake Chocolate Oreo Lasagna Recipe
- Vegan Peanut Butter Oatmeal Energy Balls Recipe
- No-Bake Oreo Cheesecake Recipe
Recipe
Classic No Bake Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies
Whip up a batch of the classic no-bake chocolate oatmeal cookies with just a few pantry supplies! A great snack everyone loves!
Ingredients
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- ½ cup milk
- ½ cup peanut butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 cups rolled oats
Instructions
- Prepare a baking sheet or dish by placing a layer of wax paper over it and set it aside.
- In a medium saucepan, over medium heat, melt the butter.
- Mix in the cocoa powder, sugar, and milk and bring to a boil stirring constantly.
- Once boiling, continue cooking for 1 ½ to 2 minutes, until the mixture reaches 230°F, stirring constantly then remove from the heat.
- Add in the vanilla and peanut butter and stir until the peanut butter is incorporated.
- Next, add the rolled oats and stir until the mixture is completely combined.
- Spoon 2 tablespoons of the mixture onto the prepared sheet of wax paper leaving ½" between each "cookie".
- Transfer the baking sheet or dish of cookies to the refrigerator and chill for one hour or until firm.
Notes
These can be made with alternate nut butter if peanut butter is an issue.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
24Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 162Total Fat: 7gSaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 11mgSodium: 29mgCarbohydrates: 22gFiber: 2gSugar: 13gProtein: 3g
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