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This is the classic No Bake Cookies recipe that my family used to make growing up. They’re easy to make in about 15 minutes, and always taste so delicious.
Raise your hand if you grew up making these no bake cookies as a kid!
And…raise your hand if you still make them now?
Good, me too.
Because when you’re in the need for a quick cookie fix, this retro no bake cookie recipe will never letta girl down. First of all, it’s super-duper easy to make in just about 15 minutes. It calls for 7 basic ingredients that I bet you already have stocked in your kitchen. It requires zero use of your oven. And with chocolate, peanut butter and oatmeal involved, there’s no doubt that these are always going to be delicious.
Let’s make some no bake cookies!
No Bake Cookies Recipe | 1-Minute Video
No Bake Cookie Ingredients:
To make this chocolate no bake cookies recipe, you will need:
Butter: One stick (1/2 cup) of salted butter. Or if you have unsalted, just add in a pinch of sea salt.
Sugar: We’re going old school with lots of granulated sugar here.
Unsweetened cocoa powder: To make these nice and chocolatey.
Milk: I typically use cow’s milk, but any kind of milk will do.
Old fashioned oats: Or quick oats can work in this recipe too.
How To Make No Bake Cookies:
To make these no bake oatmeal cookies, simply:
Combine your ingredients in a saucepan. Melt the butter, then stir in the sugar and cocoa, followed by the milk. Continue cooking until the mixture comes to a boil.
Boil. Boil for 2 full minutes. (This step will help the mixture to cook and thicken.)
Stir in remaining ingredients. Remove pan from heat. Then stir in the vanilla and peanut butter, followed by the oats.
Scoop the cookies. Drop the cookies spoonfuls onto parchment paper, either using a spoon or (my preference) a large cookie scoop. If the cookies spread too much or have a wonky shape, feel free to just use a knife to scooch the edges in so that the cookies are nice and round. (Although they will be delicious however they look.) ;)
Let cool. Then let the cookies cool until they have reached room temperature and hardened. And…enjoy!
To store the cookies, place them in an airtight container and either store at room temperature for up to 1 week, or freeze for up to 3 months.
Possible Variations:
If you’d like to mix things up with this recipe, feel free to:
Use a different nut/seed butter. Any nut or seed butters can be substituted for peanut butter in this recipe.
Add coconut. Use 1/3 cup less of oats, and in their place, add in 1/3 cup unsweetened shredded coconut.
Add nuts. Feel free to add an extra 1/2 cup of your choice of nuts to the cookie batter.
Add Oreos. For an ultra-decadent retro twist, feel free to add in 6 chopped up Oreos into the mix after stirring in the oats.
More Favorite Cookie Recipes:
Looking for more cookie baking inspiration? Here are few more of my classic faves:
The classic No Bake Cookies recipe that my family used to make growing up. They’re easy to make in about 15 minutes, and always taste so delicious.
Ingredients
Scale
1/2 cup (1 stick) salted butter
2 cups granulated sugar
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 cup milk (any kind)
1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 cups old fashioned oats
Instructions
Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Add sugar and cocoa, and stir until combined. Add in the milk, and stir until combined. Continue cooking until the mixture comes to a boil, then boil for 2 minutes.
Remove pan from heat. Stir in vanilla and peanut butter until completely combined. Stir in oats until combined.
Drop by spoonfuls onto parchment paper, and let the cookies cool until hardened.
I just made these. I only had one cup of white sugar left so I am swapped out the other cup for Brown sugar. I have a serious sweet tooth, so I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I’d probably do less sugar next time like some others mentioned. But over all, DELICIOUS! and they set quickly too.
Judi Gott —
When I make these cookies, no matter what recipe I use, I never put in all the oatmeal at once. That way I can control how much moisture is in the cookies. I just made a batch and they’re perfect.
I love your cookie recipes! No bakes can be so finicky, but this recipe was perfect! I used almond milk because that’s all I had, and they still turned out delicious! Thanks Ali!
I followed this recipe to the T. They set too fast, and I really should have used fewer oats. They are dry and flaky. I think it also matters if the peanut butter is thick or a lighter creamy consistency. Mine was thicker than normal since I used organic ingredients including the peanut butter. I will try this recipe again and take that in account! Thanks for the recipe!
I just made these. I only had one cup of white sugar left so I am swapped out the other cup for Brown sugar. I have a serious sweet tooth, so I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I’d probably do less sugar next time like some others mentioned. But over all, DELICIOUS! and they set quickly too.
When I make these cookies, no matter what recipe I use, I never put in all the oatmeal at once. That way I can control how much moisture is in the cookies. I just made a batch and they’re perfect.
In my opinion these cook too long and they got all dried out at two minutes. Also they’re not chocolate-y enough. They need more cocoa.
This happened to me tonight too when making these :/
How do u fix mixture when it’s to dry and won’t stick together
I love your cookie recipes! No bakes can be so finicky, but this recipe was perfect! I used almond milk because that’s all I had, and they still turned out delicious! Thanks Ali!
The BEST no bake recipe :) Thank you! We love them in my house!!!
Easy & fast treat. My Sunday school class loved them.
I personally add a little more oatmeal than called for. These are taking a little longer to set, but they are setting.
Made these at Christmas and they were a hit. I subbed coconut sugar for the cane sugar – delish!
These are the best
I followed this recipe to the T. They set too fast, and I really should have used fewer oats. They are dry and flaky. I think it also matters if the peanut butter is thick or a lighter creamy consistency. Mine was thicker than normal since I used organic ingredients including the peanut butter. I will try this recipe again and take that in account! Thanks for the recipe!
Ok. Literally, 400 years later. They’re great!
These are perfect for using “green” butter. 😉😉 So yummy! 🤩
I do not have any cocoa powder so could I use chocolate chips instead if so how many should I use.
Can i use Quick Oats instead of “Old Fashion Oats?