No Bake Peanut Butter Cookies With Oatmeal

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10 minutes

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Our easy No-Bake Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies are chewy, rich, and packed with yummy peanut butter flavor in every bite. Irresistibly delicious, they’re the kind of treat that disappears almost as fast as you make them.

Three stacked no bake peanut butter oatmeal cookies with a jar of oats and more cookies in the background on a blue surface.
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From the first time I made these No-Bake Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies, they became an instant favorite in my house. With their chewy texture, chocolatey richness, and peanut butter flavor, they’re a treat my family can’t stop asking for!

This is one of those recipes I know I can count on, whether it’s a busy afternoon or a last-minute dessert. They’re perfect anytime you’re craving something sweet but don’t have the time or energy to bake. I also appreciate that they’re budget-friendly, made with a handful of simple ingredients that I almost always have on hand.

I know you’re going to love the no bake cookies as much as we do, but why settle for just one treat? Try my Peanut Butter Coconut Cookies and my Chocolate Chip Cheesecake Bites too!

No-bake cookies arranged around a plate, a glass of milk, scattered oats, and a yellow cloth on a light blue surface.

Why We Love This Recipe

  • No baking needed: No oven, no problem! Just whip these easy to make cookies on the stovetop and you’re good to go.
  • Delicious flavors: The perfect combo of oats, chocolate and peanut butter makes every bite totally delicious.
  • Anytime treat: Great for snacks, sharing with friends, or satisfying those late-night dessert cravings.

Ingredients

Below is a list of the ingredients you’ll need to make this recipe. Scroll down to the recipe card for the specific amounts.

Ingredients for a recipe: salted butter, sugar, quick oats, cocoa powder, milk, vanilla extract, and peanut butter arranged on a white marble surface.
  • Granulated sugar: Adds the perfect sweetness to the cookie mixture.
  • Quick oats: The secret to that perfect chewy texture that holds everything together.
  • Salted butter: Adds richness and just the right hint of salt to balance the sweetness.
  • Creamy peanut butter: The star of the show, giving these cookies their nutty flavor.
  • Milk: Helps create that glossy, fudge-like base for mixing in all the goodness.
  • Cocoa powder: Adds the fudgy flavor that takes these cookies to the next level.
  • Vanilla extract: Just a splash for that warm, classic flavor that ties everything together.

How to Make No Bake Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies

Step 1. Line a baking sheet with parchment or wax paper. Set aside.

Step 2. In a large saucepan, combine sugar, butter, milk, and cocoa powder over medium heat.

A pot contains sugar, cocoa powder, milk and a block of butter. Surrounding it are bowls of peanut butter, oats, vanilla extract, and a cup of milk.
A pot with butter, sugar, cocoa powder, and milk. Nearby are bowls of peanut butter, vanilla extract, and oats on a marble surface.

Step 3. Stirring occasionally, bring the mixture to a rolling boil. Boil for 1 minute exactly, stirring constantly.

Step 4. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in peanut butter and vanilla until smooth. Add quick oats and mix until fully combined.

Pot with bubbling mixture on stove, surrounded by bowls of peanut butter, oats, and vanilla extract on a marble countertop.
A stainless steel bowl filled with uncooked oats and cookie batter sits on a marble surface.

Step 5. Drop the hot mixture by the spoonful onto the prepared baking sheet.

Step 6. Let cool until firm. Enjoy!

A pot filled with a textured chocolate and oat mixture on a marble surface.
Unbaked chocolate oat cookies on parchment paper beside a pot with remaining mixture on a marble countertop.

Storage Instructions

Store leftover cookies in an airtight container for up to 7 days. You can also freeze them by placing the cookies in a single layer in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months.

Tips and Tricks

  • Measure the oats: Adding too many oats can make the cookies crumbly, so be sure to stick to the recipe.
  • Use regular peanut butter: Regular peanut butter works best for a smooth texture and balanced flavor. Avoid natural peanut butter because it’s typically runnier.
  • Work quickly: Once you stir in the oats, portion the cookies right away before the mixture starts to set.
  • Use a cookie scoop: If you want perfectly even-sized cookies, a small cookie scoop is your best friend.
  • Make smaller cookies: Because they are rich and fudgy, you can make them smaller if you like (great for feeding a crowd).
A cluster of chocolate oatmeal cookies on a blue surface with scattered oats and part of a yellow cloth.

Variations and Add-ins

  • Chocolate chips: Add mini chocolate chips for extra chocolatey gooiness.
  • Peanut butter: Use crunchy peanut butter instead of creamy for added texture.
  • Sea salt: Sprinkle a pinch of sea salt on top for a sweet and salty combo.
  • Coconut: Mix in a handful of shredded coconut for a tropical twist.
  • Cocoa powder: Swap the cocoa powder for dark chocolate powder for a deeper flavor.
  • Nuts: Stir in chopped peanuts for extra crunch.
  • Chocolate drizzle: Drizzle melted chocolate over the cooled chocolate oatmeal cookies for a fancy finish.
Two chocolate oat cookies on a white square plate, surrounded by scattered oats and more cookies on a blue surface. A glass of milk is visible in the upper right corner.

FAQs

Are quick oats the same as rolled oats?

No, quick oats and rolled oats aren’t the same. Quick oats are thinner and cook faster, while rolled oats are thicker and chewier. For no-bake cookies, quick oats work best for a smoother texture.

Why are my peanut butter no bake cookies crumbly?

You may have added too many oats. It’s important to use the exact measurement in the recipe. You may have also boiled the mixture too long. If you cook the mixture for exactly one minute, you should be fine.

What should I do if the mixture hardens too quickly?

Work fast after adding the oats. If it hardens before shaping, gently warm it over low heat to soften.

Should I use an instant read thermometer?

You don’t have to. If you’d like to, the mixture should hit around 235°F to 240°F on a candy thermometer, or the soft-ball stage. This helps the cookies set perfectly. No thermometer, no problem! Just boil it for exactly one minute, and you’re good to go!

Three no-bake chocolate oatmeal cookies stacked, with a bite taken from the top one, on a light blue surface. A jar of oats is visible in the background.
Three stacked no-bake chocolate oatmeal cookies with a bite taken from the top one, surrounded by oats and a jar in the background.
5 from 1 vote

No Bake Peanut Butter Cookies With Oatmeal


Course Dessert, Desserts & Sweets
Cuisine American
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Our easy No-Bake Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies are chewy, rich, and packed with yummy peanut butter flavor in every bite. Irresistibly delicious, they're the kind of treat that disappears almost as fast as you make them.

Ingredients
 

  • 2 cups granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup salted butter
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 3 teaspoons cocoa powder
  • 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 1/2 cups quick oats

Instructions

  • Line a baking sheet with parchment or wax paper. Set aside.
  • In a large saucepan, combine sugar, butter, milk, and cocoa powder over medium heat.
    2 cups granulated sugar, 1/2 cup salted butter, 1/2 cup milk, 3 teaspoons cocoa powder
  • Stirring occasionally, bring the mixture to a rolling boil. Boil for 1 minute exactly, stirring constantly.
  • Remove the pan from the heat and stir in peanut butter and vanilla until smooth. Add quick oats and mix until fully combined.
    1/2 cup creamy peanut butter, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 2 1/2 cups quick oats
  • Drop the hot mixture by the spoonful onto the prepared baking sheet.
  • Let cool until firm. Enjoy!

Notes

    • Adding too many oats can make the cookies crumbly, so be sure to stick to the recipe.
    • Regular peanut butter works best for a smooth texture and balanced flavor. Avoid natural peanut butter because it’s typically runnier.
    • Once you stir in the oats, portion the cookies right away before the mixture starts to set.
    • If you want perfectly even-sized cookies, a small cookie scoop is your best friend.

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 283kcal | Carbohydrates: 41g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 0.3g | Cholesterol: 18mg | Sodium: 96mg | Potassium: 123mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 30g | Vitamin A: 217IU | Calcium: 25mg | Iron: 1mg
The nutrition information provided is an estimate and can vary based on cooking methods and ingredients used.

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    Lisa, author of Fun Money Mom, standing in front of a kitchen counter with a cupcake.

    About Lisa O’Driscoll

    Lisa O’Driscoll is a lifestyle and parenting expert, cookbook author, and the creative force behind Fun Money Mom, a popular blog she’s Lisa O’Driscoll is a lifestyle and parenting expert, cookbook author, and the creative force behind Fun Money Mom, a popular blog she’s run since 2014. She’s the author of the children’s cookbook Roll It, Slice It, Mash It, Dice It, designed to get kids excited about cooking. With multiple TV appearances under her belt, she loves sharing her expertise on family-friendly recipes, creative DIYs, and party planning and is always on a mission to inspire and entertain!

    5 from 1 vote (1 rating without comment)

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