These No Bake Oatmeal Cookies are ALL of the good things: chocolate-y, oat-y, and peanut butter-y, plus, with just 3 easy steps, they’re a cinch to make!
Table of Contents
This recipe is…
One of my absolute favorite combinations ever is peanut butter and chocolate. That, and butter + noodles (can you tell that comfort food is my love language?!). These no bake oatmeal cookies feature that favorite ever combo (pb and chocolate, not pasta and butter…thank goodness, right?!) alongside heart healthy oats and natural sugar in the form of honey or maple syrup, and let me tell you, they are divine!
These cookies are easy enough for anyone to make and they’re sure to impress all who try them. Add these to your holiday cookie tin or make these in the dead of summer (no oven necessary, so the house will stay nice and cool!)…either way, we’re sure you’ll love them!
If you’re looking for another tasty, easy dessert option, this protein pudding is delicious!
Are no bake cookies healthy?
We’re always looking for a healthy dessert, aren’t we? The truth here is that while these cookies ARE still cookies, they’re definitely on the healthier side of the dessert realm. Made with healthful ingredients, these no bake cookies are definitely a healthier treat to keep on hand. While we don’t think that they’re the health*IEST* choice ever (let’s be honest, they aren’t a kale salad!), we think that all foods (that your body can tolerate) are great in moderation!
Ingredients Needed
Just a handful of ingredients make up these classic no-bake cookies, and I’d be willing to bet that you have several (if not all) of them on hand right now (I know I do!). Here’s what you’ll need:
- Honey or Maple Syrup – to sweeten these no bake cookies, we’ll use either honey or maple syrup. You choose which you love most (or base your decision on what you already have stocked in the pantry). Either way, you’ll need a 1/2 cup of sweetener total!
- Coconut Oil – we love the addition of coconut oil here, because it helps to really hold everything together, and adds a super nutritious dose of fat to these cookies. You’ll need a 1/4 cup of coconut oil for these cookies.
- Cocoa Powder – the first part of my favorite duo…chocolate! A 1/4 cup of unsweetened cocoa powder brings the perfect touch of chocolate to these cookies!
- Vanilla Extract – 1 teaspoon vanilla extract adds a really yummy touch here.
- Peanut Butter – the second in the best-ever duo…peanut butter! 1 cup of natural crunchy or creamy peanut butter will do perfectly here, and in addition to tasting amazing, the peanut butter also helps to hold all of the ingredients together!
- Oats – the bulk of our cookie is made up of oats! No flour here, just 2 cups of oats! If you’re gluten-free, be sure to grab gluten-free oats – though oats are inherently gluten-free, they’re often subject to cross-contamination so be sure that your package of oats specifies GF.
How to Make
As mentioned above, these cookies are EASY PEASY, y’all! I’m talking, 3 easy instructions between you and a tummy full of no bake cookies…are you ready?! Here’s what you’ll need to do:
- Combine the Ingredients Over Heat – first, you’ll need to heat the maple syrup or honey, coconut oil, cocoa powder, and vanilla extract in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Once bubbling, stir in the peanut butter. Let cook for an additional 1-2 minutes, until the peanut butter melts and the mixture is smooth and fully incorporated, and then remove from heat.
- Add the Oats – stir the oats into the peanut butter honey mixture, then take a 1/4 cup of the no bake batter at a time (using either a measuring cup or cookie scoop), roll it into a ball, then place it on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet and flatten into a cookie.
- Refrigerate + Enjoy – put the tray of no bake cookies in the fridge to chill for 2-4 hours, until set, then enjoy!
Other Flavor Variations
You KNOW I love this recipe just as it’s written, but you can totally change it up and make it your own too! Here are a few yummy variations worth trying:
- Swap the Nut Butter – not a fan of peanut butter? No worries! Swap it for almond, cashew, pecan, or even sunflower seed butter!
- Add Chocolate Chips – if you want more chocolate in your cookie, simple add a shake or two of chocolate chips. Peanut butter chips would also be really yummy!
- Add Dried Fruit – for a tart take on this cookie, add in some dried cranberries (unsweetened or apple juice sweetened are the best choices here), cherries, or even blueberries!
Know that if you make additions to these cookies, you may need to add more liquid so that the cookies hold together…that’s ok! We recommend alternating between adding a tablespoon of coconut oil and a tablespoon of nut butter at a time, until the cookies are the right “moldable” consistency. If you aren’t making any additions to your cookies, the recipe will be perfect as written!
How to Store
These easy cookies can be stored at room temperature or in the refrigerator. Either way, you’ll want to put them in an airtight container to get the longest life out of them. These cookies also freeze really well, so it’s a great idea to make more than one batch at once, and freeze what you won’t eat within the week for an easy cookie treat later.
We hope you love these no-bake cookies as much as we do – they really do make for the easiest, yummiest cookie treat!
Video
More Favorite No-Bake Dessert Recipes
No Bake Peanut Butter Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup honey or maple syrup
- 1/4 cup coconut oil melted
- 1/4 cup cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup natural peanut butter
- 2 cups rolled oats
Instructions
- Heat the maple syrup or honey, coconut oil, cocoa powder, and vanilla over medium heat. Once bubbling, stir in the peanut butter. Let cook for an additional 1-2 minutes, until the mixture is smooth and fully incorporated. Remove from heat.
- Stir the oats into the peanut butter honey mixture, then take about 1/4 cup of the mixture at a time, roll into a ball, then place on a parchment paper-lined cookie sheet and flatten into a cookie.
- Refrigerate for 2-4 hours, until set, then enjoy!
Recipe Notes
- You can substitute the peanut butter for any nut butter here, including almond butter, sunflower seed butter, or cashew butter!
Nutrition
These are so delicious! And easy to make! I like the taste even better than the “traditional” recipe that’s packed with sugar and butter. The peanut butter flavor in this recipe is stronger and mixes perfectly with the chocolate. What a wonderful find – thank you for the healthier, delicious recipe!
We’re so glad you love this recipe, Sonja!! Thanks so much for taking the time to share this with us!
Exactly the recipe I was looking for! Heathy, simple swaps and oh so delicious! Thank you!
I’m so glad you enjoyed! Thank you for taking the time to share with us! ~Melissa
I needed a “healthier” options for sweets that wasn’t fruit since my sweet tooth is crazy during pregancy and OMG these hit the spot! So good and freeze/defrost well!
So glad you’re loving these, Katie! That makes us so happy!
These are delicious!! My son who lives off peanut butter couldn’t get enough of these. Husband loved them too!
Next time I make them I will try and add a protein powder. They have so much wonderful flavor that I think they will still be awesome.
That’s so great to hear, Charlotte! Thank you for sharing this with us. Yes, protein powder would be a great add-in. One scoop shouldn’t change the consistency enough to need any more of the liquid ingredients either!
These are super yummy! Easy and delicious. I used almond butter and honey. Next time I’ll try the maple syrup and reg peanut butter.
So glad you enjoyed them, Terry! Almond butter and honey sounds delicious!
I’m excited to make these! Simple and quick, right up my alley! Can we roll them into balls instead of cookies? Might be more hip for my older kids
I don’t see why not, Robyn!! Enjoy!
I’m not a fan of coconut oil, but it’s used so much these days. Is there another substitution you would recommend? Thank you!
I don’t have another swap here, but if it’s the taste you don’t like, try refined coconut oil (instead of virgin) – the taste is neutral!
Can you use agave syrup instead of honey?
Sure!!
They look so yummy!! I don’t have coconut oil on hand, only olive. Would it be okay to substitute?
I think you’d be able to taste the olive oil in the cookies, KT! It’s worth a try, but we can’t promise that it’ll taste the exact same as with coconut oil. Let us know it goes if you do try it, though!
Do you think there’s a way to add collagen peptides or protein powder to a recipe like this?
We haven’t tried it, but I’d just add a little bit more liquid with any dry additions (like collagen/protein powder) until you get to a moldable consistency!