If you’re in the mood for a quick, easy cookie—one loaded with oats, chocolate, and peanut butter—have I got the perfect no-bake recipe for you!

What is a No-Bake Cookie?
I asked this question as I explored new cookie options. This easy recipe was all over the web on a ton of different sites. As always, I had to make it my own.
But, what about the “no bake” part? How could I take sugar, butter, cocoa and so on. . .and skip the baking part? Sounded dangerous!
Turns out, this cookie is more like fudge because it starts in a saucepan. I’m really blessed because I have a wonderful set of heavy saucepans left to me after my mom passed away. I think of her every time I use them.
Tonight was no exception. I pulled out that medium saucepan, added the butter, sugar, cocoa powder, and milk, then melted it down until it looked like. . .
My Mama’s Fudge
Yep, this recipe reminded me, at least in the early stages, of my mother’s homemade fudge recipe!
I wasn’t sure what to except, to be honest. But in the end I had to admit—this no-bake chocolate peanut butter cookie is the bomb! And, imagine my surprise when I discovered it has been on the back of the Quaker Oats box all along!
No Bake Cookie Ingredients

You will find a full printable recipe card at the bottom of this post but here’s a quick peek at what you’ll need to whip up a batch of these cookies.
- granulated sugar
- whole milk
- salted butter
- cocoa powder
- old-fashioned rolled oats
- creamy peanut butter
- chopped pecans (optional)
- pinch salt (if you choose unsalted butter)
- vanilla extract
How to Make these Easy No-Bake Chocolate Cookies
Prepare cookie sheets with wax paper or parchment paper. This recipe will make 40 no bake cookies so you'll need 2 - 3 baking sheets.
These delicious cookies came together so easily, I had to wonder why I’d never made them before.
Combine sugar, butter, milk, and cocoa powder in a medium saucepan. You want a heavy saucepan, like the one I inherited from my Mama, so that the chocolate mixture doesn’t burn. If you’re using unsalted butter, add a pinch of salt.

Cook over low heat, stirring until butter is fully melted. Allow to come to a rolling boil then simmer for a full minute over low to medium heat. There's no candy thermometer necessary for this easy recipe, y'all!

Add peanut butter and vanilla. Stir well.



Add oats. Allow to thoroughly heat before removing from stove.


Stir in chopped pecans if you like.


Remove from heat.
Using a teaspoon or cookie scoop, transfer scoops of cookie mixture to the prepared baking sheets.

If you opt for the pecan free version your cookies will fall a bit flatter. If they’re loaded with pecans (as mine are) they will hold their shape. (You can choose the shape with the type of spoon or scoop you use.)

Allow to sit at room temperature for half an hour.
At the end of half an hour place in an airtight container and place in the refrigerator. They will stay good up to three days. You can store in the freezer (in a freezer bag or other airtight container) up to two months. Allow to thaw naturally.
What to Expect from These Classic No Bake Cookies

First of all, where have these no bake oatmeal cookies been all of my life? I can’t believe I’ve never made them before! As I mentioned above, this whole process reminded me of my mother's fudge. And those little balls of goodness were certainly reminiscent of that taste and texture.
I absolutely loved this no bake cookies recipe. Like I said, these yummy bites of goodness are a bit like my mama’s fudge. Adding the pecans even solidified that idea in my mind. They definitely satisfied my sweet tooth.

I wasn’t sure I would like the mergence of peanut butter, chocolate, and oats. . .but I was wrong. Very, very wrong. I thought these were delightful. Those old-fashioned oats made me feel like I was a little girl again! They gave the cookies a lovely chewy texture.
These lovely thick cookies are crisp. They’re creamy. They’re easy to make. They are, in a word, perfect! So perfect, in fact, that I think they would make a lovely addition to my annual Cookie Exchange Tray!
This is one of those easy recipes you're going to use again and again. Talk about an easy dessert!
Questions People are Asking About No Bake Cookies

Do I have to use oats?
Nope. I’ve seen variations of this recipe that called for crushed Ritz crackers. (That sound really good, actually.) Just be sure to use unsalted butter. You won’t need to add any additional salt once those crackers are added.
Can these be made in the microwave?
Yes, you can skip the saucepan and melt the butter, sugar, milk, and cocoa powder in the microwave in a microwave-safe bowl. Cook in 30-second increments, stirring after each time.
I have a peanut allergy. Can I use almond butter?
Absolutely. Use any nut butter you like. You can even attempt this recipe with no peanut butter at all. You might substitute Nutella or something like that (if you're not allergic to hazelnuts).
Can I use brown sugar in this recipe?
Brown sugar will give you a slightly different texture and flavor but I'm sure it would be tasty!
Can I use this recipe to make bars?
Yes, just press the cookie dough into a buttered 9 - 13-inch pan. Allow to firm up before cutting.
Can I add my favorite mix-ins?
Sure! Add sprinkles or anything else you enjoy! You can even roll these in sprinkles to add holiday flair!
What else can I add to this easy no bake cookie recipe?
Mini chocolate chips would be fun. Mini M&Ms would be fun, too. I almost tossed in half a cup of coconut flakes. These would be especially fun with the addition of chopped pecans. (Limit pecans to ½ cup if you add coconut.)
Other Oat-Themed Goodies from Out of the Box Baking
We’ve got some great oat-infused treats. Here are some fan favorites:
Easy Cinnamon Streusel Coffee Cake:
If you love the combination of cinnamon and sugar and you happen to love streusel topping with crunchy toasted pecans, then I’ve got the perfect recipe for you. This Easy Cinnamon Streusel Coffee Cake is perfect for breakfast. . .or any time of day!
Oatmeal Blueberry Muffins:
If you love a hearty breakfast muffin with oats, but you also love the juicy sweetness of berries, then this is the muffin for you. This delicious muffin isn’t your grandmother’s breakfast treat, but it is made with something she kept in her cupboard. . .mayonnaise.
Oatmeal Rice Krispie Cookies:
If you love the flavor of a yummy oatmeal cookie but you’re looking for a bit more crunch, this is the recipe for you. Crisp and sweet, this delicious cookie is packed full of nutritious goodness. Best of all, it’s incredibly easy to make.
Peanut Butter Ranger Cookies:
I started to call these my “Everything but the Kitchen Sink” cookies because I (literally) throw everything in them that you can think of. Crunchy. Salty. Sweet. Savory. It all goes in these yummy Peanut Butter Ranger Cookies. You’re going to love them because they hit all of the notes. Literally, all of the notes.
Ooey-Gooey Chocolate Chip Blondies:
Have you ever had a hankering for something sweet but couldn’t quite put your finger on what you really wanted? These chocolate chip blondies are perfect for days like that! Not quite a cookie, not quite a brownie, not quite a cookie bar. Gooey, chewy, and crisp on the edges. . .they are (in a word) perfect.
Old-Fashioned Oatmeal Cookies:
I hardly know where to begin with these amazing chunky oatmeal Craisin cookies, y’all. They’re a cross between a traditional old-fashioned oatmeal cookie and a chunky, heavier bite of muffin. I load them with walnuts or pecans, along with a more-than-adequate amount of Craisins (dehydrated cranberries).
Simple Almond Joy Crescent Rolls:
Y'all, these are simple, delicious, and packed full of flavor and texture! I came up with this recipe on the fly one night when I was looking for a quick sweet treat. Boy, was I glad I did!
Follow this link for a comprehensive post listing more of my fall cookies and bars, perfect for autumn!
Check out this post from Delish: 27 no-Bake Cookies for when you’re over the oven.
Follow this link for a comprehensive post listing more of my fall cookies and bars, perfect for autumn!
That’s it for this post, friends. I hope you enjoy these easy and tasty no bake chocolate oatmeal cookies!
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No Bake Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies
If you’re in the mood for a quick, easy cookie—one loaded with oats, chocolate, and peanut butter—have I got the perfect no-bake recipe for you!
Ingredients
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- ½ cup whole milk
- ½ cup salted butter
- ¼ cup cocoa powder
- 3 cups uncooked quick oats
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1 cup chopped pecans (optional)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 pinch salt (if you choose unsalted butter)
Instructions
How to Make these Easy No-Bake Chocolate Cookies
Prepare cookie sheets with waxed paper. This recipe will make 40 cookies.
These delicious cookies came together so easily, I had to wonder why I’d never made them before.
Place butter, sugar, milk, and cocoa powder into a medium saucepan. You want a heavy saucepan, like the one I inherited from my Mama, so that the chocolate mixture doesn’t burn. If you’re using unsalted butter, add a pinch of salt.
Cook over low heat, stirring until butter is fully melted. Allow to simmer for a full minute.
Add peanut butter, vanilla extract, and oats and allow to thoroughly heat before removing from stove. Stir in chopped pecans if you like.
Remove from heat.
Using a teaspoon or cookie scoop, transfer scoops of cookie batter to the baking sheets.
If you opt for the pecan free version your cookies will fall a bit flatter. If they’re loaded with pecans (as mine are) they will hold their shape. (You can choose the shape with the type of spoon or scoop you use.)
Allow to sit at room temperature for half an hour.
At the end of half an hour place in an airtight container and place in the refrigerator. They will stay good up to three days.
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Janetta
Sunday 27th of November 2022
These cookies bring back memories of my mom. She never added nuts, but she would have. Thank you! Another recipe I'll save!
booksbyjanice
Sunday 27th of November 2022
Awesome!