This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
Slightly chewy, peanut buttery, oaty, chocolatey perfection – no bake chocolate cookies are the easiest way to a BIG yum.
You will love this easy recipe for Chocolate No Bake Cookies!
Here’s the deal, I made these every single sunday with my dad when I was growing up so I am the chocolate no bake cookie MASTER! This qualifies me to give you all the secret tips that will make these the best no bake cookies recipe on the internet.
My biggest tip? Don’t let the mixture boil for too long. Overboiling will make your cookies dry and that is not the taste we’re going for! You want to boil it for 1 minute from when it just begins to boil. Next, let the mixture set up just slightly before scooping out your chocolate oatmeal cookies so they stay nice and tall / don’t go too flat. Because when these cookies go flat, they look a little less…appealing.
Ingredients for No Bake Cookies
- Sugar
- Cocoa powder
- Milk
- Salted butter – I always use salted butter, but you can use unsalted if preferred.
- Peanut butter – Don’t go with natural peanut butter, it’s much better with the regular stuff.
- Vanilla
- Quick oats – You can actually use either quick oats or rolled oats. Rolled oats will give you a chewier, oat texture if you decide to go that route.
How to make No Bake Cookies
- Combine the sugar, cocoa powder, milk and butter in a saucepan over medium high heat.
- Bring to a boil. Boil for 1 minute and then remove from heat.
- Stir in the peanut butter and vanilla until completely combined.
- Stir in the quick oats. Let it sit for a minute or two until it has thickened a little bit.
- Once thickened, scoop the cookies onto parchment or wax paper.
- Cool completely before serving.
How to store No Bake Cookies
Let your cookies cool completely and then store in an airtight container on the counter for 3-5 days.
How long do no bake cookies last?
I guarantee these cookies will stay fresh longer than they last. They’re addictive and delicious in their own right, they’ll be gone before you know it! But in case you have more self-control than I do, these cookies will last up to 5 days.
Can you freeze no bake cookies?
Yes, you can! Once cooled and shaped, place in a freezer bag and freeze for up to 3 months.
FAQs for Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies
If you use certified gluten free oats, you can easily make these chocolate no bake cookies gluten free.
Yes, you can! I typically use quick oats, but old fashioned oats will work just as well.
You probably didn’t let them sit long enough! Make sure they’re completely cooled and they will hold together swimmingly.
If you just let your no bake chocolate oatmeal cookies to harden, it can take up to 30 minutes. If you’re in a hurry, you can pop the pan in the fridge to help speed up the process.
If your cookies have turned out dry, it’s likely because you boiled them for too long! Only boil your cookies for 1 minute after it begins to boil and your cookies will stay nice and moist.
Only ONE minute. Seriously, just boil these for 1 minute.
Oatmeal Chocolate No Bake Cookie Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 cups sugar
- 1/3 cup cocoa powder
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/4 cup butter
- 1/2 cup peanut butter
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 2 cups quick oats
Instructions
- Combine the sugar, cocoa powder, milk and butter in a sauce pan over medium high heat.
- Bring to a boil. Boil for 1 minute and then remove from heat.
- Stir in the peanut butter and vanilla until completely combined.
- Stir in the quick oats. Let it sit for a minute or two until it has thickened a little bit.
- Once thickened, scoop the cookies onto parchment or wax paper.
- Cool completely before serving.
Oh my these cookies are so good! Thanks Karli
Can you cut the ingredients in half to make a half batch?
yes, you can!
They didn’t end up firming I believe i didn’t let the sugar heat up long enough 😔… but the goop taste good anyway..
Can you use regular oats, not quick oats?
You can use quick or rolled oats.
We called them gorilla poops and they were always a big hit at work!
These are amazing and addictive. Growing up we called them cow plops ! Close to DT !
HEY KARLI, my sisters and i made these cookies with our grandma when we were kids!
we made them bowl shaped: BIG or SMALL. they we would add M& M’s to the middle.
we called them birds nests. sometimes we had plain m&m’s and other times we had peanut m&m’s. it was always fun and yummy! our grandpa likes coconut added to some for him, as this was his favorite way to eat nests! 🙂 what good memories we had made!
thank you for bringing this back!
This is an OLD family favorite from my husband’s side! Recently I tried a variation that I like just as well, a Blonde version! Leave out the chocolate while keeping the peanut butter and oatmeal. Stir in caramel bits and/or Butterfinger or Heath bits. Sometimes I add shredded coconut, too!
Our family just calls them “no bake chocolate oatmeal”
We call them cow pies
Love these! I’m from Canada and have never had these cookies with peanut butter before
I will definitely make again!