No Bake Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies are chewy and full of peanut butter flavor. They’re made with just 6 ingredients so they’re the perfect quick and easy fix for when you need a sweet treat.
No bake desserts are fun to make with the kids. Two other favorites are my Peanut Butter Chocolate No Bake Cookies and my Banana No Bake Cheesecake.
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Why this No-Bake Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies Recipe is a Keeper
This recipe for peanut butter oats no bake cookies is super simple. It’s perfect even for the kiddos. They are a true family favorite.
- Quick & Easy: Ready in minutes with no oven required. So It is quick and easy snack bar. I have made this recipe for years.
- Pantry-Friendly: Uses simple staples like oats and peanut butter. This delicious recipe is truly enhanced by the chocolate flavor.
- Kid-Approved: Chewy, sweet, and perfect for lunchboxes or after-school snacks.
- Versatile: Easily adapted for dietary needs or flavor preferences. Try these chocolate no-bake cookies.
Do these Cookies Set Up When You Do Not Bake Them?
Since the recipe calls to heat a sugar and butter mixture, the cookies will set up when the sugar cools and you let the cookies set.
Pro Tip – Mix Ins for No-Bake Cookies
Mix in some protein powder, coconut or chocolate chips.
Ingredient Notes for Easy No-Bake Peanut Butter Cookies
You only need a few simple ingredients to make chocolate and peanut butter version cookies, many of which you probably have in your pantry already.
Get the full printable recipe with specific measurements and directions in the recipe card below.
- Peanut Butter: Use creamy peanut butter to make this cookie recipe. You could even use natural peanut butter to make no bake chocolate, peanut butter and vanilla cookies. Use the best peanut butter you can.
- Quick Oats: You will need quick oats to make no-bakes. Old fashioned rolled oats will not work.
- White Sugar: The recipe calls for granulated sugar, but you could even try brown sugar.
Variations to Make These Peanut Butter Cookies
Feel free to use different ingredients to substitute or experiment with flavors.
- Nut butter: Swap peanut butter, like Jif or Skippy, for almond, cashew, or sunflower seed butter (nut-free option). For best taste and texture in baking recipes, I usually push you to use standard commercially processed peanut butter.
- Sweetener: Use honey, maple syrup, or agave instead of sugar.
- Mix-ins: Add mini chocolate chips, dried fruit, shredded coconut, or chopped nuts.
- Oats: Quick oats give a softer cookie; old-fashioned oats add chew.
- Flavor twists: Stir in cocoa powder for chocolate-peanut butter cookies or a dash of cinnamon for warmth.
- Chocolate Peanut Butter No Bake Cookies: Stir in some cocoa powder to make no-bake chocolate version.
Special Equipment Needed for No Bake Cookies
A specific piece of kitchenware can sometimes make all the difference when making oatmeal peanut butter cookies.
- Cookie Scoop: Makes perfectly even cookies.
How to Make Easy No-Bake Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies
This recipe comes together in just 3 easy to follow steps. These easy no bake peanut butter are so delicious, I come back to them again and again.
Get the full printable recipe with specific measurements and directions in the recipe card below.
- Heat Sugar Mixture: In a large saucepan over medium heat, add the sugar, butter and milk. Stir until butter melts. Increase temperature to medium high and let boil for 1 minute.
- Add Peanut Butter: Remove from heat and stir in the peanut butter and vanilla extract. Then, stir in the oats until evenly combined.
- Drop Cookies: Drop the mixture the mixture on to baking sheets with parchment paper using a cookie scoop or spoon to make separate cookies. Let cookies cool for 45 minutes before enjoying.
Prep Ahead Suggestions for Easy No Bake Cookies
When I prepare ingredients ahead of time, it can help save me time when it comes to making no bake peanut oatmeal cookies.
- Pre-Measure Ingredients: Store in separate containers to easy dump in.
Store and Use Peanut Butter No-Bake Cookies
- Storing: Store in an airtight container on the counter for 3-4 days.
- Using Leftovers: Crumble over a parfait or blend with ice cream to make a milkshake.
Questions Make these Easy No-Bake Peanut Butter Cookies
Not very easily. The hot sugar is necessary for them to set. Plus natural peanut butter is more runny. Use basic ingredients but stick to the ones.
Nope! They last longer in the fridge, but they can also be stored on the counter.
Expert Tips to Love This Recipe
- Quick: Work quickly once the mixture is ready, it sets fast.
- Wax Paper: Use parchment paper to prevent sticking and for easy cleanup.
- Cookie Scoop: For uniform cookies, use a cookie scoop.
- Help Set: If cookies aren’t setting, chill them for 20 minutes or add a bit more quick-cooking oats.
- Balance Flavors: Balance sweetness and salt. A pinch of sea salt enhances flavor
- Serve With: Serve no bake oatmeal cookies with Fruitcake Cookies, Oreo Cookie Balls or Smores Cookies.
More Recipes You Might Like
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No Bake Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies
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Ingredients
- 1 ¾ cup Granulated sugar
- ½ cup Butter, 1 stick
- ½ cup Milk
- ¾ cup Peanut butter, creamy
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
- 3 ¼ cup Quick oats
Instructions
- Combine granulated sugar, butter, and milk in a large pot. Heat the mixture over medium heat while stirring frequently until the butter is melted.
- Raise the temperature to medium-high and allow the mixture to boil for 60 seconds without stirring.
- Take the pot off the stove and mix in the peanut butter and vanilla thoroughly.
- Incorporate the quick oats and mix until thoroughly combined.
- Using a spoon, drop the mixture onto baking sheets that are covered with parchment paper to create separate cookies. Leave the cookies to cool down entirely at room temperature until they are set, which should take approximately 45 minutes.
Christina’s Notes
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- Make as bars: Instead of forming individual cookies, press the mixture into a lined baking dish and refrigerate until set and firm. Cut into bar sized pieces for a different presentation.
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- Alternate Nut Butters: You don’t have to limit yourself to just peanut butter. You can explore and experiment with different types of nut butter for a variety of unique flavors.
- Peanut Butter Chocolate: This no bake cookie recipe will be enhanced with chocolate chips or cocoa powder. Chocolate and peanut butter are perfect together.
- Scale the recipe: Simply adjust the serving size in the recipe card and the ingredients will update automatically.
- Make your own All Purpose Seasoning: When a recipe calls for All Purpose Seasoning, you can use my homemade All Purpose Seasoning recipe or substitute salt and pepper to taste.
- Meat doneness: I always use a meat thermometer to test for doneness when cooking meat.
- Use unsalted butter: I use unsalted butter so I can control the salt level in the recipe.
- Preheat the oven: Unless otherwise noted, always preheat your oven before baking.
For more helpful information about this recipe, such as variations, substitutions and other pro-tips, check out the blog post.