Chocolate Peanut Butter No-Bake Cookies

These Chocolate Peanut Butter No-Bake Cookies are a quick and easy recipe that’s perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth. Make a batch to share with neighbors and friends, add them to a holiday cookie plate or enjoy some when it’s too hot to turn on the oven.

A stack of three chocolate oatmeal cookies sits on a white wooden surface, with oats in a glass bowl in the background.

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This recipe is tried and true — in fact, I think I’ve been making these cookies since high school! They were the perfect recipe in college when I needed a homemade treat but didn’t want to risk using the shared dorm oven or heating up my entire tiny apartment in my 20s. And now? I’m happy to report, they’re still delicious!

These cookies are just as comfortable on a holiday cookie tray as they are at a cookout in the middle of June, but I will say there’s something special about being able to make them without turning on the oven. When those summer temperatures hit, I’ll do almost anything to avoid the extra heat!

Sometimes a no-bake recipe is a necessity. If I have to make something to share in a hurry, these Chocolate Peanut Butter No-Bake Cookies are at the top of my list. It’s hard to top the peanut butter and chocolate combo, and they are seriously SO easy. Plus, less dishes, which is always a win. If you’re a peanut butter cup lover, I think these cookies may just be your new favorite.

More cookie recipes: No-Bake S’mores Avalanche CookiesSoft Chocolate Chip CookiesDouble Chocolate Chip Cookies

A rectangular white plate holds a row of chocolate oatmeal cookies on a white wooden surface, with more cookies, a bowl of oats, a gray cloth, and a mug nearby.

Why you’ll love this recipe

  1. It’s fast and easy. In under 15 minutes you’ll have a batch of cookies ready to go!
  2. Perfect for sharing. If you need an easy dessert or goodies to share, this recipe makes plenty.
  3. You don’t need any special ingredients. Just a handful of things that you probably already have on-hand come together for these tasty treats.
Close-up of several homemade no-bake chocolate oatmeal cookies arranged on a white surface, with some oats scattered around.

Tools & equipment

If you’re someone who enjoys baking I’m guessing you already have everything in your kitchen you need to make these delightful Chocolate Peanut Butter No-Bake Cookies.

Since this is a simple recipe, you really don’t need much. A baking sheet *, parchment paper *, and cookie scoop * will give you the best results with the least mess. You’ll also need a saucepan and spatula * to combine your ingredients.

Top-down view of ingredients in bowls for chocolate peanut butter no bake cookies, including butter, sugar, oats, cocoa powder, peanut butter, milk, and vanilla extract on a white surface.

Ingredients

👇 For full measurements and step-by-step instructions, scroll down to the printable recipe card. It’s all there waiting for you!

Since these cookies come together quickly, you’ll want to gather all your ingredients before you get going! Check your pantry for the following before you begin:

  • granulated sugar
  • quick oats
  • salted butter
  • creamy peanut butter
  • milk
  • cocoa powder
  • vanilla extract *

Substitutions & variations

These cookies are some of my favorites as-is, but if you wanted to switch things up, here are a few suggestions:

Check your oats. You need to use quick oats for this recipe to have a good texture. Rolled oats make tasty oatmeal, but are too tough and don’t work well here.

Go nuts. Try a different kind of nut butter, like almond butter or sunflower butter, to accommodate dietary needs or personal tastes — I’d stick with the creamy version of whatever you opt for.

Top them off. If you want to add any mix-ins, like chocolate chips or chopped peanuts, go for it! Add them at the end of the recipe. You can also add toppings like sprinkles or flaky sea salt, but be sure to do so before they set so they stick well.

Opt for an alternative. I have not personally tried making these with many dairy-free or vegan alternatives, but plant-based butter and almond milk should work well. Please let me know how they turn out if you do!

Three no-bake chocolate oatmeal cookies stacked on a white surface, with one cookie showing a bite taken out, and a gray napkin in the background.

Instructions

Chocolate Peanut Butter No-Bake Cookies are a simple, crowd-pleasing recipe! Let’s make a batch:

First, prep your baking sheet * by lining it with parchment paper *. Set it to the side while you work on the cookie mixture.

A saucepan filled with granulated sugar, topped with a block of butter and cocoa powder, with peanut butter and oats in bowls nearby.
A saucepan containing cocoa powder, granulated sugar, brown sugar, a stick of butter, and a liquid ingredient, ready to be mixed.

Next, combine your sugar, butter, milk and cocoa powder in a saucepan.

A saucepan filled with bubbling chocolate mixture sits on a white countertop, surrounded by bowls with various ingredients.
A stainless steel saucepan filled with a smooth, brown liquid mixture, viewed from above on a white surface.

Allow the mixture to come to a rolling boil and let it boil for about 1-2 minutes Then, remove your pan from the heat and add in the peanut butter and vanilla, stirring until everything is well combined.

Watch the pot boil. If you boil the mixture for too long, the cookies may turn out crumbly. If you under-boil the mixture, they will be too soft and won’t set properly. Aim for 1-2 minutes, no more and no less.

A metal mixing bowl containing chocolate batter topped with a layer of dry rolled oats, viewed from above.
A metal mixing bowl filled with a chocolate oat mixture on a white surface.

Now, stir in your oats, ensuring they are fully coated in the peanut butter and chocolate mixture.

Overhead view of a pot with remnants of chocolate oatmeal mixture and several clusters of no-bake cookies cooling on parchment paper.
Chocolate oatmeal cookies scattered on a white wooden surface with some loose oats visible around them.

Use your cookie scoop * to spoon your cookies onto the prepared cookie sheet *. Let them cool completely before enjoying them. If you have any extras, store them in an airtight container at room temperature or in the refrigerator. Pop them in the freezer to help them last longer.

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Tips & tricks

  • Don’t skip the parchment paper! This ensures your cookies come off the cookie sheet * cleanly when they’ve cooled.
  • The steps in these cookies come together quickly, so be sure you have everything ready before you get going.
  • Ensure your oats are quick oats, as rolled oats are too tough.

Food and drink pairings

These cookies go with almost anything! Serve them as dessert after a homemade pizza or air fryer chicken wings for a sweet touch.

For a stunning cookie plate that would make the perfect holiday gift, place these alongside snowflake sugar cookies, chai molasses cookies and some caramel popcorn to satisfy every taste bud.

When it comes to drinks, complement the chocolate and peanut butter flavor with a chocolate peanut butter old-fashioned. A banana old-fashioned would be a great match to all of these cookies’ flavors, too!

FAQ

Why won’t my no-bake cookies get firm?

The ratio of ingredients is important to achieve a firm texture when it comes to no-bake cookies. Be sure to measure carefully! Also, be sure that you don’t under-boil the mixture — you need 1-2 minutes, no more and no less.

How do you keep no-bake cookies from being grainy?

Ensure that your mixture comes to a rolling boil so that the sugar is able to fully melt. This will prevent grainy cookies.

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A stack of three chocolate oatmeal cookies sits on a white wooden surface, with oats in a glass bowl in the background.

Chocolate Peanut Butter No-Bake Cookies

Yield: 18 cookies
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Set time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
This easy Chocolate Peanut Butter No-Bake Cookies is a delicious crowd-pleaser! Make these for a sweet treat anytime.
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ingredients

instructions

  • Prepare a baking sheet or large plate lined with parchment or wax paper, and set aside.
  • In a large saucepan, melt the sugar, butter, milk and cocoa powder. Bring to a rolling boil, and boil for 1-2 minutes. Remove the pan from heat.
  • Stir in the peanut butter and vanilla. Stir to combine. Once fully combined, stir in the oats.
  • Spoon out onto prepared parchment paper. Let cool completely before enjoying!

notes

Oat check. Be sure you’re using quick oats and not rolled oats for the best texture.
Substitutions. Substitute your preferred nut butter in place of peanut butter. You can use non-dairy milk and plant-based butter. 
Watch the pot boil. If you boil the mixture for too long, the cookies may turn out crumbly. If you under-boil the mixture, they will be too soft and won’t set properly. Aim for 1-2 minutes, no more and no less.

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nutrition information

Yield: 18 cookies

amount per serving:

Serving: 1cookie Calories: 220kcal Carbohydrates: 32g Protein: 3g Fat: 10g Saturated Fat: 4g Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g Monounsaturated Fat: 3g Trans Fat: 0.2g Cholesterol: 14mg Sodium: 74mg Potassium: 96mg Fiber: 1g Sugar: 23g Vitamin A: 169IU Calcium: 19mg Iron: 1mg
did you make this recipe?Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Instagram with the hashtag #feastandwestrecipes!

About Susannah

Susannah Brinkley Henry is the founder of Feast + West, a cocktail blog featuring creative, budget-friendly drinks and hosting ideas. A graphic designer with bartending school training, she shares cocktails, mocktails, appetizers and desserts for easy, stylish entertaining. Her work has been featured by Southern Living, Buzzfeed, The Huffington Post and Mashable, and she was a finalist in the Saveur Blog Awards. Susannah is also a publisher on MSN and has appeared on local news segments sharing seasonal drinks. She lives in Charlotte, N.C., where she brings Southern charm and global inspiration to every pour. Read more.

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