No Bake Peanut Butter Cookies

No-Bake Peanut Butter Cookies with oatmeal are the perfect treat when a late-night craving hits. They’re quick and easy to make and satisfy everyone’s sweet tooth.

My kids have been on a peanut butter kick lately. They’ve been asking for peanut butter spoons for snack, which are just what they sound like, peanut butter on a spoon.

We’ve been making the best peanut butter cookies (and the chocolate chip peanut butter cookie version too!) on the regular, but sometimes when we want something quicker, we make these no-bake peanut butter cookies. 

You’re likely to have these ingredients in your kitchen at any given time.

So, when you’re ready for a quick and tasty dessert for you and your family, remember these great no-bake peanut butter cookies.

No Bake Cookie Ingredients

I’m all about simple ingredients for most of my baking and that applies to these no-bake cookies too. First, you’ll need oats.

I prefer the quick-cooking oats, but feel free to use whatever you have on hand.  Gluten-free oats work well in this recipe if you follow a gluten-free diet.

Peanut butter is the star of this show.  Smooth peanut butter is best unless you want your cookies to have peanut chunks, in that case, the chunkier, the better. 

You’ll also need vanilla, sugar, milk, and butter.  I prefer white granulated sugar, but this is also delicious with light brown sugar.

If you follow a vegan diet, you can easily adjust this recipe by using a non-dairy milk option and non-dairy butter.

How to make no bake peanut butter cookies

First, you’re going to measure out your oats and place them in a large bowl.  In another bowl, mix your peanut butter and vanilla extract together and set it aside.

Grab a small saucepan and mix the sugar, milk, and butter until they combine.  Then, turn on the stove and stir the sugar mixture until it begins to boil. 

Once it starts boiling, set a two-minute timer, and continue mixing until the two minutes are up.

Immediately after the timer goes off, add your warm sugar mixture to the bowl of oats and stir them together gently. 

Next, add the peanut butter and vanilla mixture and stir everything until they combine nicely.

Now it’s time for the fun part.  Grab a cookie sheet and line it with parchment paper if you have it.  Quickly scoop the cookie mixture onto the cookie sheet.

It’s important that you get your cookie dough onto the cookie sheet fast.  If not your dough might start to set before it’s in the proper form on the cookie sheet. 

Now, let your cookies cool, then and it’s time to enjoy! 

Tips when making no bake peanut butter cookies

Cooking is a science, but it’s also an art form. Use this recipe as a guide, but if need be, make the changes necessary for it to work for you.

I’ve made these cookies many times, and I’ve found that a surefire way for them to not set up correctly is for the sugar mixture to not boil long enough.

Be sure not to cut the boiling time because this process is crucial if you want your cookies to have the right texture. Also, keep in mind that if you boil the mixture too long, your cookies can turn out crumbly.

You want to give the cookies at least an hour to set up.  If they still haven’t done so after an hour, place them in the refrigerator to speed up the process.

No Bake Dessert Recipes

No-Bake Desserts are a summer favorite, aren’t they? From Chocolate Covered Peanut Butter Balls to No Bake Cheesecake, Strawberry Shortcake Icebox Cake to Samoa Rice Krispy Treats, there is something here for every possible occasion.

For a few more easy, no-bake cookies, check out these No Bake Samoa Cookies, No Bake Avalanche Cookies, and No Bake Almond Joy Cookies.

You’ll want to save this recipe for the best ever peanut butter cookies for next time you feel like baking!

{originally published 6/28/19 – recipe notes and photos updated 7/22/21}