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Peanut Butter No Bake Cookies Recipe

If you’re anything like me and love quick, no-fuss desserts that don’t compromise on flavor or texture, then you’re in for a treat. This Peanut Butter No Bake Cookies Recipe is absolutely fan-freaking-tastic—rich peanut butter meets the perfect combo of chewy oats and just the right hint of chocolate, all without firing up your oven. I can’t wait to share with you why these cookies quickly became my go-to sweet fix and how you can easily whip them up at home.

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Why This Recipe Works

  • No Baking Required: You get deliciously soft cookies without heating up the oven—perfect for hot days or quick desserts.
  • Simple Ingredients: Pantry staples like peanut butter, oats, and maple syrup come together in harmony, so you likely have everything on hand.
  • Customizable Texture: The oats provide chewiness while chilling overnight helps the cookies set just right—soft but firm.
  • Kid-Friendly & Allergy-Friendly: No eggs or flour means it’s accessible for many dietary needs and little hands love helping to shape them.

Ingredients & Why They Work

This Peanut Butter No Bake Cookies Recipe is deceptively simple, yet every ingredient plays a crucial role to get the perfect balance of sweetness, texture, and flavor. Plus, I’ll share some handy tips on shopping for the best versions.

Peanut Butter No Bake Cookies, easy no bake cookies, no bake peanut butter cookies, quick dessert recipes, chewy peanut butter cookies - Flat lay of a medium bowl filled with creamy natural peanut butter, a small jar of golden maple syrup partially poured out, a small cup holding melted coconut oil, a tiny glass bottle of vanilla extract, a small heap of flaky sea salt, a generous pile of whole rolled oats spilling slightly, and a small bowl of mini chocolate chips scattered around, placed on a white marble surface, photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7
  • Natural creamy peanut butter: Go for natural and smooth; it mixes easily and gives that pure peanut flavor without excess additives.
  • Maple syrup: A natural sweetener that blends beautifully and adds subtle warmth—plus, it helps bind the cookies.
  • Coconut oil: Offers moisture and richness; melting it lets everything combine smoothly.
  • Vanilla extract: Adds depth and balances the peanut butter’s savoriness with a sweet aroma.
  • Sea salt: Enhances all the flavors and balances the sweetness; if your peanut butter is salted, start with less!
  • Whole rolled oats: Give the cookies body and chewy texture; avoid instant oats as they can get mushy.
  • Mini chocolate chips: Little bursts of chocolate magic that contrast nicely with the salty peanut butter.
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Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One of the things I love about this Peanut Butter No Bake Cookies Recipe is how easy it is to tweak to your personal taste. Whether you like things a little sweeter, less salty, or want to add a crunch, it’s your cookie adventure.

  • Variation: I sometimes swap the maple syrup for honey or agave just to change things up—and it still works great!
  • Nut Butter Change-Up: If you want, peanut butter can be replaced with almond or cashew butter for a different nutty flavor.
  • Add-Ins: Toss in some chopped nuts, shredded coconut, or dried fruit to give your cookies a fresh twist.
  • Salt Level: Play around with salt; if you have salted peanut butter, reduce the added salt so it doesn’t overpower the sweetness.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Peanut Butter No Bake Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Gather and Prep Your Ingredients

Before diving in, line a baking sheet with parchment paper. It’s a simple step, but it makes clean-up a breeze and keeps the cookies from sticking. Then, measure out all your ingredients — I find it helps to have everything ready to go before combining.

Step 2: Mix the Wet Ingredients

In a medium bowl, stir together the peanut butter, maple syrup, melted coconut oil, vanilla extract, and sea salt until silky and smooth. Using melted coconut oil here is key—it helps everything blend together evenly for that perfect cookie texture.

Step 3: Add the Oats and Chocolate Chips

Next, fold in whole rolled oats and mini chocolate chips. You want everything coated but not overly mixed—this keeps your cookies nice and chewy with little pockets of melty chocolate.

Step 4: Shape and Chill

Using a 2-tablespoon cookie scoop (or just a spoon), portion out the dough. Roll into balls with your hands, then flatten gently into disks on your parchment-lined sheet. FYI, they’ll be a bit delicate at first but firm up beautifully after chilling. Trust me, letting these sit overnight in the fridge is worth the wait!

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Tips from My Kitchen

  • Use Natural Peanut Butter: I tried this with some commercial peanut butter that had sugar added, and it made the cookies too sweet—natural is the way to go.
  • Chill Time Matters: Don’t rush the chilling step. I learned that overnight chilling produces firmer cookies that hold their shape perfectly.
  • Mix Gently: Stir just until everything comes together—you want to keep the oats intact to retain that great chewiness.
  • Avoid Over-Flattening: Press the cookies lightly; squashing too hard can make them crumbly after chilling.

How to Serve Peanut Butter No Bake Cookies Recipe

Peanut Butter No Bake Cookies, easy no bake cookies, no bake peanut butter cookies, quick dessert recipes, chewy peanut butter cookies - A white oval plate filled with a single layer of round oatmeal cookies dotted with small dark chocolate chips. The cookies are golden brown with visible oat flakes and chocolate chips scattered evenly on the surface. The plate sits on a white marbled surface, beside a blue cloth napkin with white stitching on the corner. In the background, partially visible, are white bowls and scalloped white plates, also with oatmeal cookies. The light is soft and natural, highlighting the texture of the cookies and the smooth surface around them. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Garnishes

I usually skip fancy garnishes—these cookies shine on their own. But if I’m feeling festive, a light dusting of powdered sugar or a drizzle of melted dark chocolate adds a lovely touch. Toasted chopped peanuts sprinkled on top boost the crunch factor and peanut flavor, too.

Side Dishes

These no bake cookies pair beautifully with a cold glass of milk or a warm mug of coffee or tea. For a fun brunch or snack spread, I like setting them alongside fresh fruit and yogurt to balance the richness.

Creative Ways to Present

For gatherings, I’ve arranged these cookies in little stacks tied with ribbon or wrapped individually in parchment for gifting. Another favorite is serving them on a colorful platter lined with banana leaves or edible flowers—it makes a simple treat feel a little fancy!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover cookies keep great in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week. I learned the hard way that room temperature storage makes them too soft and prone to sticking together, so the fridge is best.

Freezing

If I want to prep ahead, I freeze these cookies in single layers on a baking tray, then transfer to a freezer bag once solid. They hold up well for a couple of months and thaw quickly at room temperature—perfect for unexpected sweet cravings!

Reheating

I usually eat them cold, but if you want that fresh-baked warmth, pop a cookie in the microwave for about 10 seconds—just enough to soften the chocolate chips without melting everything into a gooey mess.

FAQs

  1. Can I use crunchy peanut butter instead of creamy?

    While crunchy peanut butter might seem like a fun twist, it can interfere with the smooth binding texture of these no bake cookies. I recommend using natural, creamy peanut butter for the best consistency and even mixing.

  2. Do these cookies need to be refrigerated?

    Yes, chilling these cookies is essential—they firm up as they cool and hold their shape better. I suggest at least 6 hours in the fridge, but overnight is ideal for the best texture.

  3. Can I substitute maple syrup for another sweetener?

    Absolutely! Honey or agave nectar work well as alternatives, though each will subtly change the flavor profile. Just be sure to stick to a liquid sweetener to maintain the right texture.

  4. How long do these cookies last?

    Stored properly in an airtight container in the fridge, these cookies last up to one week. For longer storage, freezing is your best bet.

Final Thoughts

This Peanut Butter No Bake Cookies Recipe holds a special place in my kitchen because it’s easy, fast, and always satisfying. Whether you’re whipping up snacks for a weeknight treat or surprising friends with a simple homemade dessert, these cookies hit just the right note of flavor and comfort. Give the recipe a try—you’ll be amazed at how something so quick and straightforward can become a permanent fixture in your sweet repertoire.

Print
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Peanut Butter No Bake Cookies Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.9 from 7 reviews
  • Author: Lucy
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 0 minutes
  • Total Time: 12 hours 15 minutes
  • Yield: 24 cookies
  • Category: Snack
  • Method: No-Cook
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

These Peanut Butter No Bake Cookies are a deliciously easy treat combining creamy natural peanut butter, sweet maple syrup, and wholesome oats. With just a few simple ingredients and no baking required, they make a perfect snack or dessert that’s quick to prepare and satisfying.


Ingredients

Main Ingredients

  • ⅔ cup unsalted natural creamy peanut butter
  • ½ cup maple syrup
  • 2 tablespoons melted coconut oil
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Heaping ½ teaspoon sea salt
  • 2½ cups whole rolled oats
  • ¼ cup mini chocolate chips


Instructions

  1. Prepare the baking sheet: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside to prevent sticking.
  2. Mix wet ingredients: In a medium bowl, thoroughly stir together the peanut butter, maple syrup, melted coconut oil, vanilla extract, and sea salt until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
  3. Add dry ingredients: Stir in the rolled oats and mini chocolate chips until evenly incorporated into the wet mixture.
  4. Form the cookies: Use a 2-tablespoon cookie scoop to portion the dough. With your hands, roll each portion into balls and place them on the prepared baking sheet, then gently flatten each ball into a disk using your fingers. Note that the disks will firm up more after chilling.
  5. Chill cookies: Place the baking sheet in the refrigerator and chill the cookies overnight, about 12 hours, to allow them to firm up and set properly.

Notes

  • If your peanut butter is salted, reduce the sea salt to half a teaspoon initially and adjust to taste to prevent over-salting.
  • Use natural creamy peanut butter rather than chunky or processed varieties for the best texture and flavor.
  • The chilling process is essential to help the cookies firm up, so avoid skipping or shortening this step.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 cookie
  • Calories: 120 kcal
  • Sugar: 7 g
  • Sodium: 80 mg
  • Fat: 7 g
  • Saturated Fat: 2 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 14 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 3 g
  • Cholesterol: 0 mg

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