Peanut Butter No-Bake Cookies Recipe

Irresistibly Simple Peanut Butter No-Bake Cookies Recipe

Creamy peanut butter transforms these no-bake cookies into a delightful treat that will make your taste buds dance.

Sweet memories of childhood rush back with each bite of these simple delicacies.

Mixing becomes a breeze when you skip the oven and embrace this quick dessert approach.

No complicated steps stand between you and a satisfying chocolate-peanut butter combination.

Minimal ingredients mean maximum flavor in these irresistible morsels.

Kitchen magic happens when chocolate and peanut butter meld into a perfect no-fuss confection.

Whip up these cookies and watch everyone’s faces light up with pure culinary joy.

Why Peanut Butter No-Bake Cookies Are Quick and

  • Perfect for beginners with simple steps and no baking needed, making it a foolproof dessert anyone can master.
  • Whips up in under 15 minutes, delivering delicious cookies faster than traditional baking methods with minimal cleanup.
  • Combines beloved chocolate and peanut butter flavors that children adore, creating a fun no-bake activity for family bonding and sweet memories.
  • Uses basic pantry ingredients like oats, peanut butter, and cocoa powder, allowing you to create a delectable treat without expensive shopping trips.

What You’ll Need for Peanut Butter No-Bake Cookies

Primary Ingredients For Sweet Base:
  • Butter: Rich, creamy fat that helps bind and create smooth texture.
  • Sugar: White granulated sweetener for classic cookie sweetness.
  • Milk: Adds moisture and helps dissolve sugar during cooking.
  • Cocoa Powder: Provides deep chocolate flavor and rich color.
Peanut Butter Components:
  • Peanut Butter: Smooth protein-packed ingredient that adds nutty flavor.
  • Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall taste with warm, sweet undertones.
  • Salt: Small pinch balances sweetness and deepens flavor profile.
Binding Ingredients:
  • Oats: Whole grain that provides structure and chewy texture to cookies. Quick-cooking or rolled oats work best for consistent results.

How to Prep Peanut Butter No-Bake Cookies in Minutes

Step 1: Create Chocolate Base

In a medium pot, melt butter over medium heat. Add sugar, milk, and cocoa powder. Whisk ingredients until blended. Bring mixture to a vigorous boil and let it bubble for 1 minute, stirring occasionally to prevent scorching.

Step 2: Incorporate Creamy Elements

Remove pot from heat. Stir in:
  • Peanut butter
  • Vanilla extract
  • Pinch of salt

Mix until smooth and fully combined.

Step 3: Fold in Hearty Oats

Add oats to the chocolate mixture. Stir thoroughly until every oat is coated with the rich chocolate blend.

Step 4: Shape Delightful Treats

Use a tablespoon or cookie scoop to drop mixture onto:
  • Parchment paper
  • Silicone baking mat

Gently flatten each cookie with the back of a spoon for a perfect shape.

Step 5: Set and Enjoy

Let cookies rest at room temperature for 30-45 minutes. Cookies will firm up and become deliciously chewy. Once set, savor your homemade no-bake cookies with a cold glass of milk or hot coffee.

  • Choose Quality Ingredients: Select creamy, natural peanut butter without added sugars for a richer, more authentic flavor and healthier cookies.
  • Control Boiling Time: Watch the mixture carefully during the 1-minute boil to prevent burning, which can create a bitter taste and affect the cookies' texture.
  • Customize Texture: Adjust the amount of oats to control the cookies' firmness- more oats create a drier, more structured cookie, while fewer oats result in a softer treat.
  • Experiment with Variations: Swap half the cocoa powder with protein powder for a nutritional boost, or add a sprinkle of sea salt on top for a gourmet touch.
  • Quick Cooling Hack: Place cookies in the refrigerator for faster setting if you're short on time, ensuring they firm up quickly and maintain their shape.

How to Store Peanut Butter No-Bake Cookies Without Crumbling

  • Store cookies in an airtight container between layers of parchment paper for up to 5 days in the refrigerator to maintain their texture and prevent sticking.
  • Pack cookies in a freezer-safe container or ziplock bag, separating layers with wax paper, and freeze for up to 3 months for longer preservation.
  • Keep cookies in a sealed container at room temperature for 2-3 days, ensuring they remain in a cool, dry spot away from direct sunlight.
  • Warm refrigerated or frozen cookies for 10-15 seconds in the microwave or let them sit at room temperature for 15 minutes before serving to restore their soft, chewy consistency.

Pairings That Go With Peanut Butter No-Bake Cookies

  • Rich, dark espresso cuts through the cookie's sweetness, creating a robust flavor contrast that highlights the chocolate and peanut butter notes.
  • Creamy banana smoothie offers a cool, fruity balance to the dense, rich cookie, enhancing the nutty undertones and providing a refreshing companion.
  • Chilled whole milk creates a nostalgic, comforting combination that softens the cookie's intensity and provides a smooth, creamy drinking experience.
  • Warm caramel latte introduces a sweet, buttery layer that intertwines beautifully with the peanut butter and chocolate elements, creating a decadent sensory experience.

Different Flavors for Peanut Butter No-Bake Cookies

  • Gluten-Free Option: Replace traditional oats with certified gluten-free oats or swap oats for quinoa flakes to create a celiac-friendly version of the no-bake cookies.
  • Almond Butter Alternative: Substitute peanut butter with almond butter for those with peanut allergies or seeking a different nutty flavor profile. Use unsweetened almond butter to maintain a similar consistency.
  • Vegan Modification: Use coconut oil instead of butter, swap milk with almond or oat milk, and ensure all ingredients are plant-based. Add a plant-based protein powder for extra nutrition.
  • Low-Sugar Version: Reduce sugar content by using monk fruit sweetener or stevia, and incorporate sugar-free chocolate chips for added sweetness without the high sugar load.
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Peanut Butter No-Bake Cookies Recipe

Peanut Butter No-Bake Cookies Recipe


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4.7 from 19 reviews

  • Total Time: 40 minutes
  • Yield: 24 1x

Description

Indulgent peanut butter no-bake cookies melt hearts with their rich, chocolatey goodness. Creamy, quick, and irresistible, they bring pure comfort without turning on the oven, offering you a delightful treat in minutes.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 2 cups (400g) granulated sugar
  • 1 cup (240g) creamy peanut butter
  • 3 cups (270g) quick oats

Liquid and Fat Ingredients:

  • ½ cup (115g) unsalted butter
  • ½ cup (120ml) milk
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract

Flavor and Seasoning Ingredients:

  • ¼ cup (30g) cocoa powder
  • 1 pinch of salt

Instructions

  1. Prepare a medium saucepan and melt butter over medium heat, creating a smooth base for the no-bake cookie mixture.
  2. Incorporate sugar, milk, and cocoa powder into the melted butter, whisking thoroughly to ensure complete integration of ingredients.
  3. Elevate the mixture to a vigorous boil, maintaining the intense bubbling for precisely one minute while stirring intermittently to prevent scorching.
  4. Remove the saucepan from heat and swiftly blend in peanut butter, vanilla extract, and a delicate pinch of salt, stirring until the mixture achieves a luxurious, uniform consistency.
  5. Gently fold oats into the chocolate-peanut butter base, ensuring each oat is thoroughly coated with the rich, glossy mixture.
  6. Utilize a tablespoon or cookie scoop to deposit uniform dollops of the mixture onto parchment paper or a silicone baking mat, creating rustic, free-form cookies.
  7. Optionally, use the back of a spoon to gently flatten each cookie, creating a more refined shape and consistent thickness.
  8. Allow the cookies to rest and solidify at room temperature for approximately 30-45 minutes, transforming from a molten state to delectable, chewy treats ready to be savored.

Notes

  • Use unsalted butter to better control the salt content and prevent the cookies from becoming too salty.
  • Choose natural peanut butter with no added sugar for a healthier version that lets the chocolate and oat flavors shine.
  • If the mixture seems too runny, let it cool for a few minutes before scooping to help the cookies set more quickly and maintain a better shape.
  • For gluten-free options, swap regular oats with certified gluten-free oats to make the recipe safe for those with gluten sensitivities.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Category: Snacks, Desserts
  • Method: Boiling
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 24
  • Calories: 220
  • Sugar: 17g
  • Sodium: 50mg
  • Fat: 10g
  • Saturated Fat: 4g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 5g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 30g
  • Fiber: 2g
  • Protein: 5g
  • Cholesterol: 15mg
Dave Mitchell

Dave Mitchell

Founder & Chief Recipe Developer

Expertise

  • Grilling Techniques and Innovations​
  • Recipe Development and Testing
  • Culinary Education and Workshops​
  • Food Photography and Styling

Education

Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College
Associate of Applied Science in Culinary Arts
Focus: Comprehensive training in culinary techniques, kitchen management, and menu planning, with a special emphasis on grilling and outdoor cooking. ​


Dave Mitchell is the heart behind Daves Grill, a cook, writer, and lover of all things grilled. He studied Culinary Arts at Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College and spent years cooking, testing, and sharing recipes that actually work.

Dave started Daves Grill to keep things simple: one great recipe at a time. His food is bold, easy to follow, and made for real people with regular kitchens. From juicy steaks to quick sides, Dave’s recipes bring the heat without the hassle.

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