No Bake Monster Cookies

No-bake monster cookies are packed full of simple ingredients, from creamy peanut butter to rich chocolate to fun M&M candy, that makes a sweet treat for the whole family.

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Table of Contents

No Bake Monster Cookies Ingredients
Substitutions & Additions For Monster Cookies
How To Make This No Bake Monster Cookies Recipe
How To Serve
Storing Monster Cookie Bars
Why We Love This Recipe
More Recipes You’ll Love
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No-bake monster cookies are Frankenstein’s monster of the cookie world – a mashup of peanut butter, oats, chocolate chips, and M&M’s. This recipe is different from other monster cookie bars because these cookies also have a yummy layer of chocolate on the top!

No Bake Monster Cookies Ingredients

no bake monster cookies raw ingredients that are labeled

Monster cookies are a combination of salty and sweet that’s sure to please both sweet tooths and cookie monsters alike.

For our no-bake monster cookie bar recipe, you’ll need:

6 tablespoons of butter, softened
6 tablespoons of sugar
¼ cup of brown sugar
¾ cup of creamy peanut butter
6 tablespoons of quick-cooking oats, pulsed in a food processor
1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
½ teaspoon of salt
1½ cups quick oats, not pulsed in the food processor
10 tablespoons of miniature M&M’s, divided into 8 tablespoons and 2 tablespoons
1 cup of semi-sweet chocolate chips
3 tablespoons of heavy cream

Substitutions & Additions For Monster Cookies

QUICK COOKING OATS: You can use old-fashioned oats instead, but the cookies won’t be quite as soft as if you use quick-cooking oats.

CHOCOLATE CHIPS: As these will be melted, you could use regular chocolate broken into pieces rather than chocolate chips.

MINIATURE M&M’S: If you can’t get hold of the mini M&M’s, you could use the full-size ones instead.

SUGAR: The brown sugar makes this recipe softer and moister, but it’s fine to just use white sugar if that’s what you have.

Honey would be another good alternative to sugar.

PEANUT BUTTER: Other nut butter, such as almond butter or cashew butter, would be a good substitute in this recipe if needed.

How To Make This No Bake Monster Cookies Recipe

With its combination of classic flavors and textures – not to mention how easy they are to prepare – these monster cookie bars will become your go-to cookie bar.

Here’s how you make our recipe:

STEP ONE: Line an 8-inch baking dish with foil or parchment paper.

STEP TWO: In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugars. Add the peanut butter and mix well.

no bake monster cookies process step of ingredients being added together in a clear bowl

OUR RECIPE DEVELOPER SAYS

Make sure your butter is at room temperature and not melted, otherwise, it won’t blend with the sugars properly.

STEP THREE: Place six tablespoons of quick-cooking oats into a food processor and pulse until finely ground.

STEP FOUR: Add the ground oats to the large mixing bowl with the sugar and peanut butter mixture. Add the vanilla and salt.

pulse oats, vanilla and salt added to the cream cheese mixture and fold m&m's in a bowl

STEP FIVE: Slowly add 1½ cups of oats and a half cup of M&M’s to the mixture, stirring as you go.

STEP SIX: Press the mixture into the prepared pan.

STEP SEVEN: Melt the chocolate chips and heavy cream in a small bowl in the microwave, stirring every 30 seconds.

Once the chocolate is smooth, spread it over the cookie dough mixture. Sprinkle with the remaining two tablespoons of M&M’s.

melted chocolate spread and m&m's sprinkled in a pan

STEP EIGHT: Cover and refrigerate for at least two hours or until set. Cut into squares and serve.

PRO TIP:

Make sure you don’t skip the refrigeration step. The cookie bars need time to set, and it will make them much easier to cut once chilled.

How To Serve

Serve monster cookie bars cold, or take them on the go.

These treats would also be a great after-school snack. Add a nice, cold glass of milk or a fun Wendy’s Frosty to drink.

For the adults, serve with our iced tea, raspberry iced tea, or our strawberry sweet tea on the side.

To turn this into an extra indulgent dessert, serve them with a scoop of ice cream.

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Did you know that there are so many easy recipes to make without an oven?

Take a look at our no bake peanut butter bars and our chocolate peanut butter no bake cookies for more ideas for no-bake treats.

With just a few simple steps, you can ensure your monster cookie bars are always as delicious as when they were first made.

MAKE AHEAD: If you want to get a head start on your cookie game, you can definitely make these no-bake treats ahead of time.

Once they’re ready and set, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week.

IN THE FRIDGE: You can store these monster cookie bites in an airtight container or tightly in plastic wrap in the fridge for up to two weeks.

Keeping them wrapped tightly will prevent them from drying out, as well as maintaining their flavor.

Additionally, this will help keep them from absorbing odors or flavors from other food items in the refrigerator.

IN THE FREEZER: Monster cookies freeze well for up to three months in an airtight container. Thaw overnight in the fridge.

Why We Love This Recipe

EFFORTLESS PREPARATION: These cookies are a breeze to make since there’s no baking involved. With simple mixing and quick setting, they are perfect for busy days when you’re craving a sweet treat.

KID-FRIENDLY FUN: Making these cookies is a delightful activity for kids. They’ll love getting involved in mixing, adding colorful M&M’s, and shaping the cookies.

CHEWY AND DELICIOUS: Monster cookies are known for their delightful chewy texture and sweet, nutty flavor. The combination of peanut butter, oats, and the colorful candy coating creates a fantastic blend of tastes and textures in every bite.

close up shot of no bake monster cookies

No-bake monster cookies are such easy treats to make. Loaded with oats and peanut butter, these monster cookie bites are great for a high-energy snack as well as a great way to satisfy your sweet tooth.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Can I add other ingredients to this recipe?

These no-bake monster cookie energy bites are perfect for customizing with your favorite mix-ins. Try chia seeds, flax seeds, or coconut.

Can I freeze these cookie bars?

These monster cookies will freeze well stored in an airtight container for up to three months.

Could I turn this recipe into cookies rather than bars?

We have not tried making them this way, but I can’t see why you couldn’t scoop them onto a baking sheet as energy balls or flatten them into cookies and chilled instead.

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No-Bake Monster Cookies

5 from 1 vote

No-bake monster cookies are packed full of simple ingredients, from creamy peanut butter to rich chocolate to fun M&M candy, that makes a sweet treat for the whole family.

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 15

Total Time 25

Servings squares

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Ingredients

6 tablespoons butter, softened
6 tablespoons sugar
¼ cup brown sugar
¾ cup creamy peanut butter
6 tablespoons quick cooking oats, pulsed in food processor
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
½ teaspoon salt
1½ cups quick cooking oats, not pulsed in the food processor
10 tablespoons miniature M&M's, divided into 8 tablespoons and 2 tablespoons
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
3 tablespoons heavy cream

Instructions

Prepare an 8-inch baking dish by lining it with either foil or parchment paper. Set aside.
In a large mixing bowl, cream together the butter and sugars. Add the peanut butter and mix well.
Add in the 6 tablespoons of quick cooking oats (pulsed in food processor), vanilla, and salt. Slowly add the 1½ cups of oats. Fold in ½ cup of M&M’s.
Press the mixture into the prepared pan.
Melt the chocolate chips and heavy cream in a small bowl in the microwave, stirring every 30 seconds. Once the chocolate is smooth, spread it over the cookie dough mixture. Sprinkle with the remaining 2 tablespoons of M&M’s.
Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or until set. Cut into squares.

Notes

Make sure your butter is at room temperature and not melted, otherwise, it won’t blend with the sugars properly.
Make sure you don’t skip the refrigeration step. The cookie bars need time to set, and it will make them much easier to cut once chilled.

Nutrition

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This recipe was developed, tested, cooked and photographed by the Spaceships Kitchen. From our dinner table to yours, we hope you think it's out of this world!

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Stefanie Knaus Photographer
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