We love these old-fashioned peanut butter no bake cookies. Rich, creamy peanut butter is mixed with vanilla, butter, sugar, milk and a dash of salt before being combined with crunchy oatmeal. You’ll be rewarded with a quick, delicious cookie that doesn’t require baking.
For more “no bake” ideas, try our no bake cookies, butterscotch haystacks and peanut butter balls. If you’re in the mood for baking, try our peanut butter oatmeal cookies and peanut butter brownies.
Peanut Butter No Bake Cookies:
A batch of these classic peanut butter no bake cookies takes just a few minutes to make. The hardest part is waiting for them to set so you can eat!
Best of all, if you’re prepping for the holidays, you can make these cookies ahead of time and just store them in the freezer until the day you want to serve them.
MORE PB RECIPES: Peanut Butter Monkey Bread | Chocolate Peanut Butter Pie | Peanut Butter Fudge
Peanut Butter No Bake Cookie Ingredients:
You will need:
- 1 stick butter
- 2 cups sugar
- ½ cup milk
- 1 cup peanut butter
- 2 tsp vanilla
- 3 cups quick-cook oats
- ¼ tsp salt
Ingredient Suggestions:
PEANUT BUTTER: I don’t recommend using natural peanut butter for no bake cookies. It can be a slightly different consistency and can make your cookies too runny. I would suggest using unsalted butter or if you use salted butter, omit the dash of salt from the recipe.
OATS: I also suggest using quick-cook oats instead of old-fashioned because they provide a better consistency for the cookies. If you only have old-fashioned oats, you can pulse them quickly in a food processor to make them a little smaller before getting started — your cookies will turn out much better!
SUBSTITUTIONS: You could also substitute peanut butter in this recipe for another type of nut butter if you would prefer. Some people add a scoop of Nutella as well.
ADD-INS: You could add mini marshmallows or candy such as Reese’s Pieces or M&M’S. Or push a Hershey kiss on the top.
TOPPING: Drizzle these cookies with chocolate or white chocolate.
How to Make Peanut Butter No Bake Cookies:
STEP ONE: In a small saucepan, over medium-high heat, whisk together butter, sugar, and milk. Bring the mixture to a boil for about a minute and then remove from heat.
PRO TIP: It’s important to start the 60 seconds once you’ve reached a rolling boil, not when you see the first few bubbles. If you start counting too soon, your cookies may not set properly.
- If your cookies are too hard: You might have boiled your sugar mixture too long or at too high of a heat.
- If your cookies are too gooey: You might not have boiled your sugar mixture long enough.
STEP TWO: Whisk in peanut butter and vanilla until well combined.
STEP THREE: In a large bowl stir together oats and salt. Pour the peanut butter mixture over oats and stir until combined.
STEP FOUR: Line a baking sheet with wax paper. Drop cookies onto the wax paper using a medium cookie scoop. (You could also use a silicone mat {affiliate link}.)
How to Store
Let the cookies cool on the countertop and then store in the refrigerator once cookies are cool and dry. It’s VERY important you let them cool on the countertop before putting them in the fridge or they will become gooey.
IN THE FREEZER: You can freeze no bake cookies. Just make sure they’re stored in an air-tight container so they don’t get freezer burn.
These peanut butter no bake cookies are such a classic — and so easy to make. You’ll love the moist, chewy texture and rich peanut butter flavor. Enjoy!
More Recipes You Will Love
PB RECIPES: Chocolate Peanut Butter Lasagna | Cookie Cups
COOKIES: Lemon Cookies | Apple Pie Cookies | Doubletree Cookies
CLASSIC: Candy Cane Kiss Cookies | Peanut Butter Pie
Peanut Butter No Bake Cookies
Ingredients
- 1 stick butter
- 2 cups sugar
- ½ cup milk
- 1 cup peanut butter
- 2 tsp vanilla
- 3 cups quick-cook oats
- ¼ tsp salt
Instructions
- In a large bowl stir together oats and salt. Set aside.
- In a small saucepan, over medium-high heat, whisk together butter, sugar, and milk.
- Bring the mixture to a boil for about a minute and then remove from heat.
- Whisk in peanut butter and vanilla until well combined.
- Pour the peanut butter mixture over oats and stir until combined.
- Line a baking sheet with wax paper. Drop cookies onto the wax paper using a medium cookie scoop.
- Let the cookies cool on the countertop. Store in the refrigerator once cookies are cool and dry.
I love no-bake cookies because it’s easier to get the family involve in baking them. Plus, these are very tasty.
I divided the mixture in 1/3’s and left one plain, added some chocolate chips to one, and butterscotch chips to the last one. Good variety!
What does a stick of butter equate too, don’t see these in NZ. How many ounzes or grams please
Hi, Cathy – a stick of butter is eight tablespoons or four ounces or 113 grams. Hope that helps! Enjoy 🙂
I made this but substituted Stevia for sugar and almond milk instead of regular milk worked fine.