Peanut Butter No-Bake Cookies

Name: No Bake Peanut Butter Cookies
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 80 min
Ingredients: ½ cup butter; 2 cups sugar; ½ cup milk; 1 cup peanut butter; 2 teaspoons vanilla; 3 cups quick-cook oats; ¼ teaspoon salt

close up overhead shot of a bunch of Cookies stacked on top of each other

A batch of these classic peanut butter no-bake cookies takes just a few minutes to make and come out decadent and rich.

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Table of Contents

PEANUT BUTTER NO BAKES INGREDIENTS
SUBSTITUTIONS AND ADDITIONS
HOW TO MAKE THIS PEANUT BUTTER NO BAKE COOKIE RECIPE
HOW TO SERVE NO BAKE PB COOKIES
NO BAKE PEANUT BUTTER COOKIES STORAGE
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
More You’ll Love
JUMP TO RECIPE

We love these old-fashioned peanut butter no-bake cookies. Rich, creamy peanut butter is mixed with a handful of simple ingredients before being combined with crunchy oatmeal for a quick and delicious cookie.

For more no-bake recipe ideas, try our no-bake peanut butter bars and peanut butter balls.

close up shot of a bunch of Cookies stacked on top of each other

PEANUT BUTTER NO BAKES INGREDIENTS

peanut butter no-bake cookies raw ingredients that are labeled

You’ll need:

½ cup butter
2 cups sugar
½ cup milk
1 cup peanut butter
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
3 cups quick-cooking oats
¼ teaspoon salt

SUBSTITUTIONS AND ADDITIONS

PEANUT BUTTER: I don’t recommend using creamy natural peanut butter for no bake cookies. It can be a slightly different consistency and can make your cookies too runny.

BUTTER: 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 oats instead of old-fashioned oats 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!

NUT BUTTER: You could also substitute peanut butter in this recipe for another type of nut butter such as almond butter or cashew butter if you would prefer. Some people add a scoop of Nutella as well for a chocolate peanut butter version.

ADD-INS: You could add mini marshmallows, chocolate chips, or candy such as Reese’s Pieces or M&M’s. Or press a Hershey kiss on the top.

TOPPING: Drizzle these cookies with a little bit of chocolate or white chocolate, if you like.

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 the heat.

OUR RECIPE DEVELOPER SAYS

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.

butter, sugar, and milk being melted and whisked together in a saucepan

STEP TWO: Whisk in the peanut butter and vanilla until well combined.

peanut butter and vanilla added to the butter mixture and whisked together to combine

STEP THREE: In a large bowl, stir together the quick-cooking oats and salt.

STEP FOUR: Pour the peanut butter mixture over the oats and stir until combined.

peanut butter mixture being poured over the oats

STEP FIVE: Line a baking sheet with wax paper or parchment paper. Drop mixture onto the wax paper using a medium cookie scoop.

scoops of cookie dough dropped onto a parchment paper lined pan

STEP SIX: Let the cookies cool on the counter and then store in the refrigerator once cookies are cool and dry.

PRO TIP:

It’s very important you let them cool on the counter before putting them in the fridge or they will become gooey.

HOW TO SERVE NO BAKE PB COOKIES

Enjoy these tasty cookies with a glass of cold milk or whipped hot chocolate for the perfect treat. These would be a welcome treat for an after-school snack as well. They would also be a great choice for giving as a gift during the holidays.

MORE PEANUT BUTTER RECIPES

Breakfast Breads

Peanut Butter Quick Bread

Dessert Bars

Peanut Butter Brownies

NO BAKE PEANUT BUTTER COOKIES STORAGE

IN THE FRIDGE: Store your peanut butter cookies in the fridge so they don’t get too gooey.

IN THE FREEZER: You can freeze no-bake peanut butter cookies. Just make sure they’re stored in an airtight container so they don’t get freezer burn.

If you’re prepping for the holidays, you can make this no-bake cookie recipe ahead of time and just store them in the freezer until the day you want to serve them.

close up shot of Cookies stacked on top of each other

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. A batch of cookies takes just a few minutes to make and the hardest part is waiting for them to set so you can eat!

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Can I use crunchy peanut butter for this recipe?

This great cookie works best with creamy peanut butter and you will get plenty of added crunch with the oats.

Can you use old-fashioned oats instead of quick oats in no-bake cookies?

We don’t recommend using old-fashioned oats as a substitute for this recipe as they won’t soften up as nicely and will change the texture of the cookies. If you only have old-fashioned oats on hand, you can pulse them in the food processor to make them smaller and use them in a pinch.

What causes no bake cookies to not set up?

The cookies won’t set if you have not boiled your mixture long enough. You will end up with a gooey mixture that won’t form properly.

Can you freeze peanut butter no bakes?

You can freeze these peanut butter no-bake cookies for up to two months stored in an airtight container.

Can you make no bake cookies when it’s raining?

Some people believe that since the atmosphere changes when it is raining, your no-bake cookies won’t set. We don’t have experience with this phenomenon. It is more likely that your cookies don’t set due to the length of time you have boiled the mixture.

How do you fix gooey no bake cookies?

To fix gooey no-bake cookies, place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet and heat them in the oven for 1-2 minutes at 325°F.

Can you mail no bake cookies?

You can send cookies in the mail. Just make sure they are well-wrapped and cushioned in a container before shipping. To make sure they are well protected, it is recommended to wrap each cookie individually with plastic wrap.

Are peanut butter no bake cookies gluten free?

These no-bake cookies are gluten-free since they don’t contain any flour.

More You’ll Love

No Bake Peanut Butter Cookies

4.84 from 6 votes

A batch of these classic peanut butter no-bake cookies takes just a few minutes to make and come out decadent and rich.

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 10 minutes

Total Time 1 hour 20 minutes

Servings

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Ingredients

½ cup butter
2 cups sugar
½ cup milk
1 cup peanut butter
2 teaspoons vanilla
3 cups quick-cook oats
¼ teaspoon 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 tge 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.

Video

Notes

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.
It’s VERY important you let them cool on the counter before putting them in the fridge or they will become gooey.

Nutrition

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Peanut Butter No Bake Cookie Recipe