When a craving for something sweet hits—but the idea of turning on the oven feels like too much—Chocolate Peanut Butter No-Bake Cookies are the answer. These nostalgic treats come together in minutes and deliver everything you want in a quick dessert: rich chocolate flavor, creamy peanut butter goodness, and that classic chewy oatmeal texture.

If you need a foolproof recipe that comes together in under 20 minutes and never disappoints, this beloved no-bake classic is here to save the day.

Ingredients Overview

Before you get started, gather everything you need. These simple pantry staples transform into a batch of delicious, fudgy cookies that everyone will love.

Ingredients You’ll Need to Make This Chocolate Peanut Butter No-Bake Cookie Recipe

• 3 cups of quick-cooking oats
• ¼ teaspoon of salt
• ½ cup of butter
• 1 ⅔ cups of sugar
• ½ cup of milk
• ¼ cup of unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 cup of creamy peanut butter
• 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract

How to Make Chocolate Peanut Butter No-Bake Cookies

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. In a large bowl, stir together the oats and salt. Set aside.
2. In a small saucepan over medium-high heat, whisk together the butter, sugar, milk, and cocoa.
3. Bring the mixture to a boil for about one minute, then remove from heat.
4. Whisk in the peanut butter and vanilla until fully combined.
5. Pour the hot chocolate–peanut butter mixture over the oats and stir until everything is coated.
6. Line a baking sheet with wax paper. Drop the cookie mixture onto the wax paper using a medium cookie scoop.
7. Let the cookies cool on the countertop. Once cool and dry, store them in the refrigerator.

Notes

• If you’re using salted butter, skip the additional salt.
• Measure all ingredients beforehand so you can move quickly once the chocolate mixture comes off the heat.
• Do not overcook the chocolate mixture—overboiling leads to dry, crumbly cookies.
• Allow cookies to cool completely at room temperature before refrigerating to prevent them from becoming gooey.

Tips for the Best No-Bake Cookies

Boil Time Matters

The most important part of this recipe is boiling the sugar mixture.

• Start your timer once the mixture is fully bubbling throughout, not just around the edges.
• Boil for exactly one minute:
  • Too short → cookies stay sticky
  • Too long → cookies turn dry and chalky

If your cookies don’t set, it usually means the mixture didn’t boil long enough.

Work Quickly

Once the hot chocolate mixture meets the oats, it begins to thicken.

• Stir fast
• Scoop immediately
• A medium cookie scoop helps you get 24–30 perfectly shaped cookies every time

Let Them Set at Room Temp

Do not rush them into the fridge—warm cookies will become sticky and gooey. Let them cool completely on the counter first.

Storing No-Bake Cookies

Once the cookies are fully cool and dry:

• Room temperature: Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days
• Refrigerator: Keeps them firm for up to 1 week
• Freezer: Freeze for up to 2 months

If your kitchen is warm or humid, the fridge will keep your cookies tasting their best.

Why You’ll Love These No-Bake Cookies

These Chocolate Peanut Butter No-Bake Cookies hit all the right notes:

• Fudgy chocolate flavor
• Creamy peanut butter richness
• Perfect chewy texture
• Quick and effortless
• No oven needed

They taste like you spent way more time making them than you actually did—and honestly, that’s the beauty of a timeless no-bake recipe.

Enjoy every bite of these nostalgic, perfectly chewy cookies!