Chocolate No-Bake Oatmeal Cookies Recipe

By
Morgan Baker
Morgan Walker
Morgan Baker
Morgan is a recipe developer and photographer. She is also a gardener and exceptional hugger.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Updated on 12/22/21
Tested by
Carrie Parente
Carrie Parente
Tested by Carrie Parente
Carrie is a freelance food stylist and culinary producer who loves having a table full of guests.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Chocolate No-Bake Oatmeal Cookies on a baking sheet, with salt in a small bowl

The Spruce Eats / Cara Cormack

Prep: 10 mins
Cook: 5 mins
Set: 60 mins
Total: 75 mins
Servings: 24 servings
Yield: 24 cookies
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
117 Calories
6g Fat
14g Carbs
2g Protein
Show Full Nutrition Label Hide Full Nutrition Label
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 24
Amount per serving
Calories 117
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 6g 8%
Saturated Fat 3g 15%
Cholesterol 8mg 3%
Sodium 77mg 3%
Total Carbohydrate 14g 5%
Dietary Fiber 1g 4%
Total Sugars 9g
Protein 2g
Vitamin C 0mg 0%
Calcium 36mg 3%
Iron 3mg 15%
Potassium 67mg 1%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

The answer to your holiday cookie swap woes is this no-bake recipe. All it takes to complete this recipe is heating a few ingredients, stirring, and scooping. This is a great kids' recipe because it takes very little cooking and they can lick the bowl without any worry of ingesting raw ingredients!

The key to your no-bake cookie setting up is properly melting the ingredients, especially the butter, and boiling for exactly one minute. The melted butter needs to remain hot enough to melt the chocolate and nut butter so that as the cookies sit in the refrigerator they will set up properly.

If you prefer to use creamy peanut butter in place of the cashew butter feel free to swap it out. The cashew butter just brings fun and unexpected flavor, but subbing for any nut butter, so long as it’s very creamy, will work.

“These cookies are fabulous. They’re quick and easy to throw together, and easily customizable by changing up the nut butter or adding other pantry ingredients such as raisins or nuts. They don’t require the use of an oven. And everyone loves them!” —Carrie Parente

Chocolate No-Bake Oatmeal Cookies Recipe Tester Image
A Note From Our Recipe Tester

Ingredients

  • Cooking spray, for the baking sheets

  • 6 tablespoons unsalted butter

  • 1/4 cup whole milk

  • 1/2 cup light brown sugar

  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar

  • 1/4 cup cocoa powder (preferably Dutch-processed)

  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

  • 1/4 cup creamy cashew butter

  • 4 ounces chopped dark chocolate

  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

  • 2 cups quick oats

  • Flaky salt, for garnish

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Chocolate No-Bake Oatmeal Cookies ingredients in bowls

    The Spruce Eats / Cara Cormack

  2. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper and grease with cooking spray and set aside. 

    Greased parchment paper lined baking sheets

    The Spruce Eats / Cara Cormack

  3. In a medium saucepan over low heat, melt the butter. Once melted, add the milk, light brown sugar, granulated sugar, cocoa powder, and kosher salt and whisk well until combined.

    Butter, milk, light brown sugar, granulated sugar, cocoa powder, and kosher salt in a pot with a whisk

    The Spruce Eats / Cara Cormack

  4. Raise the heat to medium and continue whisking until the sugars have dissolved and the mixture comes to a simmer. Continue simmering for exactly 1 minute then remove from the heat completely.

    Chocolate mixture in a pan on a burner, with a whisk

    The Spruce Eats / Cara Cormack

  5. Add the cashew butter, chocolate, and vanilla and stir until melted and combined. Fold in the oats and stir until everything is fully combined.

    Oats, cashew butter, chocolate, and vanilla combined with the chocolate mixture in the pan on the burner, with a wooden spoon

    The Spruce Eats / Cara Cormack

  6. Using a small cookie scoop, scoop the cookie batter onto the prepared sheets. Sprinkle the cookies with a small pinch of flaky salt.

    Cookie batter balls on a parchment paper lined baking sheet

    The Spruce Eats / Cara Cormack

  7. Let the no-bake cookies sit on the countertop until firm and set, about an hour.

    Chocolate No-Bake Oatmeal Cookies on a baking sheet

    The Spruce Eats / Cara Cormack

Tip

An easy way to speed up the setting process is by placing the cookies in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes. Do not try to speed up this process by putting the cookies in the freezer; they will become too dry.


Recipe Variations

  • Swap the cashew butter for creamy peanut butter.
  • Get creative with your flavors like adding one tablespoon instant coffee to your butter mixture for espresso no-bake cookies.
  • Fold in chopped nuts or sprinkle with crushed peppermint for fun holiday flair.

How to Store

Store the no-bake cookies in an even layer, separated by parchment or wax paper inside an airtight container on the countertop or refrigerator for up to one week.

Why didn't my no-bake cookies set?

If your no-bake cookies don't set up after sitting at room temperature, try putting them in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. If they still aren't solid, you probably did not boil the mixture long enough. Next time, make sure to bring the mixture to a full simmer and simmer for one minute.