No-Bake Peanut Butter Cookies

By
Kristina Vanni
Kristina Vanni
Kristina Vanni
An internationally recognized culinary authority, Kristina Vanni is well-known for her recipe development, food photography, and experience as a TV show host.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Updated on 01/29/23
Tested by Tara Omidvar
No-Bake Peanut Butter Cookies

 The Spruce Eats / Kristina Vanni
Prep: 10 mins
Cook: 5 mins
Chill: 30 mins
Total: 45 mins
Servings: 24 servings
Yield: 24 cookies
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
178 Calories
7g Fat
26g Carbs
3g Protein
Show Full Nutrition Label Hide Full Nutrition Label
×
Nutrition Facts
Servings: 24
Amount per serving
Calories 178
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 7g 9%
Saturated Fat 3g 15%
Cholesterol 11mg 4%
Sodium 73mg 3%
Total Carbohydrate 26g 10%
Dietary Fiber 2g 5%
Total Sugars 17g
Protein 3g
Vitamin C 0mg 0%
Calcium 17mg 1%
Iron 1mg 4%
Potassium 84mg 2%
*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.)

These quick and easy no-bake cookies use ingredients that you probably already have in your pantry. Kids especially love these peanut butter cookies because they can help out with the cooking process without the dangers associated with using the oven. In fact, if you'd like, you can even make these cookies in the microwave. It is the perfect recipe for hot days when you are craving cookies but don't want to heat up the kitchen by firing up the oven.

For this recipe be sure to use quick-cooking rolled oats, not regular, steel-cut, rolled, or instant oatmeal. These peanut butter cookies can also easily be made into bars.

"A very quick and satisfying recipe for peanut butter lovers! The cookies come together in no time, and you can play with the recipe using some of the suggested variations below. I drizzled dark chocolate over some of mine and it balanced the sweetness perfectly." —Tara Omidvar

No-Bake Peanut Butter Cookies
A Note From Our Recipe Tester

Ingredients

  • 2 cups granulated sugar

  • 1/2 cup milk

  • 1/2 cup (4 ounces) unsalted butter

  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

  • 1/2 cup peanut butter

  • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

  • 3 1/2 cups quick-cooking rolled oats, not instant

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients. Line a baking sheet with waxed paper or parchment paper.

    No-Bake Peanut Butter Cookies ingredients
    The Spruce Eats / Kristina Vanni

  2. In a large saucepan over medium heat, place the sugar, milk, butter, and salt. Stir frequently and bring to a boil. Boil for 90 seconds. 

    Butter, milk, and sugar in a saucepan
    The Spruce Eats / Kristina Vanni

  3. Remove from heat and stir in the peanut butter and vanilla extract until the peanut butter melts and the mixture is smooth.

    Melted mixture in a pot with peanut butter and vanilla
    The Spruce Eats / Kristina Vanni

  4. Stir in the quick-cooking oats and mix well. 

    Peanut butter mixture melted in a pot with oats on a bowl
    The Spruce Eats / Kristina Vanni

  5. Drop the mixture by spoonfuls onto the prepared baking sheet.

    No-Bake Peanut Butter Cookies dough spooned onto a baking sheet
    The Spruce Eats / Kristina Vanni

  6. Place the baking sheet in the refrigerator and allow to cool and chill until firm, about 30 minutes. When ready to serve, gently peel away the cookies from the waxed paper or parchment paper. Enjoy!

    No-Bake Peanut Butter Cookies on a baking sheet
    The Spruce Eats / Kristina Vanni

Recipe Variations

These no-bake peanut butter cookies are the perfect treat on their own, but they are also a blank slate for creativity and innovation. With a few little twists you can transform the basic recipe into new and exciting cookies. Kids love getting creative in the kitchen and being part of the recipe creation.

  • Bars: Pour the mixture into a 9-inch-square pan that has been greased with unsalted butter. Chill and harden in the refrigerator and then cut into squares to serve.
  • Chocolate Peanut Butter No-Bake Cookies: Mix in 1/4 cup of cocoa powder with the sugar mixture.
  • Coconut Peanut Butter No-Bake Cookies: Substitute 1 cup of shredded coconut for 1 cup of the quick-cooking oats.
  • Crunchy No-Bake Peanut Butter Cookies: Prepare as directed but substitute 1/2 cup chopped peanuts for 1/2 cup of the quick-cooking oats. Chunky peanut butter can also be used.
  • Fancy No-Bake Peanut Butter Cookies: Once the cookies are cooled and firm in the refrigerator, melt 1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips or white chocolate morsels in the microwave. Using a spoon drizzle the melted chocolate over the cookies. Return to the refrigerator until the chocolate has hardened.

How to Store

Store the cookies in an airtight container in the refrigerator between pieces of parchment paper or waxed paper for up to one week.