Pumpkin No-Bake Cookies

By
Ariane Resnick
headshot for ariane resnick
Ariane Resnick
Ariane Resnick is a special diet chef, certified nutritionist, and bestselling author who takes great joy in shattering the image of what, and how, nutritionists eat.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Updated on 10/20/21
Tested by
Diana Rattray
Diana Rattray
Tested by Diana Rattray
Southern-cuisine expert and cookbook author Diana Rattray has created more than 5,000 recipes and articles in her 20 years as a food writer.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Pumpkin No-Bake Cookies on a white platter

The Spruce / Preethi Venkatram
Prep: 5 mins
Cook: 3 mins
Chill : 2 hrs
Total: 2 hrs 8 mins
Servings: 20
Yield: 20 cookies
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
98 Calories
3g Fat
17g Carbs
1g Protein
Show Full Nutrition Label Hide Full Nutrition Label
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 20
Amount per serving
Calories 98
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 3g 4%
Saturated Fat 2g 8%
Cholesterol 6mg 2%
Sodium 21mg 1%
Total Carbohydrate 17g 6%
Dietary Fiber 1g 4%
Total Sugars 10g
Protein 1g
Vitamin C 0mg 2%
Calcium 12mg 1%
Iron 1mg 3%
Potassium 52mg 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.)

Autumn is pumpkin spice season, but that doesn't mean you always need to use the oven to create a heavenly pumpkin dessert. No-bake desserts are a great way to create a sweet treat without the hassle of baking or even preheating the oven.

This fall-forward cookie is full of real pumpkin puree and held together with hearty oats. But, it's the sugar, butter, and pumpkin pie spice that round out those autumnal flavors and deliver a cookie that tastes like it took a lot more effort than it did. Take it a step further and use certified gluten-free oats to appeal to your gluten-free friends.

Once the base of your cookie mixture reaches a boil, these sweet and spicy cookies come together in a matter of minutes. Get the kids in on the action and whip these up as an after-school treat or make them in advance of a holiday gathering to save extra time for other autumnal activities.

"The pumpkin no-bake cookies were flavorful and perfect for a sweet fall treat. I thought the spices were a little heavy, but you could always cut back and taste before adding more. They don't set as firmly as no-bake chocolate cookies do, but they taste great." —Diana Rattray

no-bake pumpkin cookies tester image
A Note From Our Recipe Tester

Ingredients

  • 1 cup granulated sugar

  • 4 tablespoons salted butter, cubed

  • 1/4 cup milk, dairy or non-dairy

  • 2 cups rolled oats

  • 1/4 cup quick-cooking oats

  • 1/2 cup pumpkin puree

  • 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice

  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Pumpkin No-Bake Cookies ingredients in bowls

    The Spruce / Preethi Venkatram

  2. Heat the sugar, butter, and milk in a medium saucepan over medium, stirring until the sugar and butter are melted. Bring to a boil and allow to boil for 1 minute, stirring frequently.

    sugar, butter, and milk mixture in a saucepan on a burner

    The Spruce / Preethi Venkatram

  3. Remove the pan from the heat, then add both types of oats, pumpkin puree, pumpkin pie spice, and vanilla. Stir well to combine, then let sit for 1 to 2 minutes to thicken.

    Pumpkin No-Bake Cookies dough in a saucepan

    The Spruce / Preethi Venkatram

  4. Using a small ice cream scoop or 2 spoons, drop a rounded ball of the cookie mixture (about 2 tablespoons) onto a parchment-lined baking sheet. Flatten each slightly with the back of the scoop spoon. You should have about 20 cookies.

    Note: The cookie mixture is very hot, even after the room temperature ingredients are added. Exercise caution when working with it.

    Pumpkin No-Bake Cookies on a lined baking sheet with an ice cream scoop

    The Spruce / Preethi Venkatram

  5. Refrigerate the cookies until firm, about 2 hours. Enjoy!

    Pumpkin No-Bake Cookies on a lined baking sheet

    The Spruce / Preethi Venkatram

Tips

  • Make sure your sugar, butter, and milk mixture comes to a full boil before you start counting the minute of boiling time.
  • No instant oats on hand? Don't worry, you can still make these—just blend 1/4 cup of rolled oats in a blender or mini food processor for several seconds, until broken down.
  • While it may be surprising to use both quick and old fashioned oats here, both are needed. The rolled oats make the bulk of the cookie while the instant oats bind it together.
  • The cookies won't set if not refrigerated, so be sure to place them in the fridge as soon as you finish scooping.
  • If your no-bake cookies don't set properly, try putting them in the freezer. Alternately, scoop them back into a mixing bowl and add additional quick oats, one tablespoon at a time, until the mixture is thick enough to be scooped onto the baking sheet.
  • If you don't have pumpkin pie spice, it's easy to make with ground spices you have on hand. Combine 1 tablespoon of cinnamon with 1/2 teaspoon each of ginger, nutmeg, allspice, and cloves. Mix well and store in a cool, dark place.

Recipe Variations

  • For a non-dairy and vegan cookie, use vegan butter instead of dairy butter.
  • Make it chocolate chip-studded! Let the hot mixture cool for at least 5 minutes after all ingredients have been added, then, stir in 1/3 cup chocolate chips. You can use white, milk, semi-sweet, or a combo—make it your own adventure.
  • Add 1/3 cup chopped walnuts, pecans, or other nuts when stirring in the oats and pumpkin puree.

How to Store and Freeze

  • Store these in the fridge in a tightly-sealed container for up to one week.
  • If you'd like to freeze them, place in a tightly-sealed container and freeze for up to three months.
  • Note that because of the nature of these cookies, they will become soft if stored at room temperature.

What if my no-bake cookies are too dry?

The cookie mixture should be thick, but not too stiff. If yours is too stiff to comfortably scoop and flatten, add one tablespoon of milk at a time until the mixture is thin enough to work with.

Can I use foil or wax paper for no bake cookies?

You can place these on either foil or wax paper instead of parchment if you'd like. If using wax paper, let the cookie mixture cool for an addition 3 to 4 minutes before dropping it onto the paper as wax paper can melt when hot foods are placed on it.

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