Tap here to get 5 Secrets to Stress Free Dinners

No Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies (with Coconut)

5 from 15 votes
|

posted: 12/06/18

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy
|
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy

These no bake Chocolate Peanut Oatmeal Cookies come together with a few simple ingredients in about 10 minutes. They are chewy, delicious, and so chocolatey perfect. 

Make these peanut butter chocolate no bake cookies when you are in a pinch or when you need a fast easy treat. Love these but not interested in coconut? Make these: No Bake Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies.

a stack of no bake chocolate peanut butter oatmeal cookies up close

We are in full on holiday mode around here. Quinn had her holiday concert on Monday and tonight we had Gavin’s choir and band concert. Can I tell you something that my kids don’t know? Their concerts make me super emotional. I don’t know why! I don’t want to be the weird mom who is silently sobbing while their child is singing “Over the river and through the woods” off key with 100 other 7 year olds . . . . but I kind of am!

Or it could be that the holidays are just making me super emotional.  The fact that I ate like 7 of these no bake chocolate peanut butter cookies without blinking might be supporting evidence.

Reader Review

Fantastic recipe! My husband was asking for no bake cookies and I hadn’t made them in many many years so I went on the hunt and found this recipe. Perfection! I used sugar in the raw because I realized I was out of granulated sugar and they still turned out amazing. Thank you!

easy chocolate peanut butter no bake cookies on a baking sheet lined with wax paper

How to Make No Bake Chocolate Peanut Oatmeal Cookies

These no bake chocolate peanut butter oatmeal cookies come together so fast. For the full recipe with all the measurements, see the recipe card at the bottom of the post.

  1. Melt the ingredients together. Heat up the sugar, milk, butter and cocoa powder.
  2. Bring it to a boil. This is a key step. You want to make sure that the mixture comes to a roaring boil and stays there for a full minute. If you don’t do this, the cookies will not set.
  3. Stir in remaining ingredients. Finish the recipe off by stirring in the oats, coconut, and peanut butter.
up close of a peanut butter chocolate no bake cookie

Ensuring Your Cookies Set

This is an incredibly simple cookie recipe, but it does have a very key step. It is very important that in step two you bring your mixture to a roaring boil. If you are seeing simmering, in other words small occasional bubbles, you are not quite there yet. You need to see really big bubbles that are nonstop. Once you to that point, then you can start your timer and boil the mixture for a minute. Doing this will ensure that the cookies will set.

no bake cookies with coconut on a white plate

Adding Coconut to No Bake Cookies

I love the addition of coconut to this classic cookie recipe. It brings another layer of flavor as well as contributing to these being chewy and delicious. That being said, if you don’t enjoy coconut or are making these for someone with an allergy, you can certainly leave it out. You will just want to add in another 1/4 cup oats. That is what we are doing in this delicious No Bake Chocolate Oatmeal Cookie Recipe.

You could also consider adding toasted coconut. It brings another element to this incredible recipe.

No Bake Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies

These No Bake Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies are so easy to make and are melt-in-your-mouth delicious. They are going to be your new go-to treat when you need a chocolate fix.
Photo of a stack of No Bake Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies with a bite taken out of the top cookie.

Old Fashioned or Quick Cooking Oats

Both old fashioned and quick cooking oats work in this easy chocolate peanut butter no bake cookie recipe. I use old fashioned oats because it is what I tend to have on hand and also because I love the look and texture it gives these chocolate peanut butter no bake cookies. That being said, if you only have quick cooking oats on hand, then use those.

Storing

No Bake Chocolate Peanut Oatmeal Cookies can be stored at room temperature for up to two weeks. Store them in an airtight container. As with all recipes, use your best discretion when it comes to leftovers.

Freezing

These are amazing to freeze. Freeze them in a single layer for a few hours, in other words, flash freeze them. Then transfer them to an airtight container and store them in your freezer for up to three months. When ready to eat, allow them to thaw at room temperature. In a single layer, it will take less than 30 minutes for them to thaw.

FAQ

Are these gluten free?

While these are naturally gluten free, you want to ensure that your oats are marked gluten free. Occasionally plants that process oats cross contaminate. So this is important if you or someone you are serving has an allergy.

Can I make these with less sugar?

Unfortunately, no. This recipe needs to be made as written or you risk the cookies not setting.

Can I use a sugar substitute?

I have not tested this, but some readers have without success.

Why didn’t my cookies set?

Please read about this above.

Can I make this with a peanut butter replacement?

Unfortunately, I have not tested this swap.

a stack of coconut chocolate peanut butter cookies

More No Bake Desserts

If you make these delicious no bake cookies or any of my other recipes please leave me a comment. I love hearing from you!

a stack of coconut chocolate peanut butter cookies
5 from 15 votes

Chocolate Peanut Butter No Bake Cookies

Serves: 32 cookies
(tap # to scale)
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 10 minutes
Total: 20 minutes
These no bake Chocolate Peanut Oatmeal Cookies come together with a few simple ingredients in about 10 minutes. They are chewy, delicious, and so chocolatey perfect. 

Ingredients

  • 2 cups granulated sugar (396 grams)
  • 1/2 cup milk (118.3 ml)
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter (113 grams)
  • 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder (42 grams)
  • 2 cups old fashioned oats (178 grams)
  • 1 cup shredded sweetened coconut read here about leaving out coconut
  • 1 cup smooth peanut butter (270 grams)
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract

Instructions

  • Line two baking sheets with wax paper or parchment paper.
  • In a large saucepan over medium heat, combine the granulated sugar, milk, butter, and coco powder. Bring to a boil, while stirring consistently. Read more about this critical step here.
    2 cups granulated sugar, 1/2 cup milk, 1/2 cup unsalted butter, 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • Boil for one minute while continuing to stir. (It is very important that it is at a full boil for one minute.)
  • Remove from the heat and stir in remaining ingredients.
    2 cups old fashioned oats, 1 cup shredded sweetened coconut, 1 cup smooth peanut butter, 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • Using a large spoon or a cookie scoop, spoon large spoonfuls of the mixture onto the waxed paper. Allow to cool completely. Eat immediately or store in an airtight container for up to a week.
Serving: 1cookie Calories: 141kcal (7%) Carbohydrates: 21g (7%) Protein: 3g (6%) Fat: 6g (9%) Saturated Fat: 1g (6%) Cholesterol: 1mg Sodium: 35mg (2%) Potassium: 27mg (1%) Fiber: 2g (8%) Sugar: 15g (17%) Calcium: 10mg (1%) Iron: 0.5mg (3%)
Author: Lisa Longley
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
a stack of coconut chocolate peanut butter cookies

did you make this

Chocolate Peanut Butter No Bake Cookies

I’d love to see what you made! Tag me @lisasimplejoy and hashtag it #simplejoyrecipes!

Hi! I'm Lisa Longley, and I am committed to giving you simple dinner ideas and recipes that are easy to make; recipes that will fill your home with joy. I am the owner and author of SimpleJoy.com and I'm so glad that you are here.

Reader Interactions

    LEAVE A COMMENT

    Have a question? Use the form below to submit your question or comment. I love hearing from you & seeing what you made!

    Rate This Recipe:




  1. Ellie Palmer says

    they Look wonderful I am going to try them.

    • Lisa Longley says

      I hope you love them!

  2. Denise says

    The one minute boil time is very important I set a timer and they come out perfect every time

  3. Kali says

    Will these work with Crunchy Peanut Butter too?

    • Lisa Longley says

      I haven’t tried it with crunch peanut butter yet! If you do, let me know how it goes.

    • Melissa says

      yes crunchy PB works well – I only use this so I can have bits of nuts

  4. Karen says

    Mine didn’t harden. I followed the directions and even placed them in the fridge. This morning they were still gooey. Any ideas what I did wrong??

    Thank you

    • Lisa Longley says

      I’m so sorry that this recipe didn’t work for you! Is it at all possible that one of the measurements was off? A little extra milk or extra butter wouldn’t be great for this recipe.

  5. Marg says

    What is cocoa butter and where do you find it? Can anything else be used?

    • Lisa Longley says

      Sorry, that is a type-o in the post. It is supposed to say cocoa, and butter. If you look at the recipe card and instructions it is more clear.

    • Mary says

      I’ve been making these cookies, minus the coconut for over 45 years! Always a hit.

      • Lisa Longley says

        The best, right Mary?

  6. Ellen Hall says

    Can these cookies be froze

    • Lisa Longley says

      Yes, these freeze very well!

  7. Maryjane says

    Same thing happened to me, the fridge would t even get them hard or setup. They were gooey!! I winded up tossing them.

    • Lisa Longley says

      I’m so sorry Maryjane. There is nothing more frustrating than a recipe that doesn’t work out. Is it possible that you didn’t have everything at a boil for a minute?

  8. Amber says

    Can I use “not peanut butter” (wow butter) for my fiancé who is allergic to peanuts?

    • Lisa Longley says

      I haven’t tried that Amber, but I have a little experience with sun butter and I would think the consistency of that would work fine. I would guess that your Wow Butter would also work but would want to try it myself before I said for sure.

  9. Peggy says

    I’m not a fan of coconut.. what can I substitute for it.?!

    • Lisa Longley says

      I think you could try it with more oats instead, but I would have to experiment with it to know for sure.

  10. Patricia West says

    5 stars
    These cookies turned out great! My husband loves them and said you were delusional if you think they will last here for a week, maybe a couple of days. Love this recipe.

    Pat West

    • Lisa Longley says

      I’m so glad you liked them, Pat!

SUPER-SIMPLEFAMILY FAVORITES
Broccoli Pasta"Omg! I didn’t think anything so simple could be so good!"
overhead of skillet of Cajun Shrimp Pasta ingredients on a cooling rack with toasted bread sitting beside
Cajun Shrimp Pasta"My family absolutely loved this recipe. Even my finicky eaters."
overhead photo of a gray skillet filled with beef and broccoli recipe, garnished with sliced green onions
Beef and Broccoli Recipe"I have made this a couple or more times. It’s easy & quick to prepare. I like this for a quick meal. It will be my go to recipe."

SUBSCRIBE & RECEIVE

5 Secrets to Stress Free Dinners

SUBSCRIBE & RECEIVE

MY TOP 10 EASY DINNER EBOOK!

5 Secrets to Stress Free Dinners

SUBSCRIBE & RECEIVE

MY TOP 10 EASY DINNER EBOOK!