Peanut Butter No-Bake Cookies are always a hit! These easy no bake peanut butter oatmeal cookies only take 15 minutes to make, and everyone loves them.
One thing my kids always love to do with me is make treats. And our favorite is to make easy no bake treats. These great No Bake Peanut Butter Cookies are the perfect quick and easy no bake treat. They come together with just six ingredients and are done in no time.
These delicious no bake cookies are sure to become a favorite in your house. My nephew says that these taste like peanut butter cookie dough! If these look amazing but you are craving chocolate, make my Chocolate Peanut Butter No Bake Cookies.
These were the best no bakes I have ever made!
How to Make Peanut Butter No Bake Cookies
Here is a brief overview of how this no bake cookie recipe comes together. For the full recipe including all measurements, see the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
- Combine butter, sugar, and milk in a saucepan. You will want to stir things right away so the sugar doesn’t burn. Bring the mixture to a boil, stirring consistently.
- Boil for one minute. This is a very important step. The liquid should be at a roaring boil for one full minute.
- Add the other ingredients. Remove it from the heat and stir in the oats, peanut butter, and vanilla moving somewhat quickly.
- Form into cookies. Use a cookie scoop to form into cookies and place them on the prepared baking sheet to set. Allow to cool completely before eating.
Tips for Peanut Butter No Bakes
- You are looking for a raging boil. We aren’t talking about a few bubbles. You want to see a really foamy and frothy boil before moving on to your next step.
- Let the mixture boil for one full minute. Set a timer to ensure the mixture boils for a full minute, but not any longer or the cookies will be tough.
- Stir continuously. This isn’t a recipe to walk away from.
- Work quickly. Once the mixture has boiled and you are adding the other ingredients, move fast.
Old Fashioned Oats or Quick Cooking Oats
No bake peanut butter oatmeal cookies work out best with old fashioned oats. Quick cooking oats are broken down into small pieces and so your cookies aren’t going to have the same look or texture with them.
That said, if all you have is quick cooking oats, you can still make these and you will enjoy them.
Storing and Freezing Peanut Butter No Bake Cookies
Store the no bake oatmeal peanut butter cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. They do not need to be refrigerated but can be if you prefer to eat them cold. If you want them to last longer than that, they are perfect for freezing!
- Line a baking sheet with wax paper (or just use the sheet you used while making them). Line the tray with the cookies (they can touch each other).
- Put in the freezer for 30 minutes to an hour. Then take them out and transfer them to a freezer-safe container, stacking them.
- Return to the freezer and store for up to three months. When you are ready to eat them, just leave them out until they thaw. Overnight usually does the trick.
FAQ
In theory, yes. But it really depends on what types of oats you are using. Technically oats are gluten free, but a lot of companies who produce them also produce other grains and therefore can’t guarantee no gluten is in their oats.
If you are making these for someone who cannot have gluten, make sure the packaging on your old fashioned oats guarantees they are gluten free.
Yes, they will work with crunchy peanut butter, but I think they work a little better the traditional way.
Yes! I have great step by step instructions for freezing in the section above.
Yes, these cookies will handle being shipped well. Like all cookies, they won’t be quite as pretty after being shipped, but they will stay together.
Chocolate No Bake Cookies
If you love the combination of chocolate and peanut butter in no bake cookies, try my no bake chocolate cookies! It is a very similar recipe but adds cocoa powder for a chocolatey flavor addition.
No Bake Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies
Other Great Treats
I love this no bake cookie recipe for gifting at the holidays, but I usually include an assortment. Here are some other great ideas!
- You can’t beat my Soft Cut Out Sugar Cookies. It’s the recipe my mom used and they are a winner!
- My Bailey’s Fudge is such a fun treat to gift at the holidays.
- Chocolate Peppermint Bark is a fast easy recipe to give away.
- But our favorite every single year is my Mint Oreo Bark.
If you make this amazing peanut butter no bake cookie recipe or any of my other recipes please leave me a comment and let me know. I love hearing from you!
Easy Peanut Butter No-Bake Cookies
Ingredients
- 2 cups granulated sugar (396 grams)
- 1/2 cup milk (118.3 ml)
- 8 tablespoons unsalted butter (113 grams)
- 3 cups old fashioned oats (267 grams)
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter (135 grams)
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Line two baking sheets with wax paper and set aside.
- In a large saucepan over medium heat, combine the granulated sugar, milk, and butter. Bring to a boil, while stirring consistently. It should be a roaring foamy boil before you move on to the next step. If it doesn't come to a roaring boil here, the final cookie won't set.2 cups granulated sugar, 1/2 cup milk, 8 tablespoons unsalted butter
- Once it has come to a roaring boil, boil for one minute while continuing to stir. If it doesn't boil at a roaring boil for one minute, the final cookie won't set.
- Remove from heat and stir in the oats, peanut butter, and vanilla.3 cups old fashioned oats, 1 cup creamy peanut butter, 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- Using a large spoon or cookie scoop, scoop the mixture onto the waxed paper. Allow to cool completely. Eat immediately or store in an airtight container for up to a week.
Susan says
These are good, really good, but a little too sweet for me. I’d leave out some of the sugar but I’d be afraid they wouldn’t set up properly.
Linda says
Can you make these in a pan and cut into squares?
Hi Linda! I haven’t tested that, but if I had to bet, I would guess yes.
Jan says
Can a non dairy milk, such as almond milk, be used in this recipe?
This is an easy recipe, but kind of a picky one that doesn’t like substitutes. So I’m hesitant to green light this without trying it myself first.
Kim says
Can you substitute the sugar with stevia? I’m diabetic but want to try these. Ty
I have had people try and these just don’t work with a sugar substitute.
Barb says
Made these and they are truly the easiest cookie to make. One problem! They are gone faster than I can make them.
Thank you for the recipe.
Barb
I’m so happy you liked them, Barb!
Candace says
Can sour cream be substituted for the milk in this recipe
I wouldn’t recommend that. This recipe is a little particular as is, so substitutes and swaps aren’t recommended for this.
Nessa says
I made these with almond milk and plant bases butter as my husband is no lactose. They turned out amazing! He loves them!! Will be making these again and again! Thank you for the recipe!! 👍👍👍👍👍
I’m so happy to hear that these worked with plant based products!
Terri Jones says
These are my husband’s absolute all time favorite cookies! I make them at least twice a month. I did learn (from last mistakes) to have all of my ingredients measured out and ready to go before starting. This is a good recipe! 😋
Amy says
Can you make these without the oats
Hi, Amy! I haven’t made these without the oats, but they are a big part of what gives the cookie structure. You would have some thin pooling cookies without them.
Faith says
They’re honestly really good but I think I should have added more sugar cause they didn’t set up correctly but they really are amazing I’ve been craving these through my pregnancy and it’s one of the best recipes I’ve found
So the not setting up correctly is likely because the sugar mixture didn’t boil for long enough. I hope they work a little better for you next time!