Easy No Bake Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies

Want a quick and yummy treat? My no bake chocolate oatmeal cookies are here for you! They have the perfect peanut butter chocolate flavor, made with creamy peanut butter, cocoa powder, and chocolate chips. Plus, they’re naturally sweetened for a healthier alternative. 

No bake chocolate oatmeal cookies

I don’t know about you, but when I get a sweets craving, I rarely have the patience for a 45-minute prep time. That’s why I adore no-bake desserts. They’re fast, convenient, and great for hot days when you can’t bear to turn on the oven. 

Today’s recipe joins my collection of delicious no bake desserts (see my healthy no bake oatmeal cookie and no-bake pumpkin bites for more ideas!). 

These no bake chocolate peanut butter cookies have so much flavor with only a handful of ingredients, many of which you likely have on hand. They’re chewy, indulgent, and take just a few minutes to mix together – what could be better?

So pull out the chocolate chips, and let’s get baking!

Ingredients needed

Here’s a little bit about everything that goes into my chocolate peanut butter no-bake cookies. 

• Natural peanut butter: I use ½ cup of natural peanut butter to bind this no-bake recipe. Use your preference of creamy or crunchy (I like creamy in this cookie!). You can also swap this out for your favorite nut butter, like almond, cashew, or sunflower seed butter. 
• Coconut oil: ¼ cup of melted coconut oil is another handy binder. It hardens when refrigerated, which helps set your cookies. Plus, its light coconut flavor really compliments desserts.
• Honey: I use ¼ cup of honey as a natural sweetener in this recipe. Vegans, feel free to swap from maple syrup. 
• Chocolate chips: The true star of these cookies are, of course, the chocolate chips. This recipe calls for ½ cup, but that’s more of a suggestion. Adjust as you see fit!
• Cocoa powder: I make this recipe extra chocolatey with 1 tablespoon cocoa powder. 
• Vanilla: 1 teaspoon of vanilla gives these no-bake cookies that classic baked good flavor. Pure or artificial vanilla - both work in this recipe. 
• Salt: A pinch of salt helps enhance the flavor of these tasty cookies. 
• Rolled oats: Rolled oats are perfect for a no-bake recipe. They soften as they absorb the liquid ingredients – no baking required. This recipe calls for 1 ¼ cup.

Kitchen tools required

Gather these kitchen essentials to complete this no-bake recipe. 

• Saucepan
• Sheet pan
• Parchment paper
• Wooden spoon

You’ll also need a few measuring cups, including 1 cup, ½ cup, ¼ cup, 1 tbsp, and 1 tsp. 

How to make no bake chocolate oatmeal cookies

Making these no-bake cookies is quick and easy, coming together in just a few steps. 

Begin by heating your saucepan over medium heat and add the peanut butter, honey, and coconut oil to the pan. Stir occasionally until warmed, then reduce heat to medium-low. Add the chocolate chips and heat until smooth. 

Turn off the heat and stir in vanilla, salt, and cocoa powder until combined. Finally, stir in the oats. 

Allow your cookie dough to rest for 10 minutes before dropping spoonfuls of dough onto a parchment-lined baking sheet. Cool completely in the refrigerator before chowing down!

Recipe Tips

Below are some common no bake chocolate oatmeal cookie questions. Don’t see the answer you’re looking for? Leave a comment at the bottom of this post!

How to serve no bake chocolate oatmeal cookies

These cookies make an awesome snack. I like to keep a big container in the fridge for an on-the-go snack. Enjoy with a cup of coffee or a cold glass of milk.

These cookies are also delicious as a dessert. If you’d like to up the ante, use them to make a homemade ice cream sandwich! Vanilla, chocolate, and Heavenly Hash ice cream all go great with these cookies. 

Finally, you can serve your chocolate cookies as a crunchy topping! Sprinkle cookie crumbs over a bowl of yogurt, oats, or an acai bowl. 

Fun add-ins for chocolate oatmeal no bake cookies

You can truly make these cookies your own! If you’re feeling creative, try any of these fun add-ins:

• White chocolate or butterscotch chips
• Almond butter, cashew butter, or sunflower seed butter
• Nutella 
• Chopped nuts like peanuts, almonds, or walnuts
• Shredded coconut
• Dried cherry pieces
• Crushed pretzels
• Rice Krispies
• Mini marshmallows

How do I make no bake cookies more nutritious?

These chocolate peanut butter no bake cookies already contain nutritious ingredients, including protein coming from natural peanut butter and rolled oats. 

If you’d like a nutrient boost in your cookies, you can include an extra protein source like protein powder, ground flax, chia seeds, or hemp hearts. 

You can also swap chocolate chips with cacao nibs to add antioxidants. 

Are these no bake chocolate peanut butter cookies vegan?

This recipe is ALMOST naturally vegan; you’ll just need to make a couple of simple swaps. 

First, swap out honey for maple syrup. This will change the flavor, though it’ll be just as delicious. 

Next, purchase dairy-free chocolate chips. I like using Enjoy Life Mini Chocolate Chips because they’re totally allergy-friendly and easy to find in stores. 

Storing leftovers

Because this is a no-bake recipe, you should store your cookies in the refrigerator. Add cooled cookies to an airtight container and store in the fridge for up to a week. 

Can I freeze this recipe?

Absolutely! These cookies keep really well frozen. 

For longer storage, add your cookies to an airtight container, using parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking. Store them in the freezer for up to three months. 

When you’d like to eat a cookie, simply let it thaw at room temperature.

Do I need to refrigerate these cookies? 

You should definitely refrigerate these cookies. They taste best chilled, have a chewier texture, and will stay fresh longer. 

Also, because this recipe uses natural peanut butter, the cookies are not shelf-stable. 

If you liked this recipe, you’ll want to try these!

Looking for more healthy dessert ideas? All of these recipes are guaranteed to be scrumptious. 

• Healthy Salted Caramel Cookies
• Chickpea Brownies
• Light Raspberry Cheesecake Bars
• Healthy Pistachio Coffee Cake
• Grandma’s Sour Cream Coffee Cake

Recipe by Erin Antoniak and Photos by Bake and Bacon