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These Healthy No Bake Oatmeal Cookies come together fast and keep well all week, which makes them great for meal prep, quick breakfasts, and easy snacks. They’re chewy, chocolatey, made with simple ingredients, and flexible enough for breakfast or dessert!

The best healthy no bake oatmeal cookies
I love this recipe because it solves the snack problem and the breakfast problem at the same time. They taste like a treat, but they’re made with simple ingredients I usually already have in the pantry, and there’s no baking involved.
These are especially helpful on busy weeks when I want something ready to grab from the fridge. I can make a batch in a few minutes, chill them, and have an easy option for mornings, lunch boxes, or that afternoon moment when I want something sweet.
The texture is soft and chewy, the chocolate drizzle makes them feel a little more fun, and they freeze well, too. That combo is hard to beat!
If you love breakfast-friendly baked goods and snacks, try No Bake Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies or Healthy Oatmeal Raisin Cookies!

Ingredients you’ll need for no bake oatmeal cookies
The best thing about these healthy no bake oatmeal cookies is that you don’t need any flour or eggs! You only need a handful of pantry staples to whip these bad boys up. I promise, you won’t be disappointed!
- Natural peanut butter: You’ll need 1 cup of natural peanut butter for the rich, creamy base. Almond butter works well, too, and sunflower seed butter is a great nut-free option.
- Coconut oil: You’ll need 1/3 cup melted coconut oil to help bind the cookies and keep them soft once chilled.
- Cocoa powder: You’ll need 1/3 cup cocoa powder for a deep chocolate flavor. Unsweetened cocoa powder is best here.
- Honey: You’ll need 1/3 cup of honey for sweetness and to help hold everything together. Maple syrup may work, but the cookies may be a little softer.
- Vanilla extract: You’ll need 2 tsp vanilla for extra warmth and flavor.
- Quick oats: You’ll need 2 cups of quick oats to give the cookies structure and chew. Use certified gluten-free oats if needed!
- Chocolate chips: For the drizzle, you’ll need 1/2 cup of chocolate chips. This part is optional, but highly recommended if you want a more dessert-like finish.
- Coconut oil: For the drizzle, you’ll need 1 tsp of coconut oil to help the melted chocolate smooth out.

Kitchen tools you’ll need
- Large saucepan
- Spoon or spatula
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Plate, tray, or small baking sheet
- Microwave-safe bowl or small bowl for melting chocolate
How to make no bake chocolate oatmeal cookies
Add the peanut butter, melted coconut oil, and cocoa powder to a large saucepan over medium heat. Stir until everything is melted and smooth. This should only take a few minutes, and you want the mixture combined, not bubbling.
Turn off the heat and stir in the honey and vanilla. Once that’s smooth, add the quick oats and stir until everything is fully coated. The mixture will look thick, which is exactly what you want.
Transfer the saucepan to the fridge and let the mixture chill for 30 minutes. This step makes the cookies much easier to shape, so don’t skip it.
Once chilled, scoop and form the mixture into cookie shapes. You can make them as rustic or as neat as you want. Place them on a plate, tray, or cookie sheet.
For the chocolate drizzle, melt 1/2 cup chocolate chips with 1 tsp coconut oil in the microwave in 30-second increments, stirring between each one, until smooth. Drizzle the chocolate over the cookies, then transfer them to the fridge for about 1 hour to set.

Recipe Tips
Below are some common healthy no bake oatmeal cookie questions. Don’t see the answer you’re looking for? Leave a comment at the bottom of this post! I’ll be happy to help.
WHAT MAKES THESE NO BAKE OATMEAL COOKIES HEALTHIER?
These cookies are made with simple ingredients like oats, peanut butter, honey, and coconut oil. They’re also refined sugar-free if you skip the chocolate drizzle or use a lower sugar chocolate option. The oats add fiber, and the peanut butter brings protein and healthy fats.
DO I HAVE TO USE QUICK OATS?
Quick oats work best for the texture here because they help the cookies hold together nicely. Rolled oats may work, but the cookies will be a little more textured and may not hold as tightly.
IS THE CHOCOLATE DRIZZLE REQUIRED?
No, but it’s a fun extra. The cookies are still delicious without it, especially if you want more of a breakfast-style cookie. If you want them to feel more like dessert, add the drizzle.
CAN I EAT THESE FOR BREAKFAST?
Yes. They’re made with ingredients like oats, peanut butter, and honey, so they work well as a quick breakfast or snack. Pair one or two with fruit or yogurt if you want to make it more filling.
HOW SHOULD I STORE THESE?
Keep them in an airtight container in the fridge so they stay firm and fresh. They’re best chilled, especially because of the coconut oil and chocolate.
CAN I FREEZE NO BAKE OATMEAL COOKIES?
Yes, these freeze really well. Freeze them in a single layer first, then transfer to a freezer-safe container once solid. That keeps them from sticking together.
Storing leftovers
Store the cookies in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week.
For longer storage, freeze them for up to 2 months. Let them sit at room temperature for a few minutes before eating, or enjoy them straight from the fridge or freezer if you like a firmer texture.
If you liked this recipe, you’ll want to try these!
- Healthy Baked Brownie Oatmeal
- Almond Croissant Baked Oatmeal
- Oatmeal Cream Pies
- Iced Pumpkin Oatmeal Cookies
If you make this recipe, be sure to comment below and let me know how it was! Also tag @erinliveswhole on Instagram and use the hashtag #erinliveswhole so I can see it and feature you!

Healthy No Bake Oatmeal Cookies
Made with less than 10 ingredients and require just a few minutes of hands-on time, these healthy no bake oatmeal cookies are perfect for meal prep! They are gluten free, healthy enough to be eaten for breakfast or perfect as an afternoon snack.
Ingredients
- 1 cup natural peanut butter
- 1/3 cup melted coconut oil
- 1/3 cup cocoa powder
- 1/3 cup honey
- 2 tsp vanilla
- 2 cups quick oats
- melted chocolate for drizzling (1 tsp coconut oil with 1/2 cup chocolate chips melted in 30 second increments in microwave)
Instructions
- In a large sauce pan, heat peanut butter, coconut oil, and cocoa powder over medium heat.
- Once melted, turn off heat and add in honey and vanilla.
- Stir in oats. Let batter chill in fridge for 30 minutes.
- Form into cookie shape and drizzle with melted chocolate.
- Place in fridge for 1 hour before eating.
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Kim says
These are delicious & so easy to make! I forgot the honey, but they’re still delicious!
Erin says
Hi Kim, so glad you liked them and hope you can try them with honey next time too!!
Jane Dillon says
I substituted coconut oil with MCT oil and used old fashion oats. Additionally added walnuts and cut up dried cherries to mix. Roll into small balls and keep in freezer. we love them. Dried cherries, dried cranberries, dried apricots – depending what we have in house. Thank you so much for this recipe♡
Erin says
Hi Jane, so happy you loved them and made them your own! 🙂
Elena says
I’m confused. I see rolled oats AND quick oats referred to; can I use whole rolled oats and get a good result?
Jannice Tu says
I made it with old fashioned and it tastes great/works fine.
Lauren says
Do these need to stay refrigerated?
Erin says
Hi Lauren, yes – they will fall apart at room temp.
Diane G says
These tasted great, however they did not solidify.
Erin says
Hi Diane, so glad you liked the cookies. Sorry they didn’t solidify. Did you make them to a T?
Jackie says
I would like to make these for a cookie table. Can they be frozen?
Erin says
Hi Jackie, yep just store in an airtight container. Let me know how they come out!
Erin says
Delicious, simple, and easy! Can’t get much better than that!!
Erin says
Hi Erin, so glad you loved them!
Michelle says
I could eat these for every meal! They’re so delicious and don’t taste “healthy”. I press them into a pan and cut into bars which for me is faster than making individual cookies!
Erin says
Hi Michelle, so happy you loved them! 🙂
Sofia Graf says
I have tried No Bake Oatmeal Cookies but with ghee. I have used pure ghee instead of using peanut butter as I am allergic to pea nut. The cookies are really good to eat. Ghee has added an excellent flavor here.
https://milkio.co.nz/pure-ghee/
Erin says
Hi Sofia, so happy you loved the cookies and made them your own!
Wanda Pena says
I didn’t have quick oats just regular oatmeal oats so hopefully that was ok if not I will buy quick oats next time cause I know these will be delicious thank you so this easy recipe
Erin says
Hi Wanda, that should be ok! Let me know how the cookies come out!
Sally says
Can I substitute almond butter for peanut butter? Would it make it taste not as good?
Erin says
Hi Sally, that should be a fine sub. Let me know how yours come out!!
CJ says
I would like to try the no bake chocolate breakfast cookies, however because of the coconut, will they have a coconut taste? If so, can I substitute another type of oil that may still be healthy?
Erin says
Hi CJ, nope, they won’t have a strong coconut taste. Let me know how yours come out!!
Connie says
Looks so good, I made this for work on Sunday had one left on Monday! Lol! I will be making these again and again…etc….Thank you😀
Erin says
Hi Connie, so glad you loved them!!
Stephanie says
Wondering if it’s possible to make these with wow butter (soy peanut butter substitute) to make them peanut free and safe to take to school. Has anyone tried? Thanks!
Erin says
Hi Stephanie, I haven’t tried that sub but feel free to try it and let me know how they come out!!
Joe G. says
Turned out great and healthy. This is what I’ve been searching for in a more healthy no bake, good texture and tasty. Thank you!
Erin says
Hi Joe, so happy you loved them so much!!
Kara says
YUM! I need to double this recipe next time thanks to my kids eating most of these. I can’t even be mad since they’re pretty healthy! These will be a staple in our house for sure.
Erin says
Hi Kara, I am so so happy you and your family loved them!!