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Peanut Butter No Bake Cookies are a classic cookie recipe that are oatmeal cookies full of peanut butter flavor – no oven needed! If you’ve been looking for no bake cookie without chocolate, this is the post for you. These set up perfectly every time!

Four no bake peanut butter cookies stacked on top of eachother


I’m a big fan of old-fashioned no bake cookies, especially during the summer! Not having to turn on the oven is always a plus in my book. This is basically that recipe without the cocoa powder! Easy no bake peanut butter cookies are an all-time favorite of mine. Peanut butter is the star in this recipe!

This is an easy no-bake cookie recipe with just six ingredients. They have the best texture – a slight soft crunch with chew from the oats and so much peanut butter flavor. The key is to use a thermometer and boil the mixture for the right amount of time. A thermometer takes all the guesswork out!

Overhead shot of all ingredients needed to make peanut butter no bake cookies

Ingredients Needed

  • Unsalted butter – I like to dice it, so it melts quickly when you make the dough.
  • Granulated Sugar – not only is this important for sweetness but the chemical reaction between the sugar and butter helps these set up.
  • Milk – Nonfat milk is what I normally use but regular milk is fine too (or nondairy milk)
  • Creamy peanut butter – use regular peanut butter and not a natural kind that needs stirring.
  • Quick cooking oats – don’t have these? Learn how to make your own quick oats from old fashioned oats.

Click to see the recipe card below for full ingredients & instructions!

How to Make Peanut Butter No Bake Cookies

Be sure to read the entire recipe and follow the instructions for success. Before you make the cookies, it’s very important to have all of your ingredients prepped, measured, and ready to go. This is a quick recipe once you start, so have everything ready. Line two cookie sheets with parchment paper and set them aside.

melted butter in saucepan with sugar

1. Melt the butter in a 3-quart saucepan over medium heat. Once it’s melted, add the sugar and stir.

butter sugar mixture in saucepan with milk and wooden spoon

2. Add the milk and whisk until smooth.

melted mixture in saucepan

3. Bring the mixture to a full rolling boil and bring it to a temperature of 230°F. This usually takes about a minute and a half, but use a thermometer to be absolutely sure. If you don’t boil it long enough, your cookies will not set up correctly.

saucepan with spoon and peanut butter mixture

4. Take the pan off the heat and add the peanut butter, salt, vanilla.

mixture with oats in saucepan

5. Mix in the oats. Stir well to combine.

no bake cookies on cookie sheet

6. Use a cookie scoop to form two tablespoons of dough for each cookie. Place them on the prepared cookie sheets. Leave them at room temperature to set.

Peanut butter no bake cookies on parchment paper next to a spoonful of peanut butter

Why did my no-bake cookies not set? 

Usually, the reason the no bake oatmeal cookies don’t set is that the mixture wasn’t boiled long enough. This is why a thermometer is so helpful! The temperature should be 230°F when you take the pan off the heat. Any lower than that, and the cookies won’t set properly.

Can you make these Gluten-Free?

Make gluten free no bake cookies by using gluten-free oats.

Four no bake peanut butter cookies stacked on top of eachother with top one split in half to show inside of cookie

Tips From Dorothy

Expert Tips

  • You can use creamy or crunchy peanut butter as long as it’s the regular kind and not natural peanut butter.
  • Prep and measure your ingredients first. This isn’t the kind of recipe you can measure and mix as you go.
  • For best results, use a candy thermometer or instant-read thermometer when you boil the mixture. It makes it so much easier, and you don’t have to worry if you boiled it long enough. This is my favorite instant read thermometer!
  • If you want to add some mix-ins, chopped nuts or m&ms work well for this recipe!
  • Store these in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. They’ll last a week in the refrigerator, and you can freeze them for up to 3 months.

FAQs

Can I make no-bake cookies without peanut butter?

Swap the peanut butter for Biscoff cookie spread, Nutella, almond butter, or other nut butter that you like. You can also use Sun Butter which is a sunflower seed spread. When no-bake cookies are made the right way, they’re irresistible!

Why did my no bake cookies not set?

No bake oatmeal cookies don’t set if the mixture wasn’t boiled long enough. This is why a thermometer is so helpful! The temperature should be 230°F when you take the pan off the heat.

Why are my no cake cookies dry and crumbly?

If you use natural peanut butter, or if you don’t measure your oats properly or if you cook them too long (past 230°F) they can get dry and crumbly.

Four no bake peanut butter cookies stacked on top of eachother

Peanut Butter No Bake Cookies Recipe

4.94 from 78 votes
Peanut Butter No Bake Cookies are a classic cookie recipe that never goes out of style! If you’ve been looking for no-bake cookies without chocolate, this recipe is for you!
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Chill Time 30 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Yield 24 cookies
Serving Size 1 serving

Ingredients
 

  • ½ cup (113g) unsalted butter diced
  • 1 ¾ cups (350g) granulated sugar
  • ½ cup (118ml) nonfat milk
  • ½ cup (133g) creamy peanut butter
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 3 cups (243g) quick cooking oats
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Instructions

  • Line two cookie sheets with parchment paper.
  • It’s very important that all your ingredients are measured and ready to go before you start and make sure you’ve read the directions before making these cookies. The process goes fast!
  • Melt the butter in a 3-quart saucepan over medium heat. Stir in the sugar and milk. Whisk until smooth then bring to a boil and cook for about 1 ½ minutes, stirring occasionally. NOTE: you MUST boil them long enough or they will not set. To be sure of this, boil the mixture until it reaches 230°F on a candy or instant read thermometer. If you do not have a thermometer, this will take about 1 ½ minutes on medium heat.
  • Remove from heat and stir in peanut butter, salt, vanilla, and oats.
  • Use a cookie scoop to drop 2 tablespoon size balls of cookie mixture onto the prepared baking sheets. Let sit to set or chill to harden quicker.

Recipe Video

Recipe Notes

  • You can use creamy or crunchy peanut butter as long as it’s the regular kind and not natural peanut butter.
  • Prep and measure your ingredients first. This isn’t the kind of recipe you can measure and mix as you go.
  • For best results, use a candy thermometer or instant-read thermometer when you boil the mixture. It makes it so much easier, and you don’t have to worry if you boiled it long enough. This is my favorite instant read thermometer!
  • If you want to add some mix-ins, chopped nuts or m&ms work well for this recipe!

Recipe Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 161kcal | Carbohydrates: 23g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 10mg | Sodium: 52mg | Potassium: 80mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 15g | Vitamin A: 129IU | Calcium: 15mg | Iron: 1mg
Nutritional information not guaranteed to be accurate
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
thermapen

My Thermometer

There are cheaper versions on amazon but this is the one I love.

Other No Bake Recipes

These Peanut Butter No Bake Cookies are made with oats and peanut butter and set up perfectly every time! They are such an easy cookie to make when you need something delicious, fast!



Dorothy Kern

Welcome to Crazy for Crust, where I share recipes that are sometimes crazy, often with a crust, and always served with a slice of life.

4.94 from 78 votes (67 ratings without comment)

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50 Comments

  1. I love how basic it was laid out, as well as how thorough every step was described. I wish all recipes were this easy and quick!!
    They also taste phenomenal !!! ๐Ÿคค๐Ÿฅดhow well you

  2. I made these using a thermometer. It was boiling for maybe 4-5 minutes so I pulled the pan off stove when it hit 125 degrees. They were crumbly but taste great. I’ve used my thermometer before on several things that turned out great so I don’t think its the issue. Next time I’ll just do 1 minute and half and see how that works.

  3. Help, I made this last night and it didnโ€™t turn out it was so dry wouldnโ€™t stay together as if there wasnโ€™t enough liquid. I follow instructions to the t.

    1. Hi Edna, sometimes the weather can impact the outcome of no baked cookies. Try to use 1/4 cup less of the oatmeal, if the cookies dryout on you. I have to do this sometimes especially in the summer months.