These chocolate no bake cookies are so easy and quick to make and are the perfect treat to have on hand during the holidays and beyond! Made with chocolate, peanut butter and oats, these no bake cookies really are the best!

A stack of chocolate no bake cookies

Christmas is the season for cookies, but I don’t always have the time to be watching the oven. That’s where these no bake cookies come in. So easy to make, the whole family will love these chocolate treats!

How to Make Chocolate No Bake Cookies

In a large saucepan, bring the butter, sugar, milk, cocoa powder and salt to the boil for a minute and then remove from the heat. Stir in the peanut butter and vanilla and mix well before combining the oats.

Drop the mixture, a tablespoon at a time, on to a parchment lined baking sheet, and let cool completely before storing or serving.

chocolate no bake cookies on a large serving plate

Cookies on a plate ready to eat

How long do no chocolate no bake cookies keep?

The beauty of chocolate no bake cookies, is that they have a long shelf life compared to baked cookies. Once they have fully set, transfer them to an airtight container, with the layers separated by parchment, and they will keep at room temperature or in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.

You can also freeze the cookies in ziplock bags and they will be good for about 2 months.

How long does it take for no bake cookies to fully set?

These chocolate no bake cookies don’t need to be refrigerated to set, and they will take about 30 minutes to fully harden. They really don’t take long to make at all, so they are a great option if guests are arriving on little notice! I love to make a double batch of these as the shelf life is so long, and they will last throughout the holidays.

chocolate no bake cookies served in stacks on a plate

Top down shot of cookies on a plate

This recipe is for all of my chocolate and peanut butter fans out there – and I know there are a lot of you! They aren’t overly sweet and have that perfect salty bite to them. Be sure to check out my Mom’s Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe if you fancy some baked treats!

Close up of chocolate no bake cookies

Top Tips To Make This Recipe

  • Be sure to line your baking trays with parchment so that the chocolate no bake cookies are easily removed.
  • The milk mixture only needs to boil for one minute. Don’t boil it any longer or it can affect the texture of the cookies.
  • Mix the dough really well, everything should be incorporated and you can easily do this by hand.
  • The cookies will take about 30 minutes to fully set, so be patient!

A stack of cookies

Recipe Card

Chocolate No Bake Cookies Recipe

4.68 from 28 votes
Prep: 10 minutes
Resting time: 30 minutes
Total: 10 minutes
Servings: 30 cookies
Author: Becky Hardin
stacks of chocolate no bake cookies on a plate
These chocolate no bake cookies are so easy and quick to make and are the perfect treat to have on hand during the holidays and beyond! Made with chocolate, peanut butter and oats, these no bake cookies really are the best!
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Equipment

Ingredients 

  • ½ cup unsalted butter 113 grams (1 stick)
  • 2 cups granulated sugar 400 grams
  • ½ cup milk 114 grams, at least 2%
  • ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder 21 grams
  • teaspoon kosher salt
  • ½ cup creamy peanut butter 135 grams
  • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract 8 grams
  • teaspoon ground cinnamon optional
  • 3 cups quick oats 267 grams

Instructions 

  • Line 2 large baking sheets with parchment paper; set aside.
  • Add the butter, sugar, milk, cocoa powder, and salt to a large saucepan and bring to a rolling boil. Boil for 1 minute, then remove from the heat.
    ½ cup unsalted butter, 2 cups granulated sugar, ½ cup milk, ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder, ⅛ teaspoon kosher salt
  • Stir in the peanut butter, vanilla, and cinnamon (if using); mix until incorporated.
    ½ cup creamy peanut butter, 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract, ⅛ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • Add the oats and mix will.
    3 cups quick oats
  • Working quickly, drop by tablespoon onto the prepared baking sheets and let the cookies completely set/cool. If desired, flatten the mounds slightly with a spoon.
  • Store in an airtight container.

Video

Becky's Tips

  • Be sure to line your baking trays with parchment so that the cookies are easily removed.
  • The milk mixture only needs to boil for one minute. Don't boil it any longer or it can affect the texture of the cookies.
  • Mix the dough really well, everything should be incorporated and you can easily do this by hand.
  • The cookies will take about 30 minutes to fully set, so be patient!
Storage: Store chocolate no bake cookies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
Serving: 1cookieCalories: 138kcalCarbohydrates: 20gProtein: 2gFat: 6gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 8mgSodium: 31mgPotassium: 71mgFiber: 1gSugar: 14gVitamin A: 99IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 13mgIron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Did you make this? Leave a comment!

Meet Becky Hardin

Becky Hardin is a wife and mother living in Saint Louis Missouri. She founded The Cookie Rookie in 2012 as a creative way to share recipes. Now, she is a trusted resource for easy cooking around the world, being featured in Taste of Home, The Kitchn, ABC’s Home and Family, and more. Here at The Cookie Rookie she is the editor in chief of all recipes and continues to enjoy sharing her passion for cooking for busy families. She has since founded two additional food blogs, Easy Chicken Recipes and Easy Dessert Recipes.

4.68 from 28 votes (19 ratings without comment)
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21 Comments
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Vickie Arney
Vickie Arney
May 16, 2024 5:18 pm

These are delicious and I love the hint of cinnamon in the recipe. Will be a staple in my kitchen.5 stars

lee
lee
August 4, 2021 4:34 pm

perfect recipe for no bakes. Don’t change a thing.5 stars

Becky Hardin
Becky Hardin
August 11, 2021 1:10 pm
Reply to  lee

Thanks for sharing, Lee!

Traci Lee
Traci Lee
June 27, 2021 8:40 pm

Craving cow pies.. Used 1/4 less sugar, light cream w little water no milk) and old fashioned oats.. If they fall apart they’ll go into the tral mix..5 stars

Becky Hardin
Becky Hardin
June 30, 2021 10:43 am
Reply to  Traci Lee

I am sure they’ll be delicious!

Kim
Kim
August 5, 2020 2:31 pm

Great quick cookie. I used less than half the sugar since there was peanut butter in it. I also used rolled oats.4 stars

Becky Hardin
Becky Hardin
August 12, 2020 5:43 pm
Reply to  Kim

Yum! I’ll have to try it that way next time!

Megan
Megan
December 10, 2019 8:55 pm

Can’t wait to make these but have a quick question. Do they have to be quick oats? Can they be old fashioned oats? I have those in supply!
Thanks for all your wonderful recipes!

Becky Hardin
Becky Hardin
December 11, 2019 11:27 am
Reply to  Megan

Yes, absolutely! I can’t wait for you to try it!

Tania
Tania
December 10, 2019 5:51 pm

This is not a review but a question.
Do the oats need to be cooked or raw?
Would love to try the recipe and wanna make sure i make them correctly.
Love your story and recipes.
Thanks

Becky Hardin
Becky Hardin
December 10, 2019 7:59 pm
Reply to  Tania

You can add them in raw!

Ashley F
Ashley F
December 10, 2019 12:21 pm

These are the best cookies to make especially if you need something quick and easy!5 stars

Becky Hardin
Becky Hardin
December 10, 2019 7:59 pm
Reply to  Ashley F

Thanks Ashley! I’m glad you enjoyed them!

Toni
Toni
December 10, 2019 12:03 pm

I loved how easy this is to make! Yummy!5 stars

Becky Hardin
Becky Hardin
December 10, 2019 8:00 pm
Reply to  Toni

Thanks Toni! I’m so happy to hear you love them!

Toni
Toni
December 10, 2019 11:59 am

They were so good! Everyone loved it!5 stars

Becky Hardin
Becky Hardin
December 10, 2019 8:01 pm
Reply to  Toni

Yay! Always a good thing when the whole house approves!

Julia Frey
Julia Frey
December 10, 2019 10:56 am

This recipe is a keeper! My teenager loved making and eating them!5 stars

Becky Hardin
Becky Hardin
December 10, 2019 8:01 pm
Reply to  Julia Frey

Teen approved is always the best compliment!