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
- Start with good quality butter. If you use a butter with too much moisture in it these will not set. I find that Kirkland butter is notorious for this and should be avoided here.
- Stick with creamy peanut butter. While these can work with crunchy peanut butter, they do have a better texture with creamy peanut butter.
- 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.
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.
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 see note (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.
Recipe Video
Notes
Lisa says
This recipe is great.i used it at Christmas, and using again tonight, just for a little special treat after supper.its a no fail,and tastes great! Thank you,
Lisa
I’m so glad that you like it!
Mariah says
Omg these were amazing! Perfect! I tried a recipe before this one & it was awful! I made them last night (the 1st awful batch) & they were crumbly and there was SO much sugar it literally made me sick, as in physically sick! 😷 I was so worried about these coming out lile crap again. I thought to myself if this didn’t come out right this time then I was done baking lol. But there are perfect! So easy and fast and just the right amount of everything. Thanks for sharing!
I’m so glad it worked so well for you!
Hannah says
I lost my Mom’s recipe for these and this is it!! Perfect, easy, and delicious. We do like to modify it slightly, depending on what mood we are in. I added 3 extra spoons of peanut butter and a dash of extra oatmeal, and it did great. I love this recipe and how easy it is to add chocolate or candies. It’s a must in our house 💜 thank you
I’m glad you like this recipe as much as I do!
Mary Lou says
Same recipe I have used for years. People always ask me why mine always turn out perfect. I tell them it’s all about the timing.
It’s totally about the timing, but I’ve learned recently it’s about the brand of butter you use too! We made them last Christmas using Kirkland butter and they didn’t set up at all.
Jessica says
I made the cookies last Monday and I’m making them today. They taste just like my granny use to me.
I’m so happy to hear it!
Leona says
My cookies set fine but the old fashion oatmeal seems extra dry and chewy. What might be the cause.
Hmm, I have never had that issue. Is it possible that your oats were stale?
Anna says
came out great!
I’m so glad to hear that you liked them!
Debbie says
I was so excited to make these. Now you take a bite and they fall apart. Reading the directions, I don’t see we did any different. I don’t know if the butter has too much moisture. Does the peanut butter matter if you use organic or not? I want to try again. I just don’t know what we did wrong. The boil was a good boil.
I’m so sorry these didn’t work for you. I’ve had readers have the issue of them not setting, but never the issue of them falling apart. If you used organic peanut butter, that definitely could be it. I’ve only tested this with peanut butter like Jif.
Kimberly says
I have been making these for years and the natural peanut butter is usually more oily and does make a difference.