Best Peanut Butter No Bake Cookies (Easy & Delicious!)

These peanut butter no-bake cookies are a classic treat. They are nostalgia in the form of a cookie. I remember making these with my grandmother on lazy Sunday afternoons. They are chewy, jam-packed with peanut butter and oats, and take me right back to childhood. The best part, they are super simple to make. 

Since you don’t even have to turn on the oven, you can whip these classic no-bake peanut butter cookies at a moment’s notice. Whether you need a simple treat for after dinner, a quick snack for unexpected guests, or a contribution to a potluck, these cookies are versatile and will make everyone smile.

How to Make Peanut Butter No Bake Cookies

You probably have everything that you need to make these peanut butter oatmeal cookies in your pantry. 

Ingredients:

✅Granulated sugar
✅Butter
✅Milk
✅Creamy peanut butter
✅Vanilla extract
✅Quick oats

Step-By-Step

Step 1: Gather the ingredients. This recipe goes quicking so it is important to have everything near you and ready to go. Take a moment and measure out the ingredients and set them next to your work station. 

📌 Tip: Use quick oats for the best texture. Old-fashioned oats won’t absorb the mixture properly and may result in crumbly cookies.

Step 2: Cook sugar mixture. Combine the sugar, butter, and milk in a large pot over medium heat. Stir often as everything melts and dissolves.

📌 Tip: Use a heavy-bottomed saucepan to prevent scorching. Stirring frequently ensures even melting.

Step 3: Bring the mixture to a boil. Increase the heat to medium-high and bring the mixture to a boil for 60 seconds without stirring. 

📌 Tip: Timing is crucial—boiling for less than 60 seconds can cause the cookies to be too soft, while overboiling can make them dry and crumbly.

Step 4: Add peanut butter and vanilla. Immediately remove the pot from the heat. Stir in the peanut butter and vanilla until thoroughly combined. 

📌 Tip: Work quickly so the mixture stays warm and easy to stir. The mixture will look glossy once everything is melted and combined.

Step 5: Add in the oats. Add the quick oats and stir until combined. Be sure to stir until there are no dry spots and everything is coated.

Step 6: Spoon out the cookies. Use a spoon or cookie scoop to drop small round shapes of the mixture onto a piece of parchment paper. 

📌Tip: If you want neater cookies, lightly press them into shape with the back of the spoon before they set.

Step 7: Let them cool and set. Allow them to cool at room temperature for about 45 minutes or until they are completely set. They should be firm and chewy.

How to store the cookies

These cookies will keep in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. You can keep them longer in the refrigerator for up to a week. You can even freeze them for up to 3 months. 

📌To keep the cookies from sticking together while storing them, separate the layers in the container with parchment paper.