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Peanut butter fudge no-bake cookies are a quick treat that is easy and irresistibly delicious! These no-fuss cookies are a perfect combination of creamy peanut butter, rich chocolate, and hearty oats. With no need for baking, they’re a convenient and delightful way to satisfy your sweet tooth in no time.

Chocolate Peanut Butter No-Bake Cookie on parchment paper

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No-bake recipes are one of my favorite types of recipes not only to make myself but share with you. I love that I can whip up a tasty treat without turning on the oven, and they are easy recipes to make with the kiddos as well.

These Chocolate Peanut Butter No Bake Cookies cook up quickly on the stovetop and then need only 30 minutes in the fridge to set up, so you can enjoy a batch of no-bake cookies in under an hour.

Like our chocolate peanut butter fudge, they are perfect for any chocolate or peanut butter lover in your life with their rich texture and indulgent peanut butter flavor and also make great treats for gifting during the holiday season!

Table of Contents

What are no-bake cookies?

No-bake cookies are delightful treats that require no oven time. They’re made from rolled oats, peanut butter, cocoa powder, and sugar, then shaping them into cookies and allowing them to set on lined pans in the refrigerator. These gooey cookies are known for their quick preparation and irresistible chewy texture, making them a favorite for satisfying sweet cravings without the need for baking.

Ingredients

You probably already have these simple ingredients on hand! Ingredient measurements can be found in the recipe card at the bottom of the page.

unsalted butter – if you only have salted butter you can use it, just omit the pinch of salt in the recipe
brown sugar
cocoa powder
milk – any type, whole milk will give a rich flavor profile but whatever you have on hand will work, even nut milks
quick oats – old-fashioned oats will make for a tougher cookie texture, I highly recommend quick oats for this recipe
creamy peanut butter – do not use natural peanut butter in this recipe, you can use crunchy peanut butter in a pinch if needed
vanilla extract
salt

Step by step

This is a simple recipe, if you can boil something on the stove, you’re ready to make what is probably the easiest cookie recipe out there!

Line a cookie sheet or plate with parchment paper and set aside.
Heat butter, brown sugar, cocoa powder, and milk in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Stir often until the chocolate mixture comes to a boil. Allow to boil 60-90 seconds while stirring constantly, then remove from heat.
Add peanut butter, vanilla, and salt to the pot and stir until peanut butter has melted and the mixture is combined. Add oats 1 cup at a time, stirring in between.
Scoop the cookies onto the prepared pan using a large spoon or medium cookie scoop. Flatten slightly with the back of a spoon.
Chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving. Top with a drizzle of melted peanut butter if desired.

scooping no-bake cookie dough with cookie scoop

no-bake cookies on parchment paper-lined pan

Tips for best results

measure all the ingredients out beforehand, this recipe comes together quickly and is time-sensitive once you start making it
it is important to let the mixture come to a full rolling boil for a full minute to properly melt the sugar and get the perfect consistency, if you have a candy thermometer you can test for the desired temperature of 228 degrees Fahrenheit, but it is not required
do not boil for too long, any longer than 90 seconds and you risk burning the mixture
if you don’t have parchment paper, scoop cookies onto nonstick baking sheets or a silicone mat

hand holding no-bake cookie with bite removed

Storage

Store cookies at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 1 week. Store in the refrigerator up to 2 weeks.

Freeze cookies and store in a freezer bag for up to 3 months, thaw overnight in the fridge.

Variations

I like to serve these cookies with a drizzle of melted peanut butter on top and a sprinkle of flaked sea salt if I’m feeling fancy. You could also stir in some mini chocolate chips when you add the oats or dust with confectioner’s sugar before serving.

There are so many different types of no-bake cookies you can whip up! We’ve also shared pumpkin spice no-bake cookies, mint chocolate no-bake cookies, no-bake oatmeal scotchies, eggnog-flavored no-bake cookies, and even banana bread no-bake cookies! You can browse all of our no-bake easy desserts, like our white chocolate Christmas fudge, to get even more inspiration.

Other names for no-bake cookies

No-bake cookies go by various names depending on regional preferences. One common alternative is “drop cookies” because the dough is simply dropped onto a sheet without any baking required. Some refer to them as “boiled cookies” due to recipes that involve boiling the mixture on the stovetop before shaping.

The playful “cow patties” name highlights their flat, round appearance, while “mud cookies” and “frog cookies” capture the cookies’ gooey texture and shape in a whimsical way. I’ve also heard them called preacher cookies from the days when preachers would make their rounds to their parishioners’ houses to visit and the wives would whip up a batch of these fast cookies when he would drop by!

They are also sometimes called “chocolate oatmeal cookies,” emphasizing the primary ingredients. Regardless of the name, these cookies are loved for how easy and tasty they are!

If you try this recipe please comment and give it a 5-star rating below, I love hearing from you!