Peanut Butter No Bake Cookies – A Quick & Easy Recipe

One of my favorite cookies to make around the holidays, and honestly any time of the year, are these Peanut Butter No Bake Cookies. Creamy peanut butter mixed in with melted sugar, butter and milk, and then combined with oatmeal and vanilla for a delicious and easy to make sweet treat.

Unlike most cookie recipes, these cookies require no time in the oven at all. In fact, the only thing you have to do is to add sugar, butter and milk into a saucepan.

Then bring the mixture to a boil for and then stir in the rest of the ingredients. Scoop the mixture into mounds to make the cookies and that is it!

It is an easy cookie recipe that even the novice cook can master. However, if this recipe looks familiar to you that is because it is a take on my Classic Chocolate & Peanut Butter No Bake Cookies recipe. Although, this time I have omitted the chocolate and allowed the peanut butter flavor to shine through!

As much as I love classic no-bake cookies that I used to get at school when I was a child, I have to admit, I like these cookies even better, especially around the holidays. That is because there are so many chocolate desserts shared between Thanksgiving and Christmas and there are times where I just want something different.

Don’t get me wrong. I love homemade Chocolate Covered Cherries, Peanut Butter Blossom Cookies, and Chocolate Peppermint Cookies. However, I also, quite honestly, get tired of eating everything chocolate (don’t hate me chocolate lovers).

That is why I thought I would share this easy to make recipe with you today. Just in case anyone else out there is looking for a quick cookie recipe that doesn’t contain chocolate.

Peanut Butter No Bake Cookies Recipe

*Specific measurements and complete recipe instructions are located in a printable recipe card at the bottom of this article. However, be sure to continue to read the tips and tricks to making this recipe below.

INGREDIENTS

• 1/2 cup butter, unslated
• 2 cups sugar
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1 cup creamy peanut butter
• 3 cups Quick Oats
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

More Information About The Ingredients

1. Butter

As with most of my recipes, I recommend using unsalted butter when making these cookies. Although salt can enhance the flavor of sweet ingredients, it is not necessary in this recipe.

For those who can’t tolerate dairy, or who are vegan, you can use most plant based butters in place the standard unsalted butter. I will often use Earth Balance butter sticks and the cookies set up perfectly every time.

2. Granulated Sugar

I would love to tell you that you can use a sugar substitute for these peanut butter no-bake cookies. However, I haven’t found a common sugar substitute that makes these cookies taste the same or that has the same texture as when using granulated sugar.

3. Milk

You can use whole milk, 2% milk or even skim milk for this recipe. And for those that can’t tolerate milk or are vegan, you can even use plant based milk.

Just make sure that you use unsweetened, original almond or soy milk. I have never used oat milk, but I would imagine it would work just as well.

4. Creamy Peanut Butter

When it comes to peanut butter, stick with the creamy peanut butter varieties. I am a huge fan of Jif Peanut Butter, but any brand will work. However do not use all-natural peanut butter that has to be stirred.

5. Oatmeal

It is important to use Quick Cook Oatmeal (or 1 Minute Oats) to make these cookies. Because this is a no-bake cookie recipe the already processed oats will be the perfect texture for the cookies.

You could use Old Fashioned Oats, however the cookies will be much more chewy. However, be sure to steer away from Instant Oats as they will not set up properly.

You can find a canister of quick oats in the grocery aisle near the rest of the oatmeal. Just double check to make sure that the front of the label reads Quick Oats and not steel-cut, old-fashioned, or instant oats.

6. Vanilla Extract

For this recipe it is best to use pure vanilla extract, not imitation. Although it is more expensive, the flavor is much better and because we aren’t baking this recipe the flavor will remain intact.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR PEANUT BUTTER NO BAKE COOKIES

1. Start by preparing two baking sheets by lining them with wax paper or lining them with silicone baking mats and set aside.

2. Then measure out the exact amount of peanut butter that you will need and set aside. I prefer to use a 2 cup push measuring cup and keeping the peanut butter in there until ready to use.

That way there is no difficulty getting the peanut butter out of a cup or bowl when it is time to mix it in with the other ingredients.

3. Next, measure out the oats and place them in a medium size bowl, set aside. Set the vanilla extract on the counter with a teaspoon measuring spoon beside the bottle.

*You will need the pre-measured ingredients later, but because this recipe comes together so quickly, there will be no time for measuring later.

Now that you have the ingredients set and ready to go, it is time to make the peanut butter no-bake cookies!

4. In a medium saucepan set over medium heat, add the butter, sugar, and milk. Continue to heat, stir frequently as the butter and sugar begin to melt.

Once the mixture comes to a rolling boil set a kitchen timer for 1 minute, 10 seconds. It is VERY IMPORTANT that the liquid is at a full rolling boil before starting the timer. Otherwise the cookies will not set up correctly.

What Does A Rolling Boil Mean?

A rolling boil means that the liquid is bubbling throughout the entire pot, not just around the sides. And when stirred, the liquid continues to boil.

As soon as the timer goes off, immediately remove the pot from the heat source. Then quickly stir in the peanut butter until it is mostly melted.

Next stir in the quick oats until well incorporated. Finally, add in the vanilla and stir until well incorporated.

Using a tablespoon or two, drop a mounds of cookie batter onto the prepared baking sheets lined with wax paper at least 1 inch apart from each other.

If the cookies are mounded too high, use the back of the tablespoon to flatten the cookies slightly.

Let the cookies cool at room temperature for 30 minutes or until fully set.

How To Store

Store in a sealed container at room temperature or in the refrigerator.

You can also freeze the peanut butter no bake cookies for up to 6 months in a sealed container. However, I prefer to place wax paper between the layers to prevent any chance of them sticking or freezing together.

Enjoy! Mary

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