This post may contain affiliate links. See my disclosure policy.
These are the best no bake oatmeal cookies made with just three ingredients! No butter, no milk, and no sugar needed, this healthy dessert take less than FIVE minutes to make.
Love no bake cookie recipes? Try my unicorn cookies and chocolate peanut butter no bake cookies.
As someone with a raging sweet tooth, I often make no-bake desserts.
They require minimal preparation and usually few ingredients. While I have a handful of favorites on rotation, nothing beats my famous 3 ingredient no bake oatmeal cookies.
Table of Contents
Why I love this recipe
- Wholesome ingredients. Traditional no bake cookies typically contain butter, sugar, and milk, but not these… they taste just as good!
- 3 Ingredients only. All you need are oats, peanut butter, and maple syrup.
- Easy to customize. These cookies act like a blank canvas, so you can fold through your favorite mix-ins, like chocolate chips, coconut flakes, raisins, and more.
- Perfect texture. Thick, chewy, and stable at room temperature. They are naturally sweetened and satisfy the sweet tooth!
Ingredients needed
- Rolled oats. Also called old-fashioned oats, they provide the chewy texture we love in a good oatmeal cookie! You can use quick oats if you like, but it will have a softer texture.
- Peanut butter. Smooth and drippy peanut butter works best, as it is the easiest to mix into the dough. Try to avoid peanut butter with added sugar or ones with a crunchy texture.
- Maple syrup. A refined sugar free sweetener that not only adds sweetness but helps bind the cookies together. You can also use agave nectar or honey.
How to make no bake oatmeal cookies
I’ve included step-by-step photos below to make this recipe easy to follow at home. For the full printable recipe instructions and ingredient quantities, scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Step 1- Make the batter. Start by adding your oats into a large mixing bowl. Add the peanut butter and syrup and mix well until combined. Fold through your mix-ins of choice using a rubber spatula.
Step 2- Shape. Next, lightly wet your hands. Form small balls of the cookie mixture and place them on a lined plate. Press down to form a cookie shape and refrigerate them for 20 minutes to firm up.
Arman’s recipe tips
- Use quick cooking oats. Most no bake oatmeal cookie recipes call for these oats as they are softer and smoother in texture.
- Boil the mixture. Sometimes peanut butter can be a little firm, so I like to combine that and the maple syrup in a saucepan and bring it to a boil. Once boiling, add the oats, mix, and shape into drop cookies.
- Add mix-ins. Like any good no bake cookie, be creative by adding in nuts, seeds, chocolate chips, vanilla extract, coconut flakes, or even candy buttons.
Dietary swaps and substitutions
This recipe is very forgiving and easy to adapt to fit most diets out there. Here are some suggestions:
- Keep it vegan. While the original recipe is naturally vegan, if you opt to use honey as the sweetener, some consider that not to be vegan-friendly.
- Keep it gluten-free. I used certified gluten-free oats. If you use other brands or makes of it, this is often not the case.
- Swap out the peanut butter. If you have a peanut allergy or don’t like the taste of peanut butter, you can use almond butter, sunflower seed butter, or tahini.
- Add protein. Add a scoop of your favorite protein powder to make these cookies even more satisfying (just like in classic protein cookies).
Storage instructions
To store: Leftovers should be stored in the refrigerator, covered. They will keep well for up to two weeks.
To freeze: Either wrap cookies individually in parchment paper and place them in a ziplock bag, or place them all together in one ziplock bag (no parchment paper needed). They will keep well frozen for up to 6 months.
Frequently Asked Questions
If your no-bake cookies are gooey, it means your oats are too fine in texture and/or you added too much maple syrup. To rectify this, simply add more oats to the mixture.
You need to refrigerate your cookies for at least 30 minutes to allow them to firm up properly. Enjoying them straight from the bowl will yield softer cookies.
You can bake these cookies in the oven at 180C/350F for 10-12 minutes or until firm around the edges.
No, these cookies need a nut or seed butter to bind everything together. Using butter or margarine will yield a greasy cookie that will fall apart. It also isn’t the healthiest option.
More no bake desserts to try
No Bake Oatmeal Cookies (3 Ingredients!)
Video
Ingredients
- 2 cups rolled oats Can use quick oats
- 1 cup peanut butter * See notes
- 1/3 cup maple syrup
- 1/4 cup chocolate chips of choice optional
Instructions
- Line a large plate with parpchment paper and set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, add all your ingredients and mix well, until combined. Fold through your mix-ins of choice.
- Using your hands, form into 12 small balls and place on the lined plate. Press each ball into a cookie shape.
- Refrigerate for at least 20 minutes, before enjoying.
Notes
Nutrition
Originally published January 2016, updated April 2023, and republished April 2024
Would they taste better if I bake them for few minutes?
Delicious –I count 4 ingredients!
Hi there! Yes, you are counting the optional ingredient (mentioned throughout the post that it is optional). Enjoy these 3 ingredient cookies!
Thank you for a terrific base recipe for no-cook oatmeal cookies, exactly what I needed!
I used tahini as I’m allergic to peanuts. I also included vanilla paste, shredded coconut, & dried orange zest. (I meant to include ground flaxseed and forgot lol)
I also left them as spheres, and put them in a plastic bag in the fridge. Perfect yummies for breakfast or snacks! Thank you so much!
Great recipe.
Make this recipe every couple of weeks, everyone loves it!!!
Love that, Anna!
First time heard that you dont nees to bake cookies. Amazing.
Delicious.
Wow without baking. Going to try this!
To die for! So good, and healthy. My new favorite snack!
I made the no bake oatmeal protein . Thank they keep u full love it 😀 yummy 😋
You really got me.
These are my favorite no bake oatmeal cookies ever! So easy and so good!!!
Very easy, very good,very satisfying.
Thank you!!
Quick and easy no muss no fuss taste awesome
the best healthy no bake cookies ever.
Hiya Arman,
Yes, I made these no-bake cookies & they are pretty darn good!! I also added Ghia seeds, flax seeds & hemp seeds to the mixture!! Also added 2 tbsp of honey, 2 teaspoon vanilla extract with coconut flakes and ground walnuts to offset the dryness!! Really taste good!!! Merry Christmas!!!
Love those additions!
Thank you for your easy recipies.. I love everything!
Delicious and super easy to make.
Added coconut to sweeten them up a bit more. I like my sweets a little sweeter.
Thank yout can’t wait to make these cookies
Ohhhh I finally made these and so easy to do! I used pure maple syrup and all-natural peanutbutter along with some organic oats. I tossed in some dark chocolate chips and wow these are definitely worth making over and over again! SO GOOD!
Best use of leftover peanut butter ever! I couldn’t stop snacking on it!
Haha, I love that Petra!
I really loved this simple recipe, you can add on things that are not on the recipe and it will still taste good. I was kinda craving a cookie, but I didn’t want to cook or bake, and when I found this I knew it was the one to do. (: It’s really nice that just mix everything together all at once and serve, I did adjust the recipe a bit for less because I would have found it too sweet. Great Recipe over all 😀
These are so lushoius
Can I use powdered peanut butter, after I add the water?
I haven’t tried personally, but several readers have successfully!
Delicious! Perfect 4:00 pm in the afternoon treat
I cant wait to try these. Made some with butter and WOW! next is this one!!
Love this simple recipe.
I tend not to keep syrup in the house, can I use a local honey instead of maple syrup?
Absolutely!
Made these last night and they are delicious! Super easy, super fast, and super tasty! Thank you for sharing this with us!
These are really good and filling!
Great recipe!
Thank you for sharing all of your great tasting creations.
This old dawg is having fun learning your new tricks.
Have another exciting, safe, successful year.
Cheers!
Wow I was surprised. They were good and best of all, filling. One was enough for me instead of three. I’ve been looking for a healthy after dinner treat and this is it. Keeps well in the fridge and quick and easy to make. Thanks!
I also added Cacao & I made mine into tiny balls! Cocoa Puffs!! 350° 10 mins on parchment paper.
These cookies are absolutely simple to make. They taste amazing without the guilt! Thank you for this recipe!!
Can I use Karo syrup instead of maple syrup
Yes!
I like crispy cookies. Is it possible to bake these? Don’t get me wrong … I’m still going to make the no bake version.
Loved this! They turned out delicious! Do you think it would still work if I halved or quartered the amount of syrup?
Hi Shama! I haven’t personally tried it that way, but let me know if it works out 🙂
Thanks for the recipe! I mixed in mint chocolate bits and these are absolutely addictive! I’ll never buy another mass produced version again!
Love this!!! Thank you 🙂
I definitely need to make these! Still laughing at “pepperoni candy” 🙂
Please do, Elise! lol, don’t eat that candy.
the only syrup i have on hand is that fake maple syrup. i don’t think i would like peanut or almond butter w/ maple. i don’t have any nut butters or marshmallow cream. could you suggest a substitute for nut butter? btw, bars seem easier than cookies..lol!
Hi Sandy! You could use sunflower seed or soy nut butter 🙂
Oh my soul, these are “baking” in my fridge right now. Can I tell you that my 3 year old son & I each ate our cookie in dough form before putting the rest into the fridge?? These are incredible!
I can’t wait to try out the rest of your no-bake recipes.
Perfect for Summer when you don’t want to use an oven…. And great for my daughter & husband’s lunch boxes! 😀
😀 YAY! This makes me so happy, Eden- I hope you all enjoy it and confession- Eating the batter while baking is non-negotiable 😀
Hi. Im doing low carb. What’s the net carb content please per cookie? ☺
Hi Natasha! If you add the ingredients to a calorie calculator, it will provide that information for you! 🙂 Enjoy!
Looks good, but am I missing something? Where’s the nutritional info? Seems that most people that would be interested in these would want the nutritional info.
Hi there- You aren’t missing anything actually- I don’t include nutritional information as it’s easily able to be calculated using a calorie calculator for those interested- I focus on ingredients. Have a great day!
Just a quick q–How many do these serve/ how many cookies per batch if sized like those in your picture?
Hi Jacqueline! I got around 8-9 cookies from it 🙂 Cheers!
I do this all the time with my loaf recipes. I always prefer loaves to muffins but most people I know prefer muffins. So I give them to my taste testers in muffin form and if I’m making it for myself, it’s a loaf. Strange AF but it works LOL
p.s. These look awesome. Pinned!
🙂 Thanks G! 😀
LOL STRANGE AF.
Raisins and cinnamon? Yum!
ooo sound like a fun addition!
I was happy to see that these did not include bananas, I love bananas but this is a great variation! The less ingredients the better I say! On the whole bar or circle debate, I have to say that a bar pleases me more, it’s as if my mind thinks a bar is more filling then a cookie, and would prefer that! However, to say that I am opposed to cookie shapes is totally false!
🙂 Thanks so much, Stephanie! Actually, my mind thinks the very same way too!
Interesting that the bran had a different texture!
Cookie shaped things always catch my attention. NOM.
Right? You gotcha!
I love either cookies or bars, and how quickly this recipe comes together! In my cupboard I have two bottles of light Agave, so will try it with these cookies.
Oh yes! Let me know they turn out- I love the light flavor of agave 🙂
Definitely cookies! Especially if they are healthy and only involve 3 ingredients 🙂 These look so chewy in the best way possible. I love a good soft and chewy cookie!
😀 Soft and chewy trumps all 😀
You know who Niki reminds me of? This little girl in a short children’s story that wouldn’t eat her food unless if it were shaped in an “O” and that she was tricked into eating something shaped like a square! LOL!
These oatmeal cookies would also be really good with cinnamon and raisins! If you swap with PB it will have that really creamy and delicious peanut buttery flavor too–but I LOVE almond butter!
LOL!!!!! I haven’t heard of that story!!
Yep! It’s called Maggie Eats Only O’s! 😀 I think it would be pretty cool to play that trick on your sister (before she finds out)!
Wooo so easy and delicious looking! I’m actually also partial to circular foods. Anything that reminds me of a cookie ups in flavor like 200% ;).
Also! I’m sending you an email right now! Check yo’ inbox <3
YESSS. Epic tastebuds :p
Replied 😀
Cookies rules the world! I am not a fun of super-duper healthy cookies (in love with real sugar), but these looks really good 😉
I like your tastebuds 🙂
So I can eat 3492347 right??
You may eat 1. Two if it’s a Tuesday.
I just had pancakes, and I was thinking that I wouldn’t like square pancakes as much as I would circular ones, so maybe Niki is onto something. 😉
p.s. my mom is literally hiding these in the back of the fridge.
Your mum is amazing. Also, square pancakes actually sound strangely good. Like square cheese.
Baked or unbaked, as long as chocolate is involved [bonus for nut butter!] I’m eating it. I like to keep my stock of no bake cookies up in the summer time for sure, when its too freaking hot to turn on my oven without passing out.
YES! Or in Winter for well…snacks 😀
I am definitely on team cookie. Things that are fun to eat taste better. That’s why anything with sprinkles on it is automatically better than the original version. Thanks for the easy recipe Arman!
So welcome Ellie!
Cookies fo shizz! Healthy and no bake at the same time? I could imagine these being a great curling snack. Can I keep one in my pocket in case I need a bite in the middle of a game??
YES. Because you are curling, you get two.
As long as chocolate is involved, I can go either way 😛 And I’m not sure shape is as big of a thing for me as texture and temperature — that’s where I get super picky.
Ahhh texture is key!
LOL pepperoni candy. Sounds yummy. I’m not partial to one shape or another, but I do find that the size of a food impacts its taste. Meaning, miniature things are naturally tastier because they are also cute and the cute factor adds flavor.
LOL. Mini burgers… so cute too look at. Not so much 10 burgers down!
Cookies over bars. It’s a mental thing. 🙂
Haha I like it!
Can you substitute honey for maple syrup. I don’t use it.
Yes you can!
I’m not picky! I love bars and cookies equally.
🙂 That’s the way to be!
I guess sometimes a cookie just feels right! I can go either way, not so picky here!
Thats the way to go!
I’d say I am team bar just because from the perspective of the one who always makes the snacks it’s quicker. And you can slice the bars always according to your hunger.
One thing that instantly jumped to my mind was pasta. There are some shapes that taste so much better than others. Spaghetti for example.
YES. Giant slices = for me. Or ugly side ones haha!
Actually, that’s true. Niki is the worst with that- Rigatoni. I’m team Farfelle.