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My family is obsessed with these no bake oatmeal cookies. They need just 3 ingredients to make and use wholesome and simple ingredients.
No Bake Oatmeal Cookies in minutes.
My family and I always need a post-dinner sweet treat, and these 3 ingredient no-bake oatmeal cookies have become a savior. Unlike other no-bake cookies, these skip out on the butter and sugar but are still thick, chewy, and stable at room temperature. They take minutes to make and are so fun to customize.
Love no bake cookie recipes? Try my unicorn cookies and chocolate peanut butter no bake cookies.
Key Ingredients
- Rolled oats. Also called old-fashioned oats, they provide the chewy texture we love in a good oatmeal cookie! If you’d prefer a softer texture, quick oats work well.
- 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. I’ve tested this with honey and agave syrup and both worked just as well.
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.
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.
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
- 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.
- Wet your hands. My secret trick to shaping the cookies and preventing the oats and syrup from sticking to your fingers!
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
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.