No Bake Oatmeal Cookies

105 comments

5 from 1145 votes
Jump to RecipeJump to Video

This post may contain affiliate links. See my disclosure policy.

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

No Bake Oatmeal Cookies in minutes.

meet arman

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.

3 ingredient no bake cookies

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!
no bake cookies

More no bake desserts to try

no bake oatmeal cookies recipe

No Bake Oatmeal Cookies (3 Ingredients!)

5 from 1145 votes
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. Watch the video below to see how I make it in my kitchen.
Servings: 12 cookies
Prep: 1 minute
Cook: 5 minutes
Total: 6 minutes

Video

Ingredients  

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

* Can substitute this for smooth almond butter, cashew butter, sunflower seed butter or tahini.
TO STORE: Leftover no bake cookies 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 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. 
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).

Nutrition

Serving: 1cookieCalories: 120kcalCarbohydrates: 17gProtein: 7gFat: 8gSodium: 100mgPotassium: 190mgFiber: 3gCalcium: 17mgIron: 1mgNET CARBS: 14g
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Author: Arman Liew
Tried this recipe?Give us a shout at @thebigmansworld or tag #thebigmansworld!

Originally published January 2016, updated April 2023, and republished April 2024

Arman Liew

I’m a two time cookbook author, photographer, and writer, and passionate about creating easy and healthier recipes. I believe you don’t need to be experienced in the kitchen to make good food using simple ingredients that most importantly, taste delicious.

You May Also Like

5 from 1145 votes (1,115 ratings without comment)

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Comments

  1. 5 stars
    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!!!

  2. 5 stars
    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!