This chewy, chocolatey no bake cookie recipe is made with a base of oats and peanut butter, making it wholesome, satisfying, and naturally vegan! They’re easy to make, with a short refrigeration time replacing the baking.

Overhead view of chocolate no bake cookies on parchment paper

When it comes to no bake cookie recipes, it’s important to go into it with the right expectations. No baking means you’re not going to get the same crispy edges and golden brown exterior as you would with a traditional cookie. Instead, these no bake cookies have a soft, chewy texture that is different, but delicious in its own way!

These cookies remind me of peanut butter cups in cookie form thanks to the combination of cocoa powder and peanut butter. Cinnamon adds a bit of warmth, while the oats make the cookies chewy and satisfying. I love no bake cookies as an afternoon snack, but I think they even work as a breakfast—and when you can have cookies for breakfast, you know it’s going to be a great day! (Try my pumpkin chocolate chip oatmeal breakfast cookies too.)

  • Perfect chewy texture. The oats and peanut butter in this recipe create a chewy, satisfying texture that’s impossible to resist.
  • Wholesome ingredients. The oats and peanut butter also make these cookies fairly healthy and naturally gluten-free. 
  • Easy to make. With no baking required, these cookies only require a few minutes of prep time and refrigeration. They’re so simple!
Overhead view of ingredients for no bake cookie recipe with labels

Notes on Ingredients 

Scroll down to the recipe card to find the ingredient quantities and recipe instructions.

  • Coconut oil – Coconut oil is key here because it solidifies when refrigerated.
  • Plant milk – Any kind you like, as long as it’s unflavoured and unsweetened.
  • Granulated sugar 
  • Brown sugar – Light or dark brown sugar both work.
  • Cocoa powder
  • Creamy no-stir peanut butter – Don’t use the natural peanut butter that needs stirring before you use it. You really need regular peanut butter for this recipe!
  • Vanilla extract
  • Quick cooking oats – If you have old-fashioned oats on hand and want to use those instead, you can blitz them in a blender or food processor to chop them up a bit, then measure what you need.
  • Ground cinnamon 

How to Make No Bake Cookies

  • Make the liquid mixture. Warm the coconut oil, plant milk, sugars, and cocoa powder in a pan set over medium heat. Once the oil melts, bring to a boil and cook for 90 seconds, whisking constantly. 
  • Keep whisking. Remove the saucepan from the stovetop and keep whisking until there are no more bubbles. Stir in the peanut butter and vanilla until the peanut butter melts.
  • Put it all together. Fold in the oats and cinnamon until the oats are all moistened.
  • Form the cookies. Drop 2-3 tablespoon portions of dough onto a parchment-lined baking sheet. Flatten with the back of a spoon.
  • Rest and chill. Allow the cookies to rest at room temperature for 30 minutes, then refrigerate until solid.
Chewy no bake cookies on parchment paper

Tips for Success

  • Use plates for refrigerating if needed. If your cookie sheets don’t fit in your refrigerator, you can place parchment paper on plates or a large platter and use that instead.
  • Double the recipe. This no bake cookie recipe can easily be doubled to make more cookies for larger gatherings or parties. Just note that the liquid ingredients will need a little more time on the stovetop to account for the larger volume.
  • Be patient. It’s important to allow the cookies to set in the refrigerator before enjoying them. This will ensure they have the perfect texture and hold their shape. You don’t want them falling apart on you!

Variations

  • Make them peanut-free. Use almond butter, pecan butter, or cashew butter to make these no bake cookies peanut-free, or swap in sunflower seed butter to make nut-free no-bake cookies. 
  • Add in some crunch. For added texture, mix in some chopped nuts or crispy rice cereal to the cookie dough before refrigerating.
  • Make them more decadent. Chocolate chips would be a fantastic addition to this no bake cookie recipe! Because the mixture will be warm, I recommend pressing chocolate chips into the tops of the cookies after they’ve set for 15 minutes rather than mixing them into the dough.
Chewy vegan no bake cookies on parchment paper

How to Store

Refrigerate your no bake cookies in an airtight container for up to a week. I recommend letting them come to room temperature before enjoying them.

Can I Freeze This Recipe?

Yes, this no bake cookie recipe can be frozen! Layer parchment paper between the cookies in a freezer-safe container or freezer bag; they will keep for 3 months. When you’re ready to enjoy them, let the cookies thaw at room temperature.

Stack of 5 chocolate no bake cookies

Enjoy friends! If you make this no bake cookie recipe, please snap a photo and tag #jessicainthekitchen on Instagram! We’d also love it if you would leave a comment below, and give the recipe a rating! Thanks so much!

Stack of 5 vegan no bake cookies
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Overhead view of chocolate no bake cookies on parchment paper

No Bake Cookie Recipe

This easy chewy no bake cookie recipe is made with oats and peanut butter, making it wholesome, satisfying, and naturally vegan!
5 (from 1 rating)

Ingredients

  • ½ cup coconut oil, 105 grams
  • cup plant milk, 78 ml
  • ¾ cup granulated sugar, 150 grams
  • ½ cup brown sugar, 95 grams
  • cup cocoa powder, 26 grams
  • cup creamy no-stir peanut butter, 181 grams
  • 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract, 7 ml
  • 2 ¾ cup quick cooking oats, 245 grams
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 2 grams

Instructions 

  • Line a baking sheet or two with parchment paper.
  • In a medium saucepan, combine the coconut oil, plant milk, sugars, and cocoa powder. Heat over medium heat on the stovetop until the coconut oil has melted and all of the ingredients have combined, stirring frequently.
  • Bring the mixture to a boil and cook for 1 ½ minutes, whisking consistently. Remove the saucepan from the heat and whisk until you no longer see bubbles.
  • Stir in the peanut butter and vanilla. Keep stirring until the peanut butter has fully melted into the coconut oil mixture. Stir in the oats and cinnamon until all of the ingredients are thoroughly combined.
  • Drop 2-3 tablespoon-sized portions of dough onto the prepared baking sheet, leaving 1 ½ inches of space between each portion. Lightly press each cookie down with the back of a spoon.
  • Allow the cookies to set at room temperature for 30 minutes, and then pop them in the fridge* until hardened.

Notes

  • * If your cookie sheets don’t fit in the fridge, you can stack the cookies on a plate lined with parchment paper with additional sheets of parchment paper between each layer.
  • To store: Refrigerate your no bake cookies in an airtight container for up to a week. I recommend letting them come to room temperature before enjoying them.
  • To freeze: Layer parchment paper between the cookies in a freezer-safe container or freezer bag; they will keep for 3 months. When you’re ready to enjoy them, let the cookies thaw at room temperature.
Calories: 246kcal, Carbohydrates: 30g, Protein: 5g, Fat: 14g, Saturated Fat: 7g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g, Monounsaturated Fat: 4g, Sodium: 54mg, Potassium: 169mg, Fiber: 3g, Sugar: 18g, Vitamin A: 20IU, Vitamin C: 0.4mg, Calcium: 37mg, Iron: 1mg

Disclaimer: Although jessicainthekitchen.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, kindly note that these are only estimates. Nutritional information may be affected based on the product type, the brand that was purchased, and in other unforeseeable ways. Jessicainthekitchen.com will not be held liable for any loss or damage resulting for your reliance on nutritional information. If you need to follow a specific caloric regimen, please consult your doctor first.