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    Home » Recipes » Cookies & Bars

    Last Updated: May 11, 2023 by Angela @ BakeItWithLove.com · 42 Comments

    Chocolate Oatmeal No Bake Cookies (without peanut butter)

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    Who can resist the classic flavors of Chocolate Oatmeal No Bake Cookies without peanut butter? Not me. The perfectly cooked syrup will set up with the oats for a texture that is a pure chocolate fudgy delight!

    Chocolate Oatmeal No Bake Cookies without peanut butter are a fudgy crisp cookie that are super easy and made in 5 minutes

    Chocolate Oatmeal No Bake Cookies without peanut butter are a fudgy crisp yet chewy cookie that is super easy and made in just 5 minutes!

     

    Chocolate Oatmeal No Bake Cookies (without peanut butter) Recipe

    I love that these easy 5 minute cookies bring back childhood memories of sneaking the still-setting-up Chocolate Oatmeal No Bake Cookies (without peanut butter) from the kitchen counter.

    It also makes me think my daughter is well trained not to touch anything in the kitchen that isn't clearly fair game to eat (as in, it's already photographed and ready to be shared here!). Or she just has more self-control than I did as a kid 🙂

    This cousin to my other no-bake cookies, the original version that I grew up with that is also without peanut butter (to let the chocolate flavor shine on its own) is my chocolate no bake cookies. They may be without peanut butter, but they do include the coconut that may be the classic version you remember!

    And since I don't want to make you think I'm a peanut butter hater (I'm really not!) I also have my creamy peanut butter oatmeal no bake cookies. It's just one of those quirky me things, sometimes I don't like my flavors combined. Or I just really remember it the one way from childhood.

    Either way, I cannot have my chocolate and peanut butter combined in these tasty cookies!

     

    Chocolate Oatmeal No Bake Cookies without peanut butter are a fudgy crisp cookie that are super easy and made in 5 minutes

    Chocolate Oatmeal No Bake Cookies (without peanut butter) Ingredients

    These simple no-bake cookies are made using 6 ingredients including butter, sugar, milk, vanilla, cocoa, and quick oats. For best results, we suggest using quick oats in your no-bake cookies only.

    Firmer oats like old fashioned oatmeal and steel-cut oats won't absorb the syrup as well and will yield a set cookie texture with much more 'chew' than when using quick oats.

     

    How To Make Chocolate Oatmeal No Bake Cookies

    Combine the butter, sugar, and milk in a saucepan and bring to a boil over medium-high to high heat (enough to bring the syrup to a rapid boil).

    Stir frequently to prevent burning or boiling over!

    Once the syrup is at a full rolling boil, stir and cook for 1 minute then remove from heat.

    Add the vanilla and cocoa, stir until the syrup is smooth.

    Add the quick oats and stir until evenly coated with the syrup.

    Drop tablespoon-sized portions onto waxed paper, use the back of a spoon to make cookie-shaped (rather than a no-bake cookie mound) if desired.

    Allow to set up for at least one hour.

     

    📖 Recipe Card

    Chocolate Oatmeal No Bake Cookies without peanut butter are a fudgy crisp cookie that are super easy and made in 5 minutes
    Print Recipe Leave A Comment
    Love This Recipe?Click On A Star To Rate It!
    5 from 204 reviews

    Chocolate Oatmeal No Bake Cookies (without peanut butter)

    Who can resist the classic flavors of Chocolate Oatmeal No Bake Cookies (without peanut butter)? Not me. The perfectly cooked syrup will set up with the oats for a texture that is pure chocolate fudgy delight!
    Author | Angela
    Servings: 24 cookies
    Calories: 125kcal
    Prep 5 minutes minutes
    Cooling Time 1 hour hour
    Total Time 1 hour hour 5 minutes minutes
    Pin Recipe Share on Facebook

    Ingredients
     

    • 2 c sugar
    • ½ c butter (1 stick - salted)
    • ½ c milk
    • 4 tablespoon cocoa
    • 2 teaspoon vanilla extract
    • 3 c oatmeal (use quick oats, not old fashioned or steel cut oats)
    Help Us Out!If you love a recipe, be sure to come back and share your ratings. This helps future users, and allows me to continue sharing free recipes! Angela

    Instructions

    • Combine the butter, sugar, and milk in a saucepan and bring to a boil over medium high to high heat (enough to bring the syrup to a rapid boil). Stir frequently to prevent burning or boiling over!
    • Once the syrup is at a full rolling boil, stir and cook for 1 minute then remove from heat.
    • Add the vanilla and cocoa, stir until the syrup is smooth. Add the quick oats and stir until evenly coated with the syrup.
    • Drop tablespoon sized portions onto waxed paper, use the back of a spoon to make cookie shaped (rather than a no bake cookie mound) if desired. Allow to set up for one hour.

    Equipment You May Need

    Mixing Bowl
    Sauce Pan
    Silicone Spatula Set

    Notes

    Store chocolate oatmeal no bake cookies in an air tight container at room temperature, for up to two weeks.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 125kcal (6%) | Carbohydrates: 21g (7%) | Protein: 1g (2%) | Fat: 5g (8%) | Saturated Fat: 3g (19%) | Cholesterol: 11mg (4%) | Sodium: 37mg (2%) | Potassium: 40mg (1%) | Fiber: 1g (4%) | Sugar: 17g (19%) | Vitamin A: 126IU (3%) | Calcium: 11mg (1%) | Iron: 1mg (6%)
    Did you try this recipe? Rate it below!I can’t wait to see your results! Mention @bake_it_with_love or tag #bake_it_with_love!
    chocolate, Chocolate Oatmeal No Bake Cookies, fudge, no bake cookies, quick oats, without peanut butter
    Course Chocolate, Cookies & Bars Recipes, Cooking with Kids, No Bake Desserts
    Cuisine American
    author profile photo
    Angela @ BakeItWithLove.com

    Angela is an at home chef that developed a passion for all things cooking and baking at a young age in her Grandma's kitchen. After many years in the food service industry, she now enjoys sharing all of her family favorite recipes and creating tasty dinner and amazing dessert recipes here at Bake It With Love!

    bakeitwithlove.com/about/

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

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    1. Kayla says

      November 02, 2023 at 1:41 pm

      5 stars
      This is perfect! Just the right amount of moisture and no added salt!

      Reply
    2. Anonymous says

      August 15, 2023 at 12:22 pm

      5 stars
      awesome recipe for those who cannot have pb.... made with hersheys dark cocoa....YUM..

      Reply
    3. Laurie says

      August 10, 2023 at 2:26 pm

      5 stars
      Just like mom used to make! Thank you!

      Reply
    4. Jessica says

      July 29, 2023 at 9:39 am

      Can you make this with other kinds of milk (oat, coconut) and have the same results?

      Reply
    5. lise dallaire says

      June 19, 2023 at 8:12 am

      que veut dire l'abréviation c dans la recette de biscuits sans cuisson (what does the abbreviation c mean in the recipe for no-bake cookies)

      Reply
      • Angela @ BakeItWithLove.com says

        June 19, 2023 at 10:26 am

        C'est une vieille recette et n'a pas été mise à jour depuis un moment. Le c est pour les tasses. (This is an old recipe and hasn't been updated for a while. The c is for cups.)

        Reply
    6. C McD says

      May 20, 2023 at 9:27 am

      In your video on YouTube, for no bake chocolate oatmeal cookies with no peanut butter, you mentioned adding the coconut. Wasn’t in recipe I saw on your site.

      Reply
      • Angela @ BakeItWithLove.com says

        May 20, 2023 at 9:54 am

        You're referencing this recipe here https://bakeitwithlove.com/chocolate-no-bake-cookies-without-peanut-butter/#recipe that includes both oats and coconut. I much prefer to have the coconut in my no-bake cookies. 🙂

        Reply
    7. Debbie In Peru says

      April 27, 2023 at 5:56 pm

      Do you know if these would freeze well? So excited to try. Thank you for posting a nut-free no bake!!

      Reply
      • Angela @ BakeItWithLove.com says

        April 27, 2023 at 8:21 pm

        Yes, they do freeze well! See my guide for freezing no-bake cookies here.

        Reply
    8. Peter C says

      February 22, 2023 at 10:26 am

      5 stars
      Turned out pretty good, the recipe tips were helpful. Thanks!

      Reply
    9. Shan says

      February 21, 2023 at 1:10 pm

      5 stars
      Amazingly easy recipe! Thank you for all the tips to really nail these nostalgic cookies, I haven't had any in YEARS!! So happy to find the right recipe with no peanut butter too.

      Reply
      • Angela @ BakeItWithLove.com says

        February 21, 2023 at 1:18 pm

        Thank you Shan! They are definitely one of my childhood faves. 🙂

        Reply
    10. Emma says

      July 16, 2022 at 2:55 pm

      5 stars
      Have to say these no-bake cookies are phenomenal! I had always thought that I needed peanut butter to make them work, your recipe was flawless thanks!

      Reply
    11. Sarah says

      July 10, 2022 at 8:15 pm

      5 stars
      Absolutely the BEST cookies ever!

      Reply
      • Angela @ BakeItWithLove.com says

        July 11, 2022 at 9:39 am

        Agreed! These are one of my all-time favorites 💖

        Reply
      • Donna says

        October 08, 2022 at 10:51 am

        These are awesome! This is the recipe I grew up with— mom never added peanut butter! One note—it says in the recipe to use 1cup of butter and in parentheses it says (1 stick) but a stick is only 1/2 cup!!

        Reply
    12. bernice says

      June 01, 2022 at 8:16 pm

      5 stars
      These are the best no-bake cookies because they really are exactly like the ones we used to have as kids. Best ever recipe, thanks for sharing!!

      Reply
      • Angela @ BakeItWithLove.com says

        June 02, 2022 at 6:30 am

        We agree completely! You know it's a great classic recipe when the old recipe index card is worn and has chocolate on it! 🙂

        Reply
        • Jennifer says

          June 21, 2022 at 6:47 am

          5 stars
          I enjoyed these. Thank you
          I recently had to eliminate peanut butter from my diet. These tasted just as good without the peanut butter

          Reply
    13. nita says

      May 03, 2022 at 11:34 pm

      do these cookies have a version using chocolate chips instead of cocoa?

      Reply
      • Angela @ BakeItWithLove.com says

        May 04, 2022 at 6:50 am

        I have never made no bake cookies using melted chocolate chips (in over 30 years now), however, if I do try that I will link them into this post too!

        Reply
    14. Victoria Allan says

      April 15, 2022 at 10:52 am

      Why wont my no bakes set, they are very floppy

      Reply
      • Angela @ BakeItWithLove.com says

        April 15, 2022 at 10:53 am

        Hello, if they were not boiled long enough they won't set right. 1 full minute at a rolling boil. Hope that helps 🙂

        Reply
    15. Jackie says

      March 24, 2022 at 9:32 am

      5 stars
      These are just like we used to get at the school lunches (except as bars) and they're sooo good, thank you for sharing. Best no-bake cookies ever!

      Reply
    16. Anita Harper Chan says

      February 21, 2022 at 4:57 pm

      5 stars
      Added 1/2c raisins. A hit with my husband

      Reply
    17. Abby says

      February 16, 2022 at 7:23 pm

      I dont know what went wrong, but these are the driest no bakes I’ve ever made. I usually make mine with peanut butter but didnt have any on me.

      Reply
      • Angela @ BakeItWithLove.com says

        February 16, 2022 at 7:45 pm

        Oh no! Dry no-bake cookies are usually from over-boiling the syrup mixture or a mis-measure on ingredients (I've even been known to forget something!). The peanut butter is not the difference, as I've made these both ways and then some for over 30 years. Did they take long to set up? Let me know if I can be of more help!

        Reply
      • Pam says

        March 16, 2022 at 12:25 pm

        The 2x recipe has same amount of butter. It says one stick 1 cup. It should say 2 sticks for one cup. I caught that too late. I've already made them and am waiting to see if they will set.

        Reply
        • Angela @ BakeItWithLove.com says

          March 17, 2022 at 7:01 am

          Hi there! It's a feature that should be worked on to update and correct. When you increase the recipe the ingredient notes don't change with it. So, the notes are for the recipe amounts as written and when you read 1 stick you have to note that it is actually 2 sticks for a doubled recipe and 3 sticks if you were to triple the recipe. Sounds like you might have ended up with some dry no-bakes with that amount of butter, sorry for the inconvenience!

          Reply
        • Jerry says

          March 18, 2023 at 7:26 pm

          GREAT cookies! So easy a BBQ man can make them. Next attempt will be in my smoker. LOL

          Reply
    18. Marci says

      January 27, 2022 at 5:42 am

      5 stars
      I used this recipe, but since I love dark chocolate, I added an extra 5 Tbls. Cocoa powder. They turned out beautifully! So 😋 Yummy 😁👏❤️ A Big Thank you to 'Bake it With
      L❤️VE!!

      Reply
    19. Gabby1965 says

      December 20, 2021 at 7:02 pm

      Can't rate it yet but it seems to be the same recipe we had ... all the rest had peanutbutter which I never remembered. I couldn't rember the amounts and lost my old recipe but wanted to surprise my son as this is the first cookie he learned to make. He will love the surprise but I made a mistake and used old fashioned oats. After they cool, I will taste it to find out how to rate the recipe even with my error

      Reply
    20. jo says

      December 08, 2021 at 7:40 pm

      5 stars
      Oh so yummy! Just like my mom made.

      Reply
    21. Lynda says

      December 07, 2021 at 5:41 pm

      What are the portions??

      Reply
      • Angela @ BakeItWithLove.com says

        December 07, 2021 at 5:44 pm

        All of the portions, amounts, and instructions are in the recipe card (found above the comments section here). Let me know if you need more help, thanks!

        Reply
    22. Lance Thorburn says

      October 11, 2021 at 9:02 pm

      5 stars
      Nothing like I remember as a kid.

      SOOOO MUCH BETTER!

      Reply
    23. Tina Terry says

      February 26, 2021 at 10:32 am

      5 stars
      These were awesome!!

      Reply
      • Mouse says

        August 31, 2021 at 12:14 am

        5 stars
        Always a childhood favorite, always without the peanut butter. Never had the peanut butter version until I tried store bought ones. Thank you for sharing this classic recipe.

        Reply
        • Angela @ BakeItWithLove.com says

          September 07, 2021 at 6:44 pm

          Me too! I never had peanut butter in any of my no-bake cookies growing up - unless I specifically made peanut butter (only) no-bake cookies. I knew I wasn't alone!

          Reply
    24. Candace Pilarski says

      December 24, 2020 at 2:35 pm

      5 stars
      Wonderful, just like I remember them tasting! Thank you so much.

      Reply
      • Angela @ BakeItWithLove.com says

        December 26, 2020 at 9:21 pm

        That's wonderful, I love hearing that! Thanks so much Candace!!

        Reply

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    Hi there, I'm Angela! I am an avid vintage cookbook collector, cook, baker, and total foodie. I love sharing new, fun, creative recipes and great classic recipes just like my Grandma used to make! Every recipe on BIWL is tested to ensure that cooks of any experience level can succeed.

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