Peanut Butter No-Bake Cookies
These Peanut Butter No-Bake Cookies are the easiest 6-ingredient cookie recipe that takes 5 minutes to prep before cooling. I guarantee they will be a crowd-pleaser, they’re always the first to go at any family potluck of mine!
My family has always been big fans of no-bake cookies, and these Peanut Butter No-Bake Cookies are one recipe we’ve been making for generations. They are quick and easy to whip up with ingredients you already have in your kitchen. Plus, for any peanut butter lovers out there, the flavor is pure heaven!
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Every bite is super chewy thanks to the boiling stovetop method. I’ve tried these cookies both with old fashioned oats and quick cooking oats over the years and both are equally as delicious, so use what you have. If you love an easy cookie recipe my Chocolate Peanut Butter No-Bake Cookies and Avalanche Cookies (no-bake) are two others to try.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love this Recipe
- No oven needed! Keep your kitchen cool and make these peanut butter no bake cookies. All you need is your stovetop.
- Pantry ingredient cookies. There’s nothing fancy here to buy, in fact we usually always have these ingredients ready in our kitchen.
- Easy for kids and beginner bakers. If you are learning to bake, these no-bake cookies are a great place to start!
Ingredients
Scroll Down for Ingredient Amounts Listed in the Full Printable Recipe Card Below
- Salted butter: Base to the cookies. If you don’t have salted, just add a pinch of salt to the batter.
- Milk: Adds creaminess to the batter.
- Sugar: Sweetens the cookies just right.
- Old-fashioned or quick cooking oats: Either or here, use what you already have!
- Vanilla extract: Adds floral and caramel notes to the batter. Be sure to use a high quality extract.
- Creamy peanut butter: Gives creaminess plus that signature no-bake cookie flavor.
Tools You’ll Need
How to Make Peanut Butter No-Bake Cookies
- In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter.
- Once the butter is melted, add the milk, and granulated sugar to the saucepan. Stir until the mixture is smooth.
- Increase the heat to medium-high and bring the mixture to a rolling boil. Let it boil for EXACTLY 1 minute, stirring constantly to prevent burning.
- Remove the saucepan from the heat. Immediately stir in oats, creamy peanut butter, and vanilla extract until well combined and starting to thicken, about 30 seconds to 1 minute. Allow the mixture to rest 3 minutes.
- Using a spoon or cookie scoop, drop spoonfuls of the cookie mixture onto parchment paper. Leave a little space between each cookie as they will spread slightly as they cool.
- Allow the cookies to cool and set at room temperature for at least 30 minutes, or until firm to the touch.
Expert Tips
- Always stir constantly when the mixture is boiling. This is to prevent it from burning, but will allow the sugar to dissolve.
- Add the vanilla at the end. If you add it too soon, then it will evaporate in the cookie dough mixture.
- Use a cookie scoop to drop equal-sized cookies onto the baking sheet. They will spread a little bit as they cool, so leave about 1-inch of space in between.
- Make sure the cookies cool for long enough before enjoying. The texture needs to set or else they will fall apart.
Variations
There are so many variations to try for these cookies! Here are some options:
- Add chocolate like in my Chocolate Peanut Butter No-Bake Cookies
- Stir in chopped nuts like peanuts, pecans, or walnuts
- Add spices like cinnamon or nutmeg
- Stir in chocolate chips at the end so they hold their texture
- Add a crunchy element like pretzel pieces
Storage
Store any leftover no-bake cookies in an airtight container for up to 3 days. If you keep them in the fridge, they will store for up to 5 days and retain their texture better.
These Peanut Butter No Bake Cookies also freeze like a dream. Freeze for up to 2 months, then thaw on the counter overnight.
Frequently Asked Questions
Boiling the butter, milk, and sugar to the correct temperature for that classic chewy consistency. It should reach 230ºF on a candy thermometer.
Make sure you let them cool completely for 1 to 2 hours in the refrigerator or freeze for 20 to 30 minutes if they aren’t cooling at room temperature.
Of course, this is where they can easily harden up and also be stored for up to 5 days after making.
More Easy Cookie Recipes
Peanut Butter No Bake Cookies
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup salted butter
- 1/3 cup milk
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 1/3 cups old-fashioned or quick cooking oats
- 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter.
- Once the butter is melted, add the milk, and granulated sugar to the saucepan. Stir until the mixture is smooth.
- Increase the heat to medium-high and bring the mixture to a rolling boil. Let it boil for EXACTLY 1 minute, stirring constantly to prevent burning.
- Remove the saucepan from the heat. Immediately stir in oats, creamy peanut butter, and vanilla extract until well combined and starting to thicken, about 30 seconds to 1 minute. Allow the mixture to rest 3 minutes.
- Using a spoon or cookie scoop, drop spoonfuls of the cookie mixture onto parchment paper. Leave a little space between each cookie as they will spread slightly as they cool.
- Allow the cookies to cool and set at room temperature for at least 30 minutes, or until firm to the touch.
Notes
- Always stir constantly when the mixture is boiling. This is to prevent it from burning, but will allow the sugar to dissolve.
- Add the vanilla at the end. If you add it too soon, then it will evaporate in the cookie dough mixture.
- Use a cookie scoop to drop equal-sized cookies onto the baking sheet. They will spread a little bit as they cool, so leave about 1-inch of space in between.
- Make sure the cookies cool for long enough before enjoying. The texture needs to set or else they will fall apart.
Nutrition
About Laura
Taught by some of the best, cooking and entertaining has always been my favorite hobby. Food is my love language! The conception of Dinner in 321 came from my family talks that sharing our dinners would help others learn new skills, tasty recipes, and make cooking fun! Read more…
