No Bake Cookies Without Peanut Butter | Only 4 Ingredients

These no bake cookies are made with just 4 ingredients in under 5 minutes! And, let me tell ya, they are rich, fudgy, chewy, and just the most delicious no bake chocolate oatmeal cookies you can make. Seriously, if you love chocolate, and you love cookies, you got to try this recipe! Oh, and kids love 'em too!

The Best No Bake Cookies Without Peanut Butter

So, as I'm sure you know, a lot of no bake cookie recipes are made with some kind of nut or seed butter to bind the cookies together. But you can make these no bake cookies without peanut butter or almond butter, and they stay together perfectly.

And since you don't need the oven for this recipe, it's an ideal cookie recipe for the holidays! Let's be real, it can get crazy when you're trying to bake a bunch of things at once, so these no bake chocolate oatmeal cookies are a lifesaver.

That said, along with being super convenient, they have a taste like no other cookie you'll ever make. They're kind of like a cross between chocolate fudge and a cookie with a nice chewy texture.

However, while they're chilling, you can make these Chocolate Marshmallow Cookies or Eggless Chocolate Chip Cookies. Then you'll be all set for any occasion!

Why This Recipe Works

5 minutes to make. You can the cookies ready in a few minutes, then they just have to chill in the fridge.

The favor. Rich, decadent, and chocolatey, they're so good!

Family favorite. Everyone always goes crazy for these cookies. Whenever I make them for a busy weeknight dessert or to bring to a friend or family's house, they're a hit!

Perfect make-ahead dessert. Whip the cookies up the night before or a few days in advance, and they'll be ready to serve. So convenient! 

Ingredients

As I mentioned earlier, this recipe only requires four ingredients, and just three that are essential. And I wouldn't be surprised if you have every single one of them in your kitchen.

Check out everything you'll need to make no bake cookies without peanut butter:

• 1 Milk Chocolate Bar
• 2 tbsp. Butter
• ½ cup Old Fashioned Oats 
• ½ cup Almonds or Cashews, chopped
• Salt Flakes (optional)

By the way, if you want to give another no bake dessert, give this banana pudding a try next!

How To Make No Bake Cookies Without Peanut Butter

Step 1: Mixing The Ingredients

First, take out a microwave-safe bowl, and add the butter and chocolate bar to it. And make sure you cut up the butter and break apart the chocolate bar before adding them to the bowl - this will help the chocolate and butter mixture melt better.

Next, microwave the butter and chocolate for about 30 seconds, then stir it well. Put the bowl back in the microwave for another 30 seconds, then take it out, and stir the butter and chocolate together until a smooth sauce forms.

Also, just keep in mind, you may need to microwave a little longer, depending on how powerful yours is.

Now, once the chocolate mixture is prepared, you can add the old fashioned oats and nuts to the bowl, and stir everything until a thick paste-like mixture forms.

Step 2: Forming The Cookies

So, you can form these cookies in two different ways, and both will make about 6 cookies. 

The first way is to line a mini muffin tray with plastic wrap. Then, scoop some of the chocolate mixture into each slot and use the back of a spoon to pack it in.

The other way is to first line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Then, use a tablespoon-sized cookie scoop to form the cookies. Then you can finish them up by flattening the tops of the cookies with a spoon.

Step 3: Chilling &  Serving

Now all that's left to do is put these no bake cookies in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours. 

Then, when the times up, take your chilled cookies out of the fridge and dig in!

Tips To Make The Best Recipe

• Use rolled oats, old fashioned oats, or gluten free oats for the best texture. 
• Try using dark chocolate or white chocolate and changing up the nuts each time.
• Use chocolate chips or melting chocolates. Semi sweet chocolate chips work great.
• Add some granulated sugar to the butter for a butter and sugar mixture to sweet up the cookies even more.
• Melt the butter and chocolate in increments and stir between each one so it doesn't burn

How To Store No Bake Cookies

In the fridge: Put the cookies in an airtight container. Stored this way, they'll stay good in the fridge for up to 3 weeks!

In the freezer: If you want them to be an extra chilled treat, you can store the cookies in the freezer in an airtight container or freezer-safe bag for up to 3 weeks. Then whenever you want some cold fudgy deliciousness, take a cookie out of the fridge or freezer and enjoy that delicious chilled chocolate flavor. 

FAQS About This No Bake Cookie Recipe

What makes no bake cookies harden?

Refrigerating the cookies for long enough will make them harden. You can even toss them in the freezer to speed up the hardening process.

Are no bake cookies freezable?

Yes! Just put them in an airtight container or freezer-safe bag, and they'll last for up to 2 months. You'll want to let the cookies thaw at room temperature for a few minutes to soften a little before eating.

How do you thicken no bake cookies?

Adding peanut butter to the mixture is the best way to thicken the cookies. However, you can also add some cocoa powder. Just melt the butter and chocolate together, then stir in the cocoa powder before adding the oats. About ⅛-1/4 cup of cocoa powder should do the trick.

Can you substitute steel cut oats in no bake cookies? 

Yes, rolled oats or steel cut will work just as well as regular oats. The texture will just alter slightly depending on which one you use.  Steel cut oats are finer and kind of harder to chew uncooked, so I definitely suggest going with the regular oats to make these no bake cookies without peanut butter. 

MORE COOKIE RECIPES

If you want some more delicious cookie recipes, we've got a few on the blog that I think you'll like!

Give one of these a try next:

• Oreo Mug Cake
• Milky Bar Cookies
• Oatmeal Cookies
• Peanut Butter Cookies
• Lemon Meringue Cookies

By the way, if you want to see some of our recipes made in video form, check out our YouTube Channel!

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