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These healthy No Bake Oatmeal Cookies are made with cocoa, peanut butter, pumpkin seeds, and dried cranberries! An easy no-bake treat that is perfect for back-to-school snacking.
Easy No Bake Oatmeal Cookies
Whether you’re getting ready to send your kids back to school or preparing for online learning, these no bake cookies couldn’t have come at a better time! I love making these on Sunday and having snack time taken care of all week.
These no bake cookies come together quickly without the use of your oven. So if it’s still super hot where you live, this recipe is a life-saver. It’s also easy to customize with your favorite oatmeal cookie add-ins!
Are These Cookies Healthy?
Another great thing about no bake cookies is that they’re usually healthier than their oven-made counterparts. This recipe is no exception! It’s made with just 9 ingredients including old-fashioned oats and peanut butter.
I like putting craisins and pumpkin seeds in my oatmeal cookies. You can turn your cookies into classic oatmeal raisin cookies or leave out the add-ins altogether. Either way, you’ll get a fresh batch of healthy and delicious cookies.
Recipe Ingredients
- Unsalted Butter
- Sugar
- Cocoa Powder: Cocoa powder is the healthiest way to make nice and chocolatey no bake cookies!
- Milk
- Salt
- Peanut Butter
- Old-Fashioned Oats: Use your favorite brand of old-fashioned oats.
- Dried Cranberries
- Pumpkin Seeds
How to Make No Bake Oatmeal Cookies
- Start Making Dough: Combine butter, sugar, cocoa powder and milk in a saucepan. Set the saucepan over medium heat, mix and stir until melted.
- Boil: Bring the mixture to a boil and let it boil for 1 minute.
- Add Salt & Peanut Butter: Remove your mixture from the heat and stir in your salt and peanut butter until thoroughly combined.
- Add Oats & Add-Ins: Add the old-fashioned oats, cranberries and seeds; mix until well incorporated.
- Form Cookies: Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. Drop tablespoons of cookie dough onto the parchment paper, shape, and flatten them to your desired thickness and width.
- Let Cookies Set: Let your cookies stand in a cool, dry place for about 2 to 3 hours, or until completely cooled and set. You can put them in the fridge for quicker results.
Tips for the Best No Bake Cookies
- Fully Boil the Butter Mixture: It’s important that you bring your butter mixture to a boil for 1 minute. Don’t just let it simmer – start your 1 minute timer once it reaches a rolling boil.
- Pre-Measure Ingredients: These cookies will come together even quicker if you measure out your ingredients ahead of time.
- Set in Refrigerator: There’s nothing wrong with letting your cookies set on the counter. But if you want to save time, let them set in the fridge. And, totally optional, but always keep them in the fridge. I think they taste 10x better!
- Mix it Up with Add-Ins: Feel free to use different add-ins for your oatmeal cookies like peanuts or raisins. If you want them to be more dessert-like, throw in some dark chocolate chips!
How to Store these Cookies
- Store your oatmeal cookies in an airtight container. They’ll last for up to 3 days on the counter and up to a week in the fridge.
- You can also store these cookies in the freezer for up to 6 months if you stack them between layers of wax paper!
No Bake Oatmeal Cookies
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter,, (1 stick, or 8 tablespoons butter)
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoon cocoa powder
- 1/3 cup milk
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup peanut butter
- 2 1/2 cups old-fashioned oats
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries
- 1/4 cup pumpkin seeds
Instructions
- Combine butter, sugar, cocoa powder and milk in a saucepan.
- Set saucepan over medium heat, mix and stir until melted.
- Bring mixture to a boil and let boil for 1 minute.
- Remove from heat and stir in salt and peanut butter until thoroughly combined.
- Add oats, cranberries and seeds; mix until well incorporated.
- Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Drop tablespoons of cookie dough onto the parchment paper; shape and flatten to desired thickness and width.
- Let stand in a cool, dry place for about 2 to 3 hours, or until completely cooled and set. You can put them in the fridge for quicker results.
Equipment
- Stove
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional info is an estimate and provided as courtesy. Values may vary according to the ingredients and tools used. Please use your preferred nutritional calculator for more detailed info.
My Mom and I used to make this all the time when I was a child. We loved smearing peanut butter on the tops. So delicious!
That’s great! I hope you and your mom enjoy this recipe! 🙂 THANK YOU! 🙂
This feels like such a treat every time I make it! I love the flavor combination!
Thank you so much! I am very glad you enjoyed it! 🙂
At my elementary school the cafeteria used to serve these cookies and I never knew how to make them but now I do and my grandchildren are loving them also. Thank you so much for the recipe for them.
Thank you so much! I hope you enjoy them! 🙂
No bakes are always a huge hit at my house. The cranberries and pumpkin seeds take it to a new level!
Thank YOU! I hope you enjoy it! 🙂
My kids couldn’t wait for me to make these again! They were so good!
That’s great! I am very glad you enjoyed them! Thank YOU! 🙂
These were so easy and tasty; exactly what I needed to cure my sweet tooth! Easily, a new favorite treat!
I am very glad you enjoyed them! Thank you so much! 🙂
I made these today for a road trip we’re taking starting tomorrow – they were so easy and really delicious! Huge Hit!
I am very glad you enjoyed them! 🙂 Thank YOU! 🙂