The Best No Bake Oatmeal Cookies (Quick and Easy to Make!)

No bake oatmeal cookies are a quick and easy treat that doesn't require the use of an oven. You can quickly make a batch of these delectable cookies with a few basic ingredients. For those who are pressed for time or don't want to heat up their kitchen in the summer, this dessert is the perfect one for you!

While the sweetness from the sugar and richness from the butter makes these cookies irresistibly decadent, the combination of rolled oats, nut butter, and chopped nuts gives them a satisfyingly chewy texture. A sprinkling of sea salt and vanilla extract lifts the flavors and balances out the richness.

These no bake oatmeal cookies are extremely adaptable, as you can substitute your favorite nut butter and nuts. They are a tasty treat to enjoy with a cup of coffee or tea or a terrific snack to keep on hand when you need a fast energy boost.

What's best is that they're easy enough for first-time bakers to try or you can even have fun making them in the kitchen with your kids. Trust me, you're going to love these cookies!

Want to learn how to make no bake oatmeal cookies? Then keep on reading!

Table of Contents

• What are No Bake Oatmeal Cookies?
• What Makes This No Bake Oatmeal Cookies Recipe Special?
• What You Need to Make No Bake Oatmeal Cookies at Home
• How to Make No Bake Oatmeal Cookies (Step-by-Step)
• Tips for Making the Best No Bake Oatmeal Cookies Ever
• Recipe Variation Ideas for No Bake Oatmeal Cookies
• How to Store Leftover No Bake Oatmeal Cookies
• Similar No Bake Dessert Recipes
• Recipe Card
• The Best No Bake Oatmeal Cookies (Quick and Easy to Make!)
• Comments

What are No Bake Oatmeal Cookies?

No Bake Oatmeal Cookies are a delicious and simple treat that doesn't require the use of an oven. Simple ingredients like rolled oats, nut butter, sugar, butter, chopped nuts, sea salt, and vanilla essence come together to make these cookies.

The oats and almonds give it a chewy texture, while the mixture of sweetness from the sugar and richness from the butter gives it a delicious flavor. These no-bake cookies go well with tea or coffee, or as a snack when you need a pick-me-up. 

What's best is these cookies aren't high in calories, and use pantry staple ingredients to make them at home! Oatmeal is also a great, low-cost source of protein so you can rest assured that you're getting flavor and nutrients from these delicious cookies!

What Makes This No Bake Oatmeal Cookies Recipe Special?

No baking required: Unlike classic oatmeal cookie recipes, this one does not call for the use of an oven. For those who want a sweet treat but don't want to heat up their kitchen, this is a fantastic option.

Customizable ingredients: The recipe calls for nut butter and chopped nuts, but you can use any nuts you like. This allows you to tailor the recipe to your liking.

Quick and easy: This recipe has a short prep time and just calls for a few basic ingredients. This makes it a great choice for people who don't have much time but still want to make a tasty dessert.

What You Need to Make No Bake Oatmeal Cookies at Home

All you need are some simple, pantry staple ingredients to make these delicious no bake oatmeal cookies at home. Let's look at them in more detail:

• Sugar: First, we'll need a fair amount of sugar for our no bake oatmeal cookies. Try to go for organic sugar if you can. 

• Butter: Next, we need some butter to add to the mix. Use unsalted butter so we can control the amount of salt in the recipe. Also, use real butter, not margarine. Substitute this for almond butter or cashew butter if you want a really nutty taste. 
• Milk: We're also going to need a cup of milk for this recipe. I'd recommend using whole milk; the added fat content really makes a difference in the taste, but you can use 2% or skim milk also. 
• Nut butter: We will be using nut butter as a binding agent in these cookies. It also adds a very nice chewy texture to the cookies. 
• Vanilla extract: Just a teaspoon vanilla extract adds a sweet and slightly floral flavor that really compliments the sugar and salt. 
• Salt: We'll need a pinch of salt for this recipe too, and I'd recommend using sea salt. It will help balance out some of the sweetness in the other ingredients. 
• Chopped nuts: You can use any kind of nuts you prefer for these cookies. Either buy them pre-chopped or get them whole and chop them up yourself. 
• Rolled oats: Rolled oats have a mild nutty flavor that really pairs well with the sweet ingredients. They also contribute to the chewy, slightly crunchy texture and contain lots of fiber.

How to Make No Bake Oatmeal Cookies (Step-by-Step)

Making these delicious No Bake Oatmeal Cookies is easier than you think. Here's how to make them at home step by step:

Start by toasting nuts of your choice at 350 F for 5 minutes in the oven. Let the nuts cool before chopping.

Measure out the rest of the ingredients and set them aside.

Place a large sheet of parchment paper or wax paper on baking sheets to prep it for placing the cookies. 

In a medium saucepan over medium heat, add sugar, butter, and milk. Bring it to a boil and cook for 1 minute.

Remove the saucepan from heat and stir in vanilla, nut butter, and salt until everything is incorporated.

Finally, mix in chopped, toasted nuts and oats (the instruction pictures are not in the written order; after bringing the mixture to a boil you can add the rest of the ingredients in any order that works for you).

Using a cookie scoop, scoop the mixture and drop it onto the parchment paper we prepared earlier.

Let the cookies cool and set completely before eating (you may also use a silicon spatula to shape the cookies into a perfect circle shape after they are halfway set).

Your delicious No Bake Oatmeal Cookies are ready to be served!

Tips for Making the Best No Bake Oatmeal Cookies Ever

Chill the cookies: To help the cookies set and firm up, put them in the fridge for at least 30 minutes before serving. This will also help enhance the flavor and texture of the cookies.

Use quality ingredients: It's important to use high-quality ingredients to get the best possible results. Use fresh, high-quality nuts, nut butter, and rolled oats for the best texture and flavor.

Use the right oats: Be sure to use either rolled oats or quick oats for this recipe. Old-fashioned oats won't set right or be as tender. Use gluten-free oats for a gluten-free version of these no bake cookie recipes.

Recipe Variation Ideas for No Bake Oatmeal Cookies

Making the same recipe over and over again can get a bit boring. Here are some recipe variation ideas you can use to switch up your no bake oatmeal cookies and make them even more delicious!

Add dried fruit: Try adding in some dried cranberries, apricots, or raisins for an extra burst of sweetness. You can also add in some chopped dates for a chewier texture.

Switch up the nuts: Walnuts, almonds, and pecans all taste great with oatmeal cookies. Feel free to use any type of nut you prefer or have on hand.

Add chocolate chips: Chocolate and oats are a match made in heaven. Add some semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips to the mix for a richer, more indulgent flavor. You can even add some unsweetened cocoa powder to the recipe to make no bake chocolate oatmeal cookies. Add a scoop of cookie dough for an extra chocolatey taste.

Other nut butters: You can add any nut butter you like such as some creamy peanut butter or almond butter to this deliciously versatile recipe!

Use nut butter alternatives: If you're looking for an alternative to using nut butter, try using almond or peanut flour instead. This will help bind the cookie together and give it a nice texture.

How to Store Leftover No Bake Oatmeal Cookies

To store leftover no bake oatmeal cookies, place them in an airtight container or resealable bag and store them at room temperature. They should last up to a week.

You can also freeze them if you want them to last longer. Place the cookies in a resealable bag or airtight container and freeze for up to three months. When ready to eat, simply thaw the cookies at room temperature.

Similar No Bake Dessert Recipes

• Classic Strawberries and Cream (Easy, No-Bake Dessert!)
• No-Bake Strawberry Cheesecake Parfaits (Party Friendly)
• Classic Bird's Milk Cake Parfait Recipe (Ptichye Moloko)
• No Bake Caramel Apple Pie Cheesecake Parfaits

See all desserts.

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