These peanut butter no-bake cookies only take a few minutes to put together and are naturally gluten-free, vegan, dairy-free, and 100% whole grain!
Is it already warm in your neck of the woods? We’ve had about 2-3 warm days this year and it’s typically in the 50s or 60s. It’s June and I still have to wear a jacket. I’m guessing that’s not the case for most of you so I’ve prepared lots of no-bake treats for the upcoming few months, starting with these no-bake peanut butter cookies!
I don’t know why people call these no-bake creations cookies. They’re more like candy or granola bar-ish to me. There’s lots of of peanut butter and maple gooiness, though, so they definitely are suitable for dessert!
If you don’t want to use peanut butter, check out my other version of these no-bake cookies – no-bake oatmeal cookies. They can be made with raisins or with chocolate chips! These paleo peanut butter cookies are also an awesome option (they actually use sunflower seed butter in place of peanut butter!).
These peanut butter no-bake oatmeal cookies is one of the recipes I wanted to go in the book but after about 15 or 20 attempts, I just gave up. It sounds ridiculous because it’s basically just sweetener, fat, and peanut butter mixed together. Simple, right? Nope. Those proportions have to be spot on or they come out weirdly.
So what’d I change? Instead of honey, I thought I’d go with maple syrup to make a vegan version. I originally went with honey because 1/2 cup of maple syrup is expensive and I was trying to be frugal. :)
I realize that these cookies may appear greasy but that’s just because I took the pictures while they were still warm, before they even had a chance to set. After about an hour or two, or just 30 minutes in the refrigerator, they firm up and are totally not greasy looking!
You can use refined or unrefined coconut oil in these peanut butter no-bake cookies. If you use unrefined, it adds a slight coconut taste, which is actually pretty nice and doesn’t take anything away from the peanut butter flavor.
And, uh, about the listed yield. As always with no-bake treats, that’s just a guess. As hard as I try, there’s no getting around the uncontrollable-shoving-spoonfuls-into-my-mouth-as-I-go-thing. ;)
If peanut butter’s not your thing, try one of these gluten-free cookies recipes! And if you want something in bar form, try these monster cookie no-bake bars from Dinners, Dishes and Desserts!
Peanut Butter No-bake Cookies (vegan, gluten-free)
- Prep Time:
- Cook Time:
- Ready in:
- Yield: 10 cookies
Ingredients
- 3 1/2 tablespoons (49 grams) coconut oil1
- 1/2 cup (128 grams) salted natural peanut butter (the kind with just nuts and salt)
- 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) maple syrup - I do not recommend honey2
- pinch of salt if your peanut butter is unsalted
- 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups (138 grams) rolled oats (use gluten-free, if necessary)
- about 1/4 cup (43 grams) mini chocolate chips (use dairy-free / vegan chocolate chips, if necessary)
Directions
- In a medium pot, melt the coconut oil over low heat.
- Add the peanut butter, maple syrup, and salt, if using, and stir until well combined.
- Turn the heat up to medium, and while stirring constantly. bring the mixture to a boil.
- Boil for 2 minutes, stirring constantly. The mixture should become glossy. Don't boil it longer or it may separate.
- Remove from the heat and stir in the vanilla and oats until well combined.
- Use a medium cookie scoop to scoop out balls of the mixture onto a piece of parchment paper.
- Let the cookies cool until almost room temperature. Place the chocolate chips in a small bowl and roll the tops of the cookies in the chocolate chips. You can also stir the chocolate chips into the almost cooled mixture if you don't mind them melting and partially combining with the peanut butter mixture.
- Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days. They can also be refrigerated for up to about a week. For firmer cookies, refrigerate them.
Notes
- I've made these with refined and unrefined coconut oil and they taste almost the same, with the unrefined version having just a slight coconut taste.
- I've tried these several times with honey and the texture comes out totally different, and not in a good way. The cookies also taste overwhelmingly of honey.
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67 comments on “Peanut Butter No-bake Cookies (vegan, gluten-free, whole grain)” — Add one!
Thanks for sharing! It looks like a great blend of natural ingredients!
Thanks! Hope you’ll get to try them out. :)
These looks delicious! I can’t wait to try them. They have good shelf life too!
Made these with raw almond butter & they’re delish! A lot more “runny” and I even added oats :/ but other than that they’re still so great!!!
Maybe trying boiling the mixture a little longer next time? I’m happy that they were still yummy! :)
I love peanut butter any way I can get it… these are definitely going on my list! I was just wondering if you’ve ever tried with speculoos? (That cookie butter)… I could eat that with a spoon (and have!) I think the brand name is Biscotti…? Anyway, thank you for a great recipe which I intend to make heavy use of! Might even throw in some flax seeds and coconut for texture and so forth… btw, the speculoos comes in crunchy also… 😏
Oh, yum. That sounds delicious but I’ve never tried it with Biscoff! Biscoff has added fat and sugar so I don’t think it’d have the same texture (this recipe specifically calls for natural peanut butter without added fat or sugar), but some commenters have used regular peanut butter (with added fat and sugar) and they enjoyed them… so maybe it’d work. But I can’t guarantee it! I’d love to hear how it goes if you try it. :)
Yikes, just how expensive is maple syrup in the rest of the country? Here in Vermont I pay under $30 for a half gallon, worth every penny.
I live in Germany and buy it on sale for 3 euro / cup. It’s normally double the price!
I made a batch just now but added hemp hearts, raw cacao, and crushed chia/flax seed mix. Also made a healthy chocolate ganache with raw cacao and coconut oil for the tops(i made them into bars instead)
Yum! Love your changes and that you made them into bars. Thanks for the feedback!
Hi. This recipe looks great! The actual reason I was looking for a no-bake cookie recipe was not for me, but for my horse. He’s having joint issues and his vet wants him to be given turmeric every day. I was concerned that baking a cookie would cause the turmeric to lose it’s anti-inflammatory properties. I’m currently administering his turmeric (along with a pain med) in homemade carrot juice (orally with a big syringe). I need a way to mask the bad taste of the turmeric in a way that he will willingly eat, and a method that would be easy for the woman who boards him for me to be able to give to him. I was just curious, how firm are these cookies? Of course I’ll have to omit the chocolate chips, but maybe I’ll add some diced apples instead. Thanks for the recipe!!!
Hi! If you keep them refrigerated, they’re quite firm, but not difficult to eat at all. They’re softer if kept at room temperature. I’d recommend that the woman keep the cookies indoors rather than outdoors because I think they’d get melty out there. I’m not sure about adding fresh apple, though – I’d be worried that the added moisture would make the cookies fall apart or messy. I hope you and your horse will enjoy the cookies. :)
To get the best benefits from the tumeric make sure you add cracked pepper!
They sound delicious & I am going to give them a go tomorrow, but they can’t be cookies if they aren’t baked. Not sure what they are instead, ut cookies have to be cooked, by definition :)
I hope you’ll enjoy them! :)
These cookies ARE cooked–just on the stove-top instead of in the oven!
It’s showing it’s deliciousness! I need these. I love peanut butter in my cookies but I don’t like it with my ice cream, is that odd?
Haha. Nothing wrong with that! It is kind of a weird combination. ;) Thanks for your comment!
Just made a batch. Hope we like them as much as everyone else! I used sugar free maple syrup since my son is diabetic.
I hope you and your son will enjoy them, too! :)
Hi Erin,
I’m new here. The photos made me drool! What do you think about substituting Agave for the M.S. My finances will screech if they hear of that much M.S.
Hi Bunny! Welcome to the blog. :) I haven’t tried this with agave but I think it’d work. I can’t guarantee it, though, since I haven’t tried it. If you decide to try it out, I hope you’ll enjoy the cookies!
I have a substitution guide for Agave and it says it can be substituted in equal amounts for maple syrup. I’m going to try it and will repost the results.
I hope it’ll work! :) But I’m not all that optimistic because this recipe is similar to candy making where subs aren’t so easy.
Loved these! I was a little low on maple syrup so i made mine with a mix of maple sugar and white sugar and they were still fantastic. So much better than the traditional no bake cookie. Thank you!! :)
I bet these are even better with maple sugar! Yum. I’m so happy that you enjoyed them! Thanks for sharing your sub and your feedback. :)
What are your thoughts on using cashew butter in place of the peanut butter? And if so, how much?
So far I’ve tried peanut butter, pecan butter and almond butter and they all work so I’m guessing cashew butter would (though I’m not positive). All nut butters have a different fat content so I guess it’s possible it may not work, but I’m hopeful here. :)
I’m happily surprised with these cookies and so is my husband. I have kept them in the fridge and they are a perfect sweet treat!
I’m happy you both enjoyed them! They’re a favorite of mine. :) Thanks for your feedback!
I have dietary issues, so I was pleased to see these cookies have very few ingredients and all are recognizable. They look so delicious. I’ve saved the recipe and hope to have the chance to try it soon. I think I’ll be one happy chocoholic!
I also like that they don’t have too many ingredients. I’m not one for fussy recipes. ;) I hope that you’ll enjoy the cookies and thanks for your comment!
These are a family favorite made them 4x since you posted. Just want to say your pictures are beautiful. Everything looks absolutely delicious. I have twenty of your recipes that I can’t wait to try. These are the must make immediately.
Thanks for sharing your blog is awesome :)
What a nice comment! Thanks so much, Damita. :) I’m so happy that your family enjoys the cookies and I hope that you’ll enjoy the other recipes just as much! Thanks again for your comment. It made my day. :)
How do you think these would work with sugar free maple syrup?
If it has the same consistency, it should be fine! I hope you’ll enjoy them. :)
Love the idea of this! Perfect for the summer months when you don’t want to turn the oven on!
Exactly! Sometimes turning on the oven just won’t work.
A great no bake is always a good thing in my book!
Same here! :)
It looks as though you got these just right, Erin! Even though maple syrup is expensive, the flavor is just too good to resist.
Totally agree! It’s so worth it for a recipe like this.
I am LOVING this recipe! I am drooling over these cookies!
That’s always a good sign. ;)
Great photos!!! I love the no bake part of this recipe….just in time for the scorching summer. :-)
Thank you! :)
We had a few days of hot weather and then it got cold again. Back to the 50s and 60’s, I’d be fine with it but it’s raining. A few of these cookies would cheer me up!
I like coolish weather but rain in the summer? Booo!
I can’t help staring at your photos Erin! These look absolutely delicious!
Thanks so much, Martha!
These look so soft and chewy. I can almost taste them just by looking at your photos!
They are indeed! And thanks, Renee. :)
Yes, these are awesome tasting. I don’t think I will ever again make the traditional no-bake chocolate peanut butter oatmeal cookies when these are awesome without all the dairy and sugar. My only sub was using maple flavored brown rice syrup and I did not use a full 1/2 cup and they were plenty sweet. Kind of like these are your coconut oat peanut butter chocolate bars from your cookbook/website…those are the BOMB!
Yay! I’m so happy that you enjoyed them! I also love how quick you were to make them. :) It’s good to know that brown rice syrup works in these. Thanks for letting me know and for your great feedback (as always!)
These look absolutely fantastic. About to make this right now.
I love it when people say that… and then actually do make them and come back and leave feedback! Thanks again. :)
In order to take melted chocolate chips they need to be right out of the oven so I don’t think they look greasy at all, just slightly wet. No bake recipes are always a challenge but I think you did fantastic!
Thanks, Brenda! For some reason, I thought no-bake recipes were supposed to be the easiest. Nope. Totally wrong with this one, at least!
Lucky you with the moderate temperatures. I like it that you’ve got oats in these cookies. I adore anything oats!
Same here! Except oatmeal. I hate that stuff. ;)
What if I wanted to use honey rather than maple syrup? Would it be the same amount?
I can’t really recommend that. I’ve tried these with honey and had issues. If you want to try anyway, I’d use the same amount because they need the same amount of liquid, but then I’m afraid they’d come out too sweet. I think maple syrup is definitely the way to go. :)
I used honey instead of the maple syrup (and also added slivered almonds) and they taste great! I recommend honey, but I also haven’t tried them with maple syrup as of yet.
I definitely recommend trying them with maple syrup! Peanut butter + maple syrup are really incredible together. :) I’m happy you enjoyed them with honey! Thanks for your comment.
I am OBSESSED with this recipe. No bake cookies are my childhood favorite, and I think that you nailed this healthier recipe! I have a chocolate version on my site, but I’ve always been partial to their peanut butter counterparts! I will definitely give these a try!!
Thanks, Alexa! And ooh… I’ll have to check our your chocolate version. Or try a chocolate version of this recipe!