These 3-Ingredient No-Bake Cookies are everything a busy mom dreams of, quick, healthy, and totally satisfying. Made with just roasted oats, dark chocolate, and peanut butter, they’re the perfect balance of crunchy and creamy in every bite.
No oven, no fancy equipment, and no extra cleanup. Just stir, scoop, and chill! These no-bake oatmeal chocolate cookies are ideal for summer vacation snacking, lazy weekend cravings, or those “I-need-something-sweet-now” moments. And since they’re wholesome enough, you’ll feel good about sharing them with the kids, or stashing a few just for you.
Table of Contents
3-Ingredient No-Bake Cookies
Ingredients
- 1 ¾ cups Old-Fashioned Rolled Oats see Note 1
- ⅔ cup Dairy-Free Dark Chocolate Chips see Note 2
- ½ cup Peanut Butter see Note 3
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C).
- Line a large plate or board with parchment paper and lightly oil it—this will go into the freezer later. Set aside.
- Spread oats on a parchment-lined baking sheet in a single layer. Roast for 12 minutes, stirring halfway through. Let cool.
- In a saucepan, melt peanut butter and chocolate chips over medium heat, stirring until smooth. Remove from heat.
- Immediately stir in roasted oats. Work quickly to fully coat them before the mixture stiffens.
- Use a small cookie scoop to form cookies. Press each scoop firmly and release onto prepared plate. Lightly oil fingertips and flatten each cookie slightly.
- Freeze cookies for 15 minutes to set, or refrigerate for at least 3 hours.
Notes
- Quick oats can be used for a softer texture. Use gluten-free oats if needed.
- Choose your preferred cocoa percentage: 55% (sweeter), 70% (balanced), or 85% (ultra-low sugar).
- For a nut-free version, substitute with almond, cashew, or sunflower seed butter. Make sure it’s fresh and runny, dry nut butter won’t bind properly.
- Storage:
Store cookies in the fridge for up to 3 weeks in a sealed container, or freeze for up to 1 month. Thaw 30 minutes at room temp before serving (or enjoy frozen!). - Nutrition (per cookie):
Calories: 122 | Carbs: 12g | Protein: 3.6g | Fat: 7.1g | Saturated Fat: 3.1g | Sugar: 3.5g | Sodium: 43mg | Fiber: 1.6g | Iron: 0.6mg
Why You’ll Love These 3-Ingredient No-Bake Cookies
If you’ve ever craved something sweet but didn’t want to bake (or clean up a million dishes), these 3-ingredient no-bake cookies are your new best friend. With just three simple ingredients, they come together in minutes—no oven, no fuss, no waiting for dough to chill.
Here’s why they’re always on repeat in our house:
- Only 3 pantry ingredients – No special trips to the store required. You probably already have everything on hand!
- Zero bake time – Just mix, shape, and chill. Perfect for hot days, tired nights, or hungry kids asking, “Is it ready yet?”
- Naturally satisfying – Depending on your base, you’ll get creamy peanut butter, chewy oats, or chocolatey richness in every bite (without added junk).
- Great for little helpers – No knives, no oven = stress-free kitchen fun for little hands.
- Totally customizable – Add-ins? Go for it. Swap nut butter? Sure. These 3-ingredient no-bake cookies are as flexible as your cravings.
These 3-ingredient no-bake cookies aren’t just easy — they’re made with wholesome staples like oats, which are naturally rich in fiber and help support heart health and blood sugar balance [source].
Ingredients and Easy Swaps
The beauty of these 3-Ingredient No-Bake Cookies is how flexible they are. You only need three basic ingredients, but there’s room to mix things up based on what’s in your pantry or your family’s tastes!
Optional Flavor Boost – Want to level things up? Stir in ½ teaspoon of vanilla, almond, or peppermint extract with the melted chocolate for a fun twist.
Old-Fashioned Rolled Oats – These give our cookies that perfect chewy-crunchy base with plenty of fiber. Toasting them really brings out their nutty flavor! If you’re in a pinch, quick oats will work too (they’ll just be a bit softer). Want a fun twist? Try puffed rice or puffed quinoa instead. Just steer clear of steel-cut oats—they don’t soften or crisp up the same way.
Dairy-Free Dark Chocolate Chips – Rich, slightly bitter dark chocolate makes these cookies feel indulgent without being too sweet. Look for good-quality chips at 55% for a sweeter taste, or go up to 70–85% if you want less sugar. Keep it vegan-friendly if needed, and skip milk chocolate—it’s too soft and won’t set the same.
Peanut Butter – This is what binds everything together while giving that creamy, nutty goodness we all love. Go for the drippy, natural kind with no added sugars or oils—it blends much easier! You can also swap in almond butter, cashew butter, or sunflower seed butter for a nut-free version or to change up the flavor.
How to Make 3-Ingredient No-Bake Cookies
These 3-Ingredient No-Bake Cookies come together in no time—just a few simple steps and you’ll have a tray of healthy, chocolatey treats ready to enjoy. Here’s a quick peek at how it’s done:
- Toast the oats – Start by toasting your rolled oats in a dry skillet or oven until they’re golden and fragrant. This step adds a wonderful crunch and nutty flavor.
- Melt the chocolate – In a heat-safe bowl, gently melt the dark chocolate chips until smooth. You can do this using a double boiler or in short bursts in the microwave.
- Stir in the peanut butter – Add your creamy peanut butter to the melted chocolate and mix until fully combined. This creates a rich, glossy coating for the oats.
- Mix and scoop – Fold in the toasted oats until evenly coated. Scoop spoonfuls onto a parchment-lined tray and shape them as you like.
- Chill until set – Pop the tray in the fridge for about 30 minutes, or until the cookies are firm and ready to eat!
No baking, no mess, just pure, chocolatey satisfaction.
Tips for the Perfect 3-Ingredient No-Bake Cookies
Want to make sure your cookies come out just right every time? Here are a few mom-tested tips to keep things smooth, crunchy, and delicious:
- Use runny peanut butter – Natural, unsweetened peanut butter with a runny consistency blends best with the melted chocolate. Thick or chunky varieties can make the mix stiff and harder to portion.
- Toast your oats – Don’t skip this step! Toasting the oats adds depth and crunch to the cookies—plus, it makes your kitchen smell amazing.
- Scoop while warm – The mixture firms up quickly as it cools, so be ready to scoop or shape your cookies right after mixing.
- Chill on parchment paper – This makes cleanup a breeze and helps the cookies pop right off the tray once they’re set.
- Store in the fridge – These cookies stay freshest when stored in an airtight container in the fridge. They’ll keep their crunch and won’t get too melty on warm days.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you make 3-ingredient brownie cookies?
Brownie-style cookies typically use a combo of nut butter, cocoa powder, and sugar or eggs. While different from our 3-Ingredient No-Bake Cookies, you can achieve a fudgy, brownie-like texture by using a higher ratio of dark chocolate and a touch of cocoa powder in the mix.
What causes no-bake cookies not to harden?
If your no-bake cookies stay too soft or sticky, it’s usually because the chocolate mixture didn’t cool enough or your peanut butter was too thick. Make sure to chill them fully on parchment and use runny nut butter for best results.
What are the three ingredients in shortbread?
Classic shortbread cookies are made with just butter, flour, and sugar. They’re baked and have a crumbly, buttery texture—very different from our chewy 3-Ingredient No-Bake Cookies!
What are the three ingredients for sugar cookies?
A super basic sugar cookie might include flour, sugar, and butter. For a no-bake twist, try our version made with oats, peanut butter, and dark chocolate—just as delicious, with no oven required!
Final Thoughts
When life gets busy (and dishes pile up), these 3-ingredient no-bake cookies are the perfect answer. Quick to prep, easy to love, and made with pantry staples — they’re a win on all fronts.
Whether you’re making a batch for school snacks, late-night cravings, or a sweet little treat between errands, this no-fuss recipe proves you don’t need a full pantry to make something totally delicious.
Love quick treats like this? Don’t miss No-Bake Chocolate Cheesecake Cups Without Oreo Crust and Easy Chocolate Covered Rice Krispie Treats — both are hits!
