4-Ingredient Easy Peanut Butter No Bake Cookies
Peanut butter and oatmeal are a winning combination in these creamy, no bake cookies you can make in the microwave!
Want a sweet treat this summer without heating up the kitchen? Then let me introduce you to my new best friend, the 4-ingredient no bake peanut butter cookie recipe.
These cookie are made in the microwave in under 5 minutes of prep time. They’re creamy, with a buttery sweetness that’s somehow both nostalgic and comforting. They’re my new favorite recipe when I want something quick and satisfying for my sweet tooth!
These cookies are actually based on my no bake chocolate peanut butter cookies (the original recipe does use a few more than 5 ingredients). If you’re interested in an easy recipe that includes peanut butter flavor paired with chocoately goodness, you should check them out!
What’s in no bake peanut butter cookies?
This is a simple recipe with simple ingredients:
- Rolled Oats: Rolled oats create the chewy texture these no bake cookies are known for. You can substitute with quick oats for a softer bite, but avoid instant oats and steel cut oats. Instant oats are too mushy, steel cut oats stay hard and crunchy in the cookies.
- Peanut Butter: Creamy peanut butter works best in this no bake cookie recipe. Chunky peanut butter is too thick for the cookies to come together well. You can use natural peanut butter, but natural-style peanut butter makes the set of your cookies softer. I have never tested almond butter, cookie butter, or sunbutter in this recipe.
- Sugar: Granulated sugar is what I used to create this recipe. I have not tested any others. Brown sugar might work, but it does have a higher moisture level, so that has the potential to affect the finished cookie.
- Butter: Feel free to use either salted or unsalted butter. You can sub the butter with margarine, and it really doesn’t affect the set. You can also use coconut oil, but it does make the cookies set up softer.
Making 4-ingredient peanut butter cookies
Step 1 | Microwave
You’ll need a large mixing bowl that is microwave safe for this recipe.
Place your sugar and butter in the bowl. Cover and place microwave everything for 2 minutes.
Stir the butter and sugar until they’re completely combined. Once they’re stirred, we’re going to do this again.
Cover and microwave the butter and sugar mixture for 2 more minutes. It should boil in the microwave, which is what we want. Pull it out and give it a good stir before moving on to the next step.
Step 2 | Add the Rest
Add the rest of the ingredients (peanut butter and oats ) to the microwaved mixture in the large bowl. Stir everything in until it’s all well combined. It will be slightly goopy, but not completely watery. Set your cookie batter to the side for a minute.
Step 3 | Form the Cookies
While the batter rests, pull out a cookie sheet and line it with wax paper. You can also use parchment paper here, but I like wax paper best. I find the cookies come off easier with wax paper.
Use a spoon to drop a spoonful of peanut butter mixture onto the prepared baking sheet. Let the batter flow out to form the shape of the cookie. These cookies are somewhat flat — they do not come out thick!
Step 4 | Set, then Enjoy!
For best results, let the cookies sit at room temperature for 30 minutes to a couple of hours. You can speed up setting time by putting them in the fridge.
When the cookies hold together when you peel them off the paper, they are set. Enjoy your no bake oatmeal cookies!
Variations
While the original recipe uses minimal ingredients, you can add some extras to take things to the next level:
- Salt: A little sprinkle of sea salt enhances the sweetness and brings out the peanut butter’s richness without overpowering the cookie. You can sprinkle flaky salt over the finished cookies.
- Chocolate Chips: Fold in mini chocolate chips after the base mixture cools. They add pockets of melty goodness to each bite.
- Shredded Coconut: For a tropical twist, mix in unsweetened shredded coconut. It pairs beautifully with peanut butter.
- Crushed Nuts: For extra crunch, press chopped roasted peanuts or almonds on top before setting.
- Vanilla Extract: Add 1 tsp vanilla extract for additional flavor!
- Peanut Butter Bars: Pour the mixture into a parchment paper lined 9×9 baking dish. Allow the bars to set completely before cutting.
FAQs
They usually stay fresh for about 4 to 5 days if stored in an airtight container.
Yes! Wrap cookies individually in plastic wrap or parchment paper, then place them in an airtight container or freezer bag. They freeze well for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. For longer freshness, refrigerate; just note the texture may become firmer..
4-Ingredient No Bake Peanut Butter Cookies
Ingredients
- 2 cup granulated sugar
- 3/4 cup butter or margarine (1.5 sticks)
- 1 cup peanut butter
- 2 cups oatmeal
Instructions
- In a large microwaveable bowl, place the sugar and butter/margarine. Cover and microwave for 2 minutes.
- Remove from microwave and stir. Cover and microwave for an additional 2 minutes.
- Add peanut butter and oatmeal and stir until combine. Set aside to cool.
- Line a baking sheet with wax or parchment paper. Drop batter by spoonfuls onto the prepared baking sheet.
- Allow cookies to set for 30 minutes to an hour. Cookies are ready when you can peel the from the paper without them breaking apart.
