Chocolate Oatmeal No-Bake Cookies without Peanut Butter

Chocolate oatmeal no bake cookies without peanut butter top the list for the best summer desserts! See how easily I make this recipe using a simple nut-free swap that everyone can enjoy. Your family will devour these in no time.

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Although I enjoy the summer season, the weather is definitely not my favorite. I enjoy milder weather where I can have the oven going whenever I please.

However, I will say summer weather gives me an excuse to make these heavenly, super easy chocolate oatmeal no-bake cookies without peanut butter that require zero ovens turned on. I am here for it!

What makes my recipe especially unique is I leave out the peanut butter for my husband since he’s allergic to nuts. If you have someone in the family who is allergic to nuts, opt for a seed-based butter, like Sunbutter (sunflower seed butter) in place of the nut butter. 

Let me tell you, my husband is obsessed with these. I don’t know if it’s because he’s never gotten to enjoy these before or because he just loves anything with chocolate, but this recent batch I whipped up went FAST. 

Since I’m pregnant, I’ll also take responsibility for some of those missing cookies, too. A woman has to get her sweet-tooth fix somehow…

However, I also want to point out that this recipe is naturally lower in sugar than most no-bake cookie recipes. I wasn’t aiming for a healthy cookie, I just happen to use honey in baking on occasion and the sunbutter is low in sugar, too. So it kind of just happened. 

Don’t ever feel guilty for eating a little bit of sugar in your diet, that’s normal. But it’s also nice to be mindful of it when cooking and baking. Processed foods tend to sneak sugar in just about everywhere. 

I like making things from scratch, like this, specifically because I have better control over sugar, types of fats, quality of fresh ingredients, and less additives (colors, artificial sweeteners, etc.). I’m not perfect, but these cookies sure do prove you can have the best of both worlds… and with such little prep.

Now, let me show you exactly how I go about making these sweet little pieces of heaven.

Chocolate Oatmeal No Bake Cookies (without peanut butter!)

What is a no-bake cookie?

A no-bake cookie is an oat-based cookie with chocolate and, traditionally, peanut butter. The dry oats give the cookie texture, while the chocolate and nut butter (or seed butter in this case) flavor and sweeten the recipe. A few other simple ingredients are combined in to make a delicious mix that hardens up after being placed into mounds on a cookie sheet and stored in the fridge. They are great for making with kids.

What if I don’t have access to Sunbutter?

Let me just say this. If you don’t have a nut allergy, you can absolutely use peanut butter instead. Or even a chocolate hazelnut spread. If you opt for plain peanut butter, do note that you’ll need to add more unsweetened cocoa in to give it a deeper chocolate flavor. This recipe uses chocolate sunbutter, so I use less cocoa powder. 

Seed based butters are more expensive (around $7 for a jar) and can be more difficult to find. But if you find an online retailer you can buy from in bulk this could help you save money. 

Tools You’ll Need | chocolate oatmeal no bake cookies without peanut butter

Measuring cups and spoons

Large mixing bowl

Small saucepan

Rubber spatula or large spoon

Large dinner spoons

Parchment paper or reusable silicone baking mat (I use this one HERE)

Baking sheet

Ingredients | chocolate oatmeal no bake cookies without peanut butter

Oats – Oats give texture and lots of healthy nutrients to a no-bake cookie. Old-fashioned oats work best in this recipe.

Butter – I prefer using a grass-fed Irish butter when cooking and baking, but any real butter will do.

Chocolate Sunbutter – Chocolate Sunbutter gives lots of flavor to this recipe. It helps hold the cookie together and adds just enough chocolatey flavor without too much sweetness.

Unsweetened cocoa powder – I use unsweetened cocoa powder, but cacao powder will also work. This adds a deeper chocolate flavor to the cookies.

Honey – Honey sweetens the cookies just enough. I like to use raw, local honey for the health benefits, but any type of honey works in this recipe.

Vanilla extract – Pure vanilla extract works best in baking recipes. 

How to Make Chocolate Oatmeal No Bake Cookies without Peanut Butter

Start by melting the butter on low heat until it becomes liquid. Remove from heat.

While the butter is still warm, you can stir in the chocolate sunbutter, vanilla extract, and honey to blend them together. Set aside as you prepare your cookie mix.

Measure all the oat and cocoa powder together in a mixing bowl. 

Next, add the chocolate butter mixture in, stirring until everything is uniform.

Use spoons to scoop the cookie mix onto parchment paper on a cookie sheet. Place in the fridge to chill for at least 2 hours before serving.

To serve, carefully pull away the parchment paper as you lift each cookie off. Serve cold.

Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 weeks.  

Tips for Success | chocolate oatmeal no bake cookies without peanut butter

Let the cookies set up for long enough in the fridge before serving. Chill for at least 2 hours or more to allow the butter and chocolate to fully set up. 

Use larger-sized dinner spoons for scooping and shaping the cookies into neat little mounds on the parchment paper/baking mat for similar-sized cookies.

More Family Favorite Desserts

Fig and Tomato Quick Jam  

Peach Crumble Bursting with Peaches  

Double Chocolate Zucchini Muffins

Easy Blackberry Cobbler  

Breakfast Jam-Filled Bars