With no baking to hide behind, the cocoa, peanut butter, and oats all show, so use real ones. The make-or-break move is boiling the sugar mixture to a full rolling boil for exactly one minute; too short and they never set, too long and they turn dry and crumbly.
By Vince Gonzalez · Published July 2026 · Sourcing verified 5 Jul 2026
Prep10 min
Cook5 min
Makes24 cookies
CuisineAmerican
Cost$
VegetarianGluten-free
Contains dairy · peanuts
Make it vegan: use plant milk, oil, or a vegan cheese for the dairy.
The Ingredients — and where to get them
Cook for24cookies
Granulated sugar
The base of the boiled syrup; unrefined sugar for a rounder flavor.
Can you make No-Bake Cookies in an air fryer? — Not needed
No cooking needed here — this one comes together without heat, so the air fryer sits it out.
Can you freeze No-Bake Cookies? — Yes
Yes — cool it, portion into airtight containers, and freeze; thaw in the fridge and reheat.
Can you make No-Bake Cookies ahead of time? — Yes
Yes — it needs the chill time to set, so making it ahead is the whole point.
Is No-Bake Cookies gluten-free? — Yes
Yes — nothing in this recipe as written contains gluten. As always, glance at the labels on any packaged items (broth, sauces, chocolate), since brands vary.
Is No-Bake Cookies vegan? — Vegetarian, not vegan
It’s vegetarian but not vegan as written — it has dairy. Make it vegan: use plant milk, oil, or a vegan cheese for the dairy.
Community Notes
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