No-Bake Peanut Butter Oat Cookies
A sweet treat, no oven required.
Adapted from a recipe by Second Harvest. Just a bowl and a microwave. These set up as they cool into chewy, peanut-buttery cookies, and a spoonful of cocoa turns them into chocolate ones.
Steps
- 1
2 cups sugar
4 tbsp cooking oil or margarine
½ cup water
Bonus, if you have it:
milk in place of the water, 3 tbsp cocoa powder
Stir together in the largest microwave-safe bowl you have. It bubbles up high as it heats.
- 2
—
Microwave 2 minutes 45 seconds. Take the bowl out with a towel or oven mitt, and stir carefully. The mixture is much hotter than boiling water.
- 3
—
Microwave 2 minutes 30 seconds more.
- 4
1 cup peanut butter
2 cups oats (quick oats work best)
Bonus, if you have it:
1 tsp vanilla
Stir in until well combined. If it seems dry, add a spoonful of water.
- 5
Wax paper, foil, or a plate
Drop by spoonfuls and let cool until set, about 30 minutes.
Make it yours
These are such a wonderful treat to make, and kids really love them. The peanut butter and oats give them some staying power, too. You can make them anywhere, even in a hotel room. All you need is a microwave. Throwing in some chocolate chips is great, and a handful of salted peanuts adds a nice crunch and a little extra protein.