No Bake Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies

These No Bake Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies are the perfect easy and healthy treat. Made with just 4 ingredients in a bowl, this simple oat cookie recipe is great for desserts, snacks and breakfasts.

Craving healthy dessert but you are too lazy to bake? This no bake chocolate oatmeal cookie recipe is all you need!

Ready in under 10 minutes, these easy oat cookies will satisfy your sweet tooth. Without guilt! Because they are incredibly healthy: high fiber, oil-free, gluten-free, dairy-free, egg-free and vegan!

The story behind no bake chocolate oat cookies

If you have a couple of minutes and want to listen to a short story, sit down, relax and let me tell you how I came up with these no bake oatmeal cookies.

In the last couple of months my life has changed quite a lot. After graduating from university and moving to a new country I started working. This was probably one of the most (positive) “shocks” of my life. If before I was able to structure my days by myself, now I have very little time after work. Nevertheless, I am trying to do as much as I can to nurture my passions and hobbies. Like my blog! Despite the lack of time, I have somehow managed to consistently post new recipes. The weekend is for recipe development and the remaining days are for writing.

As some friends were coming over for dinner, last Saturday I was planning to prepare some no bake brownie bites to enjoy as dessert. But soon after making – and trying – the dough, I realized that it was tasting more like cookies than brownies. So I flatted the balls and made some healthy no bake chocolate cookies. Unexpectedly delicious!

As my girlfriend says, unexpected things are the best. And yes, these no bake chocolate oatmeal cookies were indeed unexpected, but also irresistibly delicious! …well, girlfriends are always right.

The ingredients for no bake chocolate cookies

When I say that this recipe is simple, I mean it. You only need four healthy ingredients to make no bake chocolate oatmeal cookies at home. As there is no dairy nor egg, this dessert is also vegan. And gluten-free, if you use gluten-free oats!

Here is everything this recipe calls for, plus additional details and all substitutes.

• Rolled oats: For the best taste and texture I recommend rolled oats (also known as “old-fashioned” oats). Quick oats still work, but they tend to get too soft and kind of mushy when mixed with moisture. If you have dietary needs, chose certified gluten-free oats.
• Cocoa powder: For healthier oatmeal cookies I recommend natural cocoa powder without added sugars. But feel free to use the cocoa powder you like the most.
• Nut butter: Pick and choose the nut butter you prefer – peanut, almond, cashew, hazelnut, or even pistachio butter! And for a nut free version, opt for tahini or sunflower seed butter. To make my chocolate oatmeal cookies I used almond butter.
• Maple syrup: This is by far my favorite option when it comes to making healthy recipes. You are free to replace with any other liquid sweetener, such as honey, agave syrup or date syrup. Keep in mind that these no bake oatmeal cookies can only be made with a liquid sweetener, granulated sugars do not work.

Recipe variations

Simple chocolate oatmeal cookies sounds too boring for you? Here are some extra ingredients you can add to the dough. Pick you’re favorite or mix and match!

• Chocolate chips: Dark chocolate chips, semisweet chocolate chips, milk chocolate chips or sugar-free chocolate chips. 
• Nuts: Crushed walnuts, pecans, almonds, cashews, hazelnuts.
• Seeds: Pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, flaxseeds, poppy seeds.
• Dried fruits: Raisins, cranberries, dried berries. 
• Flavors and spices: Ground cinnamon, vanilla extract, nutmeg.
• Protein powder: Replace 30 grams (1/3 cup) of the rolled oats with your favorite protein powder (keep on reading for more details).

No bake cookies with protein powder

Looking for high protein chocolate cookies? Keep on reading!

Turning these chocolate oat cookies into a high protein treat is embarrassingly simple. All you have to do is replacing 30 grams (or 1/3 cup) of the oats with a protein powder of your choice – I don’t recommend substituting more than that. Also, keep in mind that based on the type of protein powder used, your cookie dough may require some adaptations – either more oats or more nut butter.

Let me explain more. As a rule of thumb, vegan protein powder and casein tend to absorb more liquid. Hence, your dough may need some more nut butter or maple syrup. Whey, instead, dissolves quite easily and gets sticky. That’s why your dough may require additional oats.

How to make no bake oat cookies

Start by combining in a bowl all the ingredients: rolled oats with cocoa powder, maple syrup and nut butter. Stir well until you get a soft dough, first with a fork and then using your hands.

Shape the cookies and place over a baking tray or plate lined with parchment paper. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving.

How to store no bake chocolate cookies

After making, place the chocolate cookies in a food container and refrigerate. In the fridge, they will last for up to four days. For a longer storage, seal in zipper bags and freeze for up to three months.

Recipe tips

As simple as this recipe may be, I recommend reading through the following lines very carefully. Here I am about to give you some golden tips on how to make the best healthy no bake cookies. 

• Use creamy nut butter, it mixes better and gives a smooth texture to your cookies. As their taste is not as overpowering as peanut butter, my tip is to prefer almond butter or cashew butter. 
• Customize your chocolate oat cookies with extra chocolate chips, chopped nuts, seeds, raisins or dried cranberries.
• Store any leftover in the fridge, in an airtight food container or in a bowl covered with a lid. These cookies won’t last long at room temperature.

More healthy dessert with oats

• Healthy oatmeal raisin cookies
• Healthy cookie dough bites with oats
• Oatmeal protein cookies
• 3 ingredient breakfast cookies
• 2 ingredient banana oatmeal cookies
• Oat flour pancakes
• 3 ingredient baked oatmeal
• Stovetop granola recipe
• Blueberry oatmeal cookies
• Strawberry oatmeal bars
• Sheet-pan baked pancakes