If you are craving dessert but don't want to heat up your oven, this easy gluten free no bake cookies recipe is a great treat to make! They are perfect for chocolate lovers. I even made these healthier so you have way less guilt!
These no-bake cookies with quick oats (Gluten Free!) are my go-to summer cookie recipe! If you are looking for more recipes to make when it is hot, you will love these gluten free summer recipe ideas.
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Do you ever have a craving for peanut butter that won't go away? What if you could snack on it in a deliciously fun way?
I have seen lots of drop oatmeal cookies that looked delicious, but I wanted my version to be healthier, especially if my kids were going to eat more than one of these in a sitting. I went to my favorite standby, almond flour. Using almond flour is a great way to balance out sugars in desserts! Try it in this delicious gluten free banana bars recipe!
You can't tell almond flour is in these cookies with the melted chocolate and peanut butter. If you love oatmeal in recipes, you will also want to try my popular gluten free banana oat muffins recipe!
Why gluten free oats?
Oats are naturally gluten free, but they are often grown and stored near wheat and cross-contamination is very high. There are several companies that make certified gluten free oats including Trader Joe's, Bob's Red Mill, and Quaker.
If you are new to gluten free living, my handy guide for gluten free living can help you get adjusted quickly.
Ingredient notes:
- Crunchy unsalted peanut butter - You can also use creamy peanut butter. If you use natural peanut butter, be sure to mix in the oil very well before using it in the recipe.
- Honey - There is no need to use expensive artisanal honey. Plain cheap wildflower honey is fine
- Gluten free whole rolled oats - As I mention above, make sure the oats are certified gluten free. I use regular rolled oats. Do not use quick oats or thick cut.
- Almond flour - I highly suggest using almond flour and not almond meal. Almond meal is more coarse and will make your cookies grainy.
- Organic shredded coconut - Look for unsweetened.
Recipe step by step directions:
Step 1: Add the dry ingredients to a bowl and whisk to blend.
Step 2: In a microwave safe container, add your peanut butter, chocolate, coconut oil, and honey. Microwave for 35 seconds and mix. Microwave on 20 second intervals stirring after each until the ingredients are all melted.
Step 3: Pour the chocolate mixture into the dry ingredients and mix well. Allow to sit for 10 minutes so everything absorbs together.
Step 3: Use a cookie scoop to drop the cookies onto the wax paper. Place in the refrigerator for 1 hour to firm up. Enjoy!
Use a mini muffin pan to make these cookies bite-sized for portion control. I often make my cookies really large because I can't stop at eating just one. Using this little pan helps me behave :-).
If you don't have a muffin tin, you can easily use a plate with a piece of wax paper over it as I show in the photos.
Tips and Recipe FAQ:
Because these are made with melted ingredients, you will need to store them in the refrigerator.
This recipe will work with quick oats, but they will get mushy so I do recommend rolled oats.
This recipe is specifically designed not to be baked. There is no egg or anything to hold these together so they would not hold up to baking.
To make these nut-free, omit the almond flour and add ¼ cup additional rolled oats. Use Sunbutter instead of the peanut butter.
You can easily make these dairy-free by using a dairy-free chocolate chip like Enjoy Life brand.
Fun mix-ins:
You can add all sorts of fun mix-ins to this simple no-bake oat cookies, depending on if you want to keep them healthier or make them more like a dessert. Try some of these fun ideas:
- M&Ms
- Chocolate chips
- Caramel chips
- Chopped nuts (pecans, peanuts, walnuts)
- Chia seeds
More No-Bake Dessert Recipes:
- This easy No-Bake Raw Fig Tart makes a great dessert.
- Gluten Free Peanut Butter Pie
- We are addicted to this Gluten Free No-Bake Nutella Cheesecake.
- Homemade Old-Fashioned Peanut Butter Candy
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📖 Recipe
No Bake Chocolate Oat Cookies
Ingredients
- 1 cup crunchy unsalted peanut butter
- ⅓ cup honey
- ⅓ cup coconut oil
- 2 cups Bob's Red Mill Gluten Free Whole Grain Rolled Oats
- ½ cup almond flour
- ¾ cup organic shredded coconut
- ¾ cup chocolate chips
Instructions
- In a saucepan, add peanut butter, honey, and coconut oil.
- Cook on low heat until melted. Add chocolate chips.
- Stir until mixed.
- To make this in the microwave, add the chocolate, peanut butter, honey, and oil in a microwave-safe dish. Microwave 35 seconds, then stir. Repeat intervals of 20 seconds until the mixture is melted. Mix to combine.
- Add oats and almond meal.
- Mix together.
- Drop into a mini muffin tin, or onto a cookie sheet.
- Refrigerate until hardened.
- Refrigerate any extras in a container.
Notes
Nutrition
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(*This recipe was updated from an old July 2014 post.)
Melanie J Graffius
Love your recipes and No bake cookies.
However, I don't use a microwave.
Is there a special way to make these on the stove?
Sandi Gaertner
Hi Melanie, do you have a double boiler? If you don't you can use two different sized pots. Place the larger one with water on the stove and set a smaller pan inside with the chocolate. This is a great way to heat the chocolate without it burning.
Bev
I need a substitute for the coconut. No can do.
Sandi Gaertner
Hi Bev, You can sub more oats if you omit the coconut 🙂
Dawn
No-bakes are one of my go-tos for holiday gatherings.
Sandi Gaertner
We love them too. Sometimes it is just too hot to bake.