Easy Gluten-Free Chocolate Oatmeal No-Bake Cookies

By
Diana Rattray
Diana Rattray
Diana Rattray
Southern-cuisine expert and cookbook author Diana Rattray has created more than 5,000 recipes and articles in her 20 years as a food writer.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Updated on 09/2/22
No-bake cookies arranged on marble surface in rows

The Spruce Eats / Kristina Vanni

Prep: 5 mins
Cook: 2 mins
Cool: 60 mins
Total: 67 mins
Servings: 30 servings

These popular gluten-free, no-bake cookies are made with a few simple ingredients, including oats and chocolate chips along with optional peanut butter for a nice bit of nuttiness. The cookies are quick and easy to prepare and come together in just a couple of minutes on the stovetop. These treats are perfect for that chocolate craving, and they're especially nice in the summer when you don't want to use the oven. Plus, they're also egg free.

Chocolaty, chewy, and sweet, these cookies are hard to resist. They're easy to customize, too, with variations including nuts, cereal, and dried fruit. Take them to your next summer gathering, school bake sale, or potluck. The recipe is easily doubled for a party or large gathering and will become your go-to recipe for quick no-bake cookies.

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Ingredients

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Ingredients for easy gluten-free chocolate oatmeal no-bake cookies recipe gathered

    The Spruce Eats / Kristina Vanni

  2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the oats, chocolate chips, peanut butter (if using), and vanilla; stir to blend the ingredients. Set aside.

    Oats, chocolate chips, vanilla, and peanut butter in a bowl

    The Spruce Eats / Kristina Vanni

  3. In a saucepan, combine the sugar with the butter and milk. Place the pan over medium-high heat and stir to melt the sugar and butter. Bring to a full rolling boil and boil the mixture for exactly 1 full minute.

    Butter, milk, and granulated sugar in a saucepan

    The Spruce Eats / Kristina Vanni

  4. Immediately combine the hot butter and sugar mixture with the oatmeal and chocolate chip mixture. Stir until the chocolate has melted and the mixture is well blended.

    Hot butter and sugar mixture mixed with oatmeal and chocolate chips

    The Spruce Eats / Kristina Vanni

  5. Working quickly, drop by spoonfuls or use a cookie scoop to portion onto waxed paper or parchment paper.

    Cookie dough on a parchment-paper-lined baking sheet

    The Spruce Eats / Kristina Vanni

  6. Allow to cool to room temperature and firm up before serving.

    Easy gluten-free chocolate oatmeal no-bake cookies on a baking sheet

    The Spruce Eats / Kristina Vanni

Recipe Variations

  • Use another type of chip (like butterscotch or white chocolate) or carob-flavored chips instead of semisweet chocolate chips.
  • Quick oats will produce no-bake cookies that are chewy but tender, while rolled oats will produce a chewier, heartier cookie.
  • Use light or dark brown sugar in place of all or part of the granulated sugar.
  • Add about 1/2 cup of chopped pecans, walnuts, or almonds to the oat mixture.
  • Omit the chocolate chips and instead add 1/4 cup of unsweetened cocoa to the saucepan with the milk, butter, and sugar.
  • Replace the oats with cornflakes, Grape Nuts, crispy rice cereal, or similar.
  • Replace 1 cup of the oats with 1 cup of flaked coconut. Or roll the cookies in unsweetened shredded coconut.
  • Add 1 cup of raisins or dried sweetened cranberries for an extra chewy texture.

How to Store and Freeze

  • Store no-bake cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to five days. They can also be stored in the fridge for a week.
  • You can also freeze no-bake cookies. Store in a zip-top freezer bag for up to a month and defrost before serving.

Tip

If you’re on a celiac or strictly gluten-free diet, be sure to check the package labeling and buy only certified gluten-free oats. Oats are often processed in the same facilities that process wheat and can contain trace amounts of gluten. 


Why didn’t my no-bake cookies harden?

If these no-bake cookies haven't set up properly at room temperature, try sticking them in the fridge for at least 30 minutes. If they still aren't hard, then chances are you didn't boil the mixture long enough. It's important to fully boil the butter and sugar mixture for exactly one minute—any less, and the cookies won't set up or will be sticky. If it's boiled for too long, they will be crumbly.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
143 Calories
6g Fat
23g Carbs
2g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 30
Amount per serving
Calories 143
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 6g 7%
Saturated Fat 3g 16%
Cholesterol 9mg 3%
Sodium 6mg 0%
Total Carbohydrate 23g 8%
Dietary Fiber 1g 4%
Total Sugars 17g
Protein 2g
Vitamin C 0mg 0%
Calcium 18mg 1%
Iron 1mg 3%
Potassium 65mg 1%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)