Leanne Morgan’s No Bake Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies are a must-make - chewy, chocolatey, and the ultimate nostalgic treat you’ll want on repeat. Also known as boiled cookies, this recipe has basically been around since the dawn of time (and for good reason)!

Hand holding a no bake chocolate oatmeal cookie with a plate of cookies in the background.

I recently discovered Leanne, a hilarious Southern comedian with a Netflix special and a brand-new sitcom. Even though she’s been doing stand-up across the country for over 20 years (who knew?!), I only just stumbled upon her, and I feel like I’ve found a kindred spirit. Leanne is from Tennessee, and her adorable Southern accent reminds me so much of my own family from Alabama.

Freshly made no bake chocolate oatmeal cookies cooling on a cookie sheet.

She recently shared a video on Facebook making these No Bake Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies, a recipe she’s been making for many years. I think she got it from her children's lunch lady. I’ve had them before but haven’t made them in quite a while, and she inspired me to bring them back into my kitchen. So here’s the recipe and while you’re at it, go watch her new show. It’s hilarious!

Why You'll Love Leanne Morgan’s No Bake Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies

• No baking required - perfect for hot days or when you need a quick treat.

• Classic, nostalgic flavor with chocolate, peanut butter, and oats.

• Comes together with just a few pantry staples.

• Family-friendly and ready in about an hour.

What You Need

Ingredients for no bake chocolate oatmeal cookies including oats, cocoa powder, butter, sugar, milk, and peanut butter.

Ingredient Notes

• Granulated Sugar: White sugar is what gives these cookies their classic chewy sweetness. Do not use powdered sugar.

• Cocoa Powder: Unsweetened cocoa for a rich chocolate flavor. Choose a good quality Dutch process cocoa powder for best results.

• Milk: Whole milk is a must for creaminess. Do not use non-dairy milk.

• Oats: Quick-cooking oats are a must - old-fashioned oats won’t set the same way.

• Butter & Peanut Butter: These add richness and help bind everything together.

Stirring the boiled mixture of butter, sugar, milk, and cocoa for no bake chocolate oatmeal cookies.

How to Make Leanne Morgan’s No Bake Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies

• In a saucepan, bring sugar, milk, butter, and cocoa to a boil. Boil for 2 minutes. I used a stainless steel pot but I prefer to use an enameled cast iron pot for this.

• Stir in oats and peanut butter until fully combined.

• Drop spoonfuls of the mixture onto wax or parchment paper.

• Let set for 1 hour or until firm.

• Store in an airtight container (they keep best in the fridge for a few days).

Stirring oats into the chocolate mixture to make no bake chocolate oatmeal cookies.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Can I use old-fashioned oats instead of quick oats? Not recommended. Quick oats help the cookies set properly.

• Do I have to refrigerate them? They’ll keep fine at room temperature for a couple of days, but they last longer (and stay chewy) if stored in the fridge.

• Can I add mix-ins? Yes! A handful of shredded coconut, chopped nuts, or even mini marshmallows would be delicious.

Scooping no bake chocolate oatmeal cookie mixture onto a baking sheet to cool and set.

Quick Tips

• Have your parchment paper ready before you start boiling - the mixture sets fast.

• Don’t overboil, or the cookies can turn out dry and crumbly.

• If they don’t set, pop the tray in the fridge for a bit.

• Use a small cookie scoop for evenly sized cookies. Each scoop is about 1 ½ tablespoons of batter.

Plate of no bake chocolate oatmeal cookies stacked and ready to serve.