Craving something sweet but don’t want to heat up the kitchen? These no-bake chocolate oatmeal cookies whip up in minutes flat and you can store them in both the fridge and the freezer for whenever the chocolate craving hits.
All hail a cookie where we don’t need to heat up the kitchen this time of year! Double that enthusiasm if we’re doing double the chocolate.
These cookies, y’all, where do I even begin. They’re so simple of a concept I can’t even believe they actually work…
They come together entirely on the stovetop for one thing! And take only a few minutes to set up in the fridge and they store like a DREAM for up to even months if you store them in the freezer.
No peanut butter in sight here today like you’ll commonly find in no-bake cookies. Just a whole lotta chocolate, oats, and even some sneaky hidden banana that helps give these cookies their bomb soft texture.
These No-Bake Cookies Feature…
- A double dose of rich chocolate
- A cold and chewy texture from hearty quick oats and banana
- An easy recipe that comes together in minutes on the stovetop
Making the Cookies
(scroll down to the bottom of the post for the full recipe)
Ingredients You Will Need
- Brown sugar
- Unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2% or skim milk
- Unsalted butter
- Vanilla extract
- Kosher salt
- Oats
- Banana
- Chocolate chips
Choosing Your Oats
I recommend using quick-cooking oats for this recipe as I found that this give the cookies a soft and chewy texture that holds up very well after being refrigerated.
To make your own quick-cooking oats at home, pulse rolled oats several times in a food processor until finely chopped.
Tips for Perfect No-Bake Cookies
- Boil chocolate mixture on stovetop – a 2-minute boil will blend the cocoa, sugar, milk, and butter together.
- Fold remaining ingredients in off-heat – fold the vanilla, salt, oats, and banana in off-heat until a dough forms.
- Press chocolate chips on top of formed cookies – if you try to fold the chocolate chips into the dough while its warm they will melt. I like to press them on top instead to speed prep along.
- Chill cookies – you can do 15 minutes in the freezer or 30 minutes in refrigerator.
Recipe Variations
Try these ideas for a different twist on these cookies.
- Add nuts – fold 1/4 cup toasted chopped pecans or walnuts into the dough.
- Try another chocolate – try white, milk, or dark chocolate in place of the semisweet.
Storing Instructions
You can store these cookies in the refrigerator up to 1 week or the freezer up to 2 months. I personally like the texture of them thawed better, but feel free to try both!
I’m telling you, one of these fat cookies cold from the fridge with a tall glass of milk is quite possibly the best part about this summer for me. Just the right level of dense and chocolate-y.
Consider yourself warned cause you’re not gonna be able to stop eating these.
Save this recipe using the ‘save to recipe box’ button below. If you make it, please let us know! Leave a comment + star rating below, or take a photo and tag it on Instagram with #wholeandheavenlyoven.
More no-bake treats to make next.
No-Bake Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies
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Ingredients
- 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/2 cup 2% or skim milk
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 2 cups quick-cooking oats
- 1 small ripe banana, mashed (1/2 cup)
- 1/4 cup semisweet or dark chocolate chips
Instructions
- Line a container with parchment paper and set aside.
- Place brown sugar, cocoa, milk, and butter in a medium saucepan and set over medium heat. Bring to a boil and allow to boil for 2 minutes, stirring frequently.
- Remove pan from heat and fold in vanilla, salt, oats, and mashed banana. Scoop mixture into 1-inch balls and place on parchment paper. Flatten balls to form a cookie shape and press chocolate chips on top.
- Freeze cookies 15 minutes or refrigerate 30 minutes until cookies are firm to the touch and release easily from the parchment paper. Store cookies in freezer or refrigerator until ready to serve. Enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
This post was updated with new recipe adjustments and photos on 6/24/26.
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says
Oh no! I hope it’s not too bad for you without air conditioning! But I’m sure these cookies will make you forget all about that! I love that these are no bake and filled with so many delicious ingredients! Love these, Sarah!
Sarah says
Thanks Gayle! These cookies definitely make the whole “no a/c thing” a little easier!! 😉
Kelly // The Pretty Bee: Cooking & Creating says
No AC?! Yikes! I hope it doesn’t get too hot for you! 🙁 These look wonderful, I can always use a good no-bake recipe!
Sarah says
Thanks Kelly! You just can’t beat no-bake this time of year!! 😉
Alice @ Hip Foodie Mom says
Look at you taking matters into your own hands when you were oven-less!!! you go girl! LOVE these cookies . . just the kind of cookies I will not be *baking* all summer long! 😛 love! hooray for no-bake!
Sarah says
Ahhhh! YES. I love that! This is definitely the only cookie recipe that I will “NOT” be baking this summer too! LOL
Kelly - Life Made Sweeter says
Oh no, hope it doesn’t get too hot and u find a way to keep cool. No-bake and ice cream every day sounds like the perfect solution. Love all the goodies you packed into these yummy cookies! They look fantastic and so delicious!
Sarah says
You’re pretty much the queen of ice cream yourself, Kelly! I kinda want to live in your freezer. 😀
Heather - Butter & Burlap says
Uhm… these look AMAZING. I totally had a chocolate craving the other night but didn’t know what to make. I’m armed and ready for next time! Great recipe!
Sarah says
These cookies are literally the PERFECT way to deal with that chocolate craving! They’re a little healthier than your average cookie and definitely easier to throw together!
mira says
Love these cookies and the fact that they are no bake! Perfect for summer and I’ll definitely try them! No AC? Hope they fix it soon, hope it isn’t too hot there!
Sarah says
Thanks Mira!! xoxo
Medha @ Whisk & Shout says
Ugh, the oven really can heat up the house- thank god for these no bake cookies! Love how the peanut butter/banana must meld together on the stovetop and looove all the goodies packed in these cookies!
Sarah says
All the flavor combos in these cookies are just fantastic together! It’s just impossible to have only one. 😉
Katalina @ Peas and Peonies says
Love how easy these are to make, as well that you added bananas and coconut sugar, a quick no bake cookies during summer is all I need to keep me happy!
Sarah says
Thanks Katalina! I hope you get to try these cookies very soon!
Harriet Emily says
What stunning cookies – I love that they’re no bake!! What a perfect sweet treat – I love how healthy they are too! Anything with chocolate is a must in my household, so I will definitely have to make these!
Sarah says
Thanks so much Harriet Emily! You definitely need to give these cookies a try this summer!
Julie @ Julie's Eats & Treats says
These are fabulous! It’s supposed to heat up around here so I need to make some of these!
Sarah says
You SO do!! 😉 Thanks Julie.
Jen says
No a/c is the best excuse to make these cookies. Love no bake treats!
Sarah says
Totally the best excuse ever! 😉 Thanks Jen!
Annie @Maebells says
It is only the beginning of June and it is so darn hot I refuse to turn on the oven until September!! These No Bake beauties will be making an appearance soon!
Sarah says
I feel for ‘ya, Annie! I think you’ve got the heat even worse than we do! You definitely deserve a big batch of these cookies in your life!
Helen @ Scrummy Lane says
I just love what you’ve called these, Sarah … a perfect description! Definitely loving the sound of them. I like that they’re healthy but with just a tiny hint of naughtiness. Means you can eat as many as you like, right? 🙂
Sarah says
YES. The way you described that is spot-on! They’re totally healthy but just a TEENY bit naughty. 😉 And therefore that totally means that you can eat the whole batch. <3
Stacey @ Bake.Eat.Repeat. says
Those cookies sound fantastic! Double chocolate, and no-bake – that’s definitely a winner!
Sarah says
Thanks Stacey!! xoxo 🙂
Manali @ CookWithManali says
yay for no-bake! these cookies look so delicious Sarah!
Mariah @ Mariah's Pleasing Plates says
Agh having no air conditioning is the worst. Been there, done that. It is nearly impossible in Southern California…and we happened to have 90 degree weather today too.
But I bet a big batch of these yummy cookies would solve everything! Pinning!
Sarah says
It’s definitely no fun! Hope things cool down a little for you guys too, Mariah! In the meantime…COOKIES! They’re make it a little better. 😉