Healthy no bake cookies made with cacao and peanut butter.
You will love this dairy free no bake cookie recipe made with easy, good for you ingredients!
Perfect delicious Christmas treat.
If there is one thing that I could always eat for dessert and never get sick of, it would be these healthy no bake cookies.
They are the perfect dessert: easy to prepare, healthy, low in sugar, chewy, and full of rich fudgy, chocolatey flavor.
I have been making these healthy no bake cookies for years and they do not disappoint.
I make them every Christmas, and all throughout the year.
They aren’t just for the holidays!
I love this recipe and my ultimate healthy peanut butter fudge anytime of year.
They were a lifesaver when I had my son, and I had my husband make me some for an easy snack that was also a great lactation cookie!
How to make the best healthy no bake cookies
First, you will add honey and cacao powder to a medium sized sauce pan.
Note – If you want to make this recipe without honey, you can substitute maple syrup in equal amounts.
Use a whisk to combine the cacao powder and honey over medium heat until it resembles chocolate sauce.
Next, add in the coconut oil and almond milk, whisking to combine.
This won’t take long, as the mixture is already hot.
Add you peanut butter, salt, and vanilla and stir until it is all mixed up.
This is the point that I usually switch from a whisk to a stirring spoon.
Once you add in the oats, a whisk would just get all clogged up with oats and not mix well.
Any spoon you would cook with will work here!
Remove your pan from the heat, and stir in the rolled oats until everything is combined.
Tip for easy cleanup
Line baking sheets with wax paper and drop cookies by spoonfuls onto the wax paper.
Transfer the cookies to the fridge until set (at least an hour).
Once my cookies are set, I will remove them from the wax paper and place them in a ziploc bag in the freezer.
The wax paper really helps cut down on the mess, and can just be thrown out once the cookies are set.
I love how easy it makes getting the cookies off of the sheet!
For a softer cookie, you can store these no bakes in the fridge.
But my favorite way to keep these no bake cookies is in the freezer.
They taste like a fudgy cookie heaven. I love the texture this way!
You could try it both ways and see which way you prefer.
These cookies are so healthy but taste like a rich treat.
I have definitely maybe eaten these for breakfast before! No regrets!
Hungry for more? Check out my roundup of 25 Gluten Free Dairy Free Desserts!
healthy no bake recipes
Looking for more no bake treats? Here are a few reader favorites!
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Crunch Cups
- Healthy No Bake Peanut Butter Truffles
- Vegan Peanut Butter Cups (Reese’s cups copycat)
- Healthy Peanut Butter No Bake Cookies
- Almond Butter Cups
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I recommend this recipe to anyone looking for a healthier dessert – you won’t believe how addictive these are and they won’t leave you feeling tired and in a sugar coma.
I cannot recommend them enough! Please let me know how you like them in the comments below.
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*note – this is a double batch recipe – I’ve found I love these too much to only make single batches. I think you will feel the same way!
Healthy No Bake Cookies Recipe:
Healthy No Bake Cookies
Healthy no bake cookies made with good for you ingredients!
Ingredients
- 2/3 cup honey (or maple syrup)
- 1/2 cup raw cacao powder (can substitute unsweetened cocoa powder)
- 1/2 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk
- 1/2 cup coconut oil
- 3/4 cup peanut butter
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
- 4 cups rolled oats
Directions
- Add honey and cacao powder to a medium sauce pan
- Heat pan on medium low heat (do not boil), stirring with a whisk, until honey and powders mix to form a sauce that resembles chocolate syrup
- Add coconut oil and almond milk
- Stir with a whisk until coconut oil melts and combines (less than a minute)
- Stir in peanut butter, sea salt, and vanilla extract, whisking until the sauce is smooth
- Add in oats and stir to combine
- Drop by large spoonfuls onto baking sheets covered in wax paper (ease of cleanup)
- Allow to harden for at least an hour in the fridge, or until set
- Store in fridge or freezer (I love mine in the freezer for a fudgy texture!
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Did you this recipe? Be sure to leave a star rating below!
Maureen weth says
Any chance you have the Cal/sat fat/sugar/protein breakdown for these tasty looking treats!?
Joy says
Hi Maureen,
I do not provide nutritional information on my recipes, as it can vary based on what exact products and brands are used to make it. You can use a calculator like this one if you are interested! http://www.myfitnesspal.com/recipe/calculator
Ashley says
I was extatic to find this recipe. My husband loves no bake cookies but I’m dairy free so making a good cookie can sometimes be really tricky. I loved that this recipe was all set and ready for my healthy state of mind! I’ve never used cacao and recently bought some to try. I researched it and the health benefits are amazing, and the taste, I though, was amazing. You used all the ingredients that I’m normally using for substitutes in regular no bake cookie recipes. They turned out perfect!
Joy Shull says
So glad to hear you enjoyed these Ashley! These are one of our favorites too!
Santina says
Thank you! These came out great! I’m a nursing mama also and I don’t eat processed sugar and was looking for a recipe with organic cacao powder, for an extra energy boost. Will make these again for sure!
Joy Shull says
So glad you enjoyed them. I’m a nursing mama too and love these for snacks!
Allison says
Could I use regular almond milk instead of vanilla?
Joy Shull says
Yes that should work!
Kari says
Just wondering if these will turn out without the peanut butter – we have a friend who is allergic to peanut butter.
Joy Shull says
I haven’t tried it, but sunflower seed butter or almond butter should also work!
Natasha says
These were a HUGE hit with all of my kids (5) and they are very picky eaters!! I am so happy I found this recipe. I substituted the peanut butter with sunflower seed butter so that they could be brought to school. I also kept them in the freezer and they loved them! Will def. be making often.
Joy Shull says
So glad your family enjoyed the recipe Natasha!
Mila says
Could I use any other oil like olive or flax seed oil to replace coconut oil?
Joy Shull says
I have not tried it, so I cannot guarantee results. Let me know if you try it!
Alyse says
Have you tried adding brewers yeast for an extra boost for milk supply? I’m wondering how much I could add without ruining the flavor 😉
Joy Shull says
I haven’t tried it, but maybe someone else has and can comment? Sorry I can’t be of more help, but that sounds like a great idea to add to the recipe!
Mackenzie says
Ugh these were amazing! And super easy, I don’t cook too much! Any chance there’s info on the nutritional value/calories Iof these?
Joy Shull says
So glad you enjoyed the recipe! I do not provide nutritional information for my recipes due to the fact that most people use different brands or substitute ingredients. You can calculate it yourself using an online calculator!
Emily says
Can I use regular milk? I was nursing a milk protein sensitive baby and loved these. But now we can use regular milk but still want to make these because they are so delicious! I don’t buy almond milk regularly anymore but will for these if regular doesn’t work.
Joy Shull says
I have not tried it, but I think regular milk would work just fine! Let me know how they turn out 🙂