20 No-Bake Cookie Recipes With a Healthy Twist

 

Cookies come in countless varieties: chocolate chip, oatmeal raisin, gingerbread, and more. But one common misconception about the cookie is that they have to be baked in the oven to be delicious.

In fact, there are a wide variety of no-bake cookies that can be quickly mixed together, pressed into shape, and either chilled to set or – in some cases – eaten right away.

Bakeless cookie recipes come in handy whether your oven is on the fritz or it’s just too hot outside to turn it on. They also make awesome raw desserts, although you don’t have to follow a specific nutritional plan to fall in love with these sweets.

But if you do have specific restrictions, rest assured that there are gluten-free cookies, nut allergy-friendly cookies, and even sugar-free cookies to enjoy – all without every beginner baker’s fear of burning them to a crisp.

 

Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Cookie Dough Bars

Picture courtesy of Shugary Sweets

One way to make bakeless cookies is to turn them into bars. Stir together the cookie dough, smooth it out in a square baking dish, and slather on the peanut butter chocolate frosting (which has no added sugar!).

Instead of popping the pan in the oven, refrigerate your creation for a few hours so these dessert bars firm up. The result tastes like a cookie dough version of chocolate peanut butter cups.

Serves 64

Ingredients

1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened

3/4 cup light brown sugar, packed

1 tsp. pure vanilla extract

1 cup creamy peanut butter, divided

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 can (14 oz.) sweetened condensed milk

2 cups + 3/4 cup mini chocolate chips, divided

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

Calories: 125

Protein: 3 grams

Carbs: 15 grams

Fat: 7 grams

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No-Bake Oatmeal Raisin Walnut Cookies

Picture courtesy of Judita Wignall

A vegan take on the classic cookie, this is as adaptable as the original. If you want a plain oatmeal raisin cookie, leave out the nuts. Or, make an even more indulgent dessert by substituting the walnuts with chocolate chips.

Eating raw doesn’t have to equal missing out, and in the summer it can be more convenient (and more comfortable) than firing up the grill or turning on the oven. Love this recipe? There’s plenty more where it came from in Raw & Simple: Eat Well and Live Radiantly with 100 Truly Quick and Easy Recipes for a Raw Food Lifestyle.

Serves 20

Ingredients

2 cups + 2/3 cup walnuts, divided

1 cup packed Medjool dates, pitted and soaked

1 cup + 1/4 cup rolled oats, divided

1/2 Tbsp. pure vanilla extract

1 tsp. cinnamon

1/4 tsp. sea salt

1/2 cup raisins

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

Calories: 143

Protein: 4 grams

Carbs: 15 grams

Fat: 9 grams

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No-Bake Shortbread

Picture courtesy of Shine on Raw

These vegan shortbread cookies contains no butter, just coconut oil. But even if it doesn’t satisfy your craving for traditional shortbread, it’ll replace it with the love of a new sweet that’s equally good but nutritionally better.

The rich notes in this dessert come from cashews, which are loaded with healthy fats, plant-based protein, and minerals like magnesium.

Serves 6

Ingredients

1 cup ground cashews

1/4 cup cashew butter

1/4 cup coconut oil, melted

3 Tbsp. coconut sugar (plus extra for garnish)

2 Tbsp. maple syrup (or agave syrup)

1 Tbsp. lucuma (optional)

Pinch of salt

1–2 Tbsp. water

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

Calories: 298

Protein: 5 grams

Carbs: 21 grams

Fat: 22 grams

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Nutella No-Bake Cookies

Picture courtesy of Wanna Come With

Fan of spooning Nutella straight out of the jar? Next time you pick some hazelnut chocolate spread from the store, or make a batch from scratch at home, make sure a little of it goes into these cookies.

Although they use butter, sugar, and oats like a classic cookie, these don’t need to go into the oven. The liquid ingredients are melted together on the stove, and then oats, shredded coconut, and chopped hazelnuts are folded in so there’s something to sink your teeth into.

Serves 30

Ingredients

1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter

1 1/2 cups granulated sugar

1/2 cup low-fat milk

3 Tbsp. unsweetened cocoa powder

3/4 cup Nutella

1 tsp. pure vanilla extract

1/8 tsp. salt

3 cups old-fashioned oats

1/2 cup + 2 Tbsp. hazelnuts, chopped

1/4 cup unsweetened flaked coconut

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

Calories: 135

Protein: 1 gram

Carbs: 18 grams

Fat: 7 grams

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Raw Matcha Green Tea Shortbread Leaves

Picture courtesy of Nouveau Raw

If you don’t have another method of dehydrating, you’ll need to turn on the oven for these – but only to a low 115 degrees, which makes this a good recipe to have on hand when you want a summer snack.

Thanks to the flavor, these double as an awesome Christmas cookie that’s healthy as well as festive.

Serves 24

Ingredients

1 cup almond flour

1 cup cashew meal

1/3 cup coconut flakes (or shredded coconut)

1/4 tsp. Himalayan pink salt

1 tsp. matcha powder

1/3 cup raw agave syrup

Seeds of 1/2 vanilla bean

1/2 tsp. almond extract

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

Calories: 31

Protein: < 1 gram

Carbs: 4 grams

Fat: 2 grams

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Oatmeal Raspberry Sandwich Cookies

Picture courtesy of Running to the Kitchen

It might seem like cookies that don’t go in the oven have to be bland and boring, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. Check out these sandwich cookies, a healthy treat to replace Oreos and oatmeal cream pies.

They don’t taste at all the same, of course, but they’re good enough to justify a second helping. And would you believe these decadent no-bake cookies have no added sugar? Dates and raspberries add wholesome sweetness.

Serves 10

Ingredients

Cookies:

1 cup gluten-free rolled oats

10 Medjool dates, pitted and halved

1 Tbsp. coconut oil

1 tsp. pure vanilla extract

Filling:

1/2 cup raspberries

3 Tbsp. coconut butter

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

Calories: 106

Protein: 2 grams

Carbs: 15 grams

Fat: 5 grams

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Chocolate Salami

Picture courtesy of 12 Tomatoes

Once sliced, this dessert log transforms into no-bake chocolate cookies that are studded with nuts and crispy bits of biscotti or tea biscuits.

The Italian specialty, salame di cioccolato, is great to serve for holidays and special occasions because of the wow factor. It’s also easy to make well in advance, so you can even keep them on hand for when surprise guests stop by.

Serves 8

Ingredients

10 oz. semisweet chocolate, finely chopped

1 cup plain biscotti (or tea biscuits), coarsely chopped

1 large egg, lightly beaten

2/3 cup slivered almonds

1/4 cup hazelnuts, roughly chopped

6 Tbsp. unsalted butter, cubed

2 Tbsp. unsweetened cocoa powder

2 Tbsp. brewed coffee

1/2 Tbsp. dark rum

3/4 tsp. pure vanilla extract

1/2 tsp. orange zest

Powdered sugar (optional for dusting)

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

Calories: 294

Protein: 5 grams

Carbs: 26 grams

Fat: 22 grams

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Raw Cookie Dough Ice Cream Cake

Picture courtesy of Young and Raw

A timeless way to enjoy the flavor of cookies without baking is to just gobble up the dough. This vegan dessert delivers on that and more with an ice cream cake.

Since the raw cookie dough is vegan, there’s no need to worry about consuming unbaked eggs. And the ice cream is dairy-free too, created with the natural creaminess of coconut and bananas. With a fudge topping to finish, this vegan ice cream cake is ready for any celebration.

Serves 12

Ingredients

Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough:

1 1/2 cups Medjool dates, pitted

1 1/2 cups ground flaxseed

1 cup sprouted dehydrated buckwheat groats

2 cups finely shredded coconut

1/4 tsp. sea salt

1 tsp. pure vanilla extract

1 large banana, mashed

1/2 cup raw cacao nibs

1/2 cup dark chocolate chunks

Vegan Ice Cream:

1 1/2 cups coconut water

3 cups young coconut meat

3 cups ripe bananas, mashed

3/4 cup raw date paste (or another liquid sweetener, such as agave syrup)

2 Tbsp. maca powder (optional)

1 Tbsp. lucuma powder (optional)

1 vanilla bean, seeds scraped

1 1/2 tsp. maple extract

1/4 tsp. Himalayan salt

1/4 cup + 2 Tbsp. raw coconut butter, melted

3 Tbsp. cacao powder

1/4 cup dark chocolate chunks

Fudge:

1/4 cup cacao powder

3 Tbsp. coconut nectar

1 Tbsp. coconut oil, melted

Pinch of sea salt

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

Calories: 498

Protein: 9 grams

Carbs: 73 grams

Fat: 22 grams

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No-Bake Peanut Butter Chocolate Oat Cookies

Picture courtesy of A Beautiful Mess

These peanut butter cookies are not just healthy, but they’re also quick and easy to make.

While they don’t require the oven, you will have to use the stove to melt together the ingredients before stirring in the oats. If the mixture looks too runny, add in another handful of oats or another mix-in, such as crushed peanuts or toffee.

Serves 12

Ingredients

1/4 cup unsalted butter

1 cup granulated sugar

2 Tbsp. unsweetened cocoa powder

1/8 tsp. cinnamon (optional)

1/4 cup low-fat milk

1/4 cup creamy peanut butter

1 tsp. pure vanilla extract

1 1/2 cups old-fashioned oats

1 Tbsp. coarse sea salt

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

Calories: 152

Protein: 2 grams

Carbs: 22 grams

Fat: 7 grams

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No-Bake Coconut Cookies

Picture courtesy of Frugal Farm Wife

If you can’t get enough Samoas – the coconut caramel Girl Scout cookies – you’ll love these cookies, which can be cooked up in a saucepan with only four items.

Half of the ingredients are optional, and either way there’s no flour included. So the final result is a gluten-free cookie that’s chewy and sweet.

Serves 24

Ingredients

1 cup pure maple syrup

1 cup shredded unsweetened coconut

1 tsp. pure vanilla extract (optional)

1 Tbsp. cocoa powder (optional)

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

Calories: 47

Protein: 0 grams

Carbs: 10 grams

Fat: 1 gram

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No-Bake Chocolate Coconut Protein Cookies

Picture courtesy of Running on Real Food

Sugar addicts will rejoice when they see this protein-spiked cookie recipe.

Thanks to a carefully planned nutritional balance, these chocolate coconut cookies make a surprisingly good and addictively delicious pre-workout snack. They’re also a great dessert for anyone who’s looking for a sweet treat that’s low in sugar but big on flavor.

Serves 12

Ingredients

1/4 cup coconut oil

1/4 cup pure maple syrup

1/4 cup unsalted peanut butter (or nut butter of choice)

1/4 tsp. sea salt

1/4 cup WHEY+ chocolate protein isolate

1 cup finely shredded unsweetened coconut

1/2 cup quick oats

1/4 cup chopped peanuts (or other cookie mix-in)

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

Calories: 151

Protein: 5 grams

Carbs: 10 grams

Fat: 11 grams

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Raw Gingerbread Bites

Picture courtesy of Coconut Magic

Gingerbread cookies get their flavor from warm spices and spicy ginger root. Yet that doesn’t improve its nutritional value because the batter is mostly flour, butter, and sugar.

When you make this raw cookie version, which has nuts and whole oats, there’s just as much of that traditional bite but without all the empty calories often found in dessert.

Serves 12

Ingredients

3/4 cup macadamias

3/4 cup pecans, halved

1/2 cup desiccated coconut

1 1/2 cups old-fashioned oats

2 Tbsp. ground ginger

1 tsp. fresh ginger, finely grated

1 tsp. cinnamon

1/4 tsp. cloves

2 Tbsp. ground flaxseed

2 tsp. maca powder (optional)

1 tsp. pure vanilla extract

5 Medjool dates (or 1/4 plump raisins)

1/4 cup coconut nectar

1 tsp. molasses

1 Tbsp. coconut oil

2 Tbsp. water

1/8 tsp. pink Himalayan salt

1/4 cup crystallized ginger, chopped

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

Calories: 213

Protein: 3 grams

Carbs: 17 grams

Fat: 16 grams

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Amaretto Snowballs

Picture courtesy of Pure Ella

This classic bakeless cookie is commonly found around Christmas time, but don’t let the wintry name stop you from making these powdered sugar-coated snowballs year-round.

They’re really no-bake almond cookies made from grinding the nuts in a food processor. That means anyone who loves almond butter will want to make these cookies time and time again.

Serves 15

Ingredients

2 cups blanched almonds

1 cup + 1/4 cup powdered sugar, divided

2 tsp. almond extract

1–2 Tbsp. amaretto liqueur

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

Calories: 120

Protein: 3 grams

Carbs: 13 grams

Fat: 6 grams

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No-Bake Almond & Apricot Cookies

Picture courtesy of Gluten-Free Skinny

It takes just 15 minutes to turn your favorite Kind bar into a paleo cookie with this recipe, which is easily adaptable with your favorite nuts and dried fruit.

Once you get the hang of these, you’ll want to experiment with whatever’s in the cupboard or on sale in the bulk bins. Try peanuts and raisins, cashews and cherries, or macadamias and mango.

Serves 10

Ingredients

1/2 cup dried apricots

1/2 cup raw almonds

2 Tbsp. almond butter

1 Tbsp. pure maple syrup

1/4 tsp. almond extract

1/2 cup raisins

1/4 cup old-fashioned oats

Pinch of salt

1/4 cup water

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

Calories: 86

Protein: 2 grams

Carbs: 11 grams

Fat: 4 grams

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No-Bake Brownie Pumpkin Cookies

Picture courtesy of Chelsea’s Messy Apron

These no-bake cookies only require four ingredients and as much time as it takes to measure. They don’t even need to set in the fridge or freezer before you can enjoy them.

So next time you get a craving for brownies, pull out this recipe to be satisfying that urge in just 10 minutes. Just be sure to stock up on pumpkin puree and brownie mix so you have everything at the ready.

Serves 20

Ingredients

1 package (18.4 oz.) organic brownie mix

1/2 cup pumpkin puree (or pumpkin pie filling)

1/2 tsp. pumpkin pie spice

3/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

Calories: 157

Protein: 1 gram

Carbs: 26 grams

Fat: 6 grams

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No-Bake Breakfast Cookies

Picture courtesy of Tessa McKnight

Cookies for breakfast? As long as you carefully select nutrient-dense ingredients, it’s possible to have this “dessert” as a way to kick-start your day with complex carbs from whole oats and fruit, healthy fats from seeds, plus a little plant-based protein from peanut butter.

Altogether it’s like a healthy bowl of oatmeal presented in cookie form.

Serves 6

Ingredients

1/2 cup unsweetened shredded coconut

1 1/2 cups old-fashioned oats

1/2 cup ground flaxseed

1/4 tsp. pink Himalayan salt

2 Tbsp. chia seeds

1/2 cup dried cranberries (or any no-sugar-added dried fruit)

2 large bananas, mashed

3/4 cup peanut butter

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

Calories: 377

Protein: 13 grams

Carbs: 30 grams

Fat: 25 grams

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No-Bake Thin Mints

Picture courtesy of Back for Seconds

When it seems like nothing can top Girl Scout cookies but you’ve polished off the last box, it pays to remember these bakeless mint chocolate cookies.

Unlike the other recipes on this list, they cheat a bit by using cookies that have already been baked. For chocolate flavor, go for Oreos. But use this method with any cookie for a chocolate-covered snack.

Serves 90

Ingredients

1 package Oreo cookies, cream filling removed (or 90 chocolate wafer cookies)

16 oz. melting chocolate

1 tsp. peppermint extract

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

Calories: 167

Protein: 2 grams

Carbs: 27 grams

Fat: 6 grams

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Sugar-Free Peanut Butter Cookies

Picture courtesy of Glitter Inc.

These classic peanut butter cookies don’t require an oven, but that’s not the most amazing thing about them.

Delicious as they are, they’re also sugar-free thanks to all-natural stevia. Not only do they have the nutritional benefits of peanuts, but instead of wheat flour they use oat bran for fewer calories and plenty of fiber.

Serves 12

Ingredients

1 cup oat bran

1 cup finely shredded sweetened coconut

2 Tbsp. creamy peanut butter

1 Tbsp. tahini

1 Tbsp. coconut oil

2 Tbsp. water

Pinch of salt

Stevia to taste

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

Calories: 76

Protein: 3 grams

Carbs: 7 grams

Fat: 6 grams

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No-Bake “Sugar” Cookie Energy Bites

Picture courtesy of Better with Cake

It’s hard to stop at one cookie, and that creates a problem when it comes to sugar cookies.

A single cookie – or even two – won’t wreck your well-balanced diet. But once you get going, it’s hard to watch the refined sugar intake, which can add up to several spoonfuls. Instead, these four-ingredient cookies employ natural sweetness from dates and get the rich, buttery flavor from cashews.

Serves 40

Ingredients

1 cup cashews

6 Medjool dates, pitted

1 tsp. pure vanilla extract

Pinch of salt (if cashews are unsalted)

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

Calories: 25

Protein: 1 gram

Carbs: 3 grams

Fat: 2 grams

    Get the Recipe   

 

No-Bake Carrot Cookies

Picture courtesy of Natural Sweet Recipes

Carrot cake is a mainstay on the dessert table because it’s indulgent yet gets a dose of nutrients from the root veggie and mix-ins like walnuts.

However, the fact is that an entire cake or dozen cupcakes is always going to take effort to make. These vegan cookies, on the other hand, are healthy and require hardly any work to whip up. Stir together, set in the fridge for 15 minutes, and dig into the dessert.

Serves 12

Ingredients

2 Tbsp. coconut oil, melted

1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce

2 Tbsp. ground flaxseed

1/3 cup coconut sugar

1/3 cup unsweetened shredded coconut

1 tsp. pure vanilla extract

2 tsp. cinnamon

1/4 cup walnuts, chopped

1/2 cup grated carrot

1 cup old-fashioned oats

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

Calories: 110

Protein: 2 grams

Carbs: 12 grams

Fat: 6 grams

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What did you think of these no-bake cookie recipes? Have anything else to share? Let me know in the comments below!