I love cookies.
And I love quick, simple recipes.
This recipe for gluten-free Peanut Butter Oatmeal Drops, is all 3 things, rolled up into one tasty little no-bake cookie. I’ve made a No-Bake Cookie in the past that were chocolate, but when I saw this one, it caught my eye. It had peanut butter, but no chocolate in it. I think it would be great with some chopped salted peanuts added to it as well (next time). These cookies, although they contain peanut butter, actually have a caramel flavour to them, at least that’s what we all tasted. Give them a try, and let me know your thoughts.
- 1/2 cup butter or margarine
- 2 cups light brown sugar, firmly packed
- 1/2 cup milk
- pinch of salt
- 1/2 cup peanut butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 cups Gluten-Free certified quick cook oats
- Line 2 baking sheets with waxed paper, set aside.
- In a large heavy saucepan, combine the butter, brown sugar, milk, and salt. Bring mixture to a boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until mixture comes to a full rolling boil. Without stirring, let mixture boil for 3 minutes. Immediately remove from heat.
- Stir in peanut butter and vanilla, stirring until peanut butter has melted.
- Quickly stir in oats, mix well.
- Working quickly, drop mixture by tablespoonfuls onto prepared baking sheets. Allow to cool and become firm, about 30 minutes.









Wow! This recipe looks wonderful! How totally simple! I love the ingredients and can only imagine how good these will be!
Is there an ingredient that I could substitute for the oats? I have a celiac reaction even to the certified GF oats.
@Kim-Cook it Allergy Free, Thanks, Kim! Simple & kid friendly. Win, Win.
@Amy, Amy, I haven't tried it, but you could try substituting with quinoa flakes, or GF crispy rice cereal (or a 50/50 mix quinoa/rice cereal?), Or even add flaked coconut to the mixture, until you have the same amount as the oats you're replacing. Let me know if you try any of these, I'd like to hear how they worked.
Yummy…like Amy I react to oats. I think flaked coconut, dried cranberries, gf cornflakes, and even chopped nuts would be amazing. I'm getting the saucepan out to tonight!
@laurie, That sounds like a fantastic combination, Laurie! Let me know how they work for you.
Just made them. Substituted gf rice and corn cereal, chopped pecans, and dried cranberries instead of oats. So addictive and yummy. Delicious with a cup of tea. Thank you!
Oh, these look amazing, and I bet I could use Sunbutter in place of the Peanut butter to make them even friendlier.
Thanks, as always, Jeanine!
Perfect! I am not feeling like making a trip into town and just happen to have everything on hand to make these
@laurie, Yeah, Laurie! Thanks for letting me know how the substitutions worked for you, that's awesome! Glad you're enjoying them.
@Katie C., You're welcome, Katie. I haven't tried them with sunbutter, but it should work. If you try it, please let me know.
I have made these several times and they are so addicting! I replaced it with Sunbutter ~ a hit with everyone … even my hubby!
@Rhonda, And that's exactly why this recipe appealed to me, Rhonda. Simple enough, and made with pantry staples. Enjoy them!
YUM! Those would be incredible drizzled in chocolate!! (chocolate and peanut butter are a match made in heaven!)
I made these this evening for 'dessert.' My husband and children approved. I could tell because they are almost gone!
These look mighty good Jeanine, what a great snack! My son loves peanut butter, and he would love me even more if I made these drops:)
If you love simple peanut butter cookies try these: http://theaddictedbaker.blogspot.com/2011/03/peanut-butter-chocolate-chip-cookies.html
The peanut butter and chocolate chips going amazing together. It takes no more than 15 minutes to make, and 10 minutes to bake. In less than a half hour you will have delicious amazing cookies. Tell me how you like them
LOVE your recipes!!!! Youve made the switch to GF easier for me!
Here is a blog award!
http://thefibromyalgiaendometriosistheo.blogspot.com/2011/03/versatile-blog-award-time.html
I love the variety and simplicity of your recipes, so I nominated you for a blog award – Versatile Blogger Award!
http://asgoodasgluten.blogspot.com/2011/03/versatile-blogger-award.html
Just made these peanut butter drop cookies (using regular quick oats). DELISH!!!
@Gina, Gluten Free, drizzled in chocolate would be PERFECT!
@mamajuliana, Perfect! An empty plate is a good indicator.
@betty r, Aw, Betty, I'm sure he couldn't love you more, but would probably really appreciate them.
@The Addicted Baker, Your cookies look amazing as well! Peanut butter & chocolate do go great together.
@Blue Lou, Thank you so much for the award, I appreciate it. So glad that the change has been easier for you too, besides reading every label of everything you're going to consume, it's not so bad.
@As Good As Gluten, Well, thank you very much! I appreciate it, and am honoured.
@Cindy, Fantastic! Glad you enjoyed the, Cindy!
Katie and Jeanine too of course,
I'm eager to hear how the SunButter variation turns out! Thanks for another yummy recipe.
@Elizabeth, blogging for SunButter, I'm hoping someone tries it. Otherwise, I may have to find some and give it a try, my daughter would love to be able to take these to school. With peanut butter she can't, but sunbutter isn't a problem.
@ Jeanine … I tried it with Sunbutter! It’s delicious!!! Not sure how it tastes with pb so can’t compare.
Mmmm, these are yummy. And, these are perfect for my mom, she can't have a lot of chocolate and she's going to really like the caramel/peanut flavor, too. Gotta go make another batch for tonight. Thanks again!
@Michelle, Sounds great, Michelle. It's nice to have a great cookie without chocolate, I hope your Mom enjoyed them.
Admittedly, I am not much of a baker, much less a GF baker. Not sure what went wrong here…I have worked with GF batters/mixes before so I am aware of the “gentle” or “quick” handling they usually require…but I guess I couldn’t go fast enough? I was able to “drop” one cookie, but after that, the mixture fell apart in the saucepan and I was left with very delicious “granola.” Too bad…I was really hoping these could be something we keep around the house for an emergency “sweet treat.”
Oh my goodness, those look good! Just what I’m in the mood to make tomorrow! Thank you. I can always count on your recipes.
Thanks, Rebecca! Hope you enjoy them! They are almost too easy to make.