If you’ve ever stood at the kitchen counter licking peanut butter off the spoon while waiting for your no bake cookies to firm up, you’re not alone. They’re fast, rich, and comforting—but if you’re watching your health, you might pause and wonder: how many calories are in these little treats? In this article, we’ll break down the calories in no bake cookies, compare homemade and store-bought versions, and even explore how to lighten them up without losing flavor. Let’s find out how much indulgence is packed in each bite and what that means for your snacking choices.
Jump to
Childhood Comfort in Every Bite
Hello, I’m Jennifer, a lifelong baker raised on the kind of recipes that make kitchens smell like love. One of my earliest memories is standing on a chair beside my grandmother, stirring a pot of bubbling cocoa, sugar, and peanut butter. We weren’t baking anything that day—we were making no bake cookies. I didn’t know it then, but those humble little spoonfuls of sweetness were calorie-dense nuggets of joy.
Back then, no one really thought about calories in no bake cookies. It was about warmth, comfort, and a quick fix for dessert. But over the years, I started wondering what those cookies meant for my body as much as they meant for my heart. When you start to bake (or not bake!) with health in mind, you realize that even a no-bake treat deserves a second look—especially when you’re thinking about the calories in no bake cookies.
The focus keyword calories in no bake cookies matters now more than ever. These cookies may skip the oven, but they don’t skip the sugar or butter. And while they’re easy to make and even easier to devour, it’s helpful to know just how much you’re indulging in with each bite.
If you’re like me—someone who values tradition but wants to make informed food choices—this deep dive into the calories in no bake cookies will be a deliciously helpful guide. And if you’re looking for a balanced approach to homemade indulgence, you’ll find it here.
I’ve even shared my favorite recipe here and some lower-calorie tweaks in our healthy alternatives section.
Why the Question About Calories Matters
No bake cookies are deceptively simple: just stir, scoop, and cool. But inside that soft, fudgy center lies a calorie count that can surprise you. Whether you’re tracking your intake, managing diabetes, or simply curious about what’s fueling your cravings, knowing the calories in no bake cookies can help you make choices you won’t regret later.
One classic no bake cookie—made with butter, sugar, peanut butter, oats, cocoa, and milk—comes in at about 120 to 150 calories per cookie. And let’s be honest, most of us don’t stop at just one. If you’re using a generous scoop or adding extra ingredients (hello, shredded coconut or chocolate chips), the calorie count can rise quickly.
Print
Calories in No Bake Cookies
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These no bake cookies are a nostalgic mix of cocoa, peanut butter, and oats. Rich and chewy with about 140–160 calories per cookie, they’re an easy dessert to whip up in 10 minutes.
Ingredients
2 cups granulated sugar
1/2 cup unsalted butter
1/2 cup whole milk
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
3 cups quick oats
3/4 cup creamy peanut butter
1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
1. In a saucepan, combine sugar, butter, milk, and cocoa powder over medium heat.
2. Stir constantly until it reaches a boil. Let it boil for 1 minute.
3. Remove from heat and stir in peanut butter and vanilla.
4. Add oats and mix well until fully coated.
5. Scoop onto parchment paper using a tablespoon or small cookie scoop.
6. Let the cookies cool and set for about 30 minutes.
Notes
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
For lower calories, swap sugar with 1/2 cup maple syrup and a mashed banana.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No Bake
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 90mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 10mg
Keywords: no bake cookies, calories in no bake cookies, peanut butter cookies
Breaking Down the Calories in No Bake Cookies by Ingredients
Typical Ingredients & Their Caloric Load
To understand where all those calories in no bake cookies come from, let’s break down a classic recipe. The five base ingredients are usually: sugar, butter, milk, peanut butter, and oats. Each of these ingredients packs its own calorie punch.
If you’re wondering where the calories in no bake cookies really come from, here’s a typical ingredient list for one batch (about 24 cookies):
| Ingredient | Calories |
|---|---|
| 2 cups granulated sugar | 1548 |
| 1/2 cup unsalted butter | 810 |
| 1/2 cup whole milk | 75 |
| 3 cups quick oats | 900 |
| 3/4 cup peanut butter | 1140 |
| Total (batch) | 4473 |
If you make 24 cookies from this batch, that’s about 186 calories per cookie—without any extras like chocolate chips or shredded coconut. It’s easy to see how a couple of these after dinner could add up fast.
Standard Cookie Serving Size & Calorie Range
Depending on how large your scoops are, the calories in each no bake cookie can vary:
- Small cookie (1 tbsp): 90–110 calories
- Medium (2 tbsp): 130–160 calories
- Large (3 tbsp): 180–210 calories
And of course, toppings like extra peanut butter drizzle, chocolate chunks, or shredded coconut can increase this by 50–100 calories more.
For those who are calorie-conscious, it’s smart to use a cookie scoop for uniform portions. If you’re prepping ahead, you can freeze them in batches and store them in portion-controlled snack bags—a trick.
Walmart & Other Store-Bought No Bake Cookies
While homemade no bake cookies average 130–180 calories each, some store-bought versions can surprise you with how calorie-dense they are. Take Walmart’s bakery no bake cookies as an example—they’re known for being rich, chewy, and massive.
According to the nutrition labels, a single Walmart no bake cookie can contain up to 400 calories. That’s nearly the equivalent of an entire meal for someone trying to stick to a 1,200–1,500 calorie/day plan. A big reason for this is the larger portion size, as these cookies often weigh twice as much as the average homemade cookie.
For comparison, here’s a side-by-side look:
| Cookie Type | Serving Size | Calories |
|---|---|---|
| Homemade No Bake Cookie | 2 tbsp (approx. 35g) | 140–160 |
| Walmart Bakery No Bake Cookie | 60–70g | 350–400 |
| Homefree Chocolate Chip Cookie | 6 mini cookies (28g) | 130 |
As you can see, Homefree cookies—which are gluten-free and allergy-friendly—offer a more portion-controlled option at just 130 calories for 6 small cookies. This makes them a great grab-and-go option for lunchboxes or light snacks.
Portion Sizes and Label Deception
One of the biggest reasons people underestimate the calories in no bake cookies is that packaging often shows the data for half a cookie, two cookies, or 28 grams—which may not match how much you’re actually eating. This is especially common in multi-pack snack cookies.
Here’s what to watch for:
- Always read the “serving size” section first
- Check how many servings are in the entire cookie or pack
- Multiply everything (calories, fat, sugar) by the number of actual servings you eat
Portion deception can make you think a cookie only has 170 calories, when you’re actually eating 340. That’s why I always tell readers in my label reading guide—look at weight (grams), not just the visual.
Whether you’re reaching for Walmart’s gooey giants or Homefree’s mini packs, knowing what you’re eating helps you choose what fits your day best.
Reducing Calories Without Losing Flavor
Simple Ingredient Swaps That Cut Calories
You don’t have to give up your favorite no bake cookies to eat healthier—there are plenty of ways to reduce the calories in no bake cookies with a few simple swaps.
Here are some tried-and-true swaps I’ve used in my own kitchen:
| Instead of This | Try This | Why It Works |
|---|---|---|
| 2 cups sugar | 1/2 cup maple syrup + 1/2 mashed banana | Natural sweetness + fiber |
| Butter | Coconut oil or unsweetened applesauce | Fewer saturated fats |
| Whole milk | Unsweetened almond milk | Lower calorie count |
When I use these swaps in my own lighter no bake cookies, the calorie count drops by 30–50%, especially when you also control portion size.
Tips for Smarter Snacking
Sometimes it’s not just what you put into the cookie—it’s how much you eat that makes the difference. I always use a 1-tablespoon scoop to get uniform portions. It helps with calorie consistency and keeps you from “just eyeballing” your portions (which usually means a bigger cookie, let’s be honest!).
Here are a few other calorie-smart habits:
- Freeze half the batch: Keeps you from over-snacking.
- Use parchment paper to make smaller discs: Spread the dough thinner to stretch your batch.
- Pair with protein: Eat one cookie with a handful of nuts to feel satisfied longer.
If you’re prepping snacks for kids or lunchboxes, check out our healthy snack prep hacks—they’re filled with easy tricks to cut sugar, fat, and unnecessary calories.
With just a little planning, you can still enjoy all the flavor while keeping the calories in no bake cookies in check.
Looking For More Dessert Recipes?
Oreo Lasagna Recipe: Easy No-Bake Dessert Everyone Will Love
High Protein Cheesecake Jars – A Healthy, Creamy Dessert You’ll Love
No Bake Strawberry Cream Cheese Pie – A Stunning Summer Dessert
No Bake Mango Cheesecake Recipe: Creamy, Easy, and Oven-Free
Frequently Asked Questions
Let’s answer the most common questions people ask when trying to understand the calories in no bake cookies and how to make smarter dessert choices.
How many calories are in a no bake peanut butter cookie?
A classic no bake peanut butter cookie contains around 130 to 180 calories, depending on its size and ingredients. Recipes using full-fat peanut butter and sugar tend to be on the higher end, while lower-calorie versions using mashed banana or applesauce can dip below 100 calories per cookie.
How many calories are in a single cookie?
The calorie count of a single no bake cookie can vary based on size and ingredients. On average:
Small (1 tbsp): ~90–110 calories
Medium (2 tbsp): ~130–160 calories
Large (3 tbsp): ~180–220+ calories
How many calories are in Homefree cookies?
Homefree mini cookies are portion-controlled snacks. A serving of 6 mini chocolate chip cookies (28g) has about 130 calories. They’re allergy-friendly and gluten-free, making them a solid choice for light snacking. More about these kinds of snacks is shared in our best packaged no bake picks.
Does cookie dough have more calories than baked cookies?
Surprisingly, yes. Unbaked cookie dough often contains more calories per bite than baked cookies because there’s less moisture loss. Cooking evaporates some of the water content, which slightly reduces total volume—but not the total calories. So if you sneak dough by the spoonful, the calories can add up fast. Read more about this in our cookie facts & myths.
Conclusion
No bake cookies are more than just an easy dessert—they’re a memory, a moment, a quick bite of happiness. But even small treats carry a calorie cost, especially when peanut butter and sugar are involved. Whether you’re making them from scratch or buying a pack at Walmart, it’s worth knowing the calories in no bake cookies before that bite hits your lips.
I’ve learned over time that you don’t have to give up your favorite no bake sweets—you just have to bake smart (or not bake at all!). Use portion control, try lighter ingredient swaps, and enjoy every bite without guilt. Because the best treat is one you can savor without second thoughts.
And remember, in my kitchen, it’s always about joy first and judgment never. You’ll find that same spirit in every no bake recipe I share on on Facebook , Pinterest and Instagram for all of the latest updates.