No Bake Cookie Brownies are made with a homemade fudgy brownie layer that’s topped with chewy oatmeal no-bake cookies! A great after-dinner treat, potluck dessert, or bake sale contribution!

Two Childhood Classics In One Modern Dessert!

These No Bake Cookie Brownies were inspired by my two favorite childhood desserts (read: the only two things my mom could make other than apple crisp with oatmeal – love you, mom 😜).

So I thought, why can’t the two become one?

Why stop at a brownie when you can sink your teeth into these gourmet-style No Bake Cookie Brownies?! Rich, fudgy homemade brownies are topped with a no-bake oatmeal-based cookie, making for a thick treat that’s best paired with an ice-cold glass of milk!

These are simple enough to make when you’re looking to cure a sweet tooth yet are decadent enough to be a hit at a bake sale! Since this recipe yields two dozen squares of delicious brownie goodness, you can even enjoy some now AND freeze some for later!

If rich, gourmet-style brownies are a weakness for you as they are for me, then I’m willing to bet you’d also love these Peanut Butter Crunch Brownies or Buckeye Brownies!

Ingredients For No Bake Cookie Brownies

Salted butter
Granulated sugar
Canola oil
Large eggs
Vanilla extract
All-purpose flour
Unsweetened cocoa powder
Salt
Semi-sweet mini chocolate chips
Whole milk
Peanut butter
Quick 1-minute oats

Topping brownies made from scratch with homemade no-bake cookies is a genius kitchen treat, especially since the two are made with similar ingredients. Most of these are pantry staples, making it even easier to whip up this decadent treat without giving it a second thought.

When making the no-bake cookie topping, it’s important to pay close attention to the oats that are used. This recipe uses quick 1-minute oats.

Old-fashioned oats cannot be used as they won’t cook quickly, leaving the cookies hard and dry. You also cannot use instant oatmeal as the cookies would turn out too soft.

How To Make No Bake Cookie Brownies

Melt the salted butter with granulated sugar over low heat in a heavy-bottomed saucepan. Stir until the mixture is smooth, and then remove it from the heat. Transfer this melted butter mixture into a large bowl and allow it to cool, stirring often, to release the heat.
Beat the canola oil and vanilla extract into the butter and sugar mixture until fully combined. This step is complete when there’s no separation between the ingredients, meaning there’s no oil resting on top.
Mix in the large eggs, one at a time, until fully incorporated using a spatula or a fork.
Sift the all-purpose flour, unsweetened cocoa powder, and salt into the butter and sugar mixture, stirring gently and minimally.
Fold in the semi-sweet chocolate chips by hand using a rubber spatula.
Pour the brownie batter into the parchment paper-lined baking pan. Then transfer it into the oven to bake.
Remove the pan from the oven and allow the brownies to cool completely before adding the no-bake cookie layer. Prepare the no-bake cookie layer by heating the granulated sugar, salted butter, whole milk, and unsweetened cocoa powder in a large nonstick pot over medium heat. Be sure to stir the mixture constantly as it is heating!
Once the mixture begins to boil in the center, set a timer and continue stirring the mixture at a rolling boil.
Remove the pot from the heat and immediately stir in the peanut butter and vanilla extract until fully combined.
Stir in the quick 1-minute oats and then immediately spread the mixture over the top of the cooled brownies.
Allow the no bake cookie layer to set completely before removing the brownies from the pan. Then, slice them with a large sharp knife into squares.

No Bake Cookie Brownies Substitutions And Variations

Salted Butter – If you only have unsalted butter on hand, you can use that instead of salted butter. To make this swap, add an additional 1/2 teaspoon of salt to the brownie layer and 1/4 teaspoon of salt to the cookie layer.
Canola Oil – Vegetable oil can be used in place of canola oil.
Whole Milk – I prefer making the no-bake cookie layer with whole milk since it has a higher fat content. However, you can replace whole milk with your choice of milk, such as almond milk or even skim milk.
Peanut Butter – Feel free to choose between creamy peanut butter or chunky peanut butter for added crunch! I don’t recommend using natural peanut butter as this no-bake recipe isn’t tailored to fit the extra oils natural peanut butter carries. If you need a nut-free alternative, you can replace peanut butter with sun butter.
Chocolate Chips – Try swapping out the semi-sweet chocolate chips in the brownie batter for peanut butter chips!
Nut Variation – For a nutty crunch, add chopped walnuts, pecans, or almonds to the brownie batter.
No Bake Cookie Topping Variation – You can really mix this No Bake Cookie Brownies recipe up by choosing another flavor of no-bake cookie to top them with! Nutella No Bake Cookies, Peanut Butter No Bake Cookies, or even Cookie Butter No Bake Cookies would all be fun cookie toppings on this treat!

How To Store No Bake Cookie Brownies

Store these No Bake Cookie Brownies in an airtight container at room temperature to enjoy for 3 to 4 days. If your storage container is deep, you’ll want to add parchment paper between the layers to protect the brownies from sticking together.

You can also freeze these brownies to enjoy later! This is perfect to get ahead of holiday baking, classroom parties, or to prep for an upcoming bake sale.

To freeze, once the no-bake cookie topping has completely set, slice the brownies into squares. Then, wrap each individual brownie square with plastic wrap and then again with aluminum foil. Afterward, transfer the double-wrapped brownies into an airtight container that’s freezer-safe.

Store the brownies in the freezer to enjoy for up to 2 months.

More Brownie Recipes:

Mississippi Mud Pie Brownies – Topped with mini marshmallows and chocolate icing!
Chocolate Chunk Brownies – Made with a one-pot stove top method!
Frosted Brownies – Rich, decadent brownies best served with ice-cold milk!
Cosmic Brownies – Filled with the sweetest nostalgia from your childhood!
Peanut Butter Crunch Brownies – Crunchy, chewy peanut buttery chocolate goodness!