last updated on October 29, 2026

These are hands down the best no-bake cookies you’ll ever have. They have the best peanut butter chocolate flavor and are topped with a peanut butter drizzle and flaky salt. Plus, these cookies are part of my series Cookies Inspired by TV Shows and Movies, and are inspired by the TV show The Last of Us.

If you’ve never had a no-bake cookie before, they’re made by melting butter, sugar, cocoa powder, and milk, then adding oats and peanut butter. The cookies are then scooped out, and once they cool, they’re the perfect consistency, and no oven is required!

the last of us cookies

There are a few reasons I made these cookies for the TV show The Last of Us. First of all, in The Last of Us, they are trying to survive an apocalypse or end-of-days situation. If you are fighting zombies, you probably don’t have access to an oven. You’re out in the world, trying to survive. But when you’re trying to survive, you still need cookies! Obviously! And to make these, all you need is some heat or fire.

The next reason is that these cookies don’t have flour! In the show, the way the disease (that turns everyone into zombies) is spread is through flour. So! These cookies don’t have any flour in them! To avoid any risk of spreading the apocalypse, of course.

ingredients needed for the best no-bake cookies

1/2 cup butter
1 1/2 cups brown sugar
1/2 cup milk
1/4 cup cocoa powder
3 1/2 cups oats
2/3 cup creamy peanut butter
1 tsp vanilla extract
pinch of salt

how to make the best no-bake cookies

These cookies are easy to make! Start by adding the butter, brown sugar, cocoa powder, and milk to a pan over medium heat. Stir while the mixture comes to a boil. Let the mixture boil for at least 1 minute, but no longer than 2 minutes. Turn off the heat.

Add the rolled oats, peanut butter, vanilla extract, and salt. Stir until the peanut butter has melted and the mixture is well combined. Use a 1/4-cup cookie scoop (here is my favorite) to scoop the mixture onto a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper. Transfer to the fridge for 20 minutes to let it fully set.

Adding the topping is optional, but I highly recommend it! Add some creamy peanut butter to a bowl and microwave for 20-40 seconds, until it is smooth and creamy. Drizzle the peanut butter over each cookie, then add a pinch of flaky salt! Enjoy.

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Ingredients

1/2 cup butter
1 1/2 cups brown sugar light or dark
1/2 cup milk
1/4 cup cocoa powder
3 1/2 cups rolled oats quick oats are fine too
2/3 cup creamy peanut butter
1 tsp vanilla extract
pinch of salt

Instructions

Start by adding the butter, brown sugar, cocoa powder, and milk to a pan over medium heat. Stir to combine the mixture, then continue to stir as it comes to a boil. Let the mixture boil for at least 1 minute, but no longer than 2 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat.
Add the rolled oats, peanut butter, vanilla extract, and salt. Stir until the peanut butter has melted and the mixture is well combined. Let the mixture cool for 5 minutes.
Use a 1/4 cup cookie scoop and scoop out the mixture onto a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper. Transfer to the fridge for 20 minutes to fully set up.
Adding the topping is optional, but I highly recommend it! Add a spoonful of creamy peanut butter to a bowl and microwave for 20-40 seconds, until it is smooth and creamy. Drizzle the peanut butter on top of each cookie and a pinch of flaky salt. Enjoy!

What’d you think? I’d love to hear your thoughts or if you have any questions!