Get ready to fall in love at first bite with these No-Bake Butterscotch Oat Cookies! Imagine rich butterscotch and chocolate melting into chewy oats, with a pop of crunchy toffee and a sprinkle of sea salt—each bite is a sweet adventure you don’t want to miss. This recipe delivers decadent, bakery-worthy cookies in record time, with zero oven required, making them perfect when you want something homemade, quick, and downright irresistible.

No-Bake Butterscotch Oat Cookies Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

You only need a handful of simple ingredients to whip up these cookies, but each plays a starring role in creating that crave-worthy flavor and perfect chewy texture. From creamy butterscotch pudding mix to hearty oats and just a bit of toffee for crunch, these all come together to make the ultimate no-bake treat!

Granulated sugar: Brings the right amount of sweetness and helps the cookies set up with the perfect bite.
Butter: Adds richness, moisture, and helps meld all the flavors together beautifully.
Evaporated milk: Offers creaminess and ensures the mixture holds together without becoming too runny.
Instant butterscotch pudding mix: Delivers that signature butterscotch flavor and gives the cookies their soft, tender texture.
Quick oats: Provide heartiness and a chewy structure—make sure to use quick oats for the best results!
Salt: Just a dash can balance the sweetness and deepen all the other flavors—don’t skip it!
Semi-sweet chocolate chips: Bring a lovely contrast to the butterscotch and melt slightly for gooey pockets of chocolate.
Toffee chips: Add surprising crunch and rich buttery notes that make every bite extra special.

How to Make No-Bake Butterscotch Oat Cookies

Step 1: Prep Your Workspace

Start by lining a baking sheet with either parchment or wax paper to prevent sticking—trust me, this makes cleanup a breeze later. Measure out your quick oats, and set them aside so they’re ready to go when it’s crunch time. Make sure to pop your chocolate chips into the freezer for a few minutes; this little trick keeps them from melting completely when mixed in.

Step 2: Cook the Base

In a medium saucepan, combine the granulated sugar, butter, evaporated milk, and a dash of salt. Heat everything up over medium, stirring gently until that butter is blissfully melted and everything’s smooth. Bring the mixture to a good rolling boil, then let it bubble away for a solid 30 seconds—don’t stir during this time! This helps ensure the cookies set up firm and fudgy.

Step 3: Combine Dry Ingredients

Take the saucepan off the heat, and without skipping a beat, stir in both the quick oats and instant butterscotch pudding mix. The oats absorb all that caramel goodness while the pudding mix starts working its magic, thickening and packing in butterscotch flavor. Let the mixture cool for just a couple minutes, so it’s warm but not scorching.

Step 4: Add Chips

Now for the fun part: fold in those chilled semi-sweet chocolate chips and the toffee chips. You want to just barely stir to avoid melting the chips entirely—this way, some will remain whole and create amazing texture throughout your No-Bake Butterscotch Oat Cookies.

Step 5: Shape and Finish

Using a spoon or cookie scoop, drop mounds of the mixture onto your prepared baking sheet. If you like a little extra flair, sprinkle each cookie with a pinch of coarse sea salt before they cool. This simple touch elevates every bite.

Step 6: Set and Serve

Let your cookies firm up at room temperature for 15 to 30 minutes. Try to resist the urge to sample them right away—they get even better as they set! Once cooled and set, they’re ready to enjoy, share, or stash away for later.

How to Serve No-Bake Butterscotch Oat Cookies

Garnishes

For a little drama, shower your No-Bake Butterscotch Oat Cookies with an extra pinch of coarse sea salt or a few extra toffee bits right before they set. You could also drizzle them with melted chocolate or even dust them with cocoa powder for that bakery finish.

Side Dishes

These cookies pair wonderfully with a tall glass of cold milk or a hot cup of coffee. For an extra-special dessert spread, serve them alongside fresh berries or a scoop of vanilla ice cream—they’re the perfect sweet treat on any cookie platter.

Creative Ways to Present

Try stacking your cookies in mason jars layered with little parchment circles for a giftable treat, or arrange them on a tiered dessert stand at your next gathering. You can even use these No-Bake Butterscotch Oat Cookies as edible “crusts” for individual cheesecake cups—just press one into the bottom of a jar and fill with cheesecake filling!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Keep any leftovers fresh by storing your No-Bake Butterscotch Oat Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay soft and chewy for up to 5 days, making them perfect for lunchboxes or anytime snacking.

Freezing

If you want to bake ahead or simply have a stash for later, these cookies freeze beautifully! Arrange cooled cookies between layers of parchment in a freezer-safe container. They’ll keep for up to 3 months; just thaw at room temperature for about 20 minutes before enjoying.

Reheating

You don’t need to reheat these cookies at all, but if you crave a slightly melty treat, pop one in the microwave for just 10 seconds. The chocolate softens, the butterscotch aroma blooms, and every bite is pure bliss.

FAQs

Do I have to use quick oats, or can I use old-fashioned oats?

Quick oats really are best for this recipe—they create a softer, more tender bite. Old-fashioned oats can be used in a pinch, but your No-Bake Butterscotch Oat Cookies will be a bit chewier and chunkier.

Can I use homemade butterscotch pudding mix instead of instant?

For the quickest and most reliable results, instant pudding mix is your friend; it sets up the cookies perfectly. If you love DIY projects, homemade pudding mix may work, but you might need to tweak the setting time or consistency.

Are these cookies gluten-free?

To make these cookies gluten-free, simply use certified gluten-free quick oats and double-check the pudding and toffee chips for any hidden sources of gluten.

Can I add nuts or different chips?

Absolutely! Chopped pecans or walnuts, butterscotch or white chocolate chips, or even dried cranberries make fun add-ins. Just keep the overall proportions the same so the cookies set up correctly.

What if my cookies don’t set?

If your No-Bake Butterscotch Oat Cookies aren’t setting as firm as you’d like, it usually means the sugar mixture didn’t come to a full boil or didn’t boil long enough. Don’t worry—they’ll still taste delicious, but for next time, make sure to watch for that vigorous boil and time the 30 seconds!

Final Thoughts

There’s just something magical about a treat that comes together in minutes, hits every sweet tooth craving, and is endlessly customizable. I can’t wait for you to whip up a batch of No-Bake Butterscotch Oat Cookies and share the joy with your favorite people—they’re sure to become a staple in your kitchen too!

No-Bake Butterscotch Oat Cookies Recipe

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Indulge in the rich flavors of butterscotch, chocolate, and toffee with these quick and easy no-bake oat cookies. Perfect for a sweet treat without the need for an oven!

Author: Paula
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Yield: about 3 dozen cookies
Category: Dessert
Method: No-Bake
Cuisine: American
Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Base:

2 cups granulated sugar
3/4 cup butter (1 1/2 sticks)
2/3 cup evaporated milk

Dry Ingredients:

3.4 ounces instant butterscotch pudding mix
3 1/2 cups quick oats
dash salt to taste

Add-ins:

1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup toffee chips

Instructions

Prepare your workspace: Line a baking sheet with parchment or wax paper. Chill the chocolate chips in the freezer.
Cook the base: In a saucepan, combine sugar, butter, salt, and evaporated milk. Boil for 30 seconds without stirring.
Combine dry ingredients: Remove from heat and mix in oats and butterscotch pudding until warm.
Add chips: Stir in chocolate and toffee chips gently.
Shape and finish: Drop spoonfuls onto the prepared sheet, sprinkle with sea salt.
Set and serve: Let cool for 15-30 minutes to set before enjoying.