• Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • YouTube

NEW! Gluten-Free Cookbook Bundle Discount – 30% OFF!

  • Home
  • Start Here
  • Recipes
    • Recipe Filter
    • Appetizers
    • Breads
    • Breakfast
    • Desserts
      • Bars / Brownies
      • Cakes
      • Cookies
      • Pies
    • Dinners
    • Drinks
    • Salads
    • Side Dishes
    • Soups
  • Resources
  • Cookbooks
    • Frugal Gluten-Free Cookbook
    • E-Books
  • Podcast
  • About
    • About MamaGourmand
    • Contact
    • Privacy Policy
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • YouTube

MamaGourmand

  • Start Here
  • Recipes
    • Recipe Filter
    • Appetizers
    • Breads
    • Breakfast
    • Desserts
      • Bars / Brownies
      • Cakes
      • Cookies
      • Pies
    • Dinners
    • Drinks
    • Salads
    • Side Dishes
    • Soups
  • Resources
  • About
    • About MamaGourmand
    • Contact
    • Privacy Policy
  • Cookbooks
    • Frugal Gluten-Free Cookbook
    • E-Books
  • Podcast
  • Nav Widget Area

You are here: Home / Course / Desserts / Cookies / 10 Minute No-Bake Preacher Cookies (Gluten Free)

10 Minute No-Bake Preacher Cookies (Gluten Free)

By: Melissa Erdelac · On: December 7, 2020 · Updated: December 8, 2020

This post may contain affiliate links.
Jump to Recipe
no bake gluten free preacher cookies pin

Preacher Cookies are naturally gluten free no-bake cookies loaded with chocolate, oats, and a touch of peanut butter for the perfect emergency sweet fix. These cookies are so quick and easy, they can be whipped up in minutes when an unexpected guest, or preacher, arrives at your door!

a stack of preacher cookies with a bite taken out of the top one

Many claim this cookie recipe to be one of their first experiences with “baking.” No bake cookies have definitely endured the test of time with me. Countless batches were made at the hands of my sisters and I growing up.

After transitioning to a gluten free diet years ago, I was delighted to realize Preacher Cookies, like my Halloween-inspired No Bake Spider Cookies and gluten-free rice krispies treats, require no special adaptations to become a gluten free no-bake cookie recipe!

Even more, these no bake treats, like gluten-free Oreo balls, can easily be transformed into a dairy free or vegan version as well. See below for the easy modifications.

ingredients needed

Like I said, Preacher Cookies are ideal for making treats in a flash! All the ingredients are commonly on hand and they can be prepared in little as 10 minutes start-to-finish!

  • Butter – I always have unsalted butter on hand, but salted butter may be used by omitting the salt from the recipe.
  • Sugar – Use granulated sugar, or for a bit of a spin, use 50 / 50 blend of sugar and brown sugar.
  • Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
  • Salt
  • Milk – For best results use at least 2%, but whatever you have on hand will work, as well as non-dairy milk.
  • Peanut Butter – Creamy or crunchy, or substitute any preferred creamy nut butter, such as almond butter.
  • Quick Oats – For a gluten free no-bake cookies recipe, be sure to use certified gluten free oats.
  • Vanilla Extract

How To Make preacher cookies recipe

images showing how to make preacher cookies recipe
  1. Since this recipe comes together so quickly, it’s best to have your ingredients measured out and prepared beforehand. Place the sugar, cocoa powder, butter, milk, and salt in a medium saucepan. Measure out the peanut butter, quick oats, and vanilla. Line two baking sheets with parchment or wax paper and set aside.
  2. Bring the sugar / butter mixture to a full boil over medium heat. Once it begins to boil, cook and stir constantly for 1 minute. It’s best to set a timer to be very precise.
  3. Remove the mixture from the heat and stir in peanut butter, oats, and vanilla.
  4. Use a 2 tablespoon cookie scoop to quickly drop the cookies onto the prepared baking sheets. Set aside for 15 minutes to cool and harden, then enjoy!

Gluten free / dairy free / vegan adaptations

To make gluten free no-bake preacher cookies, be sure to use certified gluten free quick oats. While all oats are naturally gluten free, they are commonly processed on equipment shared with wheat products. Certified GF oats are guaranteed to be safe to consume, if you can tolerate oats.

To make dairy free or vegan cookies, substitute dairy free milk, such as almond milk, and use plant-based butter, such as Earth Balance butter sticks. Omit the salt from the recipe if using vegan butter because it tends to be a little saltier than traditional butter.

Recieve a

GLUTEN FREE

BAKING GUIDE 

Learn how to bake like a GF Pro!

WAIT!

FREE!

If you love gluten-free oat recipes, also try Oat Flour Chocolate Chip Cookies, made from ground oats!

a stack of no bake cookies with red string tied around them

Why didn’t my cookies harden?

No bake cookies fail to harden when the mixture hasn’t boiled long enough. Typically I cook the butter / sugar mixture about 5 seconds over just to be sure they set up. Do not cook over that, though, or the cookies will become dry and crumbly.

To ensure they harden, first have the mixture come to a full, rolling boil over medium heat. Set a timer for 1 minute and then remove from the heat. Like peanut brittle, the timing is essential for having the cookies set properly.

If they don’t harden, after cooling completely, either refrigerate or freeze them to set them up. They will have to be stored in the fridge or freezer to stay firm, though. They may be enjoyed cold and are still amazing!

Can I use old fashioned oats?

Yes. If you only have old fashioned rolled oats on hand they may be used in the same amount. However, I believe the texture to be better with quick oats because the ingredients meld together more.

Do I have to add peanut butter?

No. You can also enjoy preacher cookies without peanut butter. Simply leave it out and continue with the recipe.

On the other hand, you can also add more peanut butter if you are looking for a more pronounced peanut butter taste. Adding 1/3 cup gives a more subtle hint of peanut butter, but up to 2/3 cup may be added.

Using other nut butters

Yes. If you prefer another type of nut butter, or have an allergy, you may use creamy almond butter, cashew, or sunflower seed butter.

additions and modifications

Give no-bake preacher cookies your own personal spin by adding some of the suggestions below!

  • Coconut: Omit the peanut butter and add 1/2 cup shredded coconut.
  • Mocha: Add 1/2 teaspoon espresso powder to the cocoa powder.
  • Double Chocolate: When adding the oats and peanut butter, stir in up to 1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips. They will harden as the mixture cools, giving a more robust chocolate taste.
  • Sweet & Salty: Before the cookies harden sprinkle tops with flaky sea salt.

How to store

No-bake cookies should be stored in an airtight container at room temperature up to a week. To store longer, or if it is particularly humid, store in the refrigerator or freezer.

Click here to see the
step-by-step web story instructions for this recipe!

More gluten-free cookie Recipes 

  • Gluten-Free Monster Cookies
  • Best Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Cookies
  • Almond Flour Peanut Butter Cookies
  • Italian Almond Paste Cookies
  • Gluten Free Sugar Cookies
overhead shot of stack of preacher cookies with a spoon of peanut butter laying next to it

SAVE THIS PREACHER COOKIES RECIPE TO YOUR PINTEREST BOARD!

Let’s be friends on Pinterest! I’m always sharing great recipes!

a stack of preacher cookies with a bite taken out of the top one

10 Minute No-Bake Preacher Cookies (Gluten Free)

Preacher Cookies are naturally gluten free no-bake cookies loaded with chocolate, oats, and a touch of peanut butter for the perfect emergency sweet fix. These cookies are so quick and easy, they can be whipped up in minutes when an unexpected guest, or preacher, arrives at your door!
5 from 6 votes
Print Pin Rate
Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes minutes
Servings: 30
Author: Melissa Erdelac

Ingredients

  • 8 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 ¾ cup granulated sugar
  • ⅓ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ½ cup milk
  • ½ cup creamy peanut butter
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 3 cups quick-cooking oats, (certified gluten free)
US Customary – Metric
Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

  • It's best to have your ingredients measured out and prepared beforehand. Place the sugar, cocoa powder, butter, milk, and salt in a medium saucepan. Measure out the peanut butter, quick oats, and vanilla. Line two baking sheets with parchment or wax paper and set aside. 
    8 tablespoons unsalted butter,1 ¾ cup granulated sugar,⅓ cup unsweetened cocoa powder,¼ teaspoon salt,½ cup milk
    overhead shot of all the ingredients for gluten free no bake cookies
  • Bring the sugar / butter mixture to a full boil over medium heat, stirring frequently. Once it begins to boil, cook and stir constantly for 1 minute. It's best to set a timer to be very precise so they cookies set properly.
  •  Immediately remove the mixture from the heat and stir in peanut butter and vanilla until smooth. Stir in oats. 
    ½ cup creamy peanut butter,1 teaspoon vanilla extract,3 cups quick-cooking oats,
    overhead shot of chocolate oatmeal mixture
  • Drop cookies by 1 ½-2 tablespoonfuls onto the prepared cookie sheets. To do this quickly and evenly, use a medium cookie scoop. Set aside for 15-20 minutes to cool and harden.
    a cookie scoop putting no bake cookies on a baking sheet

DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE?? DON'T FORGET TO LEAVE FEEDBACK AND RATE BELOW!

    GET THE COOKBOOK!Check out Frugal Gluten-Free Cooking, the new cookbook from MamaGourmand!
    LET’S BE FRIENDS ON INSTAGRAM!Follow @mamagourmand and tag me in the recipe pic!

    Equipment Needed

    • Baking Sheets
    • Cookie Scoop
    • Saucepan

    Recipe Notes

     

    Frequently asked questions:

    Why didn’t they harden?
    They fail to harden when the mixture hasn’t boiled long enough. Typically I cook the butter / sugar mixture about 5 seconds over just to be sure they set up. Do not cook over that, though, or the cookies will become dry and crumbly.
    To ensure they harden, first have the mixture come to a full, rolling boil over medium heat. Set a timer for 1 minute and then remove from the heat. Like peanut brittle, the timing is essential for having the cookies set properly. 
    If they don’t harden, after cooling completely, either refrigerate or freeze them to set them up. They will have to be stored in the fridge or freezer to stay firm, though. They may be enjoyed cold and are still amazing!
     
    dairy free / vegan adaptations
    Substitute dairy free milk, such as almond milk, and use plant-based butter, such as Earth Balance butter sticks. Omit the salt from the recipe if using vegan butter because it tends to be a little saltier than traditional butter.
     
    Do I have to add peanut butter?
    No. You can also enjoy preacher cookies without peanut butter. Simply leave it out and continue with the recipe.
    On the other hand, you can also add more peanut butter if you are looking for a more pronounced peanut butter taste. Adding 1/3 cup gives a more subtle hint of peanut butter, but up to 2/3 cup may be added.
     
    What else can be added?
    • Coconut: Omit the peanut butter and add 1/2 cup shredded coconut.
    • Mocha: Add 1/2 teaspoon espresso powder to the cocoa powder.
    • Double Chocolate: When adding the oats and peanut butter, stir in up to 1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips. They will harden as the mixture cools, giving a more robust chocolate taste. 
    • Sweet & Salty: Before the cookies harden sprinkle tops with flaky sea salt. 
     
    Storing
    Store in an airtight container at room temperature up to a week. To store longer, or if it is particularly humid, store in the refrigerator or freezer. 

    Nutrition

    Calories: 131kcal | Carbohydrates: 19g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 8mg | Sodium: 68mg | Potassium: 77mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 12g | Vitamin A: 101IU | Calcium: 13mg | Iron: 1mg
    Course: Cookies, gluten free cookies
    Categories: 4th Of July Christmas Cookies Dairy Free Desserts Fall Freezer-Friendly Game Day Gluten Free Quick and Easy Recipes Spring Summer Valentines Winter

    This post contains affiliate links. My opinions are always my own. If you purchase a product through an affiliate link, I make a small commission – at no cost to you. Read full disclosure policy here.

    Previous Post: « Homemade Gluten-Free Chocolate Chip Cookies
    Next Post: Chocolate Chip Oat Flour Cookies (Soft & Chewy!) »

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    WELCOME TO MAMAGOURMAND!

    headshot of Melissa Erdelac

    Hey! I’m Melissa,  mother of 4, who loves to make soul-warming comfort food that keeps the taste, but takes out the fuss. My family-friendly recipes are deceptively gluten free, using simple grocery store ingredients that appeal to all food lovers.

    Tell Me More…

    FOR BAKING LIKE A

    5 EASY TIPS

    GLUTEN FREE PRO

    gluten free dishes EVERY TIME!

    No spam, PINKY SWEAR!

    SIMPLE HACKS for fail proof

    Categories

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter

    Footer

    As Seen On

    Copyright ©2023, MamaGourmand.
    • Back to Top
    • Contact
    • About
    • Recipes
    • Web Stories
    • Nutrition Disclaimer
    • Privacy Policy
    • Facebook
    • Pinterest
    • Yummly
    • Email