15 No-Bake Cookies to Make With Your Kids

No Bake Cereal Bars with Cheerios, nuts, and M&Ms
Photo: fabeverydayblog

Getting kids involved with cooking projects isn't just a delicious bonding experience; it's also full of learning opportunities. From reading recipes to learning fractions to following directions, cooking presents plenty of chances for parents to help kids learn new skills. No-bake recipes are a great way to get your kids started in the kitchen, as even the littlest hands can get involved. If your kids are new to cooking with you, measure out your ingredients first, and then give them the job of dumping them in the bowl. As they get older and more experienced in the kitchen, you can start teaching them how to measure and mix on their own.

01 of 15

No Bake Chocolate Oat Bars

No Bake Chocolate Oat Bars

Oats and peanut butter add whole-grain goodness and protein to these decadent no-bake bars. "These bars can be frozen; just thaw 10 minutes before serving," suggests recipe author Traci. Watch this video for a step-by-step how-to.

02 of 15

Marshmallow Treats

Marshmallow Treats with multicolored candy
Christina

Crispy cereal marshmallow treats are perennial favorites for good reason: They're easy to make and, of course, absolutely irresistible. Some users suggest adding mix-ins like chocolate chips, candies, raisins or a big spoonful of peanut butter — your choice, or let your kids decide! Momof2 gives the recipe a thumbs up, saying, "the kids love it, and the adults do, too."

03 of 15

Gobble Up Granola Snacks

Gobble Up Granola Snacks
Mixit

Granola bars are a perfectly portable snack, and this fun take on a classic recipe is tasty and endlessly customizable. SHMANESSA8 raves, "So yummy! These are better than any store-bought granola bar for sure!" She likes to use honey in place of corn syrup and adds 4 tablespoons ground flax for a nutritional boost — plus mixes it up with additions like chopped pecans and coconut. Experiment until you find a mixture you love.

04 of 15

Peanut Butter Cocoa No-Bake Cookies

Peanut Butter Cocoa No-Bake Cookies
Doris Betts

This recipe is a classic. Keep it simple, or take a cue from user Doris Betts, who shapes her no-bakes into cute butterflies and flowers. User Karen Knox raves, "I can't say enough about this recipe! It's delicious, fast, and if you make them tiny (the way we prefer them) you can get over 100. My three-year-old son helps me stir up the batches and the whole thing lasts about two days. I dare you to eat just one!"

05 of 15

Oaty Cereal Bars

Oaty Cereal Bars
FoodFan

Made with just a handful of ingredients, these simple but tasty bars are a great lunchbox treat. "These are the best cereal bars. My kids love them. They travel well and then don't make a mess to eat." says COMALTLAND. Now that's a win!

06 of 15

Moonbeams

Moonbeams
larkspur

These no-bake cookie balls are just as magical as their name implies. Kids can help stir the ingredients, then have fun rolling them into balls — and who cares if they sneak a few bites along the way? Recipe author MBMCD says, "a great recipe for kids to make. No baking!" (And the wheat germ adds vitamins, minerals, and protein, too.) For a special treat, coat them in sprinkles instead of coconut.

07 of 15

No-Bake Cookies I

close up of No-Bake Cookies
Lynne64

These popular no-bake cookies have more than 1,100 reviews! According to recipe author Denise, the secret to making perfect cookies is in the timing of the all-important boil phase. "Start timing when the mixture reaches a full rolling boil; this is the trick to successful cookies. If you boil too long, the cookies will be dry and crumbly. If you don't boil long enough, the cookies won't form properly." You'll want to handle the boiling part, of course, but the kids can help with the measuring.

08 of 15

Shanibars

Shanibars
Punkintoze

Whatever you want to call this delicious and healthy treat, it's a great no-bake bar cookie. "It tastes like you are eating a candy bar but there is NO sugar added — it's nature's candy!" brags recipe creator WickedCreations. "Quick and easy, great for snacking, a grab and go bar! Kid-friendly too!!" With just dates, peanut butter, coconut, and unsweetened cocoa powder for ingredients, this is a snack bar you can feel good about feeding to your kids.

09 of 15

Instant Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies

Instant Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies
pomplemousse

Reviewers rave about these kid-friendly no-bake cookies, noting that they're super easy and that the key to success is to let the mixture really boil for three minutes (just make sure it doesn't boil over!). A perfect riff on peanut-butter no-bakes (these ones skip the PB), "These are frighteningly addicting!" raves HappyHousewife.

10 of 15

No-Bake Power Bites

No-Bake Power Bites
Raina Bryant

Almond butter and honey create the "glue" for these power bites, which come together with only a little stirring and rolling — perfect for little helping hands. "Nothing processed and jam-packed with nutrition," says recipe creator Risa Robertson. She also notes that to make it even healthier (i.e., lunch box-appropriate), you can sub unsweetened dried cherries for the chocolate chips and chia seed or ground flaxseed for the cocoa nibs.

11 of 15

No Bake Macadamia Nut Cookies

No Bake Macadamia Nut Cookies
Recipe Taster

"This is my kind of recipe," B. Maitreya says. "It was hard not to eat the whole plate at once, but I had to set a good example for the kids."

12 of 15

No Bake Cereal Bars

No Bake Cereal Bars with Cheerios, nuts, and M&Ms
fabeverydayblog

"This is a great recipe for kids," Amy Berry says. "It's easy to make and you don't have to bake it. This is always a hit at potlucks and family get-togethers. Very colorful!"

13 of 15

Chocolate-Hazelnut Spread No-Bakes

Chocolate-Hazelnut Spread No-Bakes
magicallydelicious

Nutella and peanut butter team up in these wonderfully crumbly bars. "My grands love this recipe," Cheryl Pierce says. "I will be making it often!"

14 of 15

Chocolate Peanut Butter Cornflake Cookies

Chocolate Peanut Butter Cornflake Cookies
lutzflcat

These three-ingredient cookies will satisfy cravings for sweet, salty, and crunchy all at once.

15 of 15

Fruity Krispy Treats

Fruity Krispy Treats
IDALYZME

Yes, you can turn any cereal into a no-bake bar! "My children and their friends love these bright-colored treats," says NATUREMAMA1. "With three active children, I often put together packages of individual snacks for club sports and school trips. These are such a fast and easy addition. Best part is, I've never had any leftovers come home."

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