No-Bake Peanut Butter Treats

These no-bake peanut butter treats are the ultimate customizable snack. A base of peanut butter, powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla gets mixed with oats and whatever combination of mix-ins sounds good: raisins, dried fruit, mini marshmallows, flaked coconut, chopped peanuts, or chocolate chips. Drop them on waxed paper, wait an hour, done.

The powdered sugar and peanut butter form a stiff, fudge-like dough that holds everything together without needing heat. The milk loosens the mixture just enough to stir in 2 cups of rolled oats and 2 cups of your chosen add-ins. Quick oats blend in more seamlessly, but old-fashioned oats give a chewier, more textured bite.

The one-hour set time lets the oats absorb moisture from the peanut butter and milk, firming each treat into a solid ball that holds its shape. They’re soft but not sticky, and they keep for days in a sealed container at room temperature.

Kitchen Tips

• Use natural or regular peanut butter, your call. Natural peanut butter makes a softer, less sweet treat. Regular shelf-stable brands set up firmer.
• Don’t skip the vanilla. It rounds out the peanut butter flavor and keeps the treats from tasting flat.
• Mix the add-ins by hand. A spoon or your hands work better than a mixer here. You want distinct pieces, not a pulverized paste.

Variations

• Trail mix version: Use a combination of raisins, peanuts, sunflower seeds, and chocolate chips for a trail-mix-inspired treat.
• Coconut snowballs: Roll the finished balls in extra flaked coconut for a crunchy, tropical coating.