No-Bake Pumpkin Cookies are full of oats and pumpkin flavor and come together in minutes without ever turning the oven on. This easy no-bake cookie recipe is quick, delicious, and perfect for fall!
No Bake Pumpkin Cookies have become a favorite treat around my house this fall season. Our favorite traditional no-bake cookie recipe is full of chocolate, peanut butter, and oats. The pumpkin version doesn’t have any chocolate or peanut butter in it, but is equally delicious and easy to make!
This No-Bake Cookie recipe is different from all of the other ones I’ve tried because the recipe has pudding in it! Pumpkin spice pudding mix makes these cookies taste absolutely incredible and the consistency is so good too.
What if I can’t find Jello Pumpkin Spice Pudding mix?
If you can’t find the pumpkin spice pudding mix in your grocery store, you can purchase it on Amazon. If the price is crazy or you don’t want to wait, you can use a small box of vanilla instant pudding instead and then double the amount of pumpkin pie spice in the recipe. The flavor won’t be exactly the same, but the cookies are still delicious!
I’m tempted to try this same recipe with chocolate pudding and I think it would taste very similar to a traditional no-bake cookie recipe. You can make any flavor you want – use any flavor of instant pudding mix that you’d like! Oreo No-Bake cookies are absolutely incredible!
Ingredients in No-Bake Pumpkin Cookies
Sugars – You will need sugar and brown sugar for these no bake cookies. For best results, make sure the brown sugar is soft and fresh.
Butter – Another key ingredient in most cookie recipes. The recipe calls for 3/4 cup of butter (1 1/2 sticks). For best results, use real butter.
Milk – Any type of milk will work fine. I usually use 2% because that’s what I have on hand, but you can even use a non-dairy alternative if you’d like.
Pumpkin spice pudding mix – You need a small box (3.4 oz) of instant Pumpkin Spice pudding mix. If you can’t find pumpkin pudding mix, you can use vanilla pudding mix and then double the amount of pumpkin pie spice in the recipe.
Pumpkin pie spice – The recipe calls for 1 teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice. If you don’t have pumpkin pie spice, you can easily make your own with nutmeg, cinnamon, ginger, allspice, and cloves.
Vanilla – The higher the quality of the vanilla, the better.
Oats – Quick oats work best in no bake cookies. You will need 3 1/2 cups.
How to make No Bake Pumpkin Cookies
In a medium saucepan, combine sugars, butter and milk. Over medium heat, stirring occasionally, bring the mixture to a boil and boil for 2 minutes.
Remove the mixture from heat and add the pudding mix, stirring until well combined.
Add the pumpkin pie spice and vanilla and mix well.
Mix in the oats and then let the mixture sit for about 5 minutes.
Use a cookie scoop to drop the mixture by tablespoonfuls onto a cookie sheet lined with wax paper. Allow them to cool completely in order to fully set. Store at room temperature or in the refrigerator.
What to do when no-bake cookies recipe won’t set?
Putting your cookies in the fridge or freezer will help them firm up a bit.
To avoid your cookies not setting, make sure you boil the cookies for as close to two minutes as possible.
Can no-bake cookies be frozen?
Yes, these cookies can absolutely be frozen. It will help them firm up, and in my opinion, taste better! Especially in the summer. Although, mine are always eaten before I even open the freezer!
Which oats are best for no-bake cookie recipes?
Different recipes will call for different kinds of oats, but to make the best no-bake cookies, you should use quick oats. Using different kinds of oats will change the texture of the cookies, and you risk them not setting up right. Being the main ingredient in this recipe, it’s important to get the right kind of oats.
Do no-bake cookies need to be refrigerated?
Putting No Bakes in the fridge will help the cookies to hold a firmer shape. They also will last longer if you keep them in the fridge.
However, they technically don’t need to be refrigerated. You can store them in an airtight container in room temperature and they will be fine.
How long does it take for no-bake cookies to set up?
These cookies only take about 15-20 minutes to cool and set up at room temperature, but you can reduce that time by at least half if you let them set up in the refrigerator. If you prefer the taste and texture of these cookies at room temperature just make sure to remove them from the refrigerator once set. You can definitely eat them while cold though too!
Other cookie recipes with oatmeal in them!
- Best No-Bake Cookies
- Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars
- Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies
- Microwave Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Toffee Oatmeal Cookies
- Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Blackberry Oatmeal Cookies
- Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
- Peanut Butter Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies
- No-Bake Cookie Bars
- Banana Oatmeal Cookies
- Soft & Chewy Iced Oatmeal Cookies
No Bake Pumpkin Cookies are full of oats and pumpkin flavor and come together in minutes without ever turning the oven on. This easy no-bake cookie recipe is quick, delicious, and perfect for fall!
Gina says
Love how simple, yet delicious these cookies are!
Kaylie says
Thank you, Gina!
Shadi Hasanzadenemati says
I love your recipe, I’ll be making it again!
Kaylie says
Thank you, Shadi!
Nicole whiting says
I can not find the pumpkin pudding mix. Any ideas what else I can use?
Amanda Finks says
So easy and delicious! The perfect fall treat!
Kaylie says
Thank you, Amanda!
Jenn says
How fun are these! I love that they’re no bake – perfect for that late Summer pumpkin craving that always hits when I get excited thinking about Fall. Thank you!
Kaylie says
I totally agree! Thank you, Jenn!
Jodi says
Can you substitute the pudding with pumpkin pie filling? I cannot find the pudding anywhere
Nellie says
I don’t think you can swap it with pumpkin pie filling – they probably wouldn’t set up properly at all. You can swap in vanilla pudding though and just add some extra pumpkin pie spice.
Jaime W says
I have found the pumpkin spice pudding in the “seasonal” baking section at Walmart. (It’s usually a center aisle display.) Hope this helps! It also was not Jell-O Brand either. Orange box.
Jaime W says
These cookies are AMAZING. I got this recipe from a friend when I tried them. Now, whenever i make them, it never fails I get asked for this recipe.
So easy to make. I do find that even with the help of a fridge, they aren’t fully set for at least 8-12 hours. They only take about 10 minutes to throw together so I’ll take it. 🙂
******I have found the pumpkin spice pudding in the “seasonal” baking section at Walmart. (It’s usually a center aisle display.) Hope this helps! It also was not Jell-O Brand either. Orange box.
Tammy jo says
Look so good
Barbara says
Love your cookies receipes
Barb says
I thought this would have more of a pumpkin spice taste – maybe next time I’ll put more than a teaspoon in. I did use the pudding – got it from Amazon. I will put them in the refrig to get them to firm up more.
Terry says
So great to see an option that doesn’t have peanut butter in it, as I always share with my neighbors, and 1 is deathly allergic, so…Thanks!
Thanks too, for the substitution for the pumpkin pie flavored pudding mix. We NEVER seem to get flavors other than the standard ones . And Amazon wants us to buy in volume, and the shipping costs to Canada 🇨🇦 are horrendous 😪.
This old woman doesn’t need 12 boxes of pudding mix to try out a recipe. Or 48 assorted packages 😱 of Kool Aid to make a couple of batches of your Kool Aid Sherbet, as we haven’t been able to get packages of Kool Aid here for many years. It just ain’t fair!
Loved your “throwback” Halloween pic, too. Thanks for sharing!
Jessica says
Thank Terry!
carol e hawley says
Where do you buy your Jello Brand Instant Pumpkin Spice Pudding Mix . I have never seen it here in Ontario Canada. Could you please me a e-mail back with your answer. I have made many of your “No Bake Cookies ” & love them My e-mail is chawley1@bell.net thank you so much
Nellie says
You can probably find it on Amazon! Some years it’s easy to find at the grocery store and sometimes it’s not, so I usually stock up when I see it!
Angel says
I feel like this recipe had potential but it’s just not quite right. First off they are way too sweet the sugar could have been cut down. I also feel like there’s not enough oats or something. I don’t know. They didn’t want to set…and I used quick oats like the recipe said. I popped in the freezer to get them firm. My daughter thought they tasted good but it was a sticky mess. I will not be making them again. I feel like something needs to be tweaked to make the recipe better.
Nellie says
I’m sorry they didn’t turn out for you! Usually if they don’t set, it’s because the mixture didn’t boil quite long enough. If you think they are too sweet, you can definitely cut down on the sugar.
Barbara DeWitt says
I bought steel cut oats by accident. Can I use them in cookies or just the regular Buick oats. Hate to waste the other ingredients if steel cut will not work. Advice please!
Nellie says
I’ve never tried steel cut oats, but I’m not sure they would work in no-bake cookies. I would stick with the regular ones if at all possible, but if you experiment, let us know!