Name: No-Bake Chocolate Chia Cookies
Prep time: 10 min
Total time: 35 min
Ingredients: 1/2 cup almond butter (or peanut butter) (unsweetened); 1/3 cup maple syrup; 1/4 cup almond milk (unsweetened); 1/4 cup cocoa powder (unsweetened); 1/2 tsp vanilla extract; 1/8 tsp sea salt; 1 scoop plant-based chocolate chip (or vanilla protein powder); 2 tbsp chia seeds; 1 1/2 cups rolled oats ((use certified gluten-free if needed)); 2 tbsp dairy-free chocolate chips (optional); 2 tbsp chopped walnuts (optional)

Cutting board with No-Bake Chocolate Chia Cookies laid out, along with select toppings.

Introduction to No-Bake Chocolate Chia Cookies

If you’re anything like me, you crave a little something sweet after lunch.

Okay, maybe after dinner too. However, you won’t find me firing up the oven on a warm day (or after a long one)? Hard pass. That’s why these No-Bake Chocolate Chia Cookies have become my latest obsession. These no-bake cookies are rich, chewy, slightly nutty, and essentially healthy. They even manage to sneak in some superfoods and plant-based protein. That makes them a snack you can feel really good about.

Trying to eat more whole foods or squeeze in extra protein? Trying to cut back on processed snacks? Yeah, these no-bake chocolate chia cookies are here for you. No oven. No refined sugar and no nonsense. Just real ingredients that actually nourish you.

A Bite of History

No-bake cookies have been around for generations.

Popularized initially during the mid-20th century, they became staples in American homes thanks to their simplicity, affordability, and kid-friendly ingredients like oats, cocoa, and peanut butter. During the 1940s and 1950s, when wartime rationing made baking ingredients like eggs and butter scarce, home cooks relied on stovetop treats like these to stretch their pantry staples.

Today, we’re giving the classic recipe a health-forward twist with the addition of chia seeds and plant-based swaps. (For a look at the traditional version’s evolution, check out this historical breakdown of American cookie history from The Food Historian.)

What Makes No-Bake Chocolate Chia Cookies Special?

Let’s break down the magic of No-Bake Chocolate Chia Cookies:

Almond butter brings healthy fats and a creamy texture.
Maple syrup gives a natural sweetness without refined sugar.
Chia seeds deliver fiber, omega-3s, and a satisfying crunch.
Oats make them hearty and filling.
Cocoa powder provides that chocolatey richness we all love.
Vegan protein powder turns this treat into a post-workout snack.

You get a cookie that’s sweet, soft, fudgy, and secretly packed with goodness.

Why No-Bake Cookies Deserve a Spot in Your Routine

Honestly, No-Bake Chocolate Chia Cookies are almost too good to be true when you consider that they are:

Quick and easy, for those busy days
Freezer-friendly
Kid-approved
Great for spare the moment snacks
Loaded with real, whole ingredients
Healthy

The texture is also amazing. Not too soft. Not too firm. A bit of chew from the oats. A little crunch from the chia seeds.

Easy Swaps

Nut-free? Use sunflower seed butter.
Low-sugar? Swap maple syrup for monk fruit or allulose syrup.
Different flavor? Use vanilla protein and add cinnamon or coconut flakes.

Shopping List

almond butter (or peanut butter)
maple syrup
almond milk
cocoa powder
vanilla extract
sea salt
chocolate (or vanilla protein powder)
chia seeds
rolled oats
chocolate chips
walnuts

How to Make No-Bake Chocolate Chia Cookies

Step 1: Make the base

In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine almond butter, maple syrup, and almond milk. Stir constantly until everything melts together—about 2–3 minutes.

Step 2: Add flavor and superfoods

Remove from heat. Stir in cocoa powder, vanilla extract, salt, and protein powder. Mix until smooth.

Step 3: Stir in the dry ingredients

Add chia seeds and oats, and stir until the mixture is thick and evenly combined. If using chocolate chips or walnuts, fold them in now.

Step 4: Shape and set

Scoop tablespoon-sized mounds onto a parchment-lined tray. Flatten slightly with the back of your spoon. Place the tray in the fridge for 20–30 minutes to set.

Estimated Nutritional Facts (Per Cookie)

Calories: 135
Protein: 5g
Fat: 7g
Carbs: 12g
Sugar: 5g
Fiber: 3g
Omega-3s (ALA): ~1500mg from chia seeds

Based on 1 cookie (out of 12), using almond butter and chocolate plant protein

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Chill Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes

Pin It or Print It

These cookies aren’t just a healthy treat.

They’re a time-saving, no-mess solution! They’re dang near perfect for anyone trying to eat clean without sacrificing comfort food cravings. Suppose you’re on a vegan journey. Suppose you’re cutting back on sugar. Perhaps you’re looking for a healthier dessert option? Well, my friend, this recipe checks all the boxes.

Ready to try it yourself? Save this post, pin the recipe, or share with a friend who needs a sweet, healthy pick-me-up! If you’re a cookie lover like we are (even when you have to bake them), check out our recipe for Brown Butter Tahini Chocolate Chunk Cookies! YUM!

Everest