When it comes to the ultimate cookie that combines everything you love in one bite — chocolate, peanut butter, oats, and a chewy texture — Flourless Monster Cookies reign supreme. These cookies are big, bold, and packed with flavor. They’re soft in the center, crisp on the edges, and filled with colorful chocolate candies and melty chocolate chips. The best part? They’re completely flourless, naturally gluten-free, and incredibly easy to make.
Perfect for bake sales, lunchbox treats, or late-night cravings, these cookies deliver pure nostalgia and comfort while being hearty enough to satisfy any cookie lover.
Why You’ll Love These Cookies
- No flour, no fuss: Made with oats and peanut butter instead of flour.
- Naturally gluten-free: Great for anyone avoiding wheat.
- Soft, chewy texture: The peanut butter and oats keep them moist and rich.
- Packed with mix-ins: Chocolate chips, M&M’s, or any candy you love.
- Make-ahead friendly: The dough stores beautifully for fresh-baked cookies anytime.
What Makes Monster Cookies Special
Monster cookies are believed to have originated in the Midwest, where bakers decided to combine all their favorite cookie ingredients into one big, chewy masterpiece. The result is a hybrid between an oatmeal cookie, a peanut butter cookie, and a chocolate chip cookie — with the added fun of candy-coated chocolates for color and crunch.
These flourless monster cookies skip the wheat entirely, relying on oats and peanut butter for structure. The texture is chewy and hearty, while the flavor is rich, nutty, and perfectly sweet.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- 1 cup creamy or chunky peanut butter (no-stir recommended)
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 3 cups old-fashioned rolled oats (gluten-free if needed)
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup chocolate chips
- ¾ cup candy-coated chocolates (like M&M’s)
Optional add-ins: chopped nuts, butterscotch chips, shredded coconut, or pretzel pieces for extra crunch.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
Step 2: Mix the Wet Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the peanut butter, brown sugar, granulated sugar, eggs, and vanilla until smooth and creamy. The mixture should be thick and glossy.
Step 3: Add the Dry Ingredients
Stir in the baking soda and salt. Then add the oats and stir until fully incorporated — the dough will be dense and sticky. Fold in the chocolate chips and candy-coated chocolates.
Step 4: Scoop and Shape
Using a cookie scoop or tablespoon, drop heaping spoonfuls of dough onto the baking sheet, leaving about 2 inches between each. Flatten slightly with your fingertips or the back of a spoon since they don’t spread much during baking.
Step 5: Bake
Bake for 10–12 minutes, until the edges are lightly golden but the centers still look soft. Do not overbake — they’ll continue to set as they cool.
Step 6: Cool and Enjoy
Let the cookies rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack. Enjoy warm with a glass of milk or store for later.
Flavor and Texture Profile
Flourless monster cookies strike the perfect balance of sweet, salty, chewy, and crunchy. The oats provide structure and heartiness, while the peanut butter adds creaminess and richness. The sugar caramelizes slightly around the edges, giving a light crispness, and the mix of chocolate chips and candy shells brings bursts of sweetness and color.
They’re satisfying without being overly heavy, with a chewy center that makes every bite addictive.
Tips for Perfect Monster Cookies
- Use regular peanut butter: Natural varieties with oil separation can make the dough too runny.
- Chill the dough: If the dough feels too sticky, refrigerate for 20–30 minutes before baking.
- Don’t overbake: Remove when slightly underdone for soft, chewy centers.
- Customize the mix-ins: Swap M&M’s for peanut butter chips, white chocolate, or chopped pretzels for fun variations.
- Size matters: For bakery-style cookies, use 3 tablespoons of dough per cookie and extend baking time by 2 minutes.
Variations and Add-Ons
- Double Chocolate: Add 2 tablespoons of cocoa powder and extra chocolate chips for a rich twist.
- Trail Mix Cookies: Include dried cranberries, sunflower seeds, and chopped almonds.
- Salted Pretzel Crunch: Stir in broken pretzels and sprinkle the tops with flaky sea salt.
- Nut-Free Version: Substitute sunflower seed butter for peanut butter.
- Holiday Edition: Use seasonal candies or colored chocolate pieces for festive occasions.
Make-Ahead and Storage Tips
Monster cookie dough stores beautifully, making it ideal for meal prep or spontaneous baking.
- Refrigerate: Store unbaked dough in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Scoop and bake directly from the fridge.
- Freeze: Freeze scooped cookie dough balls on a tray, then transfer to a freezer bag for up to 3 months. Bake straight from frozen, adding 1–2 minutes to the baking time.
- Baked Cookies: Keep in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week or freeze for longer storage.
Health Benefits and Nutrition
These cookies skip the refined flour but still deliver the satisfaction of a classic treat. Oats offer fiber and complex carbs, while peanut butter adds protein and healthy fats. Using natural peanut butter and reducing added sugar makes them a wholesome indulgence.
A standard cookie contains approximately:
- Calories: 190
- Protein: 6g
- Carbs: 20g
- Fat: 10g
(Nutrition varies based on ingredients and mix-ins.)
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use quick oats instead of rolled oats?
Yes, but the texture will be softer. Rolled oats give a chewier bite and hold up better.
Can I make these cookies dairy-free?
Yes. Use dairy-free chocolate chips or candies, and check that your peanut butter contains no milk solids.
Can I replace peanut butter with almond or sunflower butter?
Absolutely. Almond butter gives a slightly lighter flavor, while sunflower seed butter makes them nut-free.
Why are my cookies crumbly?
They may have been overbaked or lacked enough binding from the peanut butter or eggs. Slightly underbaking ensures soft, cohesive cookies.
Can I reduce the sugar?
You can reduce the sugar by ¼ cup total without affecting texture, but the cookies will be less caramelized.
Perfect Pairings
These cookies are delicious on their own, but even better when paired with:
- A cold glass of milk for that classic comfort.
- Espresso or iced coffee for a rich contrast.
- Vanilla ice cream sandwiches made with two monster cookies.
They also make the perfect addition to dessert platters, lunchboxes, or festive cookie swaps.
Flourless Monster Cookies
Equipment
- Mixing bowl
- Whisk or electric mixer
- Cookie scoop or tablespoon
- Baking sheets
- Parchment paper
Ingredients
- 1 cup creamy or chunky peanut butter (no-stir recommended)
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 3 cups old-fashioned rolled oats (gluten-free if needed)
- ½ tsp salt
- ¾ cup chocolate chips
- ¾ cup candy-coated chocolates (like M&M’s)
- optional Add-ins like chopped nuts, pretzels, coconut, or butterscotch chips
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, whisk together peanut butter, brown sugar, granulated sugar, eggs, and vanilla until smooth and glossy.
- Stir in baking soda and salt. Add oats and mix until combined. Fold in chocolate chips and candy pieces.
- Scoop heaping tablespoons of dough onto prepared baking sheets, 2 inches apart. Flatten slightly with fingers or a spoon.
- Bake 10–12 minutes, until edges are set and lightly golden. Centers should still look soft.
- Cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
Final Thoughts
Flourless Monster Cookies are everything you want in a cookie — chewy, chunky, colorful, and deeply satisfying. They’re nostalgic yet modern, indulgent yet wholesome, and so easy to make that you’ll find yourself baking them over and over. Whether you keep them simple with chocolate chips and peanut butter or load them up with your favorite candies, each cookie is a bite of pure, joyful chaos — the best kind of monster there is.
