Name: No-Bake Salted Caramel Cookies
Prep time: 10 min
Total time: 1 h 10 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 cups granulated sugar; 3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) butter; 2/3 cup evaporated milk; 1 box (3.4 oz) instant butterscotch pudding mix; 3 1/2 cups quick oats; Pinch of sea salt

If you’re craving cookies but don’t want to turn on the oven, these No-Bake Salted Caramel Cookies are the perfect treat. Sweet, chewy, and just a little salty, they deliver rich caramel flavor in every bite. Best of all, they come together in minutes with simple pantry staples. Whether you’re baking with kids, preparing a last-minute dessert, or just need a quick sugar fix, these cookies are guaranteed to hit the spot

Why You’ll Love These No-Bake Salted Caramel Cookies

These cookies are more than just a shortcut dessert—they’re a guaranteed hit at parties, potlucks, or late-night snacking sessions. Here’s why you’ll fall in love with them:

No Oven Required – Perfect for hot days when you don’t want to heat up the kitchen.
Quick & Easy – From start to finish, they take less than 15 minutes of active prep.
Family-Friendly – Simple enough for kids to help stir, scoop, and shape.
Sweet & Salty Balance – The pinch of sea salt makes the caramel flavor pop, keeping each bite from being overly sweet.
Great for Make-Ahead – These cookies firm up in the fridge and stay fresh for days, making them perfect for meal prep snacks or lunchbox treats.
Customizable – Add nuts, drizzle chocolate, or sprinkle extra sea salt for a gourmet upgrade.

Spotlight on Key Ingredients

Sugar + Butter + Milk

This trio creates the caramel base for the cookies. The sugar melts into the butter and evaporated milk, forming a creamy, rich caramel-like sauce that binds the oats together.

Butterscotch Pudding Mix

This is the secret ingredient that makes these cookies extra chewy and flavorful. The instant pudding mix thickens the mixture and infuses it with buttery caramel flavor.

Quick Oats

The oats give the cookies their classic no-bake texture. They soak up the caramel sauce, creating a chewy, hearty bite. Quick oats work best here because they’re smaller and soften faster than old-fashioned oats.

Sea Salt

Just a pinch transforms these cookies from sweet to irresistible. The contrast balances out the sugar and butter, while also enhancing the butterscotch flavor.

Ingredients List

Here’s everything you need to make a batch of No-Bake Salted Caramel Cookies:

2 cups granulated sugar
¾ cup (1 ½ sticks) butter
⅔ cup evaporated milk
1 box (3.4 oz) instant butterscotch pudding mix
3 ½ cups quick oats
Pinch of sea salt

Optional Add-Ins & Toppings:

Drizzle of melted chocolate
Extra flaky sea salt on top
Chopped pecans, walnuts, or almonds
White chocolate chips or caramel chips mixed in
Toasted coconut flakes for extra chewiness

Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these simple steps to make your cookies perfectly chewy every time:

Make the Caramel Base – In a medium saucepan, combine sugar, butter, and evaporated milk. Heat over medium, stirring constantly until butter melts and sugar dissolves. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil and let it bubble for about 3 minutes, stirring to prevent burning. The mixture should thicken slightly.
Add Pudding Mix – Remove from heat and stir in the butterscotch pudding mix until completely dissolved and smooth.
Stir in Oats – Fold in the quick oats until evenly coated and the mixture is thick and sticky.
Season with Salt – Sprinkle in a pinch of sea salt and stir well to balance the sweetness.
Shape the Cookies – Drop spoonfuls of the mixture onto wax paper, parchment paper, or a lined baking sheet. Flatten slightly with the back of the spoon if you like a smoother cookie, or leave them rustic and chunky.
Chill to Set – Place the cookies in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour, or until firm to the touch.
Enjoy! – Store in an airtight container in the fridge and enjoy anytime you need a quick treat.

Prep time: 10 minutes
Chill time: 1 hour
Total time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Yields: ~18–20 cookies

Pro Tips for the Best No-Bake Cookies

Use Quick Oats, Not Old-Fashioned – Quick oats absorb liquid faster and help the cookies set properly. Using rolled oats can make them too chewy.
Don’t Over-Boil – Boiling the sugar mixture too long will make the cookies dry and crumbly. Stick to about 3 minutes of gentle boiling.
Work Quickly – Once you add the oats, the mixture thickens fast. Have your baking sheet lined and ready before you start.
Chill Time is Key – These cookies need at least an hour to firm up. For best results, leave them overnight.
Add Extra Salt – A light sprinkle of flaky sea salt on top before chilling makes these cookies taste like gourmet salted caramel bites.

Fun Variations to Try

These no-bake cookies are delicious as-is, but you can get creative with flavors and textures to suit your taste:

Chocolate Drizzle – Melt semisweet or white chocolate and drizzle over the chilled cookies for an elegant finish.
Nutty Caramel – Stir in chopped pecans, walnuts, or almonds for crunch and richness.
Salted Caramel Pretzel Bites – Crush salted pretzels and fold them into the mixture for a sweet-and-salty upgrade.
Coconut Caramel – Mix in toasted coconut flakes for added chewiness and a tropical twist.
Peanut Butter Caramel – Add 2–3 tablespoons of creamy peanut butter to the caramel mixture before stirring in oats.
Gluten-Free Version – Use certified gluten-free oats to make this recipe safe for those with gluten sensitivities.
Vegan-Friendly – Swap butter for vegan margarine or coconut oil, and use a plant-based pudding mix and dairy-free evaporated milk substitute.
Healthier Sweeteners – Try replacing half the sugar with coconut sugar or maple syrup for a more natural sweetness.

Serving Suggestions

These cookies are versatile and can be served in so many fun ways:

After-School Snack – A chewy, sweet treat kids will love.
Holiday Cookie Trays – Pair with chocolate fudge, peanut butter balls, and classic sugar cookies for variety.
Party Dessert Table – Serve them alongside brownies and bars for a no-fuss addition.
Gift Idea – Wrap in a clear cellophane bag with a ribbon and gift during the holidays or as a thank-you treat.
With Ice Cream – Crumble cookies over vanilla ice cream or sandwich them between two scoops for a no-bake ice cream sandwich.

Storage & Freezing Tips

One of the best things about no-bake cookies is how well they store!

Room Temperature – If your kitchen is cool, you can keep them in an airtight container on the counter for up to 2 days.
Refrigeration – For best results, store cookies in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week.
Freezing – Place cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet, freeze until solid, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag. They’ll keep for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature for 15–20 minutes before eating.

Nutrition & Benefits

While these cookies are a sweet indulgence, they also have some redeeming qualities:

Energy Boost – Oats provide slow-digesting carbs for long-lasting energy.
Quick Dessert Fix – With no oven time, they’re a great option when you need something fast.
Customizable Sweetness – You can control the sugar content by adjusting the pudding mix or using alternative sweeteners.
Gluten-Free Friendly – Simply swap in gluten-free oats to make them safe for those with sensitivities.

Approximate Nutrition per Cookie (out of 20):

Calories: 180
Fat: 7g
Carbohydrates: 27g
Sugar: 18g
Fiber: 2g
Protein: 3g

FAQs About No-Bake Salted Caramel Cookies

Q1: Why are my no-bake cookies too soft?
They likely didn’t boil long enough. Be sure to boil the sugar-butter-milk mixture for about 3 minutes so it sets properly.

Q2: Can I use old-fashioned oats instead of quick oats?
Yes, but the texture will be chewier and less uniform. Quick oats give the best consistency.

Q3: Can I make these without pudding mix?
You can, but the pudding adds flavor and helps the cookies set. If skipping, add 2–3 tablespoons of caramel sauce or a little cornstarch to help bind.

Q4: Do I have to chill them in the fridge?
Yes—chilling helps the cookies firm up. Without it, they’ll remain sticky and won’t hold their shape.

Q5: How can I make them extra salty-sweet?
Sprinkle flaky sea salt (like Maldon) on top of each cookie before chilling.

Final Thoughts

If you love the sweet-and-salty magic of caramel, these No-Bake Salted Caramel Cookies will become your new go-to treat. They’re simple to make, require no oven time, and can be customized with endless mix-ins and toppings. Perfect for busy weeknights, holidays, or whenever that caramel craving strikes, these chewy little cookies prove that dessert doesn’t have to be complicated.

So grab your saucepan, a box of pudding mix, and some oats—and in less than 15 minutes, you’ll have a batch of cookies ready to chill. Whether you share them or keep them all for yourself, one thing’s certain: they won’t last long!

No-Bake Salted Caramel Cookies

Author: Freya Allen
Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Yield: 18–20 cookies 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

Sweet, chewy, and a little salty—these No-Bake Salted Caramel Cookies deliver rich caramel flavor in every bite. No oven required and ready to chill in minutes—perfect for parties, lunchboxes, and last‑minute dessert cravings.

Ingredients

Scale

2 cups granulated sugar
3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) butter
2/3 cup evaporated milk
1 box (3.4 oz) instant butterscotch pudding mix
3 1/2 cups quick oats
Pinch of sea salt

Instructions

In a medium saucepan, combine sugar, butter, and evaporated milk over medium heat. Stir until the butter melts and the sugar dissolves.
Bring to a gentle boil and cook for about 3 minutes, stirring constantly, until slightly thickened.
Remove from heat and whisk in the instant butterscotch pudding mix until fully dissolved and smooth.
Fold in the quick oats until evenly coated and the mixture is thick and sticky.
Stir in a pinch of sea salt to balance the sweetness.
Drop spoonfuls onto wax or parchment paper (or a lined baking sheet). Flatten slightly for smoother cookies or leave chunky and rustic.
Chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour, until firm. Enjoy!

Notes

Use quick oats (not old-fashioned) for the best set and chewy texture.
For extra salted-caramel flavor, sprinkle flaky sea salt on top before chilling.
Add-ins: chopped pecans or walnuts, mini chocolate chips, caramel chips, toasted coconut, or crushed pretzels.
Gluten-free: use certified gluten-free quick oats.
Vegan-friendly: swap butter for vegan butter and use a plant-based pudding mix and dairy-free evaporated milk substitute.
Storage: refrigerate in an airtight container up to 1 week; freeze up to 2 months (thaw 15–20 minutes).

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: No-Bake
Cuisine: American