5 Delightful Quick Cookie Recipes Without Butter to Try Today

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quick cookie recipes without butter are basically my weeknight lifesaver when I want something sweet but I do not feel like waiting for butter to soften or realizing I am out of it. I have had those moments where you are standing in the kitchen, craving a cookie, and the fridge is just not cooperating. So today I am sharing five quick, genuinely cozy cookie ideas that use oil, peanut butter, bananas, or pantry staples instead. If you like saving recipes in one spot, I also keep a running list of easy favorites over on Recipe Zenith, because my brain cannot be trusted to remember anything at 9 pm. These are the kind of cookies you can whip up fast, with simple ingredients, and still get that warm bakery smell. Let us bake something good today.

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How To Make Cookies Without Butter

The big idea is simple: butter usually brings fat, moisture, and flavor. So when we skip it, we swap in another fat and keep an eye on texture. The good news is you can still get cookies that are chewy, soft, or even crisp, depending on what you use.

My 5 delightful quick cookie recipes without butter

I am keeping these very doable. If you can stir, scoop, and set a timer, you are in. Also, these quick cookie recipes without butter are flexible, so do not stress if you need to make small swaps.

• 1) Olive Oil Chocolate Chip Cookies
  This one is my go to when I want classic vibes without the butter. Olive oil makes them slightly fruity and extra chewy.

  What you need: 1 egg, 1/2 cup sugar, 1/3 cup olive oil, 1 tsp vanilla, 1 cup all purpose flour, 1/2 tsp baking soda, pinch of salt, 3/4 cup chocolate chips.

  How I do it: Whisk egg, sugar, oil, and vanilla. Stir in dry ingredients, fold in chips. Scoop and bake at 350 F for 9 to 11 minutes. Cool on the tray for 5 minutes so they set.

  If you want a more classic chocolate chip deep dive for comparison, I have definitely drooled over this one before: best chocolate chip cookie.

• 2) Peanut Butter Oat Cookies (no flour if you want)
  Peanut butter stands in for butter like a champ. You get richness and structure, and the oats make them hearty.

  What you need: 1 cup peanut butter, 1/2 cup brown sugar, 1 egg, 1 1/2 cups oats, 1/2 tsp baking soda, pinch of salt, optional chocolate chips.

  How I do it: Mix everything, scoop, lightly flatten, bake at 350 F for 10 to 12 minutes. They look soft when they come out, but they firm up as they cool.

  If you are in a peanut butter mood, these are also worth bookmarking for later: irresistible peanut butter cookies.

• 3) Banana Cocoa Drop Cookies
  These are sweet in a gentle way and perfect when you have a brown banana giving you the guilt stare from the counter.

  What you need: 2 ripe bananas, 1 1/2 cups oats, 2 tbsp cocoa powder, 1 tsp vanilla, pinch of salt, optional chopped walnuts.

  How I do it: Mash bananas, stir everything in, scoop onto a lined tray, bake at 350 F for 12 to 15 minutes. They are more soft and cake like than crisp, in a really cozy way.

• 4) 3 Ingredient Chickpea Cookies
  I know, chickpeas in cookies sounds suspicious. But once you try it, it is weirdly comforting. These are great for a quick snacky cookie.

  What you need: 1 can chickpeas drained and rinsed, 1/2 cup peanut butter or tahini, 1/3 cup maple syrup or honey, optional chocolate chips.

  How I do it: Blend chickpeas smooth, mix in peanut butter and syrup, fold in chips. Scoop and bake at 350 F for 12 to 14 minutes.

  If you want a version that is super streamlined, check this out: quick 3 ingredient chickpea cookies for healthy snacking.

• 5) Cinnamon Sugar Snickerdoodle Style Cookies with Oil
  I make these when I want that warm cinnamon bakery smell but I am not doing anything fancy.

  What you need: 1/3 cup neutral oil, 3/4 cup sugar, 1 egg, 1 tsp vanilla, 1 1/4 cups flour, 1/2 tsp baking powder, pinch of salt. For rolling: 2 tbsp sugar plus 1 tsp cinnamon.

  How I do it: Mix wet, add dry, chill 15 minutes if dough feels loose. Roll in cinnamon sugar, bake at 350 F for 9 to 11 minutes.

One quick note: if your dough feels super sticky, do not panic. A 10 to 20 minute chill in the fridge fixes a lot of cookie problems fast.

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No Butter Cookies Tips & Tricks

When you bake without butter, the little details matter more. Not in a stressful way, just in a heads up way. Here is what has helped me get consistent results with quick cookie recipes without butter, even when I am rushing.

My favorite fixes:

• Chill the dough if it feels oily or too soft. Even 15 minutes helps.
• Do not overbake. No butter cookies often look underdone at the edges but set as they cool.
• Use parchment to prevent extra spreading and make cleanup painless.
• Pick the right oil. Neutral oils taste more classic. Olive oil adds flavor, which can be really good with chocolate.
• Salt matters. Without butter, a pinch of salt makes flavors pop instead of tasting flat.

“I tried the olive oil chocolate chip version when I realized I was out of butter, and my kids thought I bought them from a bakery. Now it is my emergency cookie recipe too.” Mariah K.

Also, if you are someone who loves the super rich holiday cookie vibe, I know this post is about no butter, but it is still fun inspiration to see the opposite end of the spectrum: christmas gooey butter cookies.

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Why These Cookies Are Amazing

I like these recipes because they solve real life problems. Butter is expensive, it is easy to forget, and it is never soft when you need it. With these, you can bake with what you have and still feel like you treated yourself.

Here is what makes them honestly great:

They are fast. Most are mix, scoop, bake. No mixer required.

They are flexible. You can swap chocolate chips for chopped chocolate, nuts, or dried fruit.

They feel lighter. Oil based cookies can feel less heavy, especially after dinner.

And not to be dramatic, but having a reliable list of quick cookie recipes without butter makes you feel weirdly capable. Like, yes, I can make cookies on a random Tuesday and still be in pajamas.

How To Get Thick & Chewy Cookies Without Butter

Thick and chewy is my favorite cookie personality, and you can still get it without butter. You just have to help the dough a little.

My best thick cookie moves:

1) Use brown sugar if you can. It adds moisture and chew.

2) Chill the dough before baking, especially for oil based doughs. Cold dough spreads slower.

3) Add an extra spoonful or two of flour if the dough looks like pancake batter. Add it slowly. You want soft but scoopable.

4) Use a cookie scoop. Keeping the dough balls tall helps them bake up thicker.

5) Pull them out when the centers still look slightly soft. Let the tray do the finishing work for 5 to 10 minutes.

If you are a peanut butter plus chocolate person, I get you. This is a fun one to check out when you want that combo: easy peanut butter chocolate chip cookies.

Variations & Substitutions

This is where you can make these recipes fit your pantry and your tastes. I do this constantly, especially when I am trying to avoid another grocery trip.

Easy swaps that usually work:

Egg free: Use a flax egg in most recipes. Mix 1 tbsp ground flax with 3 tbsp water and let it sit 10 minutes. Best for oat based cookies.

Gluten free: Try a 1 to 1 gluten free flour blend in the olive oil chocolate chip cookies. For oat cookies, use certified gluten free oats.

Less sugar: Reduce sugar by 2 to 3 tbsp in most recipes. The texture may be slightly less chewy, but still good.

Different flavors: Add orange zest to chocolate cookies, swap cinnamon for pumpkin pie spice, or toss in shredded coconut.

Chocolate options: Chips, chunks, chopped dark chocolate, or even a few crushed pretzels for salty crunch.

One more fun idea: if you like dessert bars more than cookies, these are a whole situation in the best way: peanut butter cup cookie bars with chocolate layers.

Common Questions

Do cookies taste different without butter?

A little, yes. Butter has a signature flavor. But with vanilla, salt, brown sugar, peanut butter, or cinnamon, you still get that satisfying cookie taste.

What is the best butter replacement for cookies?

For flavor and structure, peanut butter is awesome. For a classic cookie vibe, neutral oil works well. For softer cookies, mashed banana is great.

Why did my no butter cookies spread too much?

Dough was probably warm or a bit too wet. Chill it for 15 to 30 minutes, and make sure your baking sheet is cool before the next batch.

Can I freeze cookie dough made without butter?

Yes. Scoop into balls, freeze on a tray, then store in a bag. Bake from frozen and add 1 to 2 minutes to the bake time.

How do I keep them chewy the next day?

Store in an airtight container. For extra softness, toss in a slice of bread for a day. The cookies absorb a little moisture and stay chewy.

A sweet little wrap up before you preheat the oven

These quick cookie recipes without butter are perfect for busy days, last minute cravings, or those times you just do not want to deal with softened butter. Pick one style, oil based, peanut butter, banana, or chickpea, and you will have warm cookies fast. If you want another cozy option, I also recommend this Easy Snickerdoodle Cookies Without Butter Recipe – The Frugal South for more cinnamon sugar inspiration. Now grab a bowl, turn on your oven, and try one batch today. I would love for you to find a new favorite and make it part of your regular cookie routine.

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