Peanut Butter Cornflake Cookies
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These peanut butter cornflake cookies are a no-bake treat made with 5 simple ingredients. They come together in about 15 minutes on the stovetop, with no oven needed.
A sweet peanut butter mixture coats crunchy cornflakes, then you scoop them onto a baking sheet and let them set. One batch makes about 3 dozen, so they’re great for holiday cookie trays, bake sales, and potlucks.
We make them every holiday season along with our chocolate peanut butter no-bake cookies and nutella no-bake cookies. Easy no-bake Christmas cookies? Yes, please!
They’re also perfect any time you’re craving something peanut buttery but don’t feel like turning on the oven to make peanut butter chocolate chip cookie bars, peanut butter blossom cookies, or peanut butter and jelly bars.
Why You’ll Love These No Bake Cornflake Cookies
- No oven needed – The mixture cooks on the stovetop in about 5 minutes.
- 5 simple ingredients – You probably have most of them in the pantry.
- Makes about 3 dozen – One batch fills a holiday cookie tray or a potluck table.
- Freezer friendly – They freeze for up to 3 months, so you can make them ahead of the holiday rush.
Ingredients
This section includes ingredient notes and substitution options. Get all measurements, ingredients, and instructions in the printable recipe card at the end of this post.
- Cornflakes – Use plain cornflakes. Frosted cornflakes make the cookies too sweet.
- Granulated sugar – Adds sweetness. It melts down as it heats, so the cookies won’t have a crunchy, sugary texture.
- Light corn syrup – Corn syrup and sugar give the coating its sticky, chewy texture and hold the cookies together.
- Creamy peanut butter – Like with old-fashioned peanut butter cookies, I recommend creamy peanut butter. I haven’t tested these with crunchy or natural peanut butter.
- Vanilla extract – Optional, but a splash of vanilla adds even more flavor.
How to Make Peanut Butter Cornflake Cookies
This section shows you how to make the recipe with step-by-step photos and instructions. For the full printable recipe, see the recipe card below.
- Add the peanut butter, sugar, and corn syrup to a large saucepan over medium-low heat. Stir often until the mixture comes to a boil, then remove it from the heat. Stirring helps the sugar melt so the cookies don’t taste gritty.
- Stir in the vanilla right away. Then gently stir in the cornflakes until they’re evenly coated.
- Working quickly, drop the mixture onto lined baking sheets with a greased cookie scoop or spoon.
- Let the cookies set at room temperature before serving or storing.
How Long Does It Take Cornflake Cookies to Set Up?
Let the cookies set up on the counter for about 30 minutes. Once they’re set, they’re firm and no longer sticky.
If you try to eat them right away, they’ll fall apart in your hands. Plus, they’re very hot!
Storage
Store peanut butter cornflake cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week.
Can You Freeze Cornflake Cookies?
Yes! These cornflake cookies freeze well for up to 3 months. Place them in a single layer in a freezer-safe container. To stack them, lay a piece of wax paper between the layers so they don’t stick together.
When you’re ready to enjoy them, let them thaw on the counter at room temperature.
Can You Make Cornflake Cookies Without Corn Syrup?
I haven’t tested this recipe without corn syrup. The corn syrup and sugar make the sticky coating that holds the cookies together, so I recommend making them as written.
Tips for the Best Cornflake Cookies
- Work quickly. The mixture starts to set as it cools, so scoop the cookies right after you stir in the cornflakes.
- Grease your cookie scoop. A light coat of cooking spray keeps the mixture from sticking to the scoop.
- Add butterscotch chips. Stir in ¼ cup of butterscotch chips with the cornflakes for a fun twist.
- Drizzle with chocolate. Melt some chocolate chips and drizzle them over the set cookies.
More Easy No-Bake Desserts
- Ritz Thin Mints
- Creamy Peanut Butter Pie
- 5-Ingredient No Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars
- Crockpot Avalanche Cookies
- Fritos Candy
For even more ideas, check out my 50+ no bake Christmas treats.
Peanut Butter Cornflake Cookies
Ingredients
- 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
- 1 cup (320 g) light corn syrup
- 1 cup (270 g) creamy peanut butter
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 6 cups (168 g) cornflakes
Instructions
- Line two baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside.
- In a large saucepan over medium-low heat, combine the peanut butter, sugar, and corn syrup. Stir often until the mixture comes to a boil, then remove from heat. Immediately stir in vanilla. Gently stir in cornflakes until evenly coated.
- Immediately drop cookies onto the prepared baking sheets using a greased cookie scoop or spoon.
- Allow cookies to set at room temperature (about 30 minutes) before serving or storing.
Notes
Nutrition
Did You Make This Recipe?
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Originally published October 27, 2020. Updated November 4, 2026 with new photos, step-by-step photos, and added tips and storage information.
I have looked for this recipe for 54 years!! My aunt made a cookie like this when I lived with her after my mom died. I’m not sure if this is the exact one but it is the best one I have found!!
You took me all the way back to being 6 years old again…..thank you for the memories!! Great recipe!!
I made this for my dad for Father’s Day. He is a peanut butter lover. He thought they were out of this world and so did everybody else that had one of them. Super easy to make and yummy! This will be a go to cookie at our house😍
Happy to hear that they were a hit!!!
What can you use to substitute corn syrup as you can’t buy in UK
I haven’t tried to make these without corn syrup but this article offers several substitutions: How to Substitute Corn Syrup
If you give them a try please let us know how they come out 🙂
You can make your own corn syrup at home. Go to a website called : Emma’s Bigger Boulder Baking. It’s an easy recipe made with granulated sugar and a few other ingredients and it cooks up in about 25 minutes. You can store leftovers in a jar in your kitchen cubbard. Cheaper than buying it at the store.,
I used to eat these when I was a kid in school. I continue to make these all these yrs. my son all grown up now and still request me to make ❤️❤️
Would maple syrup work?
Instead of the corn syrup? I haven’t tried it myself so I am not sure. Plus, I don’t know how peanut butter would taste combined with maple syrup…
Hi! Wondering if Frosted Flakes would work? As far as peanut butter and maple syrup, it’s delicious together! I eat peanut butter on my french toast covered in maple syrup.
I just made these with maple syrup and Frosted Flakes and they are delicious!!
That sounds like a delicious combo, I will have to try it! Thank you for coming back to let us know how they came out 🙂
When do you add the vanilla extract?
Vanilla is added with the corn flakes. Apologies for missing that in the recipe and thanks for pointing it out. Updating now.
These are amazing! Then I made a batch with a couple handfuls of mini marshmallows added with the cornflakes and they were an even bigger hit. Thanks for another great recipe!
This was an easy recipe. I only had Frosted Flakes so i added some chopped lightly salted, chopped peanuts and a little pinch of salt. I really want to try the chocolate drizzle. 😋
My family loves these. I use crunchy peanut butter sometimes. Like the flavor the peanuts give it.
We had these in our school lunches and they were called Congo Bars. So glad to see a recipe and will be happy to try it out!!!