Gather your ingredients: creamy peanut butter, honey or maple syrup, vanilla extract, rolled oats, cocoa powder, salt, and chocolate chips.
In a medium saucepan, combine the creamy peanut butter, honey (or maple syrup), and vanilla extract. Place the saucepan over low heat and stir until smooth.
Add the rolled oats, cocoa powder, and salt to the peanut butter mixture. Stir until fully incorporated. If using chocolate chips, fold them in.
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Drop spoonfuls of the mixture onto the sheet and flatten slightly.
Place the baking sheet in the refrigerator and allow the cookies to set for at least 30 minutes.