Oatmeal Cookies Recipe
Nothing compares to the irresistible smell of fresh Oatmeal Cookies wafting through your kitchen—classic, chewy, and golden at the edges, these little gems are as comforting as they are satisfying. Whether you’re baking for a family gathering, prepping a lunchbox treat, or just craving a homemade dessert, Oatmeal Cookies deliver hearty texture, rich flavor, and endless options to customize each batch. This time-tested recipe is foolproof and perfect for bakers of all skill levels, promising cookies that are soft in the center and just crisp enough at the edges.
Ingredients You’ll Need
You only need a handful of staples to whip up a batch of Oatmeal Cookies, but each ingredient plays a deliciously vital role in the final treat! From silky butter to warm cinnamon and chewy oats, every component adds flavor, texture, or a pop of color to your cookies.
- Unsalted Butter (1 cup, softened): Softened butter is the key to those delightfully tender, melt-in-your-mouth cookies.
- Brown Sugar (1 cup, packed): Adds a deep caramel flavor and helps the cookies stay wonderfully chewy.
- Granulated Sugar (1/2 cup): Provides balancing sweetness and gives the cookies a bit of crispness around the edges.
- Eggs (2 large): Eggs bind everything together for a rich and cohesive dough.
- Vanilla Extract (1 teaspoon): Lends a classic warmth and rounds out the flavors beautifully.
- All-Purpose Flour (1 1/2 cups): The sturdy base for your cookies, ensuring structure and softness without being dense.
- Baking Soda (1 teaspoon): Gives the cookies a little lift, making them perfectly chewy.
- Salt (1/2 teaspoon): Enhances all the sweet, nutty, and spicy notes.
- Ground Cinnamon (1 teaspoon): Brings that comforting warmth that sets Oatmeal Cookies apart from all the rest.
- Old-Fashioned Rolled Oats (3 cups): These hearty oats are the star of the show, giving your cookies their signature texture and chew.
- Raisins or Chocolate Chips (1 cup, optional): Both options add pops of flavor and sweetness—feel free to go classic or creative!
- Chopped Walnuts (1/2 cup, optional): For a delightful crunch and nutty finish in every bite.
How to Make Oatmeal Cookies
Step 1: Prep Your Oven and Baking Sheet
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C), which is the sweet spot for golden, evenly baked Oatmeal Cookies. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper so your cookies release like a dream and your pans stay spotless. If you don’t have parchment, a silicone baking mat will do the trick.
Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugars
In a spacious bowl, cream together your softened butter, packed brown sugar, and granulated sugar. Don’t rush this step! Beating until the mixture is light and fluffy will set up your cookies for that perfect chewy-meets-crisp texture. An electric mixer makes quick work of this, but a sturdy spoon and lots of enthusiasm will get you there, too.
Step 3: Add Eggs and Vanilla
Crack in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition to help the dough stay silky-smooth. Drizzle in the vanilla extract and beat again. These ingredients deepen the flavor and hold your Oatmeal Cookies together with a luxurious richness.
Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon. This ensures the leavening and cinnamon get evenly mixed, so each cookie bakes up tender and packed with warm, aromatic notes.
Step 5: Mix Dough and Add the Oats
Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet, stirring just until everything’s combined—you don’t want to overmix and end up with tough cookies. Next, fold in the rolled oats gently, making sure every scoop of dough is studded with chewy oat goodness. If you’re adding raisins, chocolate chips, or walnuts, stir them in now for little bursts of flavor.
Step 6: Scoop and Bake
Drop the dough in tablespoon-sized mounds onto your lined baking sheet, leaving about 2 inches between cookies so they have room to spread. Pop them into the oven for 10 to 12 minutes, until the edges are a lovely golden brown and the centers still look ever-so-slightly underbaked. That’s your cue for chewy perfection!
Step 7: Cool and Enjoy
Let the cookies rest on the baking sheet for five minutes—this gives them time to finish setting and makes transferring super easy. Move the cookies to a wire rack to cool completely, then dive in while they’re still soft and fragrant or store them for later happiness.
How to Serve Oatmeal Cookies
Garnishes
Sometimes, the right garnish takes these Oatmeal Cookies from great to unforgettable. Try a scattering of flaky sea salt right out of the oven to highlight those sweet-and-salty flavors, or drizzle a little melted chocolate over the top for a special treat.
Side Dishes
You can’t go wrong serving Oatmeal Cookies alongside a cold glass of milk—truly a classic combo. They’re also lovely with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, a fruit salad for balance, or even paired with your favorite hot beverage for the coziest afternoon break.
Creative Ways to Present
Stack them tall and tie with rustic twine for edible gifting, use them as a base for ice cream sandwiches, or crumble them over Greek yogurt for an indulgent breakfast parfait. Oatmeal Cookies are endlessly versatile, inviting you to get a little playful with how you show them off.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store cooled Oatmeal Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. To keep them extra moist, tuck in a slice of bread—the cookies will absorb moisture from the bread and stay perfectly soft.
Freezing
These cookies freeze beautifully! Place baked cookies in a single layer in a zip-top bag or freezer-safe container. You can also freeze unbaked dough balls; just bake from frozen, adding an extra minute or two to the bake time as needed.
Reheating
Want that “just baked” magic? Pop cookies in a 300°F oven for about three to five minutes, or microwave individual cookies for 10-15 seconds. They’ll be soft, warm, and taste like they just came out of the oven.
FAQs
Can I use quick oats instead of old-fashioned rolled oats?
Quick oats work in a pinch, but the texture will be less chewy and more uniform. For the best classic Oatmeal Cookies, stick with old-fashioned rolled oats.
How do I make the cookies gluten-free?
Swap the all-purpose flour for a gluten-free baking blend, and make sure your oats are certified gluten-free too. The cookies will be slightly more delicate, but equally tasty!
Can I reduce the sugar?
Yes, you can cut back the sugar by about 1/4 cup each of brown and granulated sugar without losing too much chewiness or flavor—but don’t skip the brown sugar entirely; it’s essential for that rich, classic profile.
What other mix-ins can I try?
Cranberries, chopped dried apricots, white chocolate chips, pumpkin seeds, or coconut flakes are all delicious variations for your Oatmeal Cookies. Feel free to create your own signature blend!
My cookies turned out too flat. What happened?
This is usually due to over-softened butter or a bit too little flour. Make sure your butter is just soft (not melted) and measure your flour carefully for the perfect thickness every time.
Final Thoughts
Oatmeal Cookies have a special way of making any day a little sweeter—so why not fill your home with the cozy aroma and share a batch with your favorite people? You’ll love how quick, adaptable, and outright delicious these cookies always turn out. Go ahead, gather your ingredients, and treat yourself to a timeless homemade delight!
Print
Oatmeal Cookies Recipe
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These classic oatmeal cookies are chewy, hearty, and loaded with wholesome ingredients like oats and nuts. Perfect for a sweet treat or afternoon snack, these cookies are sure to be a hit with everyone.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Wet Ingredients:
- 1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 1 cup brown sugar (packed)
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Additional:
- 3 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
- 1 cup raisins or chocolate chips (optional)
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Cream butter and sugars: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add eggs and vanilla: Beat in the eggs one at a time, then add the vanilla extract.
- Combine dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon. Gradually mix into the wet mixture.
- Stir in oats and extras: Stir in the oats, and fold in raisins or chocolate chips and walnuts if using.
- Bake: Scoop dough into balls, place on baking sheet, and bake for 10–12 minutes until golden.
- Cool: Let cool on the baking sheet before transferring to a wire rack.
Notes
- For chewier cookies, slightly underbake and allow them to finish setting on the baking sheet.
- You can substitute dried cranberries or white chocolate chips for a twist.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 170
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 95mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 23g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
