Best Oatmeal Cookies Recipe
Say hello to the ultimate comfort treat with this Best Oatmeal Cookies Recipe. There’s nothing quite like a thick, chewy oatmeal cookie, bursting with rich brown sugar, a buttery aroma, and hints of cinnamon warmth wafting from your oven. These cookies are soft in the center, a little crisp at the edges, and ready to be customized with your favorite mix-ins. Whether you love them plain, studded with chocolate chips, or filled with plump, sweet raisins, this recipe will easily become your go-to for those cozy, cookie-craving moments.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of this Best Oatmeal Cookies Recipe is that it relies on pantry staples and a few fresh ingredients, each playing a key role in building that perfect cookie flavor and texture. You probably have most of these on hand already, and every ingredient brings something special to the mix!
- Unsalted Butter: Provides rich flavor and gives the cookies their soft, chewy structure, especially when properly softened.
- Brown Sugar: Adds delicious caramel notes and extra moisture for irresistibly chewy cookies.
- Granulated Sugar: Gives a touch of sweetness and helps the edges crisp up perfectly.
- Eggs: Bind everything together and add a beautiful, tender crumb.
- Vanilla Extract: Rounds out the flavors with a comforting, aromatic finish—don’t skip it!
- All-Purpose Flour: The reliable base that helps hold the cookies together without making them too dense.
- Baking Soda: Helps the cookies spread just enough for those picture-perfect rounds.
- Baking Powder: Gives a subtle lift, keeping the cookies from being too flat.
- Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances every flavor note in the dough.
- Ground Cinnamon: Brings a touch of warmth that pairs perfectly with the brown sugar and oats.
- Old-Fashioned Rolled Oats: The hearty star of the recipe, lending chewiness and that signature oatmeal cookie texture.
- Raisins or Chocolate Chips (optional): Add your favorite mix-ins for gooey bursts of sweetness in every bite.
- Chopped Nuts (optional): A handful of walnuts or pecans lends satisfying crunch and nutty richness.
How to Make Best Oatmeal Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Preheat and Prep Pans
First things first, get your oven preheating to 350°F. This ensures a consistent bake from the moment your dough hits the heat. While the oven warms up, line your baking sheets with parchment paper for even baking and easy cleanup—no sticking, no mess!
Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugars
This is where the magic starts. In a large mixing bowl, beat together the softened unsalted butter, packed brown sugar, and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. This step is key—it helps aerate your dough, giving the cookies their tender, melt-in-your-mouth center. Don’t rush! Creaming usually takes a solid 2-3 minutes with a hand or stand mixer.
Step 3: Add Eggs and Vanilla
Crack in the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition, then pour in the vanilla extract. The eggs add moisture and structure, while vanilla brings that classic, bakery-worthy aroma to your dough.
Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon. This quick step ensures that leaveners and spices distribute evenly for perfect cookies every time.
Step 5: Bring Wet and Dry Together
Gradually add the whisked dry mixture into your wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined. Over-mixing can make cookies tough, so keep it gentle—stop as soon as you see no more dry flour streaks.
Step 6: Stir in Oats and Mix-Ins
Dump in the rolled oats and, if you’re feeling adventurous, your raisins or chocolate chips and nuts. Use a spatula or sturdy spoon to fold everything together. The dough will be thick, chunky, and irresistible.
Step 7: Portion and Bake
Scoop heaping tablespoons of dough onto your prepared baking sheets, spacing them about two inches apart to allow for spreading. Slide them into the oven and bake for 10 to 12 minutes, just until the edges begin to turn golden and the centers look a bit underdone—trust, this is the secret to chewy perfection.
Step 8: Cool and Enjoy
Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for five minutes before moving them to a wire rack. They’ll finish setting up as they cool, ensuring that perfectly soft bite every single time. And now, the hardest part: try not to eat them all at once!
How to Serve Best Oatmeal Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
For that extra special touch, sprinkle warm cookies with a bit of flaky sea salt or drizzle with melted chocolate. Sometimes, I even dust them with a light sprinkle of cinnamon sugar. Each of these finishing touches enhances their look and makes each bite pop with flavor.
Side Dishes
The Best Oatmeal Cookies Recipe is pure nostalgia with a glass of cold milk, but don’t stop there. Pair them with coffee for an afternoon treat or tuck them beside a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a dreamy dessert. They also make a delightful companion to a fresh fruit salad if you want something light on the side.
Creative Ways to Present
Love playing around with presentation? Stack cookies in mason jars as gifts, tie them up in parchment for a rustic snack, or crumble them over yogurt parfaits. Try sandwiching ice cream between two cookies for the ultimate oatmeal cookie ice cream sandwich—the possibilities are as fun as they are delicious!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once cooled completely, these cookies keep well at room temperature in an airtight container for up to five days. Place a slice of bread in the container to help them stay soft and fresh for even longer—the bread absorbs any excess moisture, keeping your cookies perfectly chewy.
Freezing
The Best Oatmeal Cookies Recipe freezes wonderfully! Scoop dough balls onto a baking sheet, freeze until solid, then transfer to a zip-top bag. Bake straight from the freezer by adding an extra minute or two; you’ll always have fresh cookies on demand. Baked cookies can also be frozen—wrap tightly and thaw at room temp whenever cravings strike.
Reheating
To bring that “just-baked” vibe back, pop cookies in a 300°F oven for 3-4 minutes or give them a quick zap in the microwave for 10-15 seconds. The edges get crisp again, and the centers turn soft and gooey—almost like they just came out of the oven!
FAQs
Can I substitute quick oats for old-fashioned rolled oats?
You can, but the texture will be a bit softer and less chewy. For the authentic experience of the Best Oatmeal Cookies Recipe, stick with old-fashioned rolled oats whenever you can—they give the cookies structure and classic texture.
What mix-ins work best in this recipe?
Raisins, chocolate chips, and nuts are all classic, but you can also try dried cranberries, chopped dates, coconut, or even butterscotch chips. The Best Oatmeal Cookies Recipe is a perfect base for any mix-in you love.
How do I prevent my cookies from spreading too thin?
If your dough was too warm or the butter too soft, cookies can spread more than you’d like. For a thicker cookie, chill the dough in the fridge for 30 minutes before baking. This simple trick makes a world of difference!
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Absolutely! Prepare the dough a day or two in advance, store it tightly covered in the fridge, then scoop and bake when you’re ready. You’ll get the same amazing flavor and texture, and fresh-baked cookies on demand.
Is it okay to skip the cinnamon?
If you’re not a fan of cinnamon or simply want a more neutral oatmeal cookie, feel free to leave it out. The Best Oatmeal Cookies Recipe is incredibly flexible and will still deliver chewy, buttery results every time.
Final Thoughts
If you haven’t already fired up the oven, trust me—this really is the Best Oatmeal Cookies Recipe you’ll ever try. These cookies are the definition of homemade happiness, and every bite delivers the cozy, nostalgic flavors we all crave. So grab your mixing bowl and share a warm batch with friends and family—they’ll be hooked after the very first bite!
Print
Best Oatmeal Cookies Recipe
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Best Oatmeal Cookies are chewy, flavorful, and perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth. Packed with oats, raisins or chocolate chips, and nuts, these cookies are a classic favorite for any occasion.
Ingredients
For the Cookies:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 3 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
- 1 cup raisins or chocolate chips (optional)
- 1/2 cup chopped nuts (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large bowl, cream together the 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, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon. Gradually mix the dry ingredients into the wet mixture.
- Stir in Oats and Extras: Stir in the oats, and if using, add raisins or chocolate chips and nuts.
- Bake: Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough onto the prepared baking sheets. Bake for 10–12 minutes, or until the edges are golden and the centers are still soft.
- Cool and Enjoy: Let cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
Notes
- For chewier cookies, slightly underbake and cool on the pan.
- Swap raisins for dried cranberries or use both chocolate chips and nuts for extra texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 95mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 24g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
