Best Oatmeal Cookies

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The best Oatmeal Cookie Recipe – crispy edges with soft and chewy centers, these oatmeal cookies are easy to make with simple ingredients and no chilling! . Add your favorite mix-ins to make them your own.

oatmeal cookies with chocolate chips

You all know I love cookies. From chocolate chip cookies to peanut butter cookies to fun and festive cut-out sugar cookies, I have spent many, many years developing the best cookie recipes, and now I present to you, the best oatmeal cookies ever

Sometimes you just need the comforting nostalgia of a chewy oatmeal cookie. With hints of cinnamon and vanilla, these oatmeal cookies will soon become your go-to recipe.

These Oatmeal Cookies have crispy edges and soft and chewy centers. They’re made with simple ingredients and don’t need to be chilled. Add your favorite mix-ins to make them your own.

 stack of 5 oatmeal cookies with chocolate chips

Before we walk through how to make oatmeal cookies, let’s chat about the ingredients in this oatmeal cookie recipe. 

photo of the ingredients in this oatmeal cookies recipe
  • Salted Butter. Unsalted butter is a good substitute.
  • Flour. gluten-free flour can be used in place of all-purpose flour to make these cookies gluten free.
  • Oatmeal: For the perfect, chewy texture use old-fashioned (or rolled) oats. You can use quick oats, just be aware it will change the texture of the cookies.
  • Light Brown Sugar.ย using dark brown sugar will impart a slightly bolder molasses flavor.
  • Granulated Sugar. Organic cane sugar works well.
  • Fine Sea Salt. if using iodized table salt, decrease the amount by half.
  • Mix-ins. Adding mix-ins is optional. Some possibilities include: chocolate chips, raisins (try these oatmeal raisin cookies), white chocolate chips, cinnamon chips etc.
one oatmeal cookie with chocolate chips

How to Make Oatmeal Cookies

Let’s walk through how to make oatmeal cookies step-by-step, and don’t forget to watch the video.

Begin by creaming the butter and sugars together on speed until the evenly combined (about 60 seconds). You may need to pause, scrape down the sides of the bowl and continue beating. 

You can also use a large mixing bowl and a hand mixer if you do not have a standing mixer.

How to Make Oatmeal Cookies - butter & sugars in a bowl before creaming
How to Make Oatmeal Cookies - butter & sugars in a bowl after creaming

Next, add the egg and vanilla extract and beat for about 60 seconds until the mixture is light and fluffy. 

How to Make Oatmeal Cookies - adding vanilla and egg
oatmeal cookies dough after vanilla and egg have been beaten

After 1 minute, beat in the flour, baking soda, baking powder, sea salt and cinnamon until just combined.

You can either mix the dry ingredients together in a separate bowl before you begin the rest of the recipe, or just toss them into the mixer on top of the beaten wet ingredients.

How to Make Oatmeal Cookies - adding dry ingredients
How to Make Oatmeal Cookies - dough after flour mixture has been added

Next, add the oatmeal and beat it’s evenly distributed in the dough. Then, add the mix-ins, if desired. Here are some suggestions:

How to Make Oatmeal Cookies - adding oatmeal
finished oatmeal cookie dough in a mixing bowl

Portion & Bake

Use a small cookie scoop (1.5 to 2 TBS) to measure out the oatmeal cookie dough. Roll each portion into a smooth ball and place on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper. 

oatmeal cookie dough on a cookie scoop

Once the dough balls are on the parchment paper, gently and ever-so-slightly press the tops down. This will ensure even baking. 

Then, bake the oatmeal cookie recipe in the preheated oven. If you have a convection oven you can bake two trays at a time. If not, I recommend only baking one tray at a time. 

All ovens bake differently

Know your oven. Invest in an inexpensive oven thermometer to check the temperature and ensure the internal temperature is actually the temperature to which the oven is set. If your oven is baking too hot or too cold, then the cookies will not turn out well.

oatmeal cookies on a baking sheet before baking

Cool & Serve

Let the oatmeal cookies sit on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool. Enjoy them with a glass of milk or cup of coffee! 

three oatmeal cookies on a black wire cooling rack

Store

Store oatmeal cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for 3-5 days.

Freeze

Instead of baking, you can also freeze the oatmeal cookie dough balls

  1. Place cookie dough balls on a non-stick cookie sheet and put them in the freezer for 1-2 hours or until firm. 
  2. Transfer to an airtight, freezer-friendly container (I recommend either a glass storage container or a freezer-friendly ziplock bag). 
  3. Freeze for up to 1 month. 
  4. To bake: remove dough from the freezer and let it come to room temperature. Then bake according the the recipe instructions. 
photo of seven oatmeal cookies on a white marble background

Here are some frequently asked questions about oatmeal cookies! If you have other questions I did not address in this post, please leave a comment and I will answer them!

Why are my oatmeal cookies dry?

These cookies shouldn’t be dry, if they are – here are some possible reasons:
Too much flour. Scoop and level the flour to get just the right amount.ย 
Over-mixing.ย Mix the dry ingredients in until they are just combined.ย 
Over-baking. Don’t do this! Remember they continue baking slightly after they are removed from the oven as they cool on the baking pan.ย 

What gives oatmeal cookies chewy texture?

A combination of butter/sugar/eggs, rolled oats and proper baking time/temperature will result in perfectly chewy oatmeal cookies.ย 

Are old fashioned oats and quick oats the same?

No! Old fashioned (or rolled) oats are whole-grain oat kernels that have been rolled flat. Quick-cooking oats are also rolled, but the oat kernel is cut into smaller pieces so it can cook faster.ย 

How do you know when oatmeal cookies are done?

They are done when the top is just barely set and the edges begin to crack slightly.

What kind of oats do you use for oatmeal cookies?

For the perfect, chewy texture use old-fashioned (or rolled) oats.ย 

Can you use quick oats instead of old fashioned in oatmeal cookies?

Yes, you can, just be aware that it will change the texture of the oatmeal cookies to be less chewy!ย 

stack of five oatmeal cookies

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Best Oatmeal Cookies Recipe

Laura
The best Oatmeal Cookie Recipe – crispy edges with soft and chewy centers, these oatmeal cookies are easy to make with simple ingredients and no chilling! . Add your favorite mix-ins to make them your own.
5 from 464 votes
Course cookies, Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 18 cookies
Calories 133
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time10 minutes
Total Time25 minutes

Ingredients 
 

Instructions 

  • Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
  • Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper. Set aside.
  • In a small bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt and cinnamon. Set aside.
  • Place softened butter, granulated sugar and brown sugar in the bowl of a standing mixer and beat until combined.
  • Add egg and vanilla and beat on medium speed until the mixture is light (about 30-60 seconds).
  • Add dry ingredient mixture and beat on low speed until just combined.
  • Add oatmeal and beat on low speed until combined.
  • Add mix ins (if desired) and stir until evenly distributed in the dough.
  • Use a 1 ยฝ to 2 Tablespoon cookie scoop to measure out the dough.
  • Roll the dough into a ball and place on the prepared cookie sheet. Repeat until all the dough is used.
  • Gently and very slightly press down tops of cookies until they are flat.
  • Bake in preheated oven for 8-10 minutes until the top is just set.
  • Let sit on the baking pan for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool.

Video

Notes

Ingredient Substitutions
  • Flour.ย for a gluten-free version, use an all-purpose gluten-free baking flour.
  • Salted Butter.ย Unsalted butter also works well, you may just need to increase the amount of sea salt.ย 
  • Light Brown Sugar. If you like a bolder molasses taste then you can use dark brown sugar.
  • Granulated Sugar.ย Organic cane sugar is my granulated sugar can be used in place of regular white sugar.ย 
  • Fine Sea salt. I only ever bake with pure, fine sea salt. If you are using iodized salt I recommend decreasing the amount of salt by half.ย 
  • Mix-ins.ย Adding mix-ins is optional. Here are some suggestions:ย 
Mix-In Suggestionsย 
Store
Store oatmeal cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for 3-5 days. You can also freeze the cookies in an airtight container for up to 1 month.ย 
Freeze
  1. Place oatmeal cookie dough balls on a non-stick cookie sheet and put them in the freezer for 1-2 hours or until firm.ย 
  2. Transfer to an airtight, freezer-friendly container (I recommend either a glass storage container or a freezer-friendly ziplock bag).ย 
  3. Freeze for up to 1 month.ย 
  4. To bake: remove dough from the freezer and let it come to room temperature. Then bake according the the recipe instructions.ย 

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1cookie | Calories: 133kcal | Carbohydrates: 19g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 23mg | Sodium: 151mg | Potassium: 40mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 12g | Vitamin A: 171IU | Calcium: 14mg | Iron: 1mg

    Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

    Did you enjoy this recipe? Have a question? Leave a comment below!

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    5 from 464 votes (239 ratings without comment)

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    396 Comments

    1. 5 stars
      Made this recipe for the first time today, itโ€™s fantastic! I used all brown sugar and add 3 c of dried fruit, macadamia nuts and unsweetened shredded coconut.

      Froze in balls on the cookie sheet as recommended, worked out great, I just bagged them.

      Thank for this recipe, itโ€™s a keeper!

    2. 5 stars
      Thank you for a great recipe. I love that you have the directions for three different size batches of cookies! I am at 8500 ft and I didn’t change a thing. Making third batch right now. We are addicted!

    3. 5 stars
      Hi, I tried this recipe for the first time. For some reason my cookies spread out to the cookie sheet. I use home ground flour, Iโ€™m wondering if that made a difference. They do taste good. I just cut them.

      1. Yay!! My husband’s favorite cookies are Oatmeal Cookies too! That’s why I worked hard to create the BEST recipe! ๐Ÿ™‚

    4. 5 stars
      I made these to take to work and everyone raved about them. I didnโ€™t add in any optional ingredients and the recipe is so good that it doesnโ€™t need any, but Iโ€™m sure would be delicious with raisins or pecans. This one is a keeper!

    5. 5 stars
      I have used (and shared with friends) this recipe SO many times Iโ€™ve lost count now, so I thought Iโ€™d better give it my five stars! I always make a double batch because they never last long around our six kids. So so good. I always add in half dark/half milk chocolate chips. Thank you for my go-to cookie recipe!

    6. 5 stars
      Only change I made was using dark brown sugar. I added walnuts and craisins. This recipe a keeper in my book! Thank you!!!

    7. 5 stars
      My cookies were a bit flat. I think next time I won’t press them down as I prefer a more chunky cookie. Love the salt. Also, I added raisins and chopped roasted pecans! Yum.

    8. 5 stars
      I have been partial to the NYT oatmeal raisin cookie recipe. However, after trying your chocolate chip recipe, I decided to try this recipe & I think this will replace my old standby!