Best Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

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These are the best Oatmeal Raisin cookies! They have crispy edges, soft and chewy centers, a rich vanilla flavor and plenty of raisins! They are easy to make with simple ingredients – no chilling required.

Oatmeal Raisin Cookie with a bite taken out of it

There is something about oatmeal raisin cookies that is just pure nostalgia. One bite into a chewy oatmeal raisin cookie elicits memories of Christmas and grandma’s house and all this cozy and wam.

This oatmeal raisin cookie recipe is truly the best. Just like my famous oatmeal cookies, these delicious morsels are easy to make and do not require any chilling. They are loaded with raisins and are beloved by all who try them.

7 oatmeal raisin cookies on a cooling rack

Oatmeal Raisin Cookies: Ingredients & Substitutions

overhead photo of the ingredients in this Oatmeal Raisin Cookies recipe
  • All-purpose flour. Use 1:1 all-purpose gluten-free baking flour to make the recipe gluten-free.
  • Salted Butter. Unsalted butter also works well.
  • Light Brown Sugar. If you like a little bolder molasses taste, use dark brown sugar.
  • Granulated Sugar. use white granulated sugar or organic cane sugar for the best results.
  • Oatmeal: For the perfect, chewy texture use old-fashioned (or rolled) oats. You can use quick oats, but using them will change the texture.
  • 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. 
  • Raisins. Use traditional or golden raisins.
Oatmeal Raisin Cookies on a wire cooling rack

How to Make Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

Let’s walk through this oatmeal raisin cookie recipe step-by-step, and remember to watch the video for additional guidance.

Begin by combining the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt and cinnamon in a medium bowl, then set the dry ingredients aside.

two photos showing how to make oatmeal raisin cookies - mixing dry ingredients

Then, beat together the softened butter and sugars for 1 minute.

two photos showing how to make oatmeal raisin cookies - beating butter and sugar

Next, add the egg and vanilla and beat on medium speed until the mixture is light – about 1 minute.

two photos showing how to make oatmeal raisin cookies - adding egg and vanilla

Then add the dry ingredient mixture and beat on low speed until just combined.

two photos showing how to make oatmeal raisin cookies - combining wet and dry ingredients

Once the mixture is smooth, add the oatmeal and beat on low speed.

two photos showing how to make oatmeal raisin cookies - adding oatmeal

Then, add raisins and stir until evenly distributed in the dough.

two photos showing how to make oatmeal raisin cookies - adding raisins

Use a 1 ยฝ to 2 tablespoon cookie scoop to portion out the dough, then roll it into balls and place them on the prepared cookie sheet. Repeat until all the dough is used.

two photos showing how to make oatmeal raisin cookies - dough on baking sheet before baking

Bake the oatmeal raisin cookies in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes until the top is just set. Be very careful not to over-bake.

8 Oatmeal Raisin Cookies on a baking sheet

Let the cookies sit on the baking pan for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Oatmeal Raisin Cookies on a cooling rack

Serve

Enjoy the oatmeal raisin cookies slightly warm or room temperature. They are delicious when included on a cookie tray with some of our other favorite cookie recipes!

4 Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

How to Store Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

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

3 Oatmeal Raisin Cookies, one with a bite taken out of it

Freeze

You can freeze baked oatmeal raisin cookies cookies in an airtight container for up to 2 months. Or, you can freeze the dough and bake them fresh (preferred method).

To freeze the dough: 

  1. Form the dough into balls and place them on a non-stick cookie sheet.
  2. Put the cookie sheet in the freezer for 1-2 hours or until the dough is frozen. 
  3. Transfer to an airtight, freezer-friendly container (I recommend either a glass storage container or a freezer-friendly ziplock bag). 
  4. Freeze for up to 2 months.
  5. To bake: remove dough from the freezer and let it thaw to room temperature. Then bake according to the recipe instructions. 
stack of 4 Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

Oatmeal Raisin Cookies Recipe FAQS

Should I soak my raisins for cookies?

I don’t soak raisins for cookies, however if you want them to have a softer texture you can soak them in boiling water for 5 minutes. Just be sure to drain them well after soaking.

Do you have to flatten oatmeal cookies before baking?

If you find that your cookies aren’t flattening in the oven, this is a great way to fix that problem. Gently press the cookie dough down before putting the cookies in the oven.

Should I chill the dough before baking?

These cookies bake perfectly without chilling. However, it doesn’t not hurt to chill the dough. You can prepare the dough up to 1 day in advance and chill it in the refrigerator in an airtight container.

Are rolled oats the same as old fashioned oats?

Yes, they are the same product with different names.

Can I double this recipe?

Yes, you can double this oatmeal raisin cookie recipe easily.

4 Oatmeal Raisin Cookies, one with a bite taken out of it

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Best Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

Laura
These are the best Oatmeal Raisin cookies! They have crispy edges, soft and chewy centers, a rich vanilla flavor and plenty of raisins! They are easy to make with simple ingredients – no chilling required.
5 from 6 votes
Course cookies, Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 18 cookies
Calories 151
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time10 minutes
Total Time15 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. (or beat in large bowl with a handheld mixer)
  • 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 raisins and stir until evenly distributed in the dough.
  • Use a 1 ยฝ to 2 TBS 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 Notes/Substitutions
  • All-purpose flour. Use 1:1 all-purpose gluten-free baking flour to make the recipe gluten-free.
  • Salted Butter. Unsalted butter also works well.
  • Light Brown Sugar.ย If you like a little bolder molasses taste, use dark brown sugar.
  • Granulated Sugar.ย use white granulated sugar or organic cane sugar for the best results.
  • Oatmeal: For the perfect, chewy texture use old-fashioned (or rolled) oats.ย You can use quick oats, but using them will change the texture.
  • Sea salt.ย 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 
  • Raisins.ย Use traditional or golden raisins.
Store
Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for 3-5 days.
Freeze
You can freeze baked oatmeal raisin cookies cookies in an airtight container for up to 2 months. Or, you can freeze the dough and bake them fresh (preferred method).
To freeze the dough:ย 
  1. Form the dough into balls and place them on a non-stick cookie sheet.
  2. Put the cookie sheet in the freezer for 1-2 hours or until the dough is frozen.ย 
  3. Transfer to an airtight, freezer-friendly container (I recommend either a glass storage container or a freezer-friendly ziplock bag).ย 
  4. Freeze for up to 2 months.
  5. To bake: remove dough from the freezer and let it thaw to room temperature. Then bake according to the recipe instructions.ย 

Nutrition

Serving: 1cookie | Calories: 151kcal | Carbohydrates: 24g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 23mg | Sodium: 143mg | Potassium: 90mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 12g | Vitamin A: 171IU | Vitamin C: 0.3mg | Calcium: 16mg | Iron: 1mg

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

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5 from 6 votes (2 ratings without comment)

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8 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    Delicious is an understatement – these are best oatmeal cookies that I have ever had – much better than the Quaker Oats recipe.

  2. 5 stars
    Great oatmeal raisin cookie recipe. Very easy to follow. Cookies came out perfect! And very, very delicious!

  3. 5 stars
    Absolutely delicious!! This recipe is hands down the best oatmeal raisin cookie I have ever had. Thank you Laura!