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Oatmeal is the perfect ingredient for any delicious cookie. Apart from being versatile, it is packed with heart-healthy nutrients, fiber, protein, and anti-inflammatory properties. And vital minerals like magnesium, iron, calcium, and potassium.
Wholesome oatmeal cookies typically contain fewer calories than regular sugar-laden versions. You also have the flexibility to add other tasty ingredients ranging from chocolate chips, M&M’s, and crunchy toasted nuts to cookies with tangy carrot cake frosting and cinnamon apple pie flavors.
So, without further ado, here are the 27 best oatmeal cookie recipes that pack a punch in the flavor department and cater to all your dietary needs, with a few added surprises!
1. Thin and Crispy Oatmeal Cookies
Few things in life compare with the sheer joy of tucking in a thin, crispy, and delectably buttery oatmeal cookie fresh out of the oven! So, if that ticks all your boxes, you will love this recipe as it has just the right amount of sweetness.
Tips:
- While you gather all the cookie ingredients and equipment, preheat your oven to 350 degrees for 15- 20 minutes.
- It’s essential to only use the recommended ingredients like old-fashioned oats, which provide the right firm and crispy texture. And not instant or quick oats that tend to get too soft or mushy.
- Please use real butter as it adds to the cookie’s rich and creamy taste and helps the dough spread out to become thin and crispy – just like your grandma used to make them.
2. Soft and Chewy Oatmeal Cookies
If you are looking for a moreish, deliciously soft, and chewy oatmeal cookie. With a subtle hint of aromatic spices, succulently sweet raisins, and wall nuts – look no further!
It’s no wonder that this recipe is so popular as it’s incredibly versatile. So you can play around with textures and spices until you find the perfect blend to satisfy your cookie craving.
Tips:
- Add a little nutmeg or ginger to the cinnamon if you love spiced cookies.
- Swap the raisins for one cup of chocolate chips to make them even more delectable.
3. Brown Sugar Oatmeal Cookies
If you crave tasty soft oatmeal cookies, you will love this easy-to-bake brown sugar oatmeal cookie recipe! These delicious cookies are made with brown sugar and butter, so you can be assured that they will stay soft, and tasty for much longer.
Tips:
- Add ½ cup diced nuts to the flour mixture if you prefer an added level of nutty crunch.
- Store your cookies in an airtight, sealed container to keep them fresh for longer.
- If you want to use your adorable cookie jar or grandma’s tin, first seal them in a zip-locked, airtight bag, then pop them in the cookie jar or tin.
4. Healthy Oatmeal Cookies
This delicious, freezer-friendly oatmeal cookie with dark chocolate chips, raisins, and nuts is my go-to recipe. Especially if I need a tasty yet wholesome sweet treat that is healthy and nutritious.
Tips:
- If the combination of raisins and chocolate chips sounds too sweet, or your kids can’t stand them (like mine), simply omit the raisins.
- While the recipe does include some butter, which you can replace with vegan or plant-based butter. It mainly relies on applesauce to provide a soft consistency, with honey for added sweetness. And you can easily create a gluten-free version, so it’s incredibly versatile.
5. Grandma’s Oatmeal Cookies
You know a recipe is great if it has stood the test of time, like this old-school oatmeal cookie recipe that will remind you of your childhood and Grandma’s kitchen.
Especially because it is baked with shortening instead of butter which results in an extra crispy cookie that must be tasted to be believed. And the mix of white and brown sugar adds an extra layer of sweet deliciousness that will bring back fond memories.
Tip:
- If you want a traditional oatmeal cookie, only use the recommended ingredients like old-fashioned rolled oats and not the instant variety.
6. Three-Ingredient Oatmeal Cookies
This crispy and tasty oatmeal cookie recipe is simply fabulous! It only uses three ingredients, which you probably already have in your pantry. Thus you don’t have to search far and wide for unique ingredients.
So, if you have some ripe bananas, rolled gluten-free (or instant) oats, and smooth or crunchy peanut butter, you can have a fresh batch of delicious healthy cookies in a matter of minutes.
Tips:
- You can use almond butter instead of peanut butter if you don’t have any on hand.
- These cookies also freeze beautifully, so once they are baked, and cooled down, pop them into an airtight container and straight into the freezer.
7. Banana Oatmeal Cookies
This fabulous oatmeal cookie recipe is ideal if you have a bunch of overripe bananas. You can substitute the limited amount of brown sugar with extra bananas for a relatively sugar-free option.
While these cookies contain dark-chocolate chips, they are full of antioxidants that are good for you. And they are made with whole wheat flour, so they are relatively healthy.
Tip:
- Although these cookies are made with processed quick oats, you can substitute them with more nutritious old-fashioned rolled oats for a firmer texture.
8. Three-Ingredient Oatmeal Chock-Chip Cookies
These divine oatmeal cookies are like the previously mentioned three-ingredient oatmeal cookies recipe. However, it uses chocolate chips instead of peanut butter.
So, they are perfect for anyone with a nut allergy who wants to whip up a batch of healthy cookies. The recipe is so simple that you don’t have to be an experienced baker, and it’s ideal for kids who want to practice their baking skills.
Tip:
- For vegan or dairy-free oatmeal cookies, replace the chock chips with a vegan chocolate alternative.
9. No-Bake Cookies
This easy no-bake oatmeal cookie recipe, with delicious chocolaty peanut butter, is super easy to make and ideal if your oven is nearing retirement!
Tips:
- The only potentially tricky bit is boiling the butter, sugar, milk, cocoa powder, and milk. So, follow the instructions meticulously, mainly because a few seconds can make a massive difference.
- Please use quick oats, not old-fashioned rolled oats, as these cookies are not baked.
10. Oatmeal Brown Sugar Cookies with Raisins and Pecans
Let’s face it, nothing beats the joy of biting into a nutty yet soft and satisfying oatmeal cookie! And with the addition of wholesome rolled oats and luscious raisins, they are far healthier than most other cookies.
Tips:
- If baking these cookies on a hot day, pop the dough into the fridge for roughly 30 minutes before they are baked, as warm butter makes them flatten and spread out too much.
- You can freeze the cookies (for up to 3 months) by adding cookie dough balls to a baking sheet and popping them in the freezer. Once they are frozen, transfer them to a sealed bag and remove as much air as possible.
- Bake the frozen cookies (without defrosting them) for 1-2 minutes longer than the recommended time of 11-13 minutes.
11. Easy Oatmeal Cookies (One Bowl)
These tasty cookies are ideal for those days when you don’t want a pile of dishes, as you only need a bowl and a lined baking sheet.
Although if you are making a few batches (and trust me, you would want to), chill the dough in the fridge between baking, and allow your baking tray to cool down before the next batch of cookies is baked.
Tips:
- Please don’t worry if the centers look undercooked in the middle of the oatmeal cookies when you remove them from the oven. They will continue baking on the hot baking sheet (for 2 minutes).
- However, if you prefer crispier cookies, leave them in the oven for 1-2 minutes while keeping an eye on them.
12. Thick and Chewy Classic Gluten-Free Oatmeal Cookies
Baking gluten-free oatmeal cookies can be challenging. So after much trial and error, I stumbled upon this fail-proof thick, delicious oatmeal cookie recipe that ticks all the boxes! And with certified gluten-free oats, you can rest assured that all the ingredients are safe to consume.
Tips:
- Great options for gluten-free flour include Better Batter (an all-purpose flour) and Cup4Cup brands.
- Purity Protocol gluten-free, old-fashioned rolled oats add to the delicious nuttiness of these cookies and are certified as gluten-free.
13. Sugar-Free Oatmeal Cookies
The soft and delectable oatmeal cookies with healthy ingredients like flaxseed, coconut oil, bananas, and dried fruit, including nuts and seeds, prove that you can bake ultra-tasty cookies without sugar or gluten.
However, because they don’t contain any melted sugar that provides that crispy texture, these wholesome oatmeal cookies might not appeal to everyone.
Tips:
- Unlike most oatmeal cookies that need to be stored in airtight containers, these tasty treats should be exposed to the circulating air. Otherwise, they become a little soggy.
- Alternatively, if you want to freeze them, pop them in an airtight container, and they will remain fresh for up to 3 months.
14. Refined Sugar-free Oatmeal Cookies
This quick and easy, kiddie-friendly oatmeal recipe takes 5 minutes to bake. And it’s perfect for kids who get hyped up on sugar, as you can use raw honey, agave nectar, or even maple syrup if you prefer sweeter cookies.
Tip:
- It’s essential to place your cookie dough in the fridge for 20 minutes before it bakes, as this wet dough must cool down thoroughly before you can pop the cookies into the oven.
15. Applesauce Oatmeal Cookies for Diabetics
If you are looking for a great oatmeal cookie recipe for people with diabetes, look no further! These delicious cookies contain unsweetened applesauce for creaminess, a granular no-calorie sweetener, and a minuscule (permitted) amount of brown sugar for an added crunch.
Tip:
- If you don’t like the taste of Splenda sweetener, substitute it with any other no-calorie granular baking sweetener.
16. Crispy-Crunchy Oatmeal Cookies
This is one of my favorite oatmeal cookie recipes, as you can’t beat its crispy level of satisfaction. Although tread with caution as these old-fashioned crunchy cookies will disappear in a flash, so you might need to hide them!
Tip:
- This popular recipe is also customizable. You can play around with tastes and textures by adding nuts, seeds, refined coconut, chock chips, raisins, or dried cranberries.
17. Pumpkin and Oatmeal Cookies
This easy-bake recipe produces the most deliciously soft and tasty pumpkin oatmeal cookies. With an included festive pumpkin pie spice recipe you can make at home and use for other baked goods.
Tips:
- Pumpkin retains a lot of water (which can spoil your cookies). So once your pumpkin is cooked and pureed, ensure it has cooled down, and remove as much moisture as possible.
- You can squeeze the water out between loads of paper towels. Or place it in a sieve or sifter on top of a mixing bowl and gently press the water out with a big spoon.
18. Super-Loaded Oatmeal Cookies
While this recipe is time-consuming, it is perfect for one of those days when you feel like baking a big batch of delicious oatmeal cookies. With healthy nuts, seeds, cranberries, and coconut flakes all rolled into one.
Tips:
- Please remember to add the eggs one at a time, not all at once, to create a smooth, well-mixed cookie dough.
- The cookie dough must be refrigerated for 2 hours or more, so make it the night before baking or earlier in the day.
19. Crispy Oatmeal Chocolate Sandwich Cookies
These crunchy, chocolaty oatmeal sandwich cookies should come with a health warning as they are impossible to resist and highly addictive! No wonder IKEA’s version is so popular, and the best part is that you can now bake them at home without having to step outdoors.
Tip:
- Ensure that your cookies are the same size by using a cookie scoop, as they will become chocolate sandwiches (and they will bake more evenly).
- Mix it constantly when you are melting the coconut oil and chocolate ingredients. Keep an eye on it, as tempered chocolate loses its creamy consistency and becomes granular if exposed to heat for too long.
20. White Chocolate Dipped Cranberry Oatmeal Cookies
This list of delicious oatmeal cookies would be incomplete without including these ridiculously tasty soft, yet firm oatmeal cookies dipped in white chocolate and bejeweled with cranberries and crunchy toasted pecan nuts.
Tips:
- Please resist the temptation of baking them for longer than 9 minutes, even if their centers look undercooked, as the heat from the baking sheet will continue cooking them.
- While baking chocolate like Candiquick is ideal for this recipe, especially as it melts quickly, stir it well until it has a silky or glossy consistency.
21. Healthy Oatmeal Cookies With Apples and Carrots
Most toddlers are picky eaters at times, so this recipe is ideal as you can sneak in some finely grated carrots and apples. Including nutritious seeds and nuts, and you can serve them as a healthy snack, dessert, or even for breakfast.
Tips:
- You can create bite-sized toddler oat cookies and reduce the baking time by only using a tablespoon’s worth of dough, with the option to freeze the rest for later. But first, pop them into the fridge the night before you bake them.
- Another great option is to drizzle some icing over the (cooled-down) cookies. You can make your own icing by mixing a ½-1 teaspoon milk and ¼ cup powdered sugar together until it has a smooth consistency.
22. Oatmeal Chia Seed Cookies
This fail-proof, super tasty vegan chia seed oatmeal cookie recipe is delicious. And is packed with nutrients like antioxidants, soluble fiber, calcium, and magnesium. So it’s perfect for a healthy breakfast.
Tips:
- Half the amount of sugar if you prefer less sweet cookies.
- Instead of chia seeds, you can use flax seed and add some vanilla extract (½ teaspoon) for added depth of flavor (consider using vanilla pods).
- Other tasty additions include a cup of nuts and dried fruit (like cranberries) or vegan dark chocolate chips.
23. Oatmeal M&M Cookies
Let’s be honest; it is nearly impossible to only eat a few M&M’s without wanting to finish the packet! So, if you share my guilty pleasure, you will love these oatmeal cookies stuffed to the brim with chocolate chips and tasty M&Ms.
Tips:
- These cookie dough balls must be refrigerated for 15- 20 minutes on a baking sheet before being placed into the preheated oven.
- Like the previously mentioned recipes, you can freeze the M&M cookie dough balls for 2-3 months in an airtight container or sealable bag.
24. Giant Oatmeal Cookies
Teaching your kids the fine art of baking might be messy. Still, it’s a fun and educational way to teach them valuable skills like measuring quantities, counting the ingredients, and making them more self-sufficient.
So, if you are looking for a tasty oatmeal cookie recipe with wholesome raisins, sunflower seeds, and quick oats. With great tips and tricks to bake with kids, these delicious cookies are ideal!
Tips:
- Gather all the cookie ingredients and baking equipment beforehand to be easily accessible.
- Some kids dislike dried raisins, so before you gather all the ingredients, and preheat your oven, place them in a bowl filled with warm water for at least 15 minutes so they can plump up. Then drain and dry them with a paper towel.
25. Easy Oatmeal Cookies
Easy oatmeal cookies are one of my favorite quick recipes if I don’t have much time or energy to wash a large pile of baking dishes.
This fast and efficient recipe produces chunky and delectable oatmeal cookies with soft centers in one bowl, without a mixer or the need to chill the dough in only 20 minutes – from start to finish.
Tips:
- Once the cookies are baked, add five chocolate chips to each cookie while they are on the baking sheet (they don’t need to be transferred to a cookie rack). They can be served after about 10 minutes (if you can wait that long).
- To keep these tasty, sweet treats fresh when stored, add a slice of bread to the airtight container to absorb moisture. Just make sure that it does not touch the cookies.
- The leftover dough can be refrigerated in an airtight container for roughly 5 days or frozen for months.
26. Healthy Apple Pie Oatmeal Cookies
Suppose you love cinnamon-spiced sweet apple pie and cookies. In that case, this ultra-healthy, tasty oatmeal cookie recipe will satisfy that craving. And because it is made without refined sugar, butter, eggs, or flour, you can indulge to your heart’s content!
Tips:
- Ideally, use sweet apple varieties like honey-crips, pink ladies, or fuji apples to amplify these cookies’ delicious apple pie taste.
- Ensure that the cookie balls are tight and compact, as the apples release their juices when these cookies are baked, and they can fall apart if they are not compressed.
- While you can use dried apples instead of the suggested fresh ones, they detract from the flavor of the delicious apple pie.
27. Carrot Cake Oatmeal Cookies
This healthy recipe combines the sweet, tangy taste of pineapple-frosted carrot cake with the soft and deliciousness of crunchy walnut oatmeal cookies. So, they are utterly irresistible, versatile, and super easy to make for a quick breakfast.
Tips:
- If you love cookies with warm spices, you can add a hint of cardamom to the other spices.
- Alternatively, swap the walnuts with pecans if they are your favorite – your options are endless!