Oatmeal Cookies

Published February 23, 2019. Updated March 21, 2020

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There’s nothing quite like a batch of homemade Oatmeal Cookies, just like Grandma made!  This is my favorite oatmeal cookie recipe!

They’re soft and chewy, perfectly spiced, dotted with juicy raisins and crunchy walnuts and always sure to satisfy those cookie cravings.

Oatmeal Raisin Cookies scattered over a marble surface, decorated with flowers.

The BEST Soft and Chewy Oatmeal Cookies Recipe!

You’ll love all the textures in these oatmeal cookies and their rich buttery flavor. They’re just one of those classic cookies everyone will love and you’ll want to make time and time again.

And of course the ultimate way to enjoy these cookies is fresh, warm from the oven with a tall glass of ice cold, creamy whole milk.

There’s just something so nostalgic about these (oatmeal cookies just like Grandma’s!), and it’s a tradition that should be passed down for generations to come.

These are likely to become a new favorite cookie!

Oatmeal Cookies Video

 

Close up image of one oatmeal raisin cookie sitting on parchment paper. Shows texture and moisture of cookie.

Ingredients for Easy Oatmeal Cookies

  • Old fashioned oats. Don’t use quick oats here or the texture won’t come out the same. Plus they absorb differently so cookies may end up dry.
  • All-purpose flour. Bleached or unbleached flour will work here.
  • Baking powder and baking soda. The blend of the two offers cookies with just enough lift.
  • Cinnamon. If you’d like additional spice flavor add in 1/4 tsp nutmeg and ginger too.
  • Salt. Don’t leave this out or cookies will taste flat.
  • Unsalted butter. Careful not to soften butter fully. Semi-firm butter will help cookies spread less.
  • Light brown sugar and granulated sugar. The combination gives a soft chewy cookie, and the brown sugar adds a light caramel-y flavor.
  • Eggs. These bind everything together. Use cold eggs so cookies spread less.
  • Vanilla. You could also use vanilla bean paste here as well.
  • Raisins. A freshly opened package will give best results, just don’t use some that are all super dry.
  • Walnuts. Optional, but who doesn’t love the additional chewy crunch to pair with the oats?

Can I Use Chocolate Chips?

Chocolate chips work great here too. Just omit the raisins and add 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips instead.

Can I Use Salted Butter?

Yes. Salted butter will work fine here if that’s what you have on hand. Just omit the salt because there’s about 1/4 tsp salt per stick of salted butter.

Ingredients needed to make oatmeal cookies shown here.

How to Make the Best Oatmeal Cookies from Scratch?

  • 1. Heat oven, prepare baking sheet: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line rimmed 18 by 13-inch baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.
  • 2. Whisk dry ingredients: In a mixing bowl whisk together flour, cinnamon, baking soda, baking powder and salt, set aside.

Showing how to make oatmeal raisin cookies. Whisking flour, cinnamon, baking soda, baking powder and salt in a glass mixing bowl.

  • 3. Cream butter and sugars using electric mixer: In the bowl of an electric stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment cream together butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until combined.

Mixing butter and sugars in a stand mixer to make oatmeal cookies.

  • 4. Blend in eggs one at a time and vanilla: Add in one egg mix. Add in second egg and vanilla and mix.

Adding egg and vanilla to mixture in stand mixer.

  • 5. Mix in dry ingredients: Add flour mixture to butter sugar mixture and mix just until combined.

Adding flour mixture to stand mixer.

  • 6. Add mix ins: Mix in oats, raisins and walnuts, mixing just until evenly distributed.
  • Tip for sticky dough: If dough is too sticky too shape into balls you can chill for 30 minutes or just use two spoons to drop mounds onto baking sheets.

Adding oatmeal, raisins, walnuts to stand mixer to make oatmeal raisin cookies.

Finished oatmeal cookie dough in stand mixer bowl.

  • 7. Shape oatmeal cookie dough into individual rounds: Scoop dough out and shape into 1 1/2-inch balls (or 40 grams each), transfer to prepared baking sheet fitting 12 per sheet and spacing 2-inches apart.
  • 8. Bake: Bake in preheated oven until golden brown on edges and nearly set (center should look under-baked), about 12 – 14 minutes.
  • 9. Cool: Let cool on baking sheet for a few minutes then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Repeat with remaining dough.

Oatmeal cookie dough balls on parchment paper lined baking sheet before baking.

Can I Use a Hand Mixer instead of a Stand Mixer?

I have also made these with a hand mixer. It will work but there’s a few things to keep in mind:

  • I recommend using softened or room temperature butter. That way it’s not too hard to mix.
  • You’ll want to fold the oats, raisins and nuts in (using a spatula or wooden spoon) because the blender motor could burn up as the batter gets heavy.
  • Chill the dough. Since you’ll be using softened butter chill dough 30 – 60 minutes so the cookies won’t spread too much.

Oatmeal Cookies on baking sheet after baking.

How Many Calories are in an Oatmeal Raisin Cookie?

There are 184 calories per Oatmeal Raisin Cookie (per this recipe yielding 32, including raisins and walnuts).

How to Store Oatmeal Cookies so They Stay Soft and Moist?

  • Be sure to store them in a well sealed airtight container at room temperature.
  • Try adding a slice of bread to the container as well. Just don’t lay it directly on cookies or it can make those it’s resting on soggy.

Whole batch of oatmeal cookies on baking sheet in rows after cooling.

How Can I Make Just One Oatmeal Cookie?

Sometimes the cravings strike and you only need dessert for one or two. I made a recipe for that, it’s fast, easy and just as good as these cookies are. Check out the recipe for One Oatmeal Cookie HERE.

How do You Make Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies?

Craving the Peanut Butter Oatmeal combo? Look no further I’ve got the perfect recipe HERE. They’re so soft and perfectly peanut buttery.

Stack of Oatmeal Cookies, one broken to show interior.

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Oatmeal Cookies
4.94 from 251 votes

Oatmeal Cookies

My favorite oatmeal cookie recipe! Soft and chewy, perfectly spiced, dotted with juicy raisins and crunchy walnuts and always sure to satisfy those cookie cravings.
Servings: 32
Prep15 minutes
Cook40 minutes
Ready in: 55 minutes

Equipment

  • Stand mixer (I own and love this Kitchenaid stand mixer).

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line rimmed 18 by 13-inch baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.
  • In a mixing bowl whisk together flour, cinnamon, baking soda, baking powder and salt for 20 seconds, set aside.
  • In the bowl of an electric stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment cream together butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until combined.
  • Mix in one egg, then blend in second egg and vanilla.
  • Add flour mixture and mix just until combined then mix in oats, raisins and walnuts.
  • Scoop dough out and shape into 1 1/2-inch balls (or 40 grams each), transfer to prepared baking sheet fitting 12 per sheet and spacing 2-inches apart.
  • Bake in preheated oven until golden brown on edges and nearly set (center should look under-baked), about 12 - 14 minutes.
  • Let cool on baking sheet for a few minutes then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Repeat with remaining dough.
  • Store in an airtight container at room temperature.

Notes

  • *Don't use quick oats or the cookies won't turn out the same.
  • **1 cup chocolate chips (or more if desired) can be substituted for raisins.
  • Try adding a slice of bread to container with baked cookies to keep them soft and moist, just don't lay it directly on cookies or it can make those it's resting on soggy.
Nutrition Facts
Oatmeal Cookies
Amount Per Serving
Calories 184 Calories from Fat 81
% Daily Value*
Fat 9g14%
Saturated Fat 4g25%
Cholesterol 25mg8%
Sodium 64mg3%
Potassium 113mg3%
Carbohydrates 24g8%
Fiber 1g4%
Sugar 9g10%
Protein 2g4%
Vitamin A 190IU4%
Vitamin C 0.3mg0%
Calcium 23mg2%
Iron 1mg6%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Nutrition values are estimates only. See full disclaimer here.