My oatmeal cookies recipe yields soft, chewy, bakery-style cookies. This old-fashioned classic is an all-time favorite, and I think you’ll love the incredible flavors, perfectly balanced texture and sweetness, and ease of this recipe! Includes a how-to video!
Truly the Best Oatmeal Cookies
Despite their humble appearance, my oatmeal cookies are always the very first cookies to disappear from their cookie tins each Christmas.
While they may not look as exciting as chocolate chip cookies, snickerdoodles, or flashy iced sugar cookies, they have a classic hearty texture and incredible depth of flavor that’s rich with brown sugar, vanilla, and butter. They’re also easy to prepare, are made with basic, easy to find ingredients, and are perfect for beginner and advanced bakers alike.
Why You Should Try THIS Oatmeal Cookie Recipe
- Incredible flavor. A blend of brown and white sugar, a healthy splash of real vanilla, a subtle sprinkling of cinnamon, this recipe checks all the boxes for a satisfying cookie.
- The *perfect* texture. Hearty and satisfying, the oats make for a sturdy cookie with perfectly balanced sweetness.
- Easy to make! This recipe is perfect for bakers of any level of expertise.
- Over 250 five-star reviews ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️! Since I first published this recipe in 2017, it’s garnered hundreds of rave reviews and has become a new staple in households across the world. So don’t just take my word for it, check out the comments!
I know there are literally hundreds of thousands of other oatmeal cookies out there, but give this one a try and I strongly suspect it will become your new go-to, too.
What You Need
Oatmeal cookies are made with pantry staples, which is one of the many reasons they’ve been so popular over the years! Let’s go over a few key ingredients.
- Oats. I recommend and prefer old-fashioned oats in my oatmeal cookies, but discuss alternatives in the FAQ section below.
- Sugar. My oatmeal cookies use a blend of white granulated and light brown. The brown sugar adds moisture and flavor, helping to make these cookies nice and soft.
- Softened butter. Perfectly softened butter should be slightly cooler than room temperature; 65°F is ideal, if you want to get technical (it does not need to be exact!).
- Vanilla extract. I use a healthy pour of vanilla in my recipe, which gives the cookies incredible depth of flavor. Now is a great time to whip out your homemade vanilla, if you have any!
- Flour. Use all-purpose flour. Bleached or unbleached will work, I personally use unbleached. Do not use self-rising flour which contains baking powder, which this recipe does not use, and salt, which we have already accounted for.
- Corn starch. As I mentioned, this is one of my favorite ingredients to use in my cookies (it makes an appearance in my peanut butter blossoms, too). It makes them nice and soft and chewy without making them cakey. You could alternatively substitute arrowroot starch.
- Baking soda. This leavening agent gives the cookies the perfect chewy texture and just the right amount of spread. It also helps cause some of that golden caramelization that gives the cookies their beautiful coloring (and rich flavor). No baking powder is needed in this recipe
- Ground cinnamon. You can leave this out if you have allergies, but the flavor of these oatmeal cookies is so perfectly enhanced by a dash of cinnamon.
SAM’S TIP: If you don’t have cornstarch and can’t find arrowroot, you can substitute the cornstarch with an equal amount of flour. The oatmeal cookies will be a tad flatter and they won’t be quite as soft and chewy, but they’ll still be very good!
This is just an overview of the ingredients I use in my oatmeal cookie recipe and why I do so. For the full recipe with measurements, please scroll down to the bottom of the post!
Tips for Perfect Cookies, Every Time
I love these oatmeal cookies (and really all cookie recipes) because I think they’re the perfect recipe for beginner bakers and seasoned pros alike. I wanted to share a few tips that helped me level up my own cookie game, hopefully they help you, too!
- Cream the butter and sugar well. Creaming, or thoroughly beating together the butter and sugars, is necessary in this recipe because it helps incorporate air into the batter and helps the cookies achieve the proper texture. This means going beyond simply stirring together the butter and sugar until just combined; you want the mixture to appear light and fluffy, and an electric or stand mixer is best for easily achieving this.
- Weigh your ingredients! A kitchen scale (⬅️ that one is my favorite!) is a game changer when it comes to baking anything, from cakes to macarons and oatmeal cookies. It will also save you on dishes, no more measuring cups to wash. Here is my guide on using a kitchen scale to get you started. If you don’t have a scale, don’t worry, you can still make great cookies, just make sure you are measuring your flour properly (don’t scoop it into your measuring cup!).
- Roll your cookies. Most drop cookies (like these) can simply be, well, dropped on the baking pan and baked. No problem! But if you want your cookies to look more uniform and round, roll the dough between your palms to make a round ball before baking.
- Know your oven temperature. Many ovens run hotter or cooler than they let on (I once had an oven that was 25 degrees hotter than it told me it was!). I highly recommend keeping an oven thermometer in the center of your oven to monitor the temperature. Also make sure you bake in the center rack, unless otherwise noted.
- Underbake slightly. Remove the oatmeal cookies from the oven before they’re baked all the way through! The edges should look set/slightly golden but the centers will appear slightly underdone (but not raw!). Let your cookies cool completely on the baking sheet, where they’ll finish cooking to perfection. This will give you cookies that stay soft and chewy for days.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes you can! Any of these may be added to the dough without having to make any other alterations to the recipe. I recommend adding about 1 ½ cups of your favorite add-ins, stir them in with a wooden spoon or spatula after adding your oats.
I also do have a standalone oatmeal chocolate chip cookie recipe and an oatmeal raisin cookie recipe, both of which are different from this recipe.
I used to recommend against using quick oats (also sometimes called “instant oats”), but after a series of recent tests I’ve concluded that it’s fine to use quick oats instead. Note that your oatmeal cookies will be less chewy, less hearty, and may be a tad more dry.
Substitute an equal amount.
This recipe is specifically designed to yield soft, chewy cookies. You can help ensure your cookies stay soft by following my instructions for not over-baking the cookies. When storing, keep them in an airtight container at room temperature, they’re best when enjoyed within 5 days of baking.
I hope you love this oatmeal cookie recipe every bit as my family does!
Enjoy!
Let’s bake together! Subscribe to my newsletter to be notified of all the newest recipes, and find my free recipe tutorials on YouTube 💜
Oatmeal Cookies
Ingredients
- 1 cup (226 g) unsalted butter softened
- 1 cup (200 g) light brown sugar firmly packed
- ½ cup (100 g) granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs room temperature preferred
- 1 ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 ¾ cup (215 g) all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch (cornflour in UK)
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ¾ teaspoon table salt
- ¾ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 3 cups (285 g) old-fashioned rolled oats
- 1 ½ cups chocolate chips, chopped nuts, or raisins optional!
Recommended Equipment
Instructions
- Beat butter in the bowl of a stand mixer (or using an electric beater) for about 30 seconds.1 cup (226 g) unsalted butter
- Add sugars and beat until light and fluffy (pause to scrape down sides and bottom of bowl, if needed).1 cup (200 g) light brown sugar, ½ cup (100 g) granulated sugar
- Add eggs, one at a time, beating until combined.2 large eggs
- Stir in vanilla extract.1 ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, cornstarch, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon.1 ¾ cup (215 g) all-purpose flour, 2 teaspoons cornstarch, 1 teaspoon baking soda, ¾ teaspoon table salt, ¾ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- Gradually add flour mixture to butter mixture until completely combined. Be sure to scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl so ingredients are well-mixed.3 cups (285 g) old-fashioned rolled oats
- Gradually stir in oats until completely combined. If using raisins or chocolate chips, stir them in at this point.1 ½ cups chocolate chips, chopped nuts, or raisins
- Cover dough with plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator to chill for at least 30 minutes and up to 3 days.
- Preheat oven to 375F (190C) and prepare cookie sheets by lining with parchment paper.
- Drop cookie dough by rounded 2 Tablespoon-sized balls onto parchment paper, spacing at least 2" apart. If desired, roll cookies between your palms to make a smooth ball, which will give you more uniform cookies.
- Bake on 375F (190C) for 10-12 minutes (edges should be slightly browned, centers may still be slightly underbaked but shouldn't be raw, they'll bake completely as they cool).
- Allow cookies to cool completely on cookie sheet before serving and enjoying.
Notes
Brown sugar
You may substitute dark brown sugar for an even softer and more chewy oatmeal cookie!Oats
You may substitute an equal amount of instant oats for the old-fashioned.Storing
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.Nutrition
Nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered an estimate only. Actual nutritional content will vary based upon brands used, measuring methods, cooking method, portion sizes, and more.
This oatmeal cookie recipe was originally published April of 2017. Photos have been updated, additional tips have been added, and a video has been added. Recipe remains the same.
Tracy
These are the BEST oatmeal cookies I have ever eaten. soft, sweet and savory. This is going to be my go to for oatmeal cookies.
Miranda
This was my first time making oatmeal cookies and I’m keeping this recipe for life! Perfect! The only changes I made is 1 tsp cinnamon (instead of 3/4 tsp) and baked at 350 degrees (instead of 375).
I added in chocolate chips and my boys loved them! Thank you so much!
Rachel
my dough did not spread, so i flattened them half way through baking.
i used extra thick oats and 00 flour, may either one or both have caused that they did not spread?
i used a real good vanilla extract and the cinnamon but did not give the depth of flavor i had hoped for.
Sam Merritt
I’m so sorry to hear that happened, Rachel! The flour was likely the culprit here. 🙁
Jennifer
If I need to find a recipe, I always check to see if there’s a Sugar Spun one first. Sam never fails, and these cookies were a hit! absolutely perfect flavor, soft, thick, and delicious. I chilled over night and they baked up perfect. I used cup measurements since I don’t have a scale and it was fine
Laura
Wondering why they don’t flatten out? I rolled into balls and they are still pretty puffy, what could I have done wrong?
Emily @ Sugar Spun Run
Hi Laura! Did you weigh your flour? It’s possible there could be a little too much flour in the dough.
Rachel Mellin
I love this recipe! I use chocolate chips because I’m not a fan of raisins, but I love oatmeal cookies.
Emily @ Sugar Spun Run
We are so happy you love the cookies, Rachel! Thanks for giving our recipe a try 🩷
David Smith
I made these the other night and I really liked them, so I’m making another batch tonight…right now in fact. I made just 1/2 a batch but that was easy and they came out great! I like a little crunch so I cooked them a little longer and they were perfect! A really great recipe!
Sam
I’m so glad you enjoyed them so much, David! 🙂
Candice
My beau LOVED this oatmeal cookie! He kept saying “I don’t know why those cookies are gone” LOL It’s a great recipe. I learned a lot of tricks. the information you gave about the cornstarch and beating the sugar butter till fluffy, etc were great tips. I have been baking for a lot of years never knew that…I am a fan ❤
Sam
I’m so glad you enjoyed them so much, Candice! I’m so glad to hear all of the tips were helpful. 🙂
Rachel S
I made these and they turned out delicious and chewy. To make things easier I pressed the mixture into a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. I then topped the cookies with chocolate chips, dried cranberries and mini marshmallows. Once they were done baking, I cut into bars. Everyone enjoyed them!
Sam
I’m so glad everyone enjoyed them so much, Rachel. 🙂
Erin
Is it possible to do half light half dark brown sugar? I wanted to use these for an oatmeal cream pie cookie and want them to be slightly chewier than average but am worried using all dark brown sugar might make them *too* chewy for that purpose
Sam
Sure thing! 🙂
Juanita Silvis
my friend wants some banana chocolate chip cookies would it be ok to add banana
Emily @ Sugar Spun Run
Hi Juanita! We’d recommend our banana cookies or chocolate chip banana bread cookies 😊
Rebecca
These are yummy! Great texture as promised! I may add a bit more spice next time as I really love the “warm spices” and I think this cookie can handle a bit more, but very good basic oatmeal cookie recipe. Thank you!!
Have you frozen them – either already baked or just scooped into unbaked balls?
Sam
Hi Rebecca! I’m glad you enjoyed them overall! You can freeze the dough balls without issue. I typically scoop them, wrap the balls in plastic wrap and then store in a freezer bag. 🙂
Stephanie Leiva
Literally so good, I added chopped pecans and raisins!! My husband is obsessed with them!!!
Sam
I’m so glad they were such a hit, Stephanie! 🙂
Cynthia
Started burning after like five minutes in the oven and my oven does not run hot, I followed the recipe exactly so I’m not sure what went wrong as I bake a lot and have not had this problem with other recipes I’ve tried
Sam
Hi Cynthia! Are you able to explain what your dough looked like? It sounds like something was off, or potentially, accidentally mis-measured if the oven temperature isn’t the issue. 🙁
Amber Howard
These were amazing! Exactly what I was looking for!
Nicky
These cookies are great, full of oats and any goodness you choose to add. I added only toasted pecans which is so good. Will be making this recipe again.