Classic Soft Oatmeal Cookies - Lauren's Latest (2024)

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These Oatmeal Cookies are one of my most popular recipes! And for good reason. They are so simple to make and use every day ingredients you probably already have on hand. Don’t take my word for it though, just read through all of the 5-star reviews in the comments below and feel free to make them your own with the suggested add-ins.

This is Truly the Best Oatmeal Cookie Recipe

Soft and chewy, this is a classic recipe foroatmeal cookies. Filled with butter, sugar, lots of rolled oats, and a ton of sweet flavor. Enjoy the cookies plain, add inraisinsorchocolate chipsor make them intoOatmeal Cream Pies. They are sweet perfection.

Best Oatmeal Cookies Ingredients

• salted butter
• light brown sugar
• granulated sugar
• largeeggs
• pure vanilla extract
• rolled oats
• all purpose flour
• baking soda
• baking powder
• salt

I recommend using old-fashioned rolled oats. They offer a chewy, nutty flavor that I really like. You can also use quick oats (also known as instant oats). The big difference here is that quick oats are cut smaller and may change the texture slightly, but you likely won’t notice.

Can I use Steel Cut Oats?

No. Steel-cut oats have the texture of a grain or rice. They require a much longer cook time than old-fashioned oats and won’t work very well in baking cookies.

Variations of Easy Oatmeal Cookies

These Oatmeal Cookies are some of my favorites! I am a bit of a plain Jane and thoroughly enjoy the unadulterated flavor of a plain oatmeal cookie (or really any plain cookie like these sugar cookies or these peanut butter cookies) mainly because when made well, you don’t need any extra add-ins PLUS I usually have all the ingredients on hand. Win-win!

Where’s the Cinnamon?!

Lots of classic oatmeal cookie recipes add cinnamon to their dough. I left it out because this recipe is a lot more versatile that way. But if you are missing that warm spice, simply mix 1 teaspoon into the dough.

Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

Are you one of the many people on Instagram telling me I need to add raisins to my cookies? If that is you and you’d prefer an oatmeal raisin cookie, simply stir in 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon and 1 cup of raisins to the cookie dough. Scoop and bake as usual.

For more details, see my Oatmeal Raisin Cookie recipe!

Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

My husband is a chocolate addict and requires chocolate/chocolate chips in just about every dessert. (See this chocolate chip cookie recipe that is my husband’s favorite!)

To add chocolate chips to this recipe, simply stir 1 cup of semi-sweet chocolate chips into the dough after the dry ingredients have been incorporated. Then scoop and bake as usual. Feel free to add 1 teaspoon of cinnamon if you like the chocolate + cinnamon flavor combo.

For more details, see myOatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies!

Mix-in Ideas for Oatmeal Cookies

Of course, raisins and chocolate chips are two obvious additions you can add to this simple cookie dough to turn these into some new combinations. But, here are a fewother tasty ideas:

• Mini M&Ms.This is a super fun option for kids because of all the colors. See myMonster Cookies!
• Butterscotch chips. We all love classic milk or dark chocolate chips in our cookies, but how about experimenting with other varieties? Give your cookies a delightfully buttery flavor by adding butterscotch chips. You won’t regret it!
• White Chocolate. I love adding white chocolate chips into any cookie dough for more of a vanilla/creamy flavor.
• Craisins.For a fancier twist, try craisins instead of raisins. Super festive for the holidays too.
• Chopped nuts. To contrast the soft and chewy texture, chopped walnuts or pecans will be great optional ingredients you can add for some extra crunch.
• Dried fruit. If you like your oatmeal cookies with added raisins, you are going to love them with dried cherries or dried cranberries instead! They are a fantastic alternative that will also give your classic cookies a sweet and fruity vibe.
• Combination! Why limit yourself to only one add-in if you can have a few? Mix and match with any of these ingredients! I’m dying to try a white chocolate, craisin, and walnut oatmeal cookie.

How to make the Best Oatmeal Cookies

I use the creaming method for these chewy oatmeal cookies. It’s the classic method for just about any cookie dough out there. Keep in mind that the ingredient increments and directions are in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Also, note the oven temperature is 325 degrees. A lower oven temperature helps keep these cookies soft.

1. Preheat + Prep

Preheat the oven. Line two light-colored baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside. Of course, silicone baking mats work well, as do plain cookie sheets sprayed with nonstick cooking spray.

For softer cookies, be sure to use light-colored baking sheets, not the darker teflon ones (they darken the edges much quicker for a much crispier cookie).

2. Make the Cookie Dough

In a large bowl, cream butter with white and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Stir in eggs and pure vanilla extract until well combined. Slowly incorporate the remaining ingredients until the dough has just come together.

Scoop into cookies and place on prepared sheets.

3. Bake + Cool

Bake until the cookies spread evenly, and the edges are golden brown with the centers of the cookies soft but not gooey.

Cool shortly on the hot baking sheet before transferring them to a wire rack.

How to store Oatmeal Cookies

Once your baked cookies are completely cooled, you can store them in an airtight container and keep them for up to 3 days. This is so that the cookies maintain their softness and freshness. If, after a day or two, they are getting a little crispy or noticeably stale, add a slice of plain white bread into the container to make them soft again.

It won’t completely fix the problem, but it will certainly help them stay soft. As someone who has spent most of their adult life avoiding crispy cookies, trust me when I say this works like a charm.

How to freeze Soft Oatmeal Cookies

These old-fashioned oatmeal cookies are great to make ahead so that you can always have a chewy cookie on hand when your sweet tooth calls. Simply make and bake the cookies as normal and cool completely. Then store oatmeal cookies in an airtight freezer bag and keep them in the freezer for up to 2 months!

Don’t forget to give them enough time to defrost before digging in. A quick 10-second zap in the microwave will do the trick.

More Oatmeal Cookies Recipes!

If you’re craving some more mouthwatering sweet treat ideas, I have a bunch of other recipes similar to this all-time favorite oatmeal cookie recipe. Check out more classic cookie recipes down below:

• Blueberry Oatmeal Cookies
• Stuffed Peanut Butter Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies
• Apple Oatmeal Cookies with Brown Butter Frosting
• Absolutely Loaded Oatmeal Cookies (lots of different kinds of chocolate plus Rice Krispies!)
• Coconut Peanut Butter Oatmeal Scotchies
• Monster Cookies
• Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies
• Oatmeal Cream Pies

Printable recipe card is below, friends. Print it, bookmark it or pin it to save it. Enjoy 🙂