Easy Oatmeal Cookies (One Bowl) - I Heart Naptime (2024)

Looking for an effortless cookie recipe that comes together in just one bowl? These easy oatmeal cookies are perfect when you’re craving a quick dessert. Chewy in the centers and crisp around the edges.

Other oatmeal cookies variations we love include oatmeal chocolate chip cookies, coconut chocolate chip cookies and pumpkin oatmeal cookies.

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Best Oatmeal Cookie

These are the best oatmeal cookies! They’re one of my favorite classic cookie recipes because there something about them that is so comforting from their hearty texture to warm flavor that tastes like brown sugar, butter and vanilla.

These classic cookies are so easy to make and have the best crispy edges with a soft and chewy center. I love the oatmeal cookie plain but you can get make other variations like oatmeal raisin cookies or iced oatmeal cookies!

Why You’ll Love Homemade Oatmeal Cookies

I have been making these simple cookies for years! Our family just can’t get enough of the sweet and chewy texture.

• Taste and texture. With a delicious combination of chewiness and subtle crunch, they are irresistible!
• Warmth and comfort. Oatmeal cookies are a popular choice for holiday baking or when you want to create a cozy, comforting treat!
• Perfect for gifting. These cookies make for a thoughtful gift or a homemade treat to share with loved ones at parties and gatherings.

Key Ingredients

These oatmeal cookies are made with common pantry staples!

Find the full printable recipe instructions with measurements below.

• Old-fashioned oats (or “rolled oats”): I like to use old-fashioned oats in this recipe. When using them in baking, the oats remain whole in size, making the finished texture a little more chewy.
• Butter:The creamy fat is an important element needed to achieve the perfect cookie.
• Sugar:Granulated sugar gives sweetness but the brown sugar really makes the flavor shine in these cookies.
• Baking staples:All-purpose flour, egg, vanilla, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
• Mix-Ins: Add a cup of chocolate chips, butterscotch chips, or raisins if desired.

1. Make dough. In a large mixing bowl, cream together butter and sugars. Use an electric mixer with a paddle attachment or a hand mixer. Then add eggs and vanilla. Stir until combined.
2. Whisk dry ingredients. Add in the flour, salt, baking soda, baking powder, and cinnamon (if desired). Stir just until combined, then mix in the oats.
3. Scoop. Scoop cookie dough balls onto the baking sheet or silicone baking mats using a medium cookie scoop.
4. Bake. Bake at 350°F until edges are just light golden brown, about 8 minutes. Allow to rest for about 2 minutes on a baking sheet, then transfer to a cooling wire rack.

How to Avoid Flat Oatmeal Cookies

These do flatten out a little when baked, however, the texture and consistency are spot on. If your cookies flatten too much, try the following:

• More flour. Your dough needs more flour. If the dough is too wet, you’ll end up with flat and greasy cookies that are too hard.
• Butter tip! Too much butter was used, or the butter was too warm. Both create a flat and greasy cookie.
• Missed baking soda. You forgot baking soda. This baking agent helps give the oatmeal cookies some height.
• Chill your dough. I know you don’t have to chill the dough, but if you are making multiple batches it is a good idea to chill the dough to prevent it from becoming too warm.

Freezer Instructions

I prefer to freeze the dough versus the whole baked cookies so that the cookies taste more fresh.Simply scoop out the dough with a medium cookie scoop and place on a prepared baking sheet. You are going to flash-freeze the dough for about 30 minutes, or until the dough has hardened.

Then place the dough balls in a zip-top bag or airtight container and store them in the freezer for up to 3 months. When ready to enjoy, place on a baking sheet and let thaw while the oven warms up. The cookies may need to bake for a few minutes longer since the dough was hard and frozen.

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