The only oatmeal cookie recipe you will ever need! Soft and chewy oatmeal chocolate chip cookies loaded with oats and chocolate chips!

I’ll admit that oatmeal cookies are not usually high on my list of cookies. I usually prefer the traditional chocolate chip cookie, or peanut butter chocolate chip, or Nutella chocolate chip.
Do you see a pattern here?? I think we can agree chocolate chips make everything better.
But, the reason I generally stay away from oatmeal is the dreaded raisin.

You know what I’m talking about. You think you’re biting into a perfectly chewy and delicious oatmeal chocolate chip cookie and then you bit into a raisin.
It’s the worst. WORST.
Clearly I am not a raisin fan, never have been, likely never will be. I don’t mind the flavor so much as the texture. Why ruin a perfectly good cookie with chewy, gummy raisins??

I know some of you will vehemently disagree with my raisin aversion and insist that it’s not a true oatmeal cookie without the chewy suckers, but that’s ok.
Thankfully these oatmeal chocolate chip cookies can be made with either raisins or chocolate chips and be just as delicious. Heck go crazy and add some nuts while you’re at it!
I’ve remixed these cookies a few times already with pecans and dried cranberries (NOT the same as raisins), caramelized apples, and turned them into cookie cups.

The Best Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies
These oatmeal chocolate chip cookies here though… they’re delicious.
Like, SO. GOOD. Perfectly soft and chewy, just the right amount of oats (they are quite loaded with oats, but that’s how I like them) and chocolate with some sea salt thrown in for good measure.
Using sea salt in cookies is my favorite thing to do!! Just swap out regular salt in your cookie recipe for flakey sea salt and prepare to be amazed.
It adds such a delicious kick to cookies and those salty bites only help to enhance the sweetness.

If you like really soft and chewy cookies, make sure not to over-bake them!
They’re done when the edges are lightly browned and the center still looks very unset. They will continue to cook and firm up once you take them out of the oven.

I can’t go through this post and not talk about the bloom on my chocolate chips. It has been HOT and HUMID here and in a west-facing, no a/c apartment, it’s practically unavoidable.
You’ve likely noticed this on chocolate at some point in your life. White streaks of either fat or sugar caused by heat and/or moisture. If you were to eat a piece of chocolate like this, you’d notice it had more of a grainy texture to it.
Not ideal and definitely not aesthetically pleasing, but thankfully the bloom has no effect on the flavor or texture of the chocolate chips once baked.
They are perfectly ok to use!

How can I adapt these Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies?
Next time I make these oatmeal cookies I think I’ll pass on the cinnamon. I’ve discovered that I don’t particularly like the combo of chocolate and cinnamon so I’d skip it and maybe add some walnuts or pecans for more flavor/texture.
If you prefer raisins in your oatmeal cookies, feel free to swap out the chocolate chips. You may want to start with 1 cup of raisins though, or if you’re a raisin fiend, go for the full 2 cups!
If you’re looking for a go-to oatmeal cookie recipe, this one is for you!
Notes & tips for the perfect chewy oatmeal cookies:
- I used a small (2 tsp) cookie scoop for these.
- If you like really soft and chewy cookies, make sure not to over bake them! They’re done when the edges are lightly browned and the center still looks very unset.
- If you prefer raisins, feel free to swap out the chocolate chips — you may want to start with 1 cup of raisins though, and adjust to your liking.
- I use sea salt in all my cookies. It’s a great contrast with the sweetness of the cookie. Feel free to use regular salt if you don’t have sea salt handy.
- Chopped nuts can be added as well if you like. Customize to your heart’s content!

Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon optional
- 1/2 tsp sea salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter room temperature
- 1 cup light brown sugar packed
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs room temperature
- 2 tsp vanilla
- 3 cups rolled oats
- 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, whisk flour, cinnamon, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
- In the bowl of an electric mixer, beat butter and sugars on med-high until pale and fluffy (approx. 3 minutes).
- Add eggs one at a time, fully incorporating after each addition, and beat on high for 1 minute. Add vanilla.
- Turn mixer to low and add flour mixture, mix until combined.
- Add oats and chocolate chips. Mix until just combined.
- Chill dough in the fridge for an hour (optional, but yields better results).
- Preheat oven to 350F and line a baking sheet with parchment or a Silpat.
- Using a small cookie scoop, place cookies on baking sheet 2″ apart. I did 11 cookies per sheet.
- Bake for 10mins or until edges are lightly browned but center is still soft and unset.
- Cool for 5 minutes on baking sheet, then transfer to cooling rack to cool completely.
Notes
Originally published March 2016
Belinda Williams says
So Delish! I baked them tonight. Is there a difference between using an ice cream scoop and a cookie one? The edges of the cookies didn’t brown but if I left them in any longer they would have over baked. I’m not too sure if mine were baked 100% correct? They look great and taste yummy but not exactly like the ones shown:(
Still a 10/10 recipe! Definitely going to work on perfecting my baking:)
Olivia says
Hi Belinda! So glad you loved them. And no, no difference. They are the same thing, just called differently 🙂 How do yours look different? I use a very small cookie scoop (2 teaspoons). It’s mostly the bottoms that brown but you can see just slightly on the edges too. Tell me what issues you were seeing and I’ll see if I can help 🙂 The most important part is that they taste delicious!
Lynda says
Unless you refrigerate for an hour these cookies come out totally flat and oily. They taste good. That’s all I can say. I’m an experienced home baker. I refrigerated them for an hour and increased the temp to 375 and they came out better.
Olivia says
Hi Lynda! Sorry to hear you had trouble with these. Did you make any adjustments to the recipe? It does sound like something went wrong since often it’s the opposite issue that people run into (the cookies not spreading enough). They should not be flat or oily unless you substituted something for the butter and/or made other changes.
Cathy says
This is one of the best oatmeal chocolate chip cookie recipes no one will be disappointed
Olivia says
Hi Cathy! Thank you! I’m so glad you love it 🙂
Song says
They were a hit at my book club. I found them a little sweet with semi-sweet chocolate chips. I’ll go darker next time or reserve a little of the white sugar.
Olivia says
Hi Song! Thank you for the feedback. I’m so happy they were a hit!
Rosita says
These cookies are AWESOME! I used a loose cup of chopped walnuts and a loose cup of chocolate chips. I can’t stop eating them. I would bring these to any party and of course my husband said I can make ANYTIME! THANKS!
Olivia says
Hi Rosita! Love the addition of chopped walnuts. So glad you love this one!
Sofia Graf says
I have read the oatmeal cookie recipe, and I wish to try it in my kitchen. My only concern is to replace ghee with butter. If I want to use grass-fed ghee instead of butter, will it be the right choice? Ghee is more nutritious than butter, offers a higher smoke point, and more flavorsome while used in baking. Any Suggestions?
Olivia says
Hi Sofia! I’ve never used Ghee myself so I can’t say for sure. For best results, use butter. I don’t think it would be a disaster if you used ghee though. Let me know if you try it!
Bonnie says
The chocolate chip oatmeal cookies Did not have eggs in the ingredients but the method suggested adding the eggs now I’m confused
Olivia says
Hi Bonnie! There are two eggs listed in the recipe right below the granulated sugar.
NB says
Just made theses and my family enjoyed them tremendously. Thank you for a great tasting recipe! I also added almond extract and cream of tartar and what a combination. Loved them!
Olivia says
So glad you loved them! Thanks for the tips 🙂
Abby says
Best oatmeal cookies I’ve ever had! I brought them to share with family for a lake weekend and they were gone within 2 days. Everyone was crazy about them! This will be one of my regular recipes.
Olivia says
Hi Abby! Thanks so much, I’m so glad you love them 🙂
Jason says
Made these two ways one as written and the other with butterscotch chips and both were Amazing!!! Great recipe, easy to follow, and the only thing I might add was I just lightly flattened each cookie a touch before baking came out perfect!
Olivia says
Hi Jason! Thanks so much, I’m glad you loved these as much as I do 🙂
Nancy says
I soak my raisins and then drain really well before adding them to a recipe. Then you have the flavor without the dreaded chewiness. I am convinced that more people would like raisins if this was done on a regular basis.
Olivia says
Hi Nancy! That is a great tip actually. I bet you’re right. It’s totally a texture thing for me. I’ll have to give that a try!
Juli Shamash says
Do you know the best way to package these cookies for my son to put in his suitcase to take back to school? At home, I store them on a plate wrapped in tinfoil. When I put them in a ziplock, they became too soft and fall apart. I was thinking of sending them with him in a plastic container, but I am worried the will end up like the ones in the ziplock. Thanks for any suggestions
Olivia says
Hi Juli! I would freeze them if possible and put them in an airtight container. They shouldn’t get so soft that they fall apart (strange that that happened in the ziploc!)
Beverly says
I dont have parchment paper. Should I grease the sheets?
Olivia says
Hi Beverley! Yes, definitely grease the sheets. Or if you have aluminum foil, line them with that and grease it for easier cleanup.
Mandy says
Delicious!!!
Thanks for the recipe
Olivia says
Hi Mandy! Glad you loved it 🙂
Mary Ann says
Can I use quick cooking rolled oats?
Olivia says
Hi Mary Ann! Those will be a different texture. For best results use regular rolled oats.
Haley says
The absolute best cookie recipe. Everyone I have made them for LOVES them.
Olivia says
Thanks so much Haley!
dita says
Hello! Thanks for this recipe. There’s something i wanna ask: how many grams does 2 cookie scoop make? I divided the cookies to 50gr each, and baked around 15 min
Olivia says
Hi Dita! I’m not sure, I’ve never weighed it. The cookie scoop I use is 2 tsp.
Vicky Allen says
Just baked Amazing! Can you freeze ?
Olivia says
Hi Vicky! For sure! Baked or unbaked when freeze well. Store in an airtight bag or container for up to 3 months.
Mary Ann says
I love your recipe I made this 4 times already, my husband love it even my in laws 👍
Olivia says
Hi Mary Ann! So happy you all love these 🙂
Cookie Lover says
Best oatmeal chocolate chip cookie recipe everrrrr. I have tried about 10 different recipes in search of the perfect flavor, chewiness and chocolate chip ratio, and this one it it. Don’t bother with any other recipes just follow this one EXACTLY as written and you won’t be disappointed.
Olivia says
Hi there Cookie Lover! Thanks so much for the wonderful feedback. I’m so happy you loved these.