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 extract
- 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
Melissa says
These are seriously the best cookies I’ve ever had. Can’t. Stop. Eating. Them.
Olivia says
Hi Melissa! So glad you like them 🙂
SB says
There were SO good. Too good! I added chocolate chips, heath pieces & cut up caramels- couldn’t stop eating them!
Olivia says
I love those additions!! So glad you liked these 🙂
Cara Stock says
This recipe makes 44 cookies? Am I reading that correctly?
Olivia says
Hi Cara! Yes, that’s correct – 44 small cookies.
Sally Jojo says
Just got these out of the oven and they turned out great! Took my 85 year old Mom’s advice and used butterscotch chips and walnuts…. Oh my…… Good!
Olivia says
Ohh I love those additions. Glad you liked these!
Stacy says
I made these cookies!! They are amazing! Do you use a cookie scoop to get yours so perfect? If so, what size do you use?
Olivia says
Hi Stacy! I do use a cookie scoop — for these I used a small one (2 tsps) but have also used a medium before (1.5Tbsp).
Beth says
Love these! How do you bake them after you freeze them? Do I need to thaw them out or just straight into the oven?
Olivia says
Hi Beth! I’ve never baked from frozen myself, but you could give it a try. I think it would work just fine, they might just need a tad longer in the oven!
Dana says
I’m making these for a friend and I’m a little pressed on time. Would it be fine to chill them overnight or should I just skip that?
Thanks!
Olivia says
Hi Dana! You don’t *have* to chill them at all but overnight would work totally fine too!
Riley says
What do I do if I’d like to add some pumpkin to this recipe? 😊
Linda says
I love this recipe. I did under bake them and they were chewy. My family loved them. But I do like oatmeal raisin cookies so I make it my family way and then a batch for me with 1 cup raisins.
Olivia says
Glad to hear you liked these Linda!
Nikki says
These cookies are perfect. They’re crispy on the outside and soft in the middle! My absolute favorite!!
Olivia says
So glad you like them Nikki!
Evelyn says
I know everyone is saying it, but Wowee! This are so delicious and have wonderful flavor! Plus you feel healthier eating them with the oats 😉 The only thing I did not do was chill the batter for an hour. I still had perfect results and I did chill in between each batch baking. This recipe will be a keeper for sure!!! Highly recommended for anyone looking to do something new with their regular choc. Chip cookie recipe. So yummy!! Can’t say enough about it, might as well eat instead 🙂 Thanks for posting recipe!
Olivia says
So happy that you liked these too Evelyn! Thanks for the feedback 🙂
Kelly says
I followed hr recipe to a T and they didn’t flsttrn at all and were super dry. 🙁
Olivia says
Hi Kelly! Sounds like something may have been off with your measurements. How do you measure your flour? Ideally you should spoon and level rather than scooping as it can make a huge difference.
Audreanna says
Kelly, I experienced the same problem with mine being too dry. I even spooned and leveled as suggested by Olivia. There is still a lot of dough so I am going to dry moistening the rest somehow!
Donna Savarie says
I also followed the recipe exactly to a T and mine are small little lumps, they did not flatten out like the picture shows. So disappointed after reading all the good reviews.
Roni says
agree. I bake a lot amd these did not turn out great
I tried flattening them a little amd they just were not what I expected. Will not make again
Kelly says
Our favourite cookies by far! I often make these for my daughter’s class for a breakfast potluck and they are always the first thing eaten. Since they have oatmeal in them it is ok to eat them for breakfast right? ; )
Olivia says
Haha, that’s my kinda thinking! So glad you like these 🙂
Beth says
Wow! These cookies are amazing! I love the sea salt. I omitted half of the cinnamon but love the little cinnamon flavor that I did add. I also added a touch of walnuts.
These cookies are so good I might decrease the chocolate chips next time. Keeping this recipe! Thank you!
Olivia says
Thanks so much for your tips Beth! Glad you liked these 🙂
Lani says
FAVORTIE COOKIES! The only thing I don’t like about these cookies is how many they make. 44!!! Because my husband and I eat 15 a day! Ok, I guess I secretly love how many they make. I usually drop them off on my friends porches and they all make them now too! Making another batch tonight! 🙂 THANK YOU!
Olivia says
Lol!! SO glad you like these as much as I do, Lani! I often throw cookies into a freezer bag and freeze them or we’d eat them ALL in like a day.
JIll says
I made these cookies for a friend and her family specifically because my kids don’t like oatmeal cookies and this way I knew they would be safe. Not the case at all. My husband, his friend and my 2 kids love them. Said they are the only oatmeal cookie they will eat. Thanks for such a great recipe.
Olivia says
Thanks so much Jill! I love these cookies and am happy to hear that you guys do too!
Starr says
Hi Olivia
I made these cookies tonight and all I can say is wow! For years I made the recipe on the quaker oat box. I wanted to try something different. When I read your comments about raisons I had to laugh be ause my husband hates them. I knew I had to try these. They have more oats and less sugar and flour then my recipe. A good thing. I used half a cup of a truvia sugar blend which has brown sugar in it and half a cup of white sugar. They turned out very sweet. I used one and half cups dark chips. It was plenty. Yumny. Thank you. I am going to freeze some before my husband eats them all.
Olivia says
Hi Starr! I’m so glad you guys liked this recipe! Thanks for the tips on your adjustments 🙂
Yvette says
Just finished baking these delicious cookies. I used mini semi-sweet chips and not as much as the recipe indicated because I enjoy tasting “the cookie” with chocolate in the “background”. Oh, and I had to add walnuts. I will definitely baked these again. Thanks for another recipe to add to my “go-to’s”!
Olivia says
Hi Yvette! I love the addition of walnuts, I’ll have to try that next time. So glad you liked these 🙂
Jill says
This recipe came out perfectly as directed! Delicious! I swapped out unsalted butter for salted, and omitted the sea salt. Perfect for New Year’s Day 🙂
Olivia says
So glad you liked it, Jill!
Lindsay says
These cookies are very tasty. I made these last year and added craisins. I’m not a raisin fan but like craisins and I decided to get a little creative. They were so good! I brought them to a local brewery and we went through them quickly!!
Olivia says
Hi Lindsay! I’m so glad you liked these, I’ve made a version with craisins too!
Julie says
Hi Olivia!
Thank you for this recipe! My all-time fave, and I consider myself a chocolate chip cookie connoisseur😜. I’ve had to improvise this recipe a few times because of what’s on hand and had to have a cookie. Sometimes A different sugar ratio, sometimes almond flour, coconut oil (still deish) ALWAYS nuts but, NEVER, NEVER, EVER Raisins! So glad to know I’m not alone 😘
Olivia says
Haha!! Hi Julie! So glad you join me in the non-raisin plight. And glad to hear that they still work out with your adjustments!
Debi at Life Currents says
When I was a kid my mom made oatmeal chocolate chip cookies. Neither my dad nor I like raisins. I actually didn’t know oatmeal raisin was a thing until later in life when one of those little buggers tricked me! I made you recipe yesterday and it turned out super delicious! Both my husband and I loved them. Since it’s just the two of us, I’ll be freezing the dough in premade balls to easily bake up whenever I need a cookie fix. Thanks for the delicious recipe!
Olivia says
Ahh those sneaky raisins, they are the WORST, haha. I am so glad you guys liked this recipe! It’s still my fave cookie one 🙂 Good call on freezing the dough balls! I usually freeze the baked cookies, but then miss out on fresh out of the oven cookies that way!