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
Anwen says
These are THE BEST cookies I have ever baked! My sister is vegan, so I substituted eggs for flax eggs, vegan chocolate chips, and vegan butter. They were amazing! I also added half as many chocolate chips and 1/2 cup walnuts. It was the perfect chocolate consistency!
Olivia says
Hi Anwen! I love these cookies so much so I’m glad you do too! Thanks so much for all your tips 🙂
Daizy7155 says
First of all, you’re hilarious. My daughter & I were cracking up reading this. Second, these are a great base that are hard to screw up. We made half choc chip & half butterscotch. Half chewy and half well done. Thanks!
Olivia says
Hi there! So happy to hear you both loved these 🙂
Natalie says
Hi!
I just moved to Colorado and have found myself in need of some new recipes for the change in high altitude. Do you know of any altitude changes regarding this recipe? Thanks!
Olivia says
Hi Natalie! I haven’t baked in high altitude myself, and I know it can require a bit of experimenting depending on where you’re located. Since this is a cookie recipe (vs cake), I would first try the recipe as-is and if it doesn’t quite turn out you can try some of these tips: https://www.kingarthurflour.com/learn/resources/high-altitude-baking
Angie says
Sooo good! I have 6 more months to consume these guilt free until baby comes! I added chopped almonds + unsweetened coconut along with the choc chips!
Olivia says
Hi Angie! Love the coconut addition, will have to try that too 🙂
Christine Ferris says
We put them in the freezer to save time. That meant two extra minutes in the oven, but oh so wonderful to smell with that little bit of cinnamon! So chewy and super delicious!
Olivia says
Hi Christine! Thanks for the tip 🙂 So glad you like them!
Jessie says
I’m not so much of a baker and these came out great!
Olivia says
Hi Jessie! So happy you liked them 🙂
Dakota says
I’ve been using your recipe since you published it. I should have made a review sooner but never seemed to have the time. I have made these cookies dozens of times with amazing results. Once the cookies didn’t turn out great; but I’m certain it was my fault. As so many people have said in the comments, these really are the best cookies in the world. If you’re looking to shake things up add some fresh raspberries to them for some chocolate raspberry action. Thanks again for the many years filled with now a family recipe.
Olivia says
Hi Dakota! Thanks so much for your sweet comment and your tips! I’m so happy you love these as much as I do 🙂
Denise says
These were simply amazing! I rarely bake, do not consider myself a good baker and do not enjoy baking as I know I can’t eat baked goods in moderation. And yes it happened AGAIN!!! I have had 4 (regular size) and the night is not over. I used mini chocolate chips and regular butterscotch chips as that’s all I had in the house. They were easy to make. Thank You Olivia!
Olivia says
So glad you loved these Denise! Love the addition of the butterscotch chips.
Leesa says
My BF had a cookie craving and oatmeal chocolate chip are his favorite. I used salted butter and Ghirardelli bittersweet chips as that was all I had on hand. They were perfectly sweetened & delicious! Thank you!!
Olivia says
So glad you guys liked these! Love your additions.
Susan Green says
My husband declared these the best cookies I’ve ever made! He’s pretty easy to please but I totally agree with him – AMAZING! I made bigger (2 tbsp) cookies but cooked them for 9 min and they are SO soft and chewy, we’re in a cookie coma over here 🙂
Olivia says
Hi Susan! Love the bigger cookies! So happy that you guys both loved these 🙂
Maddy says
I read 44 is that correct?
Olivia says
Hi Maddy! Yes, 44 depending on size of your scoop.
Maddy says
I was wondering how many cookies does this make?
KG says
I have made this recipe a few times now and I absolutely LOVE it (as does my family)! I always add the cinnamon and they turn out perfectly from following the recipe. Thank you for sharing!
Olivia says
Hi KG! Love that you love these! Thank you 🙂
KG says
We just had some from the freezer (I alwaysss make sure we are stocked with some on hand 😍) and once again, they were perfect! My favourite cookie
Linda says
Glad I read some of the comments before cooking. I reduced the chocolate chips by half and replaced with 1/2 cup walnuts and 1/2 cup pumpkin seeds. Loved these. Think I could have reduced some of the sugar as well. Plenty sweet with even half the chocolate chips.
Great recipe.
Olivia says
Thanks for your tips Linda! So glad you liked them.
Emma says
thanks for sharing that tip about not overcooking for chewy results…
Alessandra says
Made these to bring into work AND wow. Best cookie I’ve ever made. This recipe rocks. The perfect fluffy chewing cookie, I ate 4 🤭. Highly recommend
Olivia says
Hi Alessandra! Only 4?! Serious restraint on your part 😉 So glad everyone loved them!
Alyssa says
Made these for my family- everyone is obsessed! My dad says they’re the best cookie he has ever had. These are pretty fool proof because I usually cannot bake cookies.. lol! Followed recipe exactly- love in CO with high altitude and they were still big and chewy 🙂
Olivia says
Hi Alyssa! Seriously high praise from your dad — so glad you all liked these! And yay for them working in high altitude!
Danielle says
I love these!!
Oatmeal chocolate chip has always been my husbands favorite and I’ve struggled for 8 years to find the perfect recipe…..
A few notes to others who didn’t experience cookie bliss…
-Flour matters: not just measuring but making sure it’s all purpose
-BUTTER! No substitutes for this. And I always make with Kerry gold Irish butter
-My cookie scoop, not sure of size (flattened not rounded) made 42
-don’t try to substitute light and dark brown sugar… the flavor is much different
Happy baking and thanks again for this great recipe!
Olivia says
Hi Danielle! I’m so glad you loved these and thanks for your tips!
Rodney says
Is it possible to wrap honey for the white sugar? I have already made a batch by the recipe and the are great!
Olivia says
Hi Rodney! I haven’t tried this myself but it should be doable. Here are some guidelines to follow: https://www.thekitchn.com/4-rules-for-successfully-swapping-honey-for-sugar-in-any-baked-goods-230156
Liz says
These are amazing! I made them for coworkers twice in one week because they went so fast the first time. Tip: use all natural unbleached granular white sugar. And flatten the balls as they don’t spread much. I also added raw almond slivers to mine. Perfect. So perfect.
Olivia says
Awesome, thanks for the tips!
DANA CRAMER says
Hi! Wondering how long the dough can be refrigerated? Would it be okay to sit for a few days, or would it get funky after that long? Or maybe it could be frozen?
Olivia says
Hi Dana! Yes, the dough can be refrigerated for a few days or frozen. Either works!
Kristen says
If I don’t have parchment paper or silpat, can I just put them on the pan?? The dough is chilling now. Excited about these!
Olivia says
Hi Kristen! I think they will probably stick to the pans. You could try greasing the pans and see if that helps!