These BEST Oatmeal Raisin Cookies are a staple in any cookie jar. Soft and chewy in the middle with a crisp edge, these cookies are the perfect treat!
Chewy Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
My grandma (& my mom) are not bakers. Coming home from school to cookies is not a memory I have, but I feel like Oatmeal Raisin Cookies were a staple in many houses.
I wanted to make a cookie that was perfectly crisp on the edges while chewy and soft in the middle and it took a few test batches, but I feel like I nailed it.
This has quickly become one of my favorite cookies!
I get a lot of naysayers about raisins, if you don’t like them, try my brown butter oatmeal chocolate chip cookies!
Why you’ll love these easy oatmeal raisin cookies
Great recipe – This easy recipe is very similar to the recipe you find on the lid of the Quaker oatmeal container but I’ve made a few tweaks that made it even better. It will be the only oatmeal raisin cookie recipe you’ll need!
Classic cookies – Along with chocolate chip, everyone should have a classic oatmeal cookie recipe in their back pocket.
Customizable – I’ve had people tell me they make them with walnuts, craisins, chocolate chips, and other mix-ins. You can switch it up.
Equipment you’ll need
- Baking Sheets – I like to use lipped cookie sheet so dough balls don’t roll off. Speaking from experience.
- Silicone Baking Mats – I use these or parchment paper to get a nice, even bake.
- Hand Mixer – As much as I love my stand mixer, I use my hand mixer even more.
- Medium Cookie Scoop – Size #40 holds about 1.5 TB of dough.
- Cookie Spatula – To easily move the warm cookies off the pan.
Ingredients for the best oatmeal raisin cookies recipe
Below is a list of the ingredients you’ll need to gather to make this recipe. Scroll all the way down for the full recipe card.
- Butter – Most bakers prefer unsalted butter but I personally like to use salted. I like the contrast it gives to the sweet cookie.
- Sugar – Granulated white sugar is what I’ve tested with.
- Brown Sugar – I use light brown sugar but dark brown sugar can be used as well.
- Eggs – Two large eggs. Start with them at room temperature, if possible.
- Vanilla Extract – Pure vanilla extract, not imitation, for the best flavor.
- Rolled Oats – Old-fashioned oats give much better texture than instant oats, which are ground. If you only have quick oats, they will work, but you’ll get a different texture.
- Flour – All purpose flour. I haven’t tested with alternatives.
- Baking Soda – Baking soda helps create a chewy cookie.
- Salt – To bring out the other flavors and for balance.
- Cinnamon – Ground cinnamon adds a warm flavor to the cookies.
- Raisins – I usually have the traditional Sun-Maid raisins on hand for snacks so that’s what I use. Golden raisins would be a good option.
How to make the very best oatmeal raisin cookies
- STEP ONE: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Line baking sheets with a silicone mat or parchment paper & set aside.
- STEP TWO: First, in a medium bowl, cream together the wet ingredients (butter, sugars, eggs, and vanilla extract) with an electric mixer on medium.
- STEP THREE: Then, scrape down the sides of the mixing bowl and add the dry ingredients (oats, flour, baking soda, salt, and raisins). Stir with a spoon to fully combine.
- STEP FOUR: Next, use a medium cookie scoop to portion out 8 balls of oatmeal raisin cookie dough per pan. Bake at 350° for 8 minutes. Check at 8 minutes to make sure edges are slightly brown and centers are set. Bake 1-3 extra minutes if necessary.
- STEP FIVE: Finally, remove from oven and let cool on the cookie sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool.
What to serve with the best Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
Serve these cookies after a dinner of Chicken & Asparagus and Loaded Cauliflower Casserole.
You might also want a glass of milk!
Tips for the best Oatmeal Raisin Cookies 🏆
- Use old fashioned oats in these cookies. Quick oats will work as well, but you’ll end up with a different texture.
- If you want your raisins to be extra soft, soak them in a bowl of boiling water while you’re preparing the rest of the dough.
- Start with room temperature butter and eggs for best results.
- If raisins aren’t your thing, you could use chocolate chips, chopped nuts, or other dried fruit.
- Check these cookies at 8 minutes. You want the edges to be slightly brown and the centers a touch gooey. You’ll leave them on a pan for a few minutes when you remove them from the oven to finish up baking.
How to store oatmeal raisin cookies
Baked cookies will keep up to a week when stored at room temperature in an airtight container.
How long will oatmeal raisin cookie dough last in the fridge?
Dough will keep in the refrigerator for up to 2 days, when covered with plastic wrap, if you’d like to make it ahead of time.
Can I freeze this cookie dough?
Absolutely, I recommend it. I always have some type of cookie dough in my freezer stash.
To freeze, scoop out dough balls, leave them on a baking sheet covered in the freezer until they’re frozen through, then move them to a freezer bag.
They’ll be good for up to a year in the freezer (though I find using them within 3 months gives you the best results).
You can bake cookies straight from frozen, just add a couple minutes of baking time.
Should you soak raisins before baking cookies? 🍇
If you prefer plumper raisins, soak them in a bowl of hot water while you’re preparing the rest of the dough.
For added flavor, add 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract to the mix.
Before using adding the raisins to the dough, drain the water & pat them dry.
FAQs
Can you use quick oats in oatmeal cookies?
You can use quick oats in these cookies, but I prefer old fashioned oats, which will give you that classic chewy texture.
Quick oats are ground up so the cookies end up one-note, with less texture. The flavor will be very similar so it really comes down to personal preference.
Why no shortening?
Some oatmeal raisin cookie recipes call for using shortening, but I used all butter in this recipe because that’s what I prefer. Either fat will work, but I feel like butter adds more flavor and richness.
Using butter in these cookies does mean they will spread, it is to be expected, but to combat that, I roll the cookie dough taller rather than round. It helps them to spread evenly.
If you prefer baking with shortening, you can swap it out in this recipe, your cookies will likely bake up taller, but they might lack a touch of flavor that the butter provides.r
Need more oatmeal recipes? Try these:
- Old Fashioned Oatmeal Cookies
- Iced Oatmeal Cookies
- Ranger Cookies
- Apple Oatmeal Bars
- Oatmeal Molasses Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Copycat Oatmeal Cream Pies
Click here for my entire collection of cookie recipes.
The BEST Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
Ingredients
- ¾ cup butter softened
- ½ cup granulated white sugar
- ¾ cup light brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 cups old fashioned oats
- 1 ¼ cups all purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 cup raisins
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F and line baking sheets with silicone baking mats or parchment paper. Set aside.
- In a medium bowl, using an electric mixer, cream together the butter, sugars, eggs, and vanilla. Scrape down the sides of the bowl.
- Add in the oats, flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and raisins and stir until just combined and raisins are evenly distributed.
- Use a medium cookie scoop to place 8 dough balls onto the prepared cookie sheets.
- Bake for 8 minutes. After 8 minutes, check to make sure edges are slightly brown and centers are set. If not, bake an additional 1-3 minutes.
- Remove from oven and let cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a rack to cool completely.
- Enjoy!
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information is an estimate and provided to you as a courtesy. You should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe using your preferred nutrition calculator.
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Very good – added a few chocolate chips for a surprise
I like it! I’m updating my oatmeal chocolate chip recipe this week 🙂
Hi Melissa I was wondering can I use coconut oil instead of butter for this recipe
Hi, I haven’t tested but it’ll work, they just might spread more. It might need some cornstarch for balance…
1- Can I add walnut to these cookies.
2 – Can I use vegetable oil instead of butter.
1 – That should be fine.
2 – No, not with the same results.
I can’t print the oatmeal raisen cookie recipe?
Hmm, the print button is working fine for me. Try this.
I used butter and a mixture of walnuts and pecans. Very good taste Rolled in balls baked 10 minutes. Came out hard
Hmm, they shouldn’t have been hard. I’m wondering if it was too many nuts? I haven’t tested like that.
Please tell me why no baking powder.
The baking soda & eggs take care of the rise.
I made these today and they’re really good! But I had to bake them for 12-13 minutes for some reason?
I’m glad you liked them! Do you use an oven thermometer? Each oven varies so it’s hard to say.
can I add honey or molasses to this recipe
I haven’t tested that.
These are delicious! My friend added chocolate chips. I’m making today. I’m gluten free so I’ll let you know how that goes!! Merry Christmas 🎄
Yes, let me know how the gf tweaks go! Merry Christmas to you 🙂
For the oatmeal arisen cookies, why does the recipe say to place eight cookies on the baking sheet as though it only makes 8 cookies. The recipe says it makes 30 cookies. Can I use grains instead? I’m confused please help thanks
You have to make them in batches – you can’t bake 30 at a time on the same pan.
I’m not sure what you mean by grains.
My absolute favorite cookie for sentimental reasons. Now my favorite recipe. Just the right amount of salt and sweet and chew. I could eat them all.
These really were “the best” oatmeal cookies I’ve ever tasted. However, I did deviate from the recipe in terms of the additives. I used only 1/2 c raisins, 1/4c finely chopped pecans and 1/4 c mini chocolate chips. They were highly acclaimed at an event where I showcased them.
All that is left to say is YUM!!!
Thanks, Michelle 🙂
I added flax seed and pumpkin seeds and 1/4 cup of organic apple cider juice to convince myself that I could eat more than 2 because they are healthy for me. I love this recipe
I like the way you think =)
These cookies are delicious! I followed the recipe exact, and my cookies didn’t spread. Butter and eggs were room temperature. What did I do wrong? The taste is really great, just didn’t spread for me.
Which types of baking sheets did you use? Parchment? Silicone mat? I need more info 😉
Fabulous! This is my go-to recipe now for oatmeal raisin cookies!!
Yay, thanks!