X

Ranger Cookies

This post may contain affiliate links meaning if you buy from them, I will make a few pennies, at no cost to you. See disclosure here.

Ranger Cookies are a soft and chewy cookie filled with oatmeal, chocolate chips, and crispy rice cereal. Definitely a new favorite for the cookie jar!

three ranger cookies on a dark wood table and spilled oats.

Easy Ranger Cookies

If you’re looking for a new favorite cookie, I think I found it.

This recipe might not be new to you, but it was to me. I adapted the original ranger cookie recipe from a reallllyy old church cookbook that my grandma gave me.

The oats are thick and chewy, the chocolate is a great balance to the sweet, and the crispy rice cereal adds some texture to the chewiness.

With crispy edges and a chewy center, they really are the perfect warm cookie.

The perfect cookie as an after school treat or after a dinner of crock pot lemon chicken with oven roasted garlic green beans.

ranger cookies on wood table with spilled oats.

What are Ranger Cookies

Ranger Cookies are a variation of Cowboy Cookies.

Cowboy Cookies have oats, cinnamon, nuts, and coconut flakes. Ranger Cookies have oats, chocolate chips, and rice krispies cereal.

Some have corn flakes, some have coconut…but I like the combination I’ve landed on below.

Why you’ll love this Ranger Cookie Recipe

Family Favorite – My family loves these and I think yours will, too. It’s a good thing this recipe makes a lot because they go quick.

Hearty Cookies – With all the mix-ins, they’re not a skimpy cookie.

Easy Recipe – You do have to allow for some chill time, but it is a really simple recipe.

two white square plates of ranger cookies with spilled miller's oats and measuring cup.

Equipment you’ll need

  • Silicone baking mats or parchment paper to line your pans. It makes for very easy cleanup.
  • A medium cookie scoop – I have several sizes and they make life easier. I can’t even remember scooping dough without a cookie scoop!
  • A good hand mixer. I get my hand mixer out more than my stand mixer.

Ingredients

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 – I use unsalted, at room temperature.
  • Brown Sugar – I use light brown but dark brown sugar will work as well.
  • Sugar – Granulated, white sugar.
  • Vanilla Extract – I know vanilla is pricey, but real vanilla extract is worth it. Skip the imitation. I like to buy it in bulk from Sam’s Club or Costco.
  • Salt
  • Eggs
  • Flour – I’ve only tested these cookies with all purpose flour.
  • Baking Powder – For rise.
  • Baking Soda – Another leavening agent.
  • Rolled Oats – I used Quaker Oats Miller’s Batch oatmeal in these cookies, which are thick cut, organic rolled oats that are hearty and perfect in a cookie. If you can’t find those, use regular old-fashioned oats for the best results. You don’t want quick oats because the texture is different.
  • Chocolate Chips – I always use Ghirardelli baking chips because they’re my favorite.
  • Crispy Rice Cereal – Rice Krispies or whatever store brand crisp rice cereal you use.
overhead shot of mixing bowl with chocolate chips, oats, and crispy rice cereal for cookies.

How to make Ranger Cookies

  1. STEP ONE: First, in a large bowl, cream together the butter, sugars, vanilla, and salt until fluffy. You’ll want to use a hand mixer to really bring these cookies together, or your stand mixer if that’s what you like to use. Elbow grease and a whisk isn’t going to cut it with these cookies because you really want to incorporate the sugars into the butter. Next, add in the eggs and beat until smooth.
  2. STEP TWO: In another medium bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients (flour, baking powder & soda).
  3. STEP THREE: Then, combine flour mixture to the butter mixture and beat until fully incorporated.
  4. STEP FOUR: Finally, stir in the oats, chocolate chips, and crispy rice until it’s evenly distributed. Cover the dough and let it chill in the fridge for at least 30 minutes.
  5. STEP FIVE: Once the dough is chilled, use a cookie scoop to drop the cookie dough balls onto parchment paper or silicone mat lined baking sheets and bake for 10-12 minutes at 350°, or just golden around the edges.

Remove from oven, let cool on the pan for 5 minutes, and then remove to fully cool. Enjoy!

baking sheet with 9 ranger cookies on it.

Other oatmeal recipes: Best Oatmeal Raisin CookiesOld Fashioned Oatmeal Cookies,Iced Oatmeal CookiesBaked Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Breakfast Cups,Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Quick BreadCoconut Oatmeal Scotchies…I love baking with oats!

Why are they called Ranger Cookies?

Some claim they were originally called the Texas Ranger Cookies or the Lone Ranger Cookie and it got shortened.

I think classic Ranger Cookies include coconut but that’s not my favorite so I skipped it here. Other add-ins that I think would do really well in these cookies include raisins, dried cranberries…really, a lot of flavors would go well. Pick your favorites.

Some people have told me they add white chocolate chips, peanut butter chips, butterscotch chips, and more. They might not be Ranger Cookies at that point, but hey, do what makes you happy and name them after yourself.

close up of several ranger cookies on white plate.

FAQs

Can I use quick oats?

No, you’ll want to use old fashioned oats in these cookies. Quick oats are ground and don’t have the same texture.

How to store them

Store leftovers in an airtight container, at room temperature, for up to a week.

Can I freeze them?

Yes, you can freeze these cookies. Either freeze the baked cookies, or my preferred method is to freeze the dough. I prepare as directed, scoop the dough balls onto a cookie sheet, then flash freeze (freeze overnight on the pan until frozen solid).

Once frozen, move the dough balls to a zip top bag and store for up to three months.

You can bake from frozen, just add a couple extra minutes to the bake time. Cookies on demand!

close up of hand holding a ranger cookie.

Need more ways to bake with oatmeal? Try these:

More Favorite Cookie Recipes:

Kitchen Sink Cookies

Reese’s Pieces Cookies

NY Times Best Chocolate Chip Cookies

three ranger cookies on a dark wood table and spilled oats

Connect with Persnickety Plates!

Follow along on my social media so you never miss a post!

I made a fun group on Facebook for sharing recipes, asking questions, and talking about food. I’d love to have you! Request to join HERE.


Also, sign up to receive an email in your inbox for each new recipe:

FREE EMAIL SUBSCRIPTION & EBOOK

If you MAKE & LOVE this recipe, share it on Instagram and tag me @melissa_pplates and/or #persnicketyplates so I can see it. I LOVE seeing what you make & I’ll share it in my stories!

It is VERY HELPFUL to me and other readers if you leave a review after you make my recipe. Please come back & let me know how it turned out!

three ranger cookies on a dark wood table and spilled oats

Ranger Cookies

Melissa Williams | Persnickety Plates
Ranger Cookies are a soft and chewy cookie filled with oatmeal, chocolate chips, and crispy rice cereal. Definitely a new favorite for the cookie jar!
4.76 from 98 votes
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Chill Time 30 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 48 cookies
Calories 118 kcal

Ingredients
 

  • 1 cup unsalted butter room temp
  • 1 cup light brown sugar packed
  • 1 cup granulated white sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2 large eggs
  • 2 cups all purpose flour
  • ½ teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 cup old-fashioned oats
  • 1 cup chocolate chips
  • 2 cups crispy rice cereal

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats. Set aside. 
  • In a large bowl, add the butter, sugars, vanilla, and salt and beat on medium until fluffy.
  • Add in the eggs and beat until smooth.
  • In a medium bowl, add the flour, baking powder, and baking soda. Whisk together.
  • Add the flour mixture to the butter mixture and beat until fully incorporated. 
  • Stir in the oats, chocolate chips, and crispy rice cereal until evenly distributed. 
  • Cover the dough and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
  • Once chilled, use a medium cookie scoop to drop the dough onto the prepared baking sheets. 
  • Bake for 10-12 minutes or until just golden around the edges. 
  • Remove from the oven and let cool on the pan for 5 minutes before moving to a cooling rack to completely cool.

Notes

Store cookies in an airtight container for up to a week.

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 118kcalCarbohydrates: 17gProtein: 1gFat: 5gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 18mgSodium: 79mgPotassium: 27mgFiber: 1gSugar: 11gVitamin A: 136IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 14mgIron: 1mg

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.

Tried this recipe? Tag me!Mention @melissa_pplates or tag #persnicketyplates!

Sharing of this recipe is both encouraged and appreciated. Copying/pasting and/or screenshots of full recipes to any social media is strictly prohibited. Content and photographs are copyright protected.

Originally published November 13, 2017

This was a sponsored post written by me on behalf of the QuakerOats Company. All opinions are 100% mine.



Reader Interactions

    Share Your Thoughts

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

  1. Dianne says

    My grandmother made Ranger cookies in the 50’s and 60’s (I am 63). They were special treats when we went to visit. Happy memories. I love your blog.

    • Melissa Williams says

      That’s so sweet. Thanks for sharing, Dianne!

  2. Jenn says

    Could you add a printable recipe card to your site? There’s too many ads on your blog to see more than a few lines of this recipe at a time on my phone screen. 😥

    • Jenn says

      Ah, sorry, I don’t know why it didn’t come up the first time, but I see the recipe card now! 🤦‍♀️ Sorry!!

  3. Vicky says

    Never heard of ranger cookies here in UK looking forward to trying them

    • Melissa Williams says

      I hope you like them! And I hope the conversions go ok…

  4. Rose says

    Can you omit the oatmeal? I have everything but the oatmeal.

    • Melissa Williams says

      No, I wouldn’t try. Oatmeal is the base.

  5. Laura says

    My store doesn’t have the Miller oats. Would you use the quick oats or old fashion?

    • Melissa Williams says

      Old Fashioned. Quick will give you a different texture (but will work). Good call though, let me see if they even sell that kind anymore.

  6. Ray says

    Why does it say over 1000 calories for a cookie? Or is that for all 4 dozen the recipe makes?

    • Melissa Williams says

      The calculator is very tempermental (& just an estimate). It didn’t like that I said “4 dozen” instead of “48 cookies”. Now it’s estimated at 118 calories per cookie.

  7. Barbara Shinkle says

    5 stars
    What other cereal can you use?

    • Melissa Williams says

      I haven’t tested other cereals in this one but you could crush up cornflakes or other “mild” cereal. I wouldn’t do anything sweetened.

  8. Debbie says

    5 stars
    Thank you for this recipe!!! Made these today and they are delicious!!! Love them!!! 🙂

  9. Brenda Rhodes says

    5 stars
    I bake quite a bit and this recipe has been a big, big hit with everyone!! They are delicious and definitely one of my new go to recipes!

  10. J A Harrell says

    How would you adapt these to a bar cookie?

    • Melissa Williams says

      I would put them in an 8×11 or 9×13 pan & bake for around 20-25 mins. I would have to test but check them around 20 mins.

  11. Laura says

    Curious What benefit comes from chilling the dough? Do the cookies spread less? I am super excited to make these!

    • Melissa Williams says

      Yes, it lets the butter come back together for less spread 🙂

  12. Kate says

    Peut on remplacer les pépites de chocolat par des raisins secs

  13. Donna L Huffman says

    Old Fashioned Oats or Quick Cooking? I thought I read somewhere, where Old Fashioned Oats……now I can’t find it.

    • Melissa Williams says

      Old fashion. This is above:
      I used Quaker Oats Miller’s Batch oatmeal in these cookies, which are thick cut, organic rolled oats that are hearty and perfect in a cookie. If you can’t find those, regular old fashioned oats will work fine, you just don’t want quick oats because the texture is different.

  14. Elena says

    5 stars
    These cookies are amazing! A new family favourite.

    • Melissa Williams says

      Thank you, Elena! I love hearing that 🙂

  15. Holly says

    Can you use steel cut oatmeal for this recipe?

  16. Joanne says

    my husband loves old fashion oatmeal cookies. If I substitute raisins for the chocolate chips, will they be better than old fashion cookies? Hope so.

  17. Crystal Copeland says

    5 stars
    Absolutely delicious cookies. Going on the favorite list for sure.

  18. pMosi says

    I added 1 cup each of dried cranberries, chopped walnuts and shredded coconut. So so good!

  19. Annette Kreamer says

    5 stars
    I want your Recipe please that look so Good.

    • Melissa Williams says

      Thanks! You scrolled past the recipe card to get to the comment box, it’s just above 🙂

Melissa Williams/Persnickety Plates is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. For more details, please see my Privacy Policy & Disclosures page.