The Best Oatmeal Raisin Cookies Recipe we’ve ever made! Soft and chewy on the outside, crispy around the edges, packed with raisins and spice… You’ve got to try them.

Wonderful stack of these oatmeal filled cookies

Oatmeal Cookies

Oatmeal cookies are one of the simplest cookies to make well. Even grocery stores can do it.

If I ever grab a cookie off of a pre-made cookie platter, I always go for the oatmeal raisin cookies because they are the most likely to taste somewhat homemade.

Even so, there are definite standouts in the oatmeal cookie category. Today I’m sharing The Best Oatmeal Raisin Cookies I’ve ever made or tasted.

Although the ingredients are humble pantry staples, the cookies are ridiculously divine. I’ve been tweaking this recipe for a long time, so I’m very excited to share it with you!

Take a bite out of this amazing sweet treat

The Best Oatmeal Raisin Cookies are crispy on the outside, and moist on the inside. The oat-to-raisin ratio is perfectly balanced.

A little hint of baking spices accentuates the comforting oat flavor, making them taste the way your very best childhood memory feels.

So here’s what you’ll need to make these fabulous cookies:

  • Flour – Use all-purpose flour, or you can actually use Gluten Free Baking Mix in this recipe!
  • Baking Powder – To help the cookies rise.
  • Salt – This enhances and balances all the flavors mingling together.
  • Apple Pie Spice – You can also use a mixture of cinnamon and nutmeg to achieve the same taste.
  • Unsalted Butter – Softened. Use three sticks (1 1/2 cups) which sounds like a lot, but trust me on this one.
  • Granulated Sugar – To sweeten.
  • Brown Sugar – To sweeten with a molasses taste. The darker the brown sugar the more molasses flavor.
  • Eggs – For structure.
  • Vanilla Extract – A simple yet important ingredient to add depth.
  • Old Fashioned Oats – These are the flat and flaky oats. Also called Rolled Oats.
  • Raisins – You can also use other dried fruits here!
Scoops of dough on a pan ready to bake!

How To Make Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

  1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Line several baking sheets with parchment paper.
  2. In a medium bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, salt, and apple pie spice.
  3. In another bowl, with an electric mixer, cream the butter and both sugars on high until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes. Scrape the bowl with a spatula, then beat in the vanilla and eggs. Turn the mixer on low and slowly add in the flour mixture. Scrape the bowl again then turn the mixer on low and mix in the oats and raisins.
  4. Using a 1 1/2 tablespoon cookie scoop, scoop the dough into equal portions and spread the balls out two inches apart on the prepared cookie sheets.
  5. Bake for 12-14 minutes, until slightly golden around the edges. Cool for 5 minutes on the baking sheets before moving.

Get The Printable How To Make The Best Oatmeal Raisin Cookies Recipe + Video. Enjoy!

Perfectly baked dessert with just the right amount of softness

A Perfect Make-Ahead

And best of all, unlike most cookies that dry out over time, The Best Oatmeal Raisin Cookies seem to improve over time!

Honestly, my whole family agrees they are even better day-old.

Oats have a distinct ability to hold in moisture. When combined with just the right amount of sugar and butter, oats keep cookies from drying out.

That means The Best Oatmeal Cookies are crisp when they first come out of the oven, but soften after several hours.

This also makes this Oatmeal Raisin Cookie Recipe a marvelous treat to make-ahead for school or work events and weekend gatherings!

A plate full of these soft and chewy oatmeal raisin cookies recipe

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the Best Oats For Oatmeal Cookies?

Old-Fashioned Oats are the best choice to create the right flavor and texture in oatmeal cookies. However, in a pinch, you can use Quick Oats.

Can I Make Gluten Free Oatmeal Cookies?

Yes! Make sure your oats are fully gluten-free, and processed in a gluten-free facility. Then swap the wheat flour for Gluten-Free Baking Flour Mix.

Why Are My Oatmeal Cookies Dry?

There are three possibilities… There’s a chance you mismeasured the flour, or you did not add enough butter, or you might have baked the cookies too long. Be extra careful when you measure your ingredients to ensure soft cookies.

Also, try this super-moist recipe for Applesauce Oatmeal Cookies!

Why Do My Cookies Always Flatten Out In The Oven?

The two most common causes of flat cookies are A) Skipping the parchment paper and putting the cookies straight on the baking sheet. B) Using an oven with a faulty thermostat. It is common for thermostats to wear out over time. You can check your oven temperature accuracy by hanging a small oven thermometer off the rack.

Do Soft Oatmeal Raisin Cookies Freeze Well?

Yes! Freeze them flat on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet. Then once frozen, move the cookies to an airtight freezer bag or container. You can freeze these cookies for up to 6 months.

Homemade plate full of this oatmeal raisin cookie recipe
Print Recipe
4.94 stars (199 reviews)
Leave a Review »

Best Oatmeal Raisin Cookies Recipe

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 12 minutes
Total Time: 27 minutes
The Best Oatmeal Raisin Cookies Recipe: Soft and chewy on the outside, crispy around the edges, packed with raisins and spice!
Servings: 45 cookies

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Line several baking sheets with parchment paper. In a medium bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, salt, and apple pie spice.
  • In another bowl, with an electric mixer, cream the butter and both sugars on high until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes. Scrape the bowl with a spatula, then beat in the vanilla and eggs. Turn the mixer on low and slowly add in the flour mixture. Scrape the bowl again then turn the mixer on low and mix in the oats and raisins.
  • Using a 1 1/2 tablespoon cookie scoop, scoop the dough into equal portions and spread the balls out two inches apart on the prepared cookie sheets. 
  • Bake for 12-14 minutes, until slightly golden around the edges. Cool for 5 minutes on the baking sheets before moving.

Video

Notes

Really, that much butter? Yes guys, really. There’s a lot of grain in this recipe when you combine the wheat flour and oats. Therefore it takes an ample amount of butter to ensure the cookies aren’t dry. Plus, this recipe makes 45 good-sized cookies. Don’t stress, just add the butter.
For thicker puffier cookies, chill the dough for 30-60 minutes, then bake for 15+ minutes.
If your oven tends to run too hot (and your cookies usually flatten out) chilling the dough is also a good idea!

Nutrition

Serving: 1cookie, Calories: 148kcal, Carbohydrates: 21g, Protein: 1g, Fat: 6g, Saturated Fat: 4g, Cholesterol: 24mg, Sodium: 58mg, Potassium: 85mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 9g, Vitamin A: 200IU, Vitamin C: 0.2mg, Calcium: 16mg, Iron: 0.7mg
Course: Cookies
Cuisine: American
Author: Sommer Collier
Making this recipe?Follow us on Instagram and tag @ASpicyPerspective so we can share what you’re cooking!

Share This Recipe With Friends!