The Best Oatmeal Raisin Cookies with crispy edges, chewy center and delicious flavor. Bar none, simply the best.
I always smile when I see a recipe with 'The Best" in the title because how can you say something is the best? Isn’t it subjective? Well let me tell you something, these oatmeal raisin cookies are the best.
The method to making these cookies may surprise you as it’s not conventional. After testing and making so many batches of cookies, I found it took an unconventional method to deliver the very best cookie that was delicious and somewhat addictive.
My goal for the perfect oatmeal raisin cookie...
- Crispy and crunchy on the edges
- Not so crunchy that it crumbles all over the place
- A chewy center to counter the crispy edge
- Lots of raisins for that chew
- Easy to make not requiring a mixer
- Flavor
Did I accomplish them? Yes. Yes, I did.
Here's the how to...
In a small saucepan, melt the butter and stir in the raisins and oatmeal. Set aside to cool while you gather your remaining ingredients.
In a bowl, combine the dry ingredients and set aside.
In a mixing bowl, add the eggs, sugars, and vanilla. Whisk until thoroughly combined. It starts out thick but don't worry, it all comes together.
Add the oat mixture along with the flour mixture and mix with a wooden spoon until everything is combined.
Scoop the dough and place onto a baking sheet that is lined with parchment. The scoop I use measures 2 tablespoons and creates golf ball sized rounds. Space about 2 inches apart.
Bake in a 350 degree oven for 12 - 15 minutes.
Let cool on rack. I bet that will only be a few minutes because you will be tempted to dive in right away. Who could blame you?
The dough can be scooped and placed in a freezer bag for later use. Want just a few to satisfy your sweet tooth? Set the toaster oven to 350 degrees and bake! You may need to add a minute or two to the baking time.
Tools you'll need to make these delicious oatmeal cookies:
You'll also love these delicious cookies:
Life is too short for mediocre food.
The Best Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
PRINT RECIPE PIN RECIPE SAVE RECIPEIngredients
- 2 cups raisins
- 2 sticks unsalted butter
- 2 cups quick oats* See Notes
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup dark brown sugar**
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tablespoon vanilla
- 1 ¾ cups flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°.
- Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a medium saucepan (4 quarts works), melt the butter then stir in the raisins and oats. Set aside to cool.
- Whisk the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt in a medium bowl and set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs with the sugars and vanilla.
- Add the flour and the oats to the sugar mixture and stir together with a spatula or wooden spoon.
- Scoop up golf ball size rounds (2 tablespoons) spacing about 2 inches apart onto prepared baking sheet.
- Bake for 11 to 13 minutes until cookies are light golden. Repeat with remaining dough.
- Cool on rack.
Notes
Nutritional Information
I don't post the nutritional value because I don't trust the accuracy of the nutritional apps. I’m not a nutritionist and don't want to post misinformation.
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Victoria
What should the dough look like? Mine is very dry and crumbly and the cookies don’t really bake together.
Natalie
The dough should not be dry at all. Did you make any substitutions?
Susan
Seriously delicious cookie !! Thanks so much !!
Natalie
I agree! Thank you for the comment and rating! 🙂
Peyton
LOVE the recipe!!! What is the best way to store them?
Natalie
Thank you. I store them in an airtight container. Just know that they may soften when stored. These usually go by so fast that I don't have many to store. I also sometimes store them in a zip-top bag. I'm glad you enjoyed them!
Jeanette Shafer
I love your recipe!! I was wondering if I could add chocolate chips instead of the rasins???
Natalie
Yes, you can. 🙂
Jeanette Shafer
The recipe is AMAZING!!! I love the flavor, consistency.. everything!! I am curious about adding chocolate chips in place of rasins. Thoughts??
Natalie
I haven't done it but I'm sure it would be fine. 🙂 And thank you for the complimentary review and rating! -xo
Donna
Can light brown sugar be used in place of dark?
Natalie
Yes, it can. Dark brown sugar has more molasses flavor, but light is fine. 🙂
Clara
I’m also trying to make 18 but I don’t know how much of each ingredient I would need to add
Clara
How many cookies does this recipe make?
Natalie
About two dozen. 🙂
Chris
Absolutely the BEST!!!
Natalie
Thank you! 🙂
Sheila Sheer
I've gotten so many recipes from Pinterest and have never posted a comment, but these cookies are so good!! Thank you for your trial and error. Followed recipe but subbed einkorn flour. Cookies disappeared so fast with family asking for another batch.
Natalie
That's awesome! Thank you for commenting. 🙂
Wendy
Made these today. Used a mix of cranberries and raisins. These cookies are perfect. They are chewy with a touch of crisp on the outside. So Good.
Natalie
Thank you for the lovely comment and for rating the recipe! 🙂
Karen Malone
Can this sugar be cut back. Way too sweet for my liking
Natalie
Yes, you can cut back on the sugar.
Julie Brown
Can I cut this down to one cup of raisins ?
Natalie
Of course!
Heidi
Best oatmeal cookie. I did put the dough in the fridge for a bit and it kept them from spreading out.
Cathy
This is the best oatmeal raise cookie I have ever tasted. My husband loved them too. In fact, I just asked him what kind of cookie he wanted me to bake this time and he requested this recipe again.
Natalie
What a compliment! 🙂
Sarah
My goodness, these are a winner. I used cranberries because, I think that raisins are Satan’s droppings, and added cinnamon chips. Despite my creative liberties, the base of this recipe makes for an incredible cookie. Well done!
Domenica Douglas
Hi may I ask what cinnamon chips are? Love cinnamon!
Natalie
Artificially flavored chips with cinnamon flavor. I don't use them in the cookies. I love cinnamon too. You can add more to your liking.
cheryl
I just made these and they are really good. The raisins shine through and the oatmeal is a little crunchy but even with the 2 sugars, they are not sweet! Love the thicker cookie that doesn't crumble! I only made 6 of the 2 Tablespoon size and the rest half for 11 mins...we have smaller eaters and leave the big ones for grownups!! Good recipe
Rob
How would I incorporate peanut butter into this recipe? What changes would be needed?
Natalie
That's a whole other recipe. If I were to test it, I would substitute 1/2 cup of the butter with 1/2 cup of the peanut butter and add it with the sugar and eggs.
Lorraine
What if I were adding PB2?
Natalie
I would try adding a few tablespoons, but if you're adding more than that, it's a different recipe. You could remove equal amounts of flour, but I can't say how it will turn out.
Wendi
I've never made Oatmeal Raisin Cookies as my family aren't fans of raisins. I had a request, and did a Pinterest search. I went straight to the comments because the instructions aren't your usual cookie recipe techniques. So glad I did, and went with me gut to try it. They turned out amazing! I had to add time to the bake, probably just because of a different oven. Thanks for the solid recipe!
Natalie
You are very welcome! I'm so happy you found it and gave it a try. 🙂
Karen
I was skeptical at first, but your recipe and methods are fabulous. Truly loves this cookie!
Natalie
Thank you very much. I told you it was the best oatmeal raisin cookie! 🙂 Enjoy.
Lisa
Hi
Loved your recipe. I made it with almond flour for my gluten free friend. Turned out 😊 sooo good 👍
Thank You
Lisa
Natalie
You are very welcome. I'm happy you enjoyed it. Good to know it turned out well using almond flour too. 🙂
Satsuki
This is the best oatmeal cookie recipe.
Natalie
Thank you so much. 🙂
Vicki
These cookies are delicious! I followed the recipe exactly (adding the walnuts). I used whole oats, and used the extra cup, as requested, although I was a little nervous with the extra amount. But it turned out great. This seems to me like a fantastic update on the Quaker Oats recipe, which I’ve used for years. Thank you
Mary
This is the best oatmeal cookie recipe I have ever found! I used cranberries instead of raisins but taste the same. Thank you for sharing this recipe
Natalie
Awesome! 🙂
Tasha
Anyone try these with walnuts? Would love to add but not sure how it might impact the recipe…
Natalie
I don't see any issues by adding 1/2 cup of chopped walnuts. 🙂
Julia
Your photo does not look like quick oats.
It looks like whole. Can you advise please. 😊
Natalie
You are correct! 🙂 The photos show whole oats. In the notes section of the recipe, I state that if using whole oats use an extra cup. I used it as I was out of quick oats but felt it was good to test them both. I found out the hard way that the whole oats needed to be increased. They were still delicious but flat. I prefer using quick oats but both are delicious.
Dita
This is the best oatmeal cookie I've ever had in my entire life! I'm seriously going to delete any other oatmeal cookie recipes I have. It truly is the perfect combination of crispy and chewy. Tha k you!!
Natalie
Thank you so much for the wonderful comment! What a compliment! I agree, it is the best! 🙂
Tibisay Mercera
By far the absolutely best! Thank you for this recipe!
Natalie
Thank you for the compliment and for commenting. 🙂
Emily Peters
These cookies are so YUM! Probably my favorite I’ve ever tried!! Such good flavor, chewy, soft and moist! The whole family loved em, and they were gone within a week lol. Only thing I would say is the dough came out a bit sticky, so I had to add a bit more flour than called for; but overall great cookies and great recipe!
Natalie
I'm happy you enjoyed them! 🙂
Kendra Bleak
All the men in my life (dad, brother and husband) love oatmeal raisin cookies, so I'm always trying to find a good flavorful recipe....These my friend are IT. Amazing flavor and texture. Thanks for sharing.
Natalie
What a compliment! Thank you and I'm glad they love them. 🙂
Sara
You will probably laugh, but I read your comment about everyone proclaiming to have the best oatmeal raisin cookie or any cookie for that matter and I seriously view things the same way. 🙂 I did make some tweaks to this recipe since I have been researching how to make them since it's my husbands favorite. I only had salted butter so I completely omitted the salt and only use Kerrygold Butter when baking. 🙂 I also only used organic sprouted quick oats because they are easier to digest. I always add a bit more cinnamon in recipes so I think I added more like a tablespoon lol. The only other addition I added was golden raisins because I was reading in an Amish recipe they use golden raisins because they are "fruitier" and they are these dehydrated raisins we get at the store. We all know the Amish know how to cook also so I gave it a go. These cookies are BY FAR the best and the omission of salt was not noticeable since I did use salted butter. 10/10 will make again.
Natalie
Yes, if you use salted butter then it's fine to omit the salt. I like to control the salt so I use unsalted but when that isn't available, I just use salted butter. I also use organic glyphosate-free oats so the recipe wasn't altered much at all! I'm happy you liked them!
Jill
Amazing comfort food cookies!!! Thanks for a fantastic recipe!
Natalie
You are very welcome! Thank you for stopping by! 🙂
Debbie Brelia
These are my go to cookies now. They are so soft moist chewy and delicious. I added a little more vanilla than it called for, but they are so good. I recommend trying them.
Natalie
Awesome! Thank you for commenting! 🙂