If you are craving a cookie that has just the right balance of softness and chewiness, look no further than this delightful Soft and Chewy Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe. Each bite melts in your mouth with the comforting warmth of cinnamon-spiced oats paired perfectly with melty semi-sweet chocolate chips. These cookies strike that magical harmony between a tender crumb and a satisfyingly chewy texture, making them an instant favorite for cookie lovers and a perfect treat to share with friends and family on any occasion.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients are simple pantry staples that come together beautifully to create irresistible cookies. Each element plays a crucial role—whether it’s the butter providing richness, the oats delivering heartiness, or the chocolate chips adding bursts of sweetness.
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened: Soft butter ensures your cookies stay tender and rich.
- 1 cup packed brown sugar: Adds moisture and a deep caramel flavor for chewiness.
- ½ cup granulated sugar: Balances sweetness and helps with cookie structure.
- 2 large eggs: Bind everything together and contribute to the softness.
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract: Enhances the overall flavor with a warm aroma.
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour: The base that holds the cookies together.
- 1 teaspoon baking soda: Helps with rising and gives a nice texture.
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional): Adds a subtle hint of spice and warmth.
- ½ teaspoon salt: Balances sweetness and enhances other flavors.
- 3 cups old-fashioned rolled oats: Provides chewiness and hearty texture.
- 1 ½ cups semi-sweet chocolate chips: Creates melty pockets of rich chocolate throughout.
How to Make Soft and Chewy Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Baking Sheets
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line your baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and make cleanup a breeze. This initial setup ensures your cookies bake evenly and come off the pan without a hitch.
Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugars
In a large mixing bowl, beat together the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. This step is crucial because it incorporates air, which helps create that soft texture you’re after.
Step 3: Add Eggs and Vanilla
Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition to ensure they are fully incorporated. Then, stir in the vanilla extract to bring a lovely fragrant depth to your dough.
Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, ground cinnamon (if using), and salt. This evenly distributes all the raising agents and spices for consistent flavor and texture throughout the cookies.
Step 5: Mix Wet and Dry Ingredients
Gradually add the dry mixture into the wet ingredients, stirring to combine. The dough will start taking shape, getting ready for the oats and chocolate chips that make these cookies special.
Step 6: Fold in Oats and Chocolate Chips
Using a spatula, carefully fold in the rolled oats and semi-sweet chocolate chips. This step ensures the mix-ins are evenly dispersed without overworking the dough, keeping the cookies tender and chewy.
Step 7: Chill the Dough
For optimal texture, chill your dough in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes up to an hour. This resting time helps solidify the fats, which leads to thicker and chewier cookies when baked.
Step 8: Scoop and Bake
Scoop the dough into balls and place them about 2 inches apart on your parchment-lined baking sheets. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, until the edges turn a lovely golden color but the centers are just slightly underdone. This is the secret to that perfect softness.
Step 9: Cool Before Enjoying
Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. This short rest lets them firm up just enough while maintaining their irresistible chewiness.
How to Serve Soft and Chewy Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
Try sprinkling a few flaky sea salt crystals on top right after baking to enhance the chocolate and bring out deeper flavors. You can also add a dusting of powdered sugar for an extra-touch of sweetness and visual appeal.
Side Dishes
Enjoy these cookies alongside a tall glass of cold milk or a steaming cup of coffee or tea. The rich chewiness pairs beautifully with creamy or bitter beverages to create a balanced and satisfying treat.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve these Soft and Chewy Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe treats stacked on a rustic wooden board with fresh fruit or alongside a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a decadent dessert. Wrapping them up as gifts in vintage tins wrapped with twine makes for charming homemade presents too.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. To keep them soft, place a slice of bread inside the container, which will help maintain moisture and prevent them from drying out.
Freezing
You can freeze unbaked cookie dough balls for up to three months. Just scoop the dough onto a tray, freeze until solid, then transfer to a freezer bag. Bake directly from frozen, adding a couple of minutes to the baking time for fresh-baked goodness anytime you want.
Reheating
Warm cookies in the microwave for 10 to 15 seconds to revive that just-baked softness and melty chocolate chip magic. Alternatively, a few minutes in a preheated 300°F oven will refresh them without drying out.
FAQs
Can I substitute quick oats instead of old-fashioned rolled oats?
While quick oats can be used, old-fashioned rolled oats provide better texture and chewiness. Quick oats tend to make the cookies softer and less hearty, so for the classic Soft and Chewy Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe experience, stick with rolled oats.
What can I use instead of unsalted butter?
Unsalted butter is best because it allows you to control the salt content. If you only have salted butter, reduce or omit the added salt in the recipe. Some people also use margarine or coconut oil, but these will affect flavor and texture differently.
Why should I chill the dough before baking?
Chilling the dough solidifies the fats which prevents spreading and results in thicker, chewier cookies. It also helps the flavors meld nicely. Skipping this step will give you a different texture that might be thinner and crisper.
Can I use a different type of chocolate chip?
Absolutely! Feel free to use dark chocolate, milk chocolate, or even white chocolate chips. Each will bring its unique character to the Soft and Chewy Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe, so choose your favorite or mix it up for fun.
How do I make these cookies gluten-free?
Substitute the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend to keep the same texture. Make sure your oats are certified gluten-free as some can be cross-contaminated.
Final Thoughts
There’s something incredibly comforting about baking a batch of Soft and Chewy Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe. They fill your home with an irresistible aroma and bring smiles with every bite. Whether you’re treating yourself, sharing with loved ones, or looking to impress at your next gathering, this recipe is a sure winner. Go ahead and give these cookies a try—you’ll quickly understand why they become an instant favorite!
Print
Soft and Chewy Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 12 minutes
- Cook Time: 10-12 minutes per batch
- Total Time: 52 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These soft and chewy oatmeal chocolate chip cookies combine the hearty texture of rolled oats with the rich sweetness of semi-sweet chocolate chips. With a blend of brown and granulated sugars, a hint of cinnamon for warmth, and a perfect balance of buttery richness, these cookies offer a satisfying treat that stays tender and flavorful with every bite.
Ingredients
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Dry Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional)
- ½ teaspoon salt
Add-ins
- 3 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
- 1 ½ cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure easy cleanup.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large bowl, beat together the softened butter, packed brown sugar, and granulated sugar until the mixture becomes light and fluffy, which helps to incorporate air for a tender crumb.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition to ensure even distribution. Stir in the vanilla extract for flavor depth.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, optional ground cinnamon, and salt to evenly distribute the leavening agents and spices.
- Mix Dry Ingredients into Wet: Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring until just combined to avoid overmixing and tough cookies.
- Fold in Oats and Chocolate Chips: Using a spatula, fold in the old-fashioned rolled oats and semi-sweet chocolate chips carefully to maintain the texture and spread them evenly throughout the dough.
- Chill Dough: Chill the dough in the refrigerator for 30 to 60 minutes. Chilling helps solidify the butter and prevents cookies from spreading too much while baking, improving texture.
- Form Cookie Balls: Scoop the chilled dough into balls, spacing them about 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets to allow room for spreading during baking.
- Bake: Bake the cookies for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the edges turn golden brown while the centers remain slightly underdone for a soft, chewy consistency.
- Cool: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes to firm up before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- Chilling the dough before baking greatly improves the cookie texture by preventing excessive spreading.
- For a nuttier flavor, substitute some of the rolled oats with quick oats, but don’t overdo it to maintain chewiness.
- Optional cinnamon adds warmth but can be omitted if you prefer a more classic oatmeal chocolate chip flavor.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days or freeze for longer storage.
