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Easy Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

These easy oatmeal raisin cookies are soft, chewy and have a hint of warm cinnamon! This classic cookie is a family favorite and ready to eat in 30 minutes.

A stack of oatmeal raisin cookies on counter.
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Classic Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

There’s nothing like an old fashioned oatmeal cookie with crisp and chewy edges and a soft and tender center. It’s only better if they are oatmeal cookies with raisins and if you love them with a bit of everything including chocolate chip oatmeal cookies try this cowboy cookies recipe!

My friend Melissa made this easy oatmeal raisin cookie recipe for me awhile back with cinnamon chips and I’ve been obsessed with them ever since. They have tons of flavor and the absolute perfect texture. They’re everything that oatmeal raisin cookies should be!

Recipe Ingredients

Trust me when I say these are the ultimate oatmeal raisin cookies! With sweet and rich cinnamon flavor and sweet raisins they are addicting.

oatmeal raisin cookie ingredients
  • All purpose flour: This provides structure for the cookies so they can maintain their shape while baking.
  • Ground cinnamon: A warm spice that gives oatmeal cookies their signature taste.
  • Baking soda and salt: Baking soda is a leavener that gives the cookies a slight rise while salt enhances the taste.
  • Quick oats: While you can use old fashioned rolled oats, I prefer quick oats in my cookies.
  • Sugars: Granulated sugar helps gives the cookies a crisp edge while brown sugar keeps them soft and chewy.
  • Butter: Unsalted butter is the norm for baking recipe, but if you have salted butter just decrease the amount of salt added.
  • Eggs: 2 large eggs bind ingredients together. Room temperature is best so they incorporate fully with the cookie dough batter.
  • Applesauce: By adding applesauce these cookies have less butter but still have a soft, rich taste.
  • Vanilla extract: Pure vanilla extract for best taste.
  • Raisins: One cup of raisins ensures there are some in every bite! If you are not a fan, decrease the amount or omit.
  • Optional: Cinnamon baking chips and chopped walnuts.

Variations

  • Swap the raisins for dried cranberries and use white chocolate chips in place of cinnamon chips to make oatmeal cranberry cookies.
  • Omit the raisins and add butterscotch chips for oatmeal butterscotch cookies.
  • You can also sub with dried cherries, M&M’s or add in about 1/2 cup of nuts (walnuts are my favorite) for an extra crunch.
  • Make a simple icing and transform them into an iced oatmeal cookie!

How to Make Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

Step by step photo collage of how to make oatmeal raisin cookies.
  • Cream butter and sugar: In a large mixing bowl, blend together the butter and sugars with beaters until smooth. Then beat in eggs one at a time. Add in vanilla and applesauce. Mix just until combined.
  • Combine dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, combine oats, flour, baking soda, salt and cinnamon.
  • Combine wet and dry: Next you will combine the dry ingredients to the sugar mixture. Stir just until smooth. Then fold in raisins and cinnamon chips if desired. 
  • Bake: Drop by the spoonful or use a cookie scoop onto baking sheets lined with parchment paper. Press in a few extra raisins and chips on top if desired. Bake for 8-10 minutes at 350°F, or until edges are lightly brown. Remove from the oven and cool on pan for a few minutes then remove to the cooling rack.
oatmeal raisin cookies with cinnamon chips on cooling rack

Baking Tips

The key to the best oatmeal cookies is achieving the perfect consistency. They should be a combination of soft with a chewy texture, crisp and tender. Below are a few tips for the best results.

  • Type of oats. I prefer to use quick oats because they have a finer consistency and result in a softer (less chewy) cookie. If you like your oatmeal raisin cookies on the chewier side, feel free to use old fashioned oats instead.
  • Measuring the flour. Use the spoon and level technique to measure your flour accurately. Using too much or too little flour can create cookies that are dry, dense or crumbly.
  • Softened butter. The butter should be at room temperature before using. I like to set mine out on the counter about an hour beforehand. For a quicker option, learn how to soften butter in the microwave.
  • Top your dough. Right before baking, feel free to add a few extra raisins and cinnamon chips (if using) on top of the cookie dough balls. This helps make your cookies look extra pretty.

FAQs

Should you soak raisins before baking cookies?

Yes! By soaking the raisins in warm water beforehand, this helps make them softer and more plump. It’s an easy step that makes a big difference in flavor and texture.

Should I chill oatmeal raisin cookie dough before baking?

This recipe for oatmeal cookies with raisins does not need to be chilled before baking. If you are making more than one batch of cookies, though, I’d recommend that you chill the remaining dough in the fridge until ready to scoop. You don’t want the butter to get too warm, or else your cookies will spread. It also helps to use a separate baking sheet for your next batch.

Why are my oatmeal raisin cookies so dry?

If you have measured the ingredients inaccurately or overbaked your cookies they will be dry. To avoid overbaking your cookies, the centers should look a little underdone when you remove the cookies from the oven. Let them sit on the pan for a few minutes before moving to a cooling rack (they will continue to cook as they set). This will give you the perfect soft center with crisp edges.

Bite taken from oatmeal raisin cookies.

Storage

These oatmeal raisin cookies will stay fresh at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 3 days. You may also freeze the baked cookies for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature or pop them in the microwave to warm through.

You can also freeze the cookie dough and then bake from frozen. Simply scoop the dough onto a baking sheet and then flash freeze until hard, about 30 minutes to an hour. Then transfer to a freezer bag and store in the freezer for about 2-3 months. When ready to bake, let the frozen cookie dough sit on the baking sheet as the oven preheats. Then bake as directed, adding 1-2 minutes of baking time if needed.

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bite taken from oatmeal raisin cookies

Easy Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

5 from 8 votes
↑ Click stars to rate now!
Author: Jamielyn Nye
These soft and chewy oatmeal raisin cookies are seriously divine! They are easy to make and loaded with quick oats, vanilla, apple sauce, cinnamon and sweet raisins. Each bite has all the best flavors and textures!
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 24

Ingredients 

  • ½ cup butter
  • 1 cup light brown sugar , packed
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ½ cup apple sauce
  • 3 cups quick oats
  • 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 cup raisins , more if desired

Optional

  • cinnamon chips , I use about 1 1/2 cups
  • walnuts , if adding I add about 1/2 cup

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside. Gather ingredients.
  • In a large mixing bowl, blend together the butter and sugars with beaters until smooth. Then beat in eggs one at a time. Add in vanilla and applesauce. Mix just until combined.
  • In a separate bowl, combine oats, flour, baking soda, salt and cinnamon. Next you will combine the dry ingredients to the sugar mixture. Stir just until smooth. Then fold in raisins and cinnamon chips if desired. 
  • Drop spoonful’s onto pan lined with parchment paper. Press in a few extra raisins and chips on top if desired.
  • Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until edges are lightly brown. The middle should still look slightly soft. Remove from the oven and let sit on the pan for a couple minutes. Then remove to the cooling rack.

Notes

Oats: For this recipe you can also use old-fashioned oats. It depends on your preference of texture (old-fashioned will be chewier).
Cinnamon chips: My original recipe calls for 1 1/2 cups. I have since made them optional because not everyone can find them…but if you can, I highly recommend adding them. I used the Hershey’s brand. They add the perfect flavor. 
Storage: Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days on the counter. Freeze in the freezer for up to 3 months. 

Nutrition

Calories: 176kcal | Carbohydrates: 31g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 24mg | Sodium: 138mg | Potassium: 117mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 14g | Vitamin A: 140IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 19mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.

Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American

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bite taken from oatmeal raisin cookies

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