These Oatmeal Raisin Cookies are super soft, thick, and loaded with oats and raisins. These cookies are easy to make and so delicious!

A stack of oatmeal raisin cookies on a cooling rack lined with parchment paper.

Is there anything better than a soft, thick, and chewy cookie? I’ve always been a huge fan of oatmeal cookies because there’s so many different things you can mix into them and they’re always delicious.

I originally published this oatmeal raisin cookie recipe back in 2017 and they’ve been a huge reader favorite! I decided it was finally time to update this recipe with more instructions and pictures so you can see just how easy they are to make.

If you love raisins, I guarantee this is the best oatmeal raisin cookie recipe you will ever try. And don’t worry, if you don’t like raisins you can easily leave them out or replace them with something else!

The ingredients needed to make homemade oatmeal raisin cookies laid out in bowls and plates on top of a gray surface.

Recipe Ingredients

These easy oatmeal raisin cookies use simple ingredients that you may already have on hand! Let’s discuss each ingredient and why it’s crucial to this recipe:

  • All-Purpose Flour: This provides the structure for your cookies so that they maintain their shape and hold up once they’re baked. When it comes to measuring your flour, make sure to spoon it into your measuring cup and level it off with the back of a knife. Too much flour can lead to cookies that won’t spread in the oven. 
  • Ground Cinnamon: I use ground cinnamon in all of my oatmeal cookies. Feel free to increase the amount if you love cinnamon!
  • Baking Soda & Salt: The baking soda lifts the cookies and the salt enhances all of the flavors.
  • Old-Fashioned Rolled Oats: Rolled oats are best in oatmeal cookies because they provide a chewier texture.
  • Butter: As always, I used unsalted butter in these cookies. If you only have salted butter on hand, just reduce the salt to a tiny pinch. Your butter should also be softened to a cool room temperature.
  • Sugar: I use a mix of brown sugar and granulated sugar in all of my oatmeal cookies. The brown sugar adds moisture and flavor to the cookies and also makes them chewier. The granulated sugar helps the cookies spread as they bake in the oven.
  • Egg: The egg helps bind everything together. I suggest using a room temperature egg for best results.
  • Pure Vanilla Extract: For a little extra flavor.
  • Raisins: There’s one cup of raisins in these cookies so that you get some in every single bite. If you’re not a fan of raisins, you can omit them or replace them with something else.

How To Make Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

To make the cookie dough, you’ll start by whisking together the flour, baking soda, ground cinnamon, and salt. Then, stir in your rolled oats and set the mixture aside.

Next, mix up the wet ingredients. To start, beat your softened butter with the brown sugar and granulated sugar until they’re well combined. The amount of time will depend on whether you’re using a stand mixer or a handheld mixer, but it should take about 1 to 2 minutes.

Next, beat in your egg and vanilla extract. I suggest stopping to scrape down the sides of your bowl and then mixing one more time. At this point, your mixture should look like the picture above on the left.

Once the wet ingredients are well combined, add the dry ingredients and mix them in until just combined. Then, toss in your raisins and mix them in on low-speed or gently fold them in with a rubber spatula until they’re fully incorporated. The finished cookie dough will look like the picture above on the right. 

A baking sheet lined with parchment paper holding cookie dough balls that have been pressed down slightly.

I also suggest covering the cookie dough with some plastic wrap and chilling it in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. This extra step will allow the oats time to absorb some of the moisture so the cookies don’t spread too much when they bake.

Once the dough has chilled, line a couple of baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats. Remove the cookie dough from the refrigerator and scoop 1.5 tablespoon-sized balls of cookie dough onto the baking sheets. Then, gently press down each ball of cookie dough just slightly.

These oatmeal raisin cookies will take about 10 to 12 minutes in the oven. You’ll know they’re done when the edges are lightly browned and the tops of your cookies are set.

Several oatmeal raisin cookies on top of a piece of parchment paper.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use quick oats?

I recommend using old-fashioned rolled oats because they will make the cookies chewier. However, you can replace them with the same amount of quick oats. 

Why are my cookies not spreading in the oven?

There are a couple of things that could prevent your cookies from not spreading in the oven. First, it’s crucial to measure your flour correctly with the spoon and level method. Too much flour can lead to cookies that don’t spread.

It’s also important to slightly flatten each ball of cookie dough before baking them in the oven. This will help them spread some as they are baking!

Can I freeze this cookie dough?

Yes, this cookie dough freezes really well! I recommend lining a baking sheet with parchment paper, scooping the cookie dough onto the prepared baking sheet, and slightly flattening each ball of cookie dough. Freeze for 1 to 2 hours, then transfer the frozen cookie dough to a large freezer bag. You can bake the cookie dough from frozen, just add an additional 1 to 2 minutes to the baking time.

A batch of cookies laid out on top of a small cooling rack with more raisins scattered around them.

Baking Tips

  • You may prepare the cookie dough, cover it tightly, and refrigerate it for up to 3 days. If the cookie dough is too hard to scoop, let it sit at room temperature for about 20 minutes and that should make it easier.
  • If you want to make more cookies, you can easily double this recipe to make about 4 dozen.
  • Want to soak your raisins? I personally skip this step, but if you want the raisins to be more plump in the cookies, simply place them in a bowl of warm water for 10 minutes. Once they’re ready, drain them and blot them really well with a paper towel before mixing them into the cookie dough. 
  • If you want your cookies to spread a bit more, you can press them down more like in the video below!

More Classic Cookie Recipes To Try!

Video Tutorial

A stack of oatmeal raisin cookies on top of a small cooling rack lined with parchment paper.

Soft and Chewy Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

4.87 from 439 ratings
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Chilling time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 55 minutes
These Oatmeal Raisin Cookies are super soft, thick, and loaded with oats and raisins. These cookies are easy to make and so delicious!
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Ingredients

Servings: 24 cookies
  • 1 cup (125 grams) all-purpose flour (spooned & leveled)
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 and 1/2 cups (150 grams) old-fashioned rolled oats
  • 1/2 cup (115 grams) unsalted butter (softened)
  • 1/2 cup (100 grams) packed light or dark brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup (50 grams) granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg (room temperature)
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1 cup (150 grams) raisins

Instructions
 

  • In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, cinnamon, baking soda, and salt. Stir in the old-fashioned rolled oats and set aside.
  • In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment or in a large mixing bowl using a handheld mixer, beat the butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar together for 1 to 2 minutes or until well combined. Add the egg and vanilla extract and mix until fully combined, stopping to scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.
  • Add the dry ingredients and continue mixing on low speed until just combined, then mix in the raisins.
  • Cover the cookie dough tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
  • Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C). Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats and set aside.
  • Once the dough is chilled, remove it from the refrigerator. Using a 1.5 tablespoon cookie scoop, scoop the cookie dough and drop onto the prepared baking sheets. Roll the cookie dough into balls and very gently press down with your hand to flatten each ball of cookie dough slightly. Make sure to leave a little room between each ball of cookie dough as they will spread a little while they bake.
  • Bake for 10 to 12 minutes or until the edges of the cookies are lightly golden brown and the tops are set. Remove from the oven and cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes, then transfer the cookies to a wire rack cool completely.

Notes

Storage Instructions: Cookies may be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.
Freezing Instructions: Baked cookies will freeze well for up to 3 months, thaw to room temperature before serving.
To freeze the cookie dough, line a baking sheet with parchment paper, scoop the cookie dough onto the baking sheet, and slightly flatten each ball of cookie dough. Freeze for 1 to 2 hours, then transfer the frozen cookie dough to a large freezer bag and freeze for up to 3 months. You can bake the cookie dough from frozen for an additional 1 to 2 minutes.
Oats: I recommend using old-fashioned rolled oats for a chewier texture. If you don't have any on hand, you can replace them with the same amount of quick oats.
Egg: To bring your egg to room temperature quickly, place it in a bowl of warm water for 5 to 10 minutes.
Cuisine: American
Course: Dessert
Author: Danielle
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