Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies Recipe
Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies are the kind of treat that instantly makes your kitchen feel like home. These cookies bring together the creamy, nutty richness of peanut butter and the hearty chew of oats, creating the perfect blend of sweet, salty, and satisfying texture. Whether you’re looking to whip up a nostalgic snack for after school, add something special to a bake sale, or just treat yourself to a seriously comforting bite, this recipe is about to become your new go-to.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gather these classic baking ingredients, each one playing a small but vital role in making your Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies irresistible. From the creamy peanut butter to the comforting oats, every item here brings something unique to the party.
- Salted Butter: Softened salted butter creates rich flavor, helps the cookies spread, and keeps them tender.
- Peanut Butter: Adds nutty flavor and creaminess; stick with regular, creamy, or chunky peanut butter for the best results—avoid natural versions.
- Brown Sugar: Lends a deep, caramel sweetness and a lovely, chewy bite.
- Granulated Sugar: Adds a clean, simple sweetness that balances the brown sugar perfectly.
- Eggs: Bind everything together and create a soft, satisfying texture.
- Vanilla Extract: Adds warmth, bringing out the best in both peanut butter and oats.
- All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure, making sure your cookies don’t turn into pancakes.
- Quick-Cooking Oats: Give every cookie a chewy, hearty texture and a hint of rustic charm.
- Baking Soda: Helps your cookies rise and gives them that classic, slightly craggy top.
- Salt: Just enough to balance the sweetness and enhance all the flavors.
How to Make Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies
Step 1: Prep Your Oven and Baking Sheets
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F. Line three baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats—this keeps your cookies from sticking and makes cleanup a breeze. Setting up your pans now will help the cookies bake perfectly evenly from the very start.
Step 2: Cream Butter, Peanut Butter, and Sugars
In a large mixing bowl (or the bowl of your stand mixer), combine the softened butter, peanut butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar. Beat everything together for 30 seconds to a minute until the mixture looks light, fluffy, and well-blended. This step builds a soft, pillowy foundation for your cookies.
Step 3: Add Eggs and Vanilla
Crack in your eggs and pour in the vanilla extract. Beat until the eggs and vanilla are fully incorporated and your dough begins to look smooth and glossy. At this stage, the aroma will start filling your kitchen with delicious anticipation.
Step 4: Mix in the Dry Ingredients
Add the flour, quick-cooking oats, baking soda, and salt right into the bowl. If you’re using a hand-held mixer or making these by hand, switch to a sturdy wooden spoon here. Stir or mix just until everything comes together into a sticky, cohesive dough—don’t overmix or your cookies could turn out tough.
Step 5: Scoop and Space the Dough
Scoop golf-ball-sized portions of dough (about two tablespoons each) and place them on your prepared baking sheets, spacing them well apart—these Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies love to spread out as they bake. Eight cookies per sheet tend to work perfectly.
Step 6: Bake to Golden Perfection
Slide your trays into the hot oven and bake for 12 to 15 minutes. For cookies with chewy centers and crispy edges, pull them once they’re browned around the edges and tops look mostly set. If you’re craving a crispier bite, bake just a couple minutes longer until they look completely set on top.
Step 7: Cool and Enjoy
Let your cookies cool right on the baking sheets so they can finish setting up and develop that crave-worthy chewy texture. Once they’re cool enough to pick up, pour a glass of milk and dive in!
How to Serve Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies
Garnishes
A sprinkle of flaky sea salt on warm cookies makes their sweet-salty flavor pop even more. For a playful finish, drizzle with melted chocolate or dot each cookie with a few extra peanut butter chips as they come out of the oven.
Side Dishes
You can’t go wrong with a tall glass of cold milk or a mug of hot coffee on the side. For something extra cozy, pair your cookies with fresh fruit like apple slices or a bowl of creamy vanilla ice cream for an effortless dessert that everyone will rave about.
Creative Ways to Present
Stack your Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies inside a rustic glass jar and tie it with a ribbon for a charming homemade gift. For party platters, alternate rows of cookies with squares of fudge or chocolate-dipped pretzels for irresistible variety. And if you’re hosting a gathering, sandwich a scoop of ice cream between two cookies for out-of-this-world ice cream sandwiches!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies keep beautifully in an airtight container at room temperature for up to five days. Separate layers with wax or parchment paper to keep them from sticking together, and they’ll stay chewy and delicious all week long.
Freezing
These cookies freeze like a dream! Place baked cookies in a zip-top freezer bag or airtight container and freeze for up to three months. For even fresher results, freeze unbaked dough balls and bake them straight from the freezer—just add a minute or two to the baking time.
Reheating
To recapture that oven-fresh magic, warm cookies in the microwave for 10 to 15 seconds or pop them in a 300°F oven for a few minutes until the edges are crisp and the centers turn soft again. Freshly rewarmed cookies pair especially well with ice cream or coffee!
FAQs
Can I use natural peanut butter in this recipe?
It’s best to stick with regular creamy or chunky peanut butter for Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies, as natural versions are usually too oily and can cause the dough to separate or bake unevenly.
What’s the best way to make these cookies gluten-free?
Simply swap the all-purpose flour for your favorite cup-for-cup gluten-free baking blend and double-check your oats for a gluten-free label. The cookies turn out just as chewy and delicious!
Can I add chocolate chips or nuts to the dough?
Absolutely! Stir in a handful of chocolate chips, chopped peanuts, or even butterscotch chips after mixing the dough. These extras play well with the peanut butter and oats, making every bite even more exciting.
Why are my cookies coming out flat?
Be sure to use butter that’s just softened—not melted—and don’t skip the quick-cooking oats, as they help give the dough structure. Spacing the dough balls far apart also gives each Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookie room to spread without merging into its neighbors.
Can I make smaller or larger cookies?
Definitely! For smaller cookies, reduce the baking time by a minute or two; for jumbo bakery-style cookies, scoop larger portions and bake a little longer, checking for golden edges and set tops. Just keep in mind the cookies will spread, so leave plenty of space.
Final Thoughts
If your heart skips a beat at the mention of creamy peanut butter and crumbly-chewy cookies, you simply have to give these Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies a whirl. The recipe is simple, the results are spectacular, and it’s all but guaranteed you’ll win fans with every batch. Don’t be surprised if this becomes your new signature bake—happy baking, and save a cookie or two for yourself!
Print
Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies Recipe
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: Makes about 2 dozen cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Delicious and chewy Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies that are perfect for satisfying your sweet cravings. These cookies are easy to make and packed with the goodness of peanut butter and oats.
Ingredients
Cookie Dough:
- 1 cup (8oz, 2 sticks) salted butter (softened)
- 1 cup (264g) peanut butter (creamy or chunky are fine, not natural peanut butter)
- 1 cup (200g) brown sugar
- 3/4 cup (150g) granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cup (180g) all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cup quick-cooking oats*
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F and line three baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl or stand mixer, blend together butter, peanut butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until fluffy.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Incorporate the eggs and vanilla into the mixture until well combined.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: Mix in the flour, oats, baking soda, and salt until a sticky dough forms.
- Scoop Dough: Scoop golf ball-sized portions of dough onto baking sheets, spacing them apart.
- Bake: Bake for 12 to 15 minutes until the cookies are browned around the edges and set on top.
- Cool and Enjoy: Let the cookies cool on the baking tray before indulging.
Notes
- For a crunchier texture, bake the cookies until completely set.
- Ensure the cookies have enough space between them on the baking sheet as they spread while baking.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 200
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 11g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
Keywords: Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies, Cookies, Peanut Butter, Dessert, Baking
