Name: Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 57 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 cup old fashioned oats; ⅓ cup all-purpose flour; ¼ teaspoon baking soda; ¼ teaspoon kosher salt; ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon; 5 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened; ⅓ cup creamy peanut butter; ⅓ cup granulated sugar; ⅓ cup light brown sugar, packed; 1 large egg; 2 teaspoons vanilla extract; 3 tablespoons granulated sugar, for rolling dough

Jump to Recipe· 4.5 from 7 reviews

If you’re on the hunt for a cozy, chewy treat that packs a punch of nutty goodness, you’re going to love this Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies Recipe. It’s the perfect balance between hearty oats and creamy peanut butter, mingled together into cookies that just melt in your mouth. I’ve made these a million times—okay, maybe not a million, but definitely enough to know that this recipe is a keeper. Stick around, because I’ve got all the tips and tricks to make your batch foolproof and downright irresistible!

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Why This Recipe Works

Simple Ingredients: Uses pantry staples you probably already have, no fancy stuff required.
Perfect Texture: The oats add chewiness, while the peanut butter keeps cookies tender and rich.
Easy Technique: No complicated steps—mix, scoop, bake, and enjoy, even if you’re new to baking.
Adaptable Flavor: Cinnamon and vanilla add a warm twist that elevates the classic peanut butter cookie.

Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies, healthy peanut butter cookies, chewy oatmeal cookies, easy cookie recipes, nutty cookie treats - Several round cookies with cracked light golden-brown tops rest on a metal cooling rack. The cookies have a slightly uneven texture with some darker golden spots, showing a soft inside and a lightly crisp outside. The cooling rack is placed on a white marbled surface, and the cookies overlap each other slightly. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

These ingredients come together to create a cookie that’s soft on the inside with a slight crunch on the outside. Each one plays its part: from the oats for wholesome texture to the peanut butter that brings that irresistible creamy flavor. Here’s what you’ll want to keep in mind when shopping and prepping:

Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies, healthy peanut butter cookies, chewy oatmeal cookies, easy cookie recipes, nutty cookie treats - Flat lay of old fashioned oats loosely piled, a small mound of all-purpose flour, a few grains of light brown sugar in a small white ceramic bowl, a few granules of white granulated sugar in a small white ceramic bowl, a small pinch of kosher salt, a tiny heap of ground cinnamon, a few tablespoons of softened unsalted butter in a simple white ceramic bowl, creamy peanut butter dolloped in a white ceramic bowl, one large whole egg with clean shell, and a small white ceramic bowl holding clear vanilla extract placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Old fashioned oats: They give a chewy texture and nutty flavor—avoid quick oats here as they change the texture.
All-purpose flour: Just enough to bind the dough without turning cookies cakey.
Baking soda: Leavens the cookies slightly, helping them rise just the right amount.
Kosher salt: Balances the sweetness and deepens the peanut butter flavor.
Ground cinnamon: A subtle warmth that enhances the overall taste without overpowering.
Unsalted butter: Gives richness and helps with that perfect melt-in-your-mouth feel.
Creamy peanut butter: This is the star here—smooth works best for even mixing and a consistent cookie texture.
Granulated sugar: Adds crunch and balances moisture.
Light brown sugar: Adds a hint of caramel sweetness and keeps cookies soft.
Large egg: Binds everything perfectly and adds moisture.
Vanilla extract: Warms up the flavor and brings out the best in peanut butter.
Granulated sugar for rolling: This little trick creates a lovely sugary crust that I love for that extra texture contrast.

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Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I love making this Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies Recipe my own by adding little tweaks based on my mood or the season. You can play around with add-ins or swap ingredients for dietary needs without losing that classic cozy vibe. Here’s how I sometimes customize these cookies:

Variation: Adding a handful of chocolate chips or chopped peanuts makes these cookies a double treat—I especially enjoy this combo when sharing with friends.
Gluten-Free Option: I’ve swapped the all-purpose flour for a gluten-free blend and used certified gluten-free oats with great results.
Healthier Swap: Using natural peanut butter without added sugar and swapping brown sugar for coconut sugar works well if you want a less sweet, but still delicious, cookie.
Seasonal Twist: A pinch of nutmeg or even some orange zest pairs beautifully with cinnamon to give your batch festive flair.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Prep Like a Pro

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F and lining two cookie sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats. This is key for an easy cleanup and gives your cookies a nice even bake without sticking. While the oven warms up, whisk together your oats, flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon in a medium bowl. Mixing them dry first ensures even distribution of flavors and leavening.

Step 2: Cream the Goodness

In your stand mixer (or with a hand mixer), cream the softened butter, peanut butter, granulated sugar, and light brown sugar. This takes about 2 minutes on medium speed—don’t forget to scrape down the sides so nothing gets left behind. The creaming step aerates the mixture, helping develop that tender crumb in your cookies.

Step 3: Bring It All Together

Next, add the egg and vanilla extract to the mix. Blend until everything is combined and smooth. Then, reduce your mixer speed to low and add the oat and flour mix. Stir until just combined—overmixing here can make your cookies tough, so stop as soon as you don’t see any flour.

Step 4: Sugar-Coated Scoops

Here’s a fun trick: pour 3 tablespoons of granulated sugar into a small bowl. Scoop out 1.5 tablespoon-sized dough balls using a cookie scoop and roll each ball in the sugar until fully coated. This adds a delightful sweet crust that’s just a little crispy. Place the balls about 2 inches apart on your cookie sheets to make sure they have room to spread.

Step 5: Bake & Cool Like a Champ

Bake the cookies for 11–12 minutes, until they’re lightly golden around the edges. When you take them out, give the cookie sheet a smart rap against your countertop a couple of times—that’s an old trick I picked up that helps prevent air pockets and keeps cookies from puffing oddly. Let the cookies cool for 5 minutes on the sheet before transferring them to a cooling rack. Trust me, patience here pays off with perfectly chewy centers.

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Tips from My Kitchen

Soft Butter Matters: Make sure your butter is softened, not melted—that’s the secret to the right texture.
Don’t Overmix: Mixing the dry ingredients in at low speed and stopping quickly makes cookies tender, not dense.
Rolling in Sugar: Coating the dough balls in sugar before baking creates that irresistible slight crisp on the outside.
Cool on Sheet First: Letting cookies cool on the baking sheet helps them set gently before handling so they don’t break apart.

How to Serve Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies Recipe

Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies, healthy peanut butter cookies, chewy oatmeal cookies, easy cookie recipes, nutty cookie treats - A large round cookie with a cracked, rough texture and light brown color is being held by a woman's hand above a clear glass filled halfway with white milk. In the background, on a white marbled surface, there is a stack of white plates with a spoon resting on top, holding a dollop of creamy, smooth light brown peanut butter. Another cookie is slightly out of focus near the plates. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Garnishes

I usually serve these cookies just as they are—they’re fantastic naked! But sometimes I sprinkle a tiny pinch of flaky sea salt on top right after rolling in sugar and before baking for an exciting sweet-salty contrast. A drizzle of melted dark chocolate on cooled cookies is another one of my go-to garnishes when I want to impress guests.

Side Dishes

These cookies pair wonderfully with a cold glass of milk, a cup of coffee, or even your afternoon tea ritual. At family brunches, I like to serve them alongside fresh fruit or yogurt for a little breakfast indulgence. They’re also perfect with a scoop of vanilla ice cream if you’re feeling extra cheeky.

Creative Ways to Present

For parties or holidays, I stack these cookies in mason jars tied with a rustic twine bow—super cute and makes a great gift. You can also sandwich two cookies with peanut butter or Nutella for a decadent treat. If you want to dress them up for special occasions, a dusting of powdered sugar or a quick dip in chocolate is always a hit.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Keep your cookies in an airtight container at room temperature, and they’ll stay fresh for up to a week. I’ve learned the trick of adding a slice of sandwich bread to the container—this keeps the cookies super soft and chewy by maintaining moisture without making them soggy. Just swap out the bread every couple of days to keep things fresh.

Freezing

If you want to make these cookies ahead of time, they freeze beautifully. After the full bake and cool, place the cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid. Then transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container. When you’re ready to enjoy, thaw them on the counter or warm them up gently in the oven.

Reheating

The best way to reheat these cookies is in a preheated 300°F oven for about 5 minutes. This warms them through and revives that fresh-baked softness and aroma. You can also microwave them for 10-15 seconds if you’re in a hurry, but don’t overdo it or they might turn a little dry.

FAQs

Can I use natural peanut butter for this recipe?

Absolutely! Natural peanut butter can be used, but since it often has more oil and less sweetness, your cookies might spread a bit more and have a softer texture. You might want to chill the dough briefly before baking to help control spreading.
Are these cookies gluten-free?

The original Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies Recipe uses all-purpose flour, which contains gluten, so it’s not gluten-free as is. However, you can substitute the flour with a gluten-free baking blend and make sure to use certified gluten-free oats to make the recipe suitable for gluten-sensitive diets.
How do I keep my cookies chewy and soft?

To keep these cookies soft, avoid overbaking—take them out as soon as the edges are lightly golden. Also, storing them with a slice of bread in an airtight container maintains moisture. Using brown sugar in the dough helps with that chewy texture, too.
Can I add chocolate chips or nuts?

Yes! Feel free to fold in chocolate chips, chopped peanuts, or even raisins for extra flavor and texture. Just add about ½ to 1 cup of your chosen add-in to the dough before scooping.

Final Thoughts

There’s just something about these Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies that feels like a warm hug on a plate. They’re straightforward to throw together yet somehow utterly charming, making them my go-to when I want to bake something comforting without fuss. Trust me, once you try this recipe, you’ll keep coming back for more—whether it’s a weekday pick-me-up or a weekend treat. So grab that peanut butter and oats, and let’s get baking!