These oatmeal walnut cookies are soft and chewy with crunchy walnuts in every bite, and they come together in one bowl. A very easy recipe that requires no chilling. Bake a batch today, or freeze the dough and have old-fashioned oat and walnut cookies whenever the craving hits.
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Chewy, easy recipe
I've been using this particular recipe for over twenty years, give or take. And at this point, I can say it's a pretty foolproof recipe. That sounds like a lot, but it delivers.
And except for the walnuts, it uses simple ingredients that are probably in your pantry right now. It's one of my family's favorite cookie recipes, especially when slightly underbaked, which results in an almost gooey cookie.
The chopped walnuts act as a sort of dry ingredient, together with the flour, so don't omit them. The dough doesn't work as well without them.
The mix of sugars and butter makes delicious cookies. They have a caramel undertone and just enough sweetness to let the flavors of the oats and walnuts come through.
Oats often appear in my recipes, so if you have leftovers from this recipe, you can choose from a long list of wonderful bakes, from these perfect oatmeal breakfast muffins to my fantastic, sweet carmelitas bars. Not to mention the various fruit crumbles in the archives.
- Susan ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Fantastic recipe. I've made this now dozens of times as it has the option to toggle between metric and American cups. Really great cookies and well worth making.
- Louise ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Just tried these and they are delicious! Will definitely make more.
- Anna ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Omg THE BEST!!!! Easy and delicious!!!!
Testing Notes
Paula's baking tips that make a difference.
Measuring the cookies: Use an ice cream or cookie scoop so that your cookies bake evenly. Leave roughly a 1 or 2-inch separation between each (depending on the size) so they can spread comfortably during baking.
Do a test-bake! Bake a few cookies and see how they come out, taking them out of the oven at different times. I space them with about a 1-minute difference when testing recipes. Find your sweet spot regarding baking time and texture and adjust for the rest of the baking.
Baking: Underbake them a tiny bit; when the center is still very soft, they will be chewier. If you want crunchier cookies, bake them a few minutes more, depending on the size.
The walnuts are chopped, so there's no need to buy whole, fancy ones, which can be more expensive. Walnut pieces are just fine.
Flavorings: Boost the flavor of these cookies by adding ground cinnamon, nutmeg, orange zest (so good), or a tablespoon of Frangelico (my favorite) or some other nut liqueur.
Type of oats to use
There are 2 types of oats good for making oatmeal cookies:
- Rolled oats, also called traditional or old-fashioned oats, are medium-sized and shaped like irregular discs (image below). It's the one in the box we grew up with that is used to make porridge, the best granola recipe, or oatmeal muffins. This is the most commonly used oat and a sure way to get good results.
- Instant oats, also known as quick oats, are more processed than the ones above. I find that they lack texture, but you can absolutely use them.
Readers' Variations on This Recipe
- Oatmeal raisin walnut cookies: I recommend adding ½ cup raisins plus ½ cup walnuts for a cookie slightly chewier and sweeter.
- Some readers added chocolate chips, M&Ms, and butterscotch chips to this recipe, which I think are fantastic add-ins! Some cookies you might like to check out are these chocolate chip oatmeal cookies and the unique and easy scotchies (oat and butterscotch chips).
- For oat and nut cookies (or biscuits) other than walnuts, you can use pecans or hazelnuts (a favorite around here).
- Instead of whole milk, you can use reduced-fat milk, or for a non-dairy liquid, use a plant-based milk like almond milk.
How to Make Oatmeal Walnut Cookies
One of my favorite things about this oatmeal cookie recipe is that the base mixture (which is pretty similar to chocolate chip cookies) is super simple to make.
- Mixers: Using an electric mixer or stand mixer with the paddle attachment will make this process much easier. The cookie dough needs to be mixed for several minutes initially, which is harder to do by hand.
- Adding the flour mixture: Also called dry ingredients, they include flour, salt, and baking soda. First of all, sift them, as they can clump during storage. If using the electric mixer, add them at low speed. You don't want to develop the gluten in the flour, so it needs to be mixed until well incorporated, but no more than that.
Mixing the dough
Creaming: it's important that the butter is soft and that it's well mixed with the sugar until very creamy. Add the sugars gradually so they incorporate better, especially if using a handheld electric mixer.
Adding the egg: don't overlook this step, and take the time to beat it for several minutes. It will help the cookies' texture and shape. The dough should be soft and creamy.
Final mixture
It's thick and creamy, with texture from the oats and walnuts.
If not baking cookies right away, cover and refrigerate it. Let it come to room temperature before scooping and baking.
Scooping
Using a cookie scoop ensures evenly baked and sized cookies, so I recommend it.
You can also use two teaspoons and make mounds.
Baking
Preheated oven: make sure it's at the right temperature when you put in the cookies.
Cookie sheets: I like to recommend turning the baking pan around (back to front) halfway through baking so the cookies bake better. Ovens transfer heat differently, and this is the easiest way to bake them evenly.
Preparing the pan: I like to lightly butter the sheets, but lately I'm using these cookie sheet pans that hardly need to be greased or lined.
How to Freeze Oatmeal Walnut Cookie Dough
The way to make a large batch and have freshly baked cookies any time you want is to freeze them individually.
It takes 3 simple steps:
- Measure and freeze: pretend you're about to bake them, measure them (with a cookie scoop), and place them on a cookie sheet; there is no need to leave much space between them. Pop the cookie sheet into the freezer.
- Transfer to a bag: once the raw cookie balls are frozen rock solid, transfer them to a plastic bag or freezer container. That way, you won't have the cookie sheet stuck in the freezer until you decide to bake.
- Bake straight from the freezer: when you want fresh oatmeal walnut cookies, take the number of frozen cookie balls you want to bake, place them on a cookie sheet, and bake them as directed in the recipe below. They might take an extra minute or two due to the freezing temperature they have when you put them in the oven.
- Run out of granola? Crumble a few of these over your bowl of yogurt and fruit.
- Want to play around with your crumble recipes? Omit the milk in the recipe and use this cookie dough as a topping for apple crumb bars, raspberry apple bars or cherry crumble.
- Make sandwich cookies: if you make small-sized cookies, you can fill them with dulce de leche and have awesome alfajores cookies.
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Oatmeal Walnut Cookies (One-Bowl, 20 Minutes)
Ingredients
- ¾ cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 1 cup light brown sugar
- ½ cup white sugar
- 1 egg, at room temperature
- 2 tablespoons whole milk, at room temperature
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, or ¾ teaspoon vanilla paste
- 1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 3 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
- 1 cup chopped walnuts, about 4 ounces, measured after chopping
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C).
- Butter cookie sheets or line with parchment paper.
- Beat ¾ cup unsalted butter in a large mixing bowl until smooth, about 20 seconds.
- Gradually add 1 cup light brown sugar and ½ cup white sugar and beat for 2 minutes, until creamy, scraping the sides of the bowl as needed.
- Add 1 egg and beat at medium speed for 3 minutes, scraping the sides of the bowl a few times.
- Add 2 tablespoons whole milk, ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract. Mix until incorporated.
- Add 1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour, ½ teaspoon baking soda (sifted to avoid lumps), and ¼ teaspoon salt to the butter mixture. Mix at low speed just until well blended and no dry spots remain. Don't overbeat at this point.
- Mix in 3 cups old-fashioned rolled oats in two parts so they're easier to incorporate.
- Add 1 cup chopped walnuts and mix well. I use a for this part. Make sure no flour remains in the bottom of the bowl. At this point, the cookie dough can be refrigerated for up to a day. See note below.
- Scoop out portions onto the prepared sheets, leaving space between them, an inch or two, depending on the size of the cookie. If making larger cookies, I flatten them slightly with my fingertips so there's less chance of the center taking too long to bake and the edges being too brown.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes, depending on the size, until golden brown and still soft in the center. I use a 1.5-inch cookie scoop and bake them for exactly 10 minutes.
- Smack the pan lightly on the counter immediately after you take it out of the oven. It will deflate the cookies a little and help with the texture.
- Let cool for about 10 minutes on a wire rack before lifting them carefully from the paper and cooling them completely. Transfer the cookies to jars, a metal tin or another airtight container.
Cindy says
Awesome cookie recipe
Craig Johnson says
Can you make this recipe without the rolled oats? Perhaps substitute chocolate chips?
Paula Montenegro says
Hi Craig, it's an oatmeal cookie, so they're essential to the recipe. You're better off making classic chocolate chip cookies if you don't want oats, but with walnuts.
Susan Hewitt says
Fantastic recipe. I've made this now dozens of times as it has the option to toggle between metric and american cups. Measurements just in volume are really annoying for everyone outside the US. Really great cookies and well worth making
ABIGAIL ARELLANO says
I haven't baked the cookies yet but your recipe was the one that looked the most appealing to me then all the rest I Googled.
Wish me luck!!
Fred Simich says
Sorry, too much sugar for a diabetic
Paula Montenegro says
Hi Fred, it’s not for diabetics. You’ll have more luck searching for a sugar-free recipe.
Fred Simich says
Thanks for the tip
Louise says
Just tired these and they are delicious! Will definitely make more.
Can you make a gluten free version by just changing the flour or would more adjustments be needed? Thank you
Paula Montenegro says
Hi Louise! I'm happy to know you loved them. I don't bake gluten-free regularly so I can't talk from experience, but from what I know there's a GF flour that can be swapped 1:1 with all-purpose.
Tara says
These were perfect .
Paula Montenegro says
Thank you Tara!
Becky Levine says
Where are the walnuts?
Paula Montenegro says
Hi Becky, what do you mean where are they? The recipe card is towards the end of the post. There's a jump to recipe button below the title that takes you directly.
Anna M says
Omg THE BEST!!!! Easy and delicious!!!!
Susan Franco says
Hello! Can you use 1 minute oats for this recipe?
Paula Montenegro says
Yes you can Susan. The cookies might not have as much texture as the ones with old-fashioned oats that are sturdier.
Inka says
I would like to add raisins. I feel the walnuts and raisins together will add a good flavor but wondering how much should I add. Thanks!
Paula Montenegro says
Hi Inka, yes, they go great together. Add half cup raisins and half cup walnuts.
Stifu says
Good recipe, a lot of unneeded text at the top... It was really annoying to scroll down to the ingredients and the way of baking them.
Paula Montenegro says
Hi, there's a jump to recipe button at the top of the post that takes you straight to the recipe, in case you don't want to read the post.
The post is written with info for those that are beginners and need details. Have a good week.
Diana says
Perfect. Did use soy as intolerant. of dairy. For the other half batch, I chopped up half of a 70% chocolate bar. Also doubled the walnut amount --pretending the cookie is now healthy.
Jordan says
Delicious flavor and perfect texture! I used hazelnut coffee creamer instead of milk. Turned out great!
Paula Montenegro says
I like that substitution Jordan, it allows for different flavors! Have a great week.
Suky says
I loved the flavor of these cookies, they're a perfect snack! Except I had a problem when I made them - why didn't my cookies spread at all?? I did everything in the instructions and I also only added about 3/4 of the milk. My dough came out nice and firm and held together. I used quick oats and left them in the fridge for about 3 hours before I bakes them. Any suggestions as to where I might have gone wrong? Thanks!
Paula Montenegro says
Hi Suky! I'm glad you liked them and from what you write, I think the type of oats probably absorbed too much liquid or needed more. I would use a tablespoon or two more milk next time and if baking them directly without chilling gives you the spread you want. Hope this helps. Happy baking!
Amy Houchin says
I added a few chocolate chips and mandms and the kids loved them!! Thanks for the best cookie recipe ever!!
Paula Montenegro says
So happy to hear that Amy! Yes, you can add whatever you want, and they're always great. Have a great week!
Will says
I noticed that only half the milk is added to this recipe. However, the cookies taste beyond amazing!
Paula Montenegro says
Hi Will, glad you liked them! You add half the milk and if the mix is too dry you can add the rest, or part of it. The size of the egg and type of oats vary, so it's better to err on the dry side and add more milk if needed.
Debra says
Made these cookies for my Adult children and grandchildren. Divided the dough in half . First batch had raisins mixed in. The other half had butterscotch chips.Yum ..Will let you know what they think later as I am traveling to see them tomorrow!
Thanks for the recipe 0
Paula Montenegro says
Good idea the butterscotch Debra! Thanks for the comment.
Angie@Angie's Recipes says
I love the idea of using a few of these cookies instead of granola over yoghurt for an awesome breakfast. They look wonderful, Paula.