One-Bowl, No-Mixer, No-Chill Oatmeal Cookies Recipe

Say hello to your new favorite go-to cookie recipe: One-Bowl, No-Mixer, No-Chill Oatmeal Cookies. These beauties are soft, chewy, packed with wholesome oats, and ridiculously easy to make. No fancy equipment, no waiting around for dough to chill—just mix, scoop, and bake. Perfect for those spur-of-the-moment cravings or a last-minute sweet treat on a busy weeknight!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Effortless Prep: You literally need just one bowl. No stand mixer, no beaters—just a spoon or spatula and a few minutes of your time.
• No Chill Time: That’s right, no waiting around. The dough goes straight from the bowl to the oven, which means cookies in under 30 minutes.
• Incredibly Tasty: These cookies are the perfect balance of chewy and crisp, with warm notes of cinnamon and just the right amount of sweetness.
• Customizable: Whether you’re into chocolate chips, raisins, nuts, or coconut, these cookies are ready to be whatever you want them to be.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Here’s what goes into these incredible cookies—and why each one matters:

• Old-Fashioned Rolled Oats: The star of the show. They give the cookies a hearty texture and nutty flavor.
• All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure to the cookies, making sure they hold together beautifully.
• Brown Sugar: Adds deep, rich sweetness and helps keep the cookies moist and chewy.
• Granulated Sugar: Balances the brown sugar for that classic cookie sweetness.
• Melted Butter: No need to cream anything here—melted butter adds richness and makes mixing a breeze.
• Egg: Binds everything together and adds moisture.
• Vanilla Extract: Rounds out the flavors with a warm, comforting note.
• Baking Soda: Gives the cookies a slight lift for that soft, tender center.
• Salt: Enhances all the other flavors—don’t skip it!
• Cinnamon: Optional, but adds a lovely spiced aroma and taste that pairs beautifully with oats.
• Mix-ins (chocolate chips, raisins, chopped nuts, coconut): Totally up to you! Choose your favorite or mix a few for a fun twist.

Variations

Want to make these cookies your own? Here are some ideas to get you started:

• Chocolate Lover’s Dream: Go heavy on the chocolate chips—or use dark chocolate chunks for a grown-up version.
• Classic Oatmeal Raisin: Swap chocolate for raisins and maybe a pinch of nutmeg.
• Nutty Crunch: Add chopped walnuts, pecans, or almonds for extra texture and flavor.
• Tropical Vibes: Mix in shredded coconut and white chocolate chips for a delicious twist.
• Gluten-Free Option: Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend and certified gluten-free oats.

How to Make One-Bowl, No-Mixer, No-Chill Oatmeal Cookies

Step 1: Preheat and Prep

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.

Step 2: Mix the Wet Ingredients

In a large mixing bowl, combine the melted butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar. Stir until smooth. Add the egg and vanilla extract, and mix until well incorporated.

Step 3: Add the Dry Ingredients

Sprinkle in the flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon (if using). Stir just until combined—don’t overmix. Add the oats and any mix-ins you like, folding them in gently.

Step 4: Scoop and Shape

Using a cookie scoop or spoon, drop dough balls onto the prepared baking sheet, leaving space between each for spreading.

Step 5: Bake and Cool

Bake for 9–12 minutes, or until the edges are golden and the centers are just set. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack.

Pro Tips for Making the Recipe

• Use Room Temperature Egg: This helps everything blend more easily and evenly.
• Don’t Overmix: Once the flour goes in, stir just enough to combine. Overmixing leads to tougher cookies.
• Watch the Oven: Ovens vary, so check early to prevent overbaking. You want the centers soft when you pull them out—they’ll firm up as they cool.
• Customize with Mix-Ins: Add about 1 to 1½ cups of your favorite extras. No need to be too precise—just don’t overload the dough.

How to Serve

These cookies are fabulous just as they are, warm from the oven with a glass of milk or cup of coffee. Here are a few other fun ways to enjoy them:

Dessert Sandwich:

Spread a little peanut butter or a dollop of ice cream between two cookies for an instant treat.

Sweet Snack:

Pack a couple in lunchboxes or bring them along for an energy-boosting afternoon bite.

Party Tray:

Add them to a dessert board with fruit, chocolate, and other cookies for a gorgeous (and easy) party centerpiece.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. They stay soft and chewy for days!

Freezing

You can freeze the dough or the baked cookies. For dough, scoop onto a tray, freeze until solid, then transfer to a zip-top bag. Bake from frozen with an extra 1-2 minutes added to the time. Baked cookies can be frozen for up to 3 months.

Reheating

Pop a cookie in the microwave for 10–15 seconds to bring back that fresh-from-the-oven softness.

FAQs

Can I use quick oats instead of old-fashioned oats?
Yes, but expect a slightly different texture—quick oats will make the cookies a bit softer and less chewy. Old-fashioned oats are best for that hearty, chewy bite.

What if I don’t have brown sugar?
You can substitute with all white sugar, but the cookies will lose some of their depth and chewiness. If you’re in a pinch, add a spoonful of molasses to mimic the flavor.

Can I double the recipe?
Absolutely! These cookies go fast, so doubling is a great idea. Just make sure your mixing bowl is big enough and bake in batches.

Do these spread a lot in the oven?
They spread moderately. If you want a thicker cookie, chill the dough for 10–15 minutes, but it’s not necessary—these are meant to be quick and fuss-free.

Final Thoughts

If you’ve been looking for a simple, foolproof oatmeal cookie recipe that doesn’t ask for a mixer or any waiting time, this is it. These One-Bowl, No-Mixer, No-Chill Oatmeal Cookies deliver big on flavor and ease. They’re cozy, chewy, endlessly customizable, and perfect for any day of the week. Give them a try—you might just find yourself making them on repeat!

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