If you’re craving a cookie that hits all the right notes—soft, chewy, with that warm cinnamon sugar kiss—you’re in for a treat with this Oatmeal Snickerdoodle Cookies Recipe. I absolutely love how these cookies combine the hearty texture of oatmeal with the classic snickerdoodle spice, making them my go-to when I want something cozy yet special. Stick around, and I’ll walk you through everything so your batch turns out perfect every time!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- The Perfect Texture: These cookies are chewy and soft thanks to quick oats and a tender dough that doesn’t dry out.
- Easy to Make: No fancy ingredients or hard-to-find spices—just simple pantry staples.
- Classic Flavor With a Twist: The cinnamon and cream of tartar give you that wonderful snickerdoodle tang combined with oatmeal’s comforting nuttiness.
- Versatile For Any Occasion: Perfect for after school snacks, holiday cookie trays, or mid-afternoon pick-me-ups.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Let’s talk about the building blocks of this Oatmeal Snickerdoodle Cookies Recipe. These ingredients work together to balance soft chewiness with a hint of cinnamon spice, giving you those classic cookie vibes with a wholesome touch.
- All-purpose flour: The base of the cookie, giving structure without weighing it down.
- Quick oats: I use quick oats here because they blend better and help keep the texture soft. Rolled oats can make the cookie a bit too bulky.
- Baking soda: A gentle leavening agent to help your cookies rise just right.
- Cream of tartar: This sneaky ingredient brings that signature snickerdoodle tang and ensures a tender crumb.
- Ground cinnamon: For that warm, inviting spice that defines snickerdoodles.
- Salt: Just a pinch to balance all the sweetness.
- Butter (softened): Using room temperature butter helps create that fluffy mix when creamed with sugar.
- Brown sugar: Adds moisture and a deeper caramel flavor that’s key to chewy cookies.
- Granulated sugar: Helps with sweetness and those slightly crunchy edges.
- Egg: Binds everything together and adds richness.
- Vanilla extract: Always a must in cookies for that subtle, warm aroma.
- Extra cinnamon and sugar: These get rolled on the outside of each cookie for that classic snickerdoodle topping—you’ll love the crunch and spice contrast!
Variations
I often switch things up depending on my mood or who I’m baking for. You’ve got a solid base here, but don’t be afraid to add your own twist—it’s fun to experiment with texture and flavor!
- Add-ins: My family loves tossing in a handful of mini chocolate chips or chopped pecans for some extra crunch and sweetness; it changes the cookie just enough to feel special.
- Gluten-Free Version: Substitute the all-purpose flour for a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend, and double-check your baking soda and cream of tartar are gluten-free—works surprisingly well!
- Spiced Up: Sometimes I add a pinch of nutmeg or ground ginger with the cinnamon to give the cookies extra warmth, especially during colder months.
- Vegan Adaptation: Replace the butter with vegan margarine and use a flax egg instead of a regular egg, and you’ve got vegan oatmeal snickerdoodles that everyone will enjoy.
How to Make Oatmeal Snickerdoodle Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Gather & Mix Your Dry Ingredients
Start by preheating your oven to 400°F—this high temp is what gives these cookies those beautifully golden edges. Then, in a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, quick oats, baking soda, cream of tartar, cinnamon, and salt. I like to do this first because it helps evenly distribute the spices and leavening before mixing them into the wet ingredients.
Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugars Until Fluffy
Using a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment (or a hand mixer if that’s what you’ve got), beat the softened butter with the brown and granulated sugars until it turns light and fluffy. This step takes about 3-5 minutes and is crucial for a tender, airy cookie. Then add the egg and vanilla extract, mixing well until combined.
Step 3: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
With your mixer on low, gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture. You want to mix just until everything comes together into a thick dough. Overmixing at this stage can make the cookies tough, so keep it casual! If you’re mixing by hand, a sturdy wooden spoon will do the job just fine.
Step 4: Shape and Roll in Cinnamon Sugar
Now for the fun part! Roll the dough into 30 small balls by hand—each about the size of a tablespoon. Prepare two baking sheets lined with parchment paper. In a separate bowl, combine more granulated sugar with cinnamon for the classic snickerdoodle coat. Roll each dough ball in this mixture, then place on the trays. Flatten them slightly so they’re thick but not flat; they’ll puff up and then settle as they bake.
Step 5: Bake and Cool to Perfection
Bake your cookies for 8-9 minutes. You’re looking for firm edges and golden tops, but keep an eye because ovens vary! When you pull them out, slide the parchment onto a cooling rack. After about 2 minutes, carefully transfer the cookies onto the racks to cool completely. I’ve found that letting them cool on parchment traps heat and moisture, which helps keep the inside tender before they set perfectly as they cool.
Pro Tips for Making Oatmeal Snickerdoodle Cookies Recipe
- Butter Temperature Matters: Make sure your butter is softened but not melted—too warm and the dough will be greasy, too cold and it won’t cream properly.
- Don’t Skip Cream of Tartar: I used to leave it out, but it really makes the classic tang and chewiness pop in these cookies.
- Use Quick Oats for Texture: Rolled oats can make your cookies too chunky, while quick oats meld into the dough but still give you that oatmeal goodness.
- Watch the Bake Time: These cookies finish baking on the tray after you pull them out, so err on the side of slightly underbaking to keep them soft and chewy.
How to Serve Oatmeal Snickerdoodle Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
I usually keep it simple with these cookies because the cinnamon-sugar coating is delicious on its own. Occasionally I sprinkle a tiny pinch of flaky sea salt on top right after baking—this contrast with the sweetness works like magic and keeps your taste buds intrigued!
Side Dishes
These cookies pair wonderfully with a cold glass of milk (the classic combo), a cozy cup of chai tea, or even a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an indulgent dessert. My kids love dunking them in warm hot chocolate too.
Creative Ways to Present
If I’m making these for a party or holiday, I’ll stack them into a neat tower on a pretty plate tied with a ribbon or serve them in little cellophane bags with handwritten notes. For a brunch, they’re fantastic broken into a bowl with yogurt and fresh berries as a crunchy topping!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature, layered with parchment paper to prevent sticking. They usually stay fresh and chewy for up to 4 days, which is impressive because they rarely last that long at my house!
Freezing
These cookies freeze beautifully, either as dough balls or fully baked cookies. I freeze the dough balls on a tray, then transfer them to a freezer bag so I can bake fresh cookies later. Or if I’ve baked them ahead, I wrap stacks tightly in plastic wrap and pop them in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Reheating
To warm frozen or leftover cookies, I pop them in a preheated 300°F oven for 5-7 minutes, which revives that soft, fresh-baked texture. Microwaving works too, but I find oven reheating keeps the cinnamon-sugar coating nicely crisp.
FAQs
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Can I use rolled oats instead of quick oats in this Oatmeal Snickerdoodle Cookies Recipe?
You can, but rolled oats will create a chunkier, chewier texture and might change the cookie’s shape slightly because they don’t break down as much as quick oats. I prefer quick oats for that tender chew that blends seamlessly with the dough.
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What if I don’t have cream of tartar—can I skip it?
Cream of tartar is key for that signature snickerdoodle tang and also acts as a stabilizer for the cookies. If you’re out, you can substitute with lemon juice or white vinegar (about 1/2 teaspoon) but it won’t be exactly the same. I’d recommend grabbing some next time for the best flavor.
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How can I make these cookies chewier?
To boost chewiness, be careful not to overbake—they’re best pulled from the oven when edges are set but centers still look a bit soft. Also, using brown sugar increases moisture, so don’t reduce it! Lastly, adding a tablespoon of honey or molasses can intensify chewiness and depth of flavor.
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Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Absolutely! The dough can be refrigerated for up to 2 days before baking. In fact, chilling it helps develop flavors and controls spread during baking. Just let it sit at room temp for 10 minutes before rolling into balls to make shaping easier.
Final Thoughts
I have to say, this Oatmeal Snickerdoodle Cookies Recipe holds a special place in my kitchen and in the hearts of my family. It’s that perfect cozy cookie that’s simple enough to make any day yet impressive enough for guests. Give it a try—you’ll enjoy the way crisp cinnamon sugar meets soft, chewy oats in every bite. Baking these is like wrapping yourself in a warm, cinnamon-spiced hug, and I’m pretty sure once you try them, you’ll feel the same!
Print
Oatmeal Snickerdoodle Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 minutes
- Total Time: 28 minutes
- Yield: 2 to 2 ½ dozen cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Oatmeal Snickerdoodles combine the chewy texture of traditional oatmeal cookies with the classic cinnamon-sugar flavor of snickerdoodles. These soft, thick cookies are rolled in a cinnamon-sugar coating and baked until golden, making a delightful treat perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup quick oats (not rolled oats)
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon cream of tartar
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup butter, softened
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 whole egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Coating
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 2 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit to ensure it’s ready when your cookies are shaped and coated.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, quick oats, baking soda, cream of tartar, ground cinnamon, and salt until well combined.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the softened butter along with the brown sugar and granulated sugar on medium speed until the mixture is light, fluffy, and creamy.
- Add Egg and Vanilla: Crack in the whole egg and pour in the vanilla extract, then continue mixing until fully incorporated and smooth.
- Combine Wet and Dry: With the mixer running on low, gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients until a thick dough forms. Mix just enough to combine all ingredients; avoid overmixing. Alternatively, you can combine by hand using a wooden spoon.
- Shape Dough Balls: Divide the dough into 30 equal portions by rolling it into balls with your hands.
- Prepare Baking Sheets: Line two cookie sheets with parchment paper, distributing 15 dough balls per tray.
- Make Cinnamon-Sugar Coating: In a medium bowl, mix together the 2 tablespoons of granulated sugar and 2 ½ teaspoons of ground cinnamon.
- Coat Dough Balls: Roll each dough ball in the cinnamon-sugar mixture until thoroughly coated, then place them on the prepared cookie sheets. Flatten each ball slightly to maintain thickness.
- Bake Cookies: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 8 to 9 minutes, or until the edges are firm and the tops have turned a beautiful golden color.
- Cool Cookies: Slide the parchment paper with cookies onto cooling racks. After two minutes, use a spatula to carefully remove the cookies from the parchment onto the racks to cool completely. Note that the cookies will initially appear puffy and will slightly deflate as they cool, resulting in a soft, chewy texture.
Notes
- Oatmeal Snickerdoodles boast a unique blend of chewy oatmeal cookie texture with the signature cinnamon-sugar flavor of classic snickerdoodles.
- Using quick oats rather than rolled oats ensures the cookies maintain a tender texture.
- Flatten the dough balls slightly before baking to help them cook evenly while retaining thickness.
- Cool cookies on racks to prevent sogginess and help them set perfectly.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 cookies
- Calories: 252
- Sugar: 14.9 g
- Sodium: 89.6 mg
- Fat: 12.8 g
- Saturated Fat: 7.8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4.5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 31.4 g
- Fiber: 1.2 g
- Protein: 2.9 g
- Cholesterol: 44.9 mg