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Easily make delicious and chewy Oatmeal Cookies with this small batch recipe, ideal for when you crave a treat but don’t want a full batch. This recipe is ideal for those baking for one or two, and offers flexibility with ingredient substitutions.
Looking for more small batch cookie recipes? You’ll love these Chocolate Chip Cookies, Ginger Cookies, Peanut Butter Cookies, and Butter Cookies!
Why You’ll Love This Oatmeal Cookie Recipe
- Simplicity: No need for fancy techniques or tools. Just mix, scoop, and bake.
- Portion Control: Ideal for satisfying your craving without over-indulging.
- Versatility: Our recipe provides several easy substitution options.
- Quick: In under 30 minutes, you’ll have warm cookies ready to enjoy.
- Delicious: Perfectly chewy and flavorful, a treat you’ll make again and again.
Ingredients And Substitutions
- Butter: Gives the cookies a buttery richness. Substitution: Coconut oil or vegan butter for a dairy-free option.
- Sugar: Use granulated sugar and brown sugar. Sugar not only adds sweetness but also provides structure and tenderness. If you don’t have brown sugar, try our easy homemade brown sugar recipe.
- Egg yolk: 1 egg yolk is all that is needed in this small batch oatmeal cookie recipe. The egg yolk helps bind the ingredients together. Save the egg white and use it in a small batch of Meringues, or a mini Texas Sheet Cake, or in Two Vanilla Cupcakes.
- Vanilla extract: Imparts a sweet aroma and flavor. Substitution: Maple syrup or almond extract.
- Flour: Use all-purpose flour which gives structure to the cookies. This recipe has not been tested with other types of flour.
- Baking soda: Provides the lift for the cookies. Ensure it’s fresh for optimal results.
- Ground cinnamon: Adds warmth and depth of flavor. Alternative: Nutmeg or allspice.
- Salt: Salt enhances the flavors in sweet baked goods.
- Oats: The star of the show. Use rolled oats for the best results. Substitution: Quick oats but reduce the baking time and be aware that the texture of the cookies will be different. Consider using leftover oats in a Blackberry Crisp, Baked Oatmeal, Butter Pecan Granola, or in a half batch of Texas Governor’s Mansion Cookies.
This is just an overview of the ingredients I used and why I used them. For the full recipe please scroll down to the recipe box at the bottom of the post.
Recipe Variations
Sometimes, we all like to change things up a bit. Here’s how you can experiment with the basic oatmeal cookie recipe:
- Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies: Add chocolate chips or cocoa powder for a chocolaty twist.
- Tropical Oatmeal Cookies: Incorporate shredded coconut and dried pineapple bits.
- Oatmeal Walnut Cookies: Mix in your choice of chopped nuts – walnuts, pecans, or almonds.
- Spiced Oatmeal Cookies: Add a pinch of cardamom or cloves for a spiced flavor profile.
How To Make Oatmeal Cookies
These step-by-step photos and instructions help you visualize how to make a small batch of oatmeal cookies. See the recipe box below for ingredient amounts and full recipe instructions.
- Heat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Line the cookie sheet with parchment paper or a Silpat liner.
- In a medium-sized bowl, mix together the melted butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until well blended.
- Beat in the egg yolk and the vanilla extract until creamy. Set the bowl aside.
- In a separate small bowl, mix together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt.
- Mix the flour mixture into the butter mixture until well blended.
- Stir in the oats.
- Use a medium-sized cookie scoop or 1 large tablespoon to scoop out the cookie dough. Place cookies 2-inches apart on the cookie sheet. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes.
- Let the cookies cool for 5 minutes on a cookie sheet then transfer them to a cooling rack to finish cooling.
Serving Suggestions
Cookies are versatile and pair wonderfully with various accompaniments. Here are a few ways to elevate your oatmeal cookie experience:
- Tea Time: Serve with a cup of your favorite tea, like Earl Grey or Chamomile.
- Ice Cream Sandwich: Use two cookies to sandwich a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
- Breakfast Treat: Pair with Greek yogurt and fresh berries for a delightful morning treat.
- Dessert Platter: Combine with other single serve desserts for a mini dessert buffet.
Expert Tips
- Measure the flour correctly: This is so important. To measure flour correctly, stir the flour in its container with a spoon. Then, use a spoon to scoop flour into a dry measuring cup and slightly overfill. Then, use the back of a knife or other straight-edged utensil to level the flour across the cup. Do not scoop the flour. When you scoop, the flour gets packed too tightly and you will end up with more flour than the recipe calls for.
- Line the cookie sheet: Use a baking mat or parchment paper to line your cookie sheet. I don’t recommend coating your baking sheet with butter or oil spray because it creates an overly greasy sheet that will make your cookies spread.
- Do not overbake: Remove the cookies from the oven when the edges begin to lightly brown.
- Portion out the cookie dough evenly: I use a cookie scoop that holds about 2 to 2.5 tablespoons of cookie dough. Using this size will yield 4-5 cookies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Old-fashioned rolled oats are the best oats to use when making oatmeal cookies. Do not use steel-cut oats, as they will be too hard, or instant oats which will become mushy.
Store oatmeal cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week.
Although I don’t think these soft oatmeal cookies need a thing, you may like to add a drizzle of icing to yours. Here’s how to make the cookie icing:
In a small bowl stir together 1/3 cup of powdered sugar, 1/4 teaspoon of vanilla extract, and 1 teaspoon of milk or cream. You may find you need to add more milk to get your preferred icing consistency. Spoon over cooled cookies. Allow the icing to set for 15-20 minutes before enjoying.
If you’d like to make a small batch of oatmeal chocolate chip cookies, reduce the amount of oats to 1/4 cup and add 1/4 cup of semi-sweet chocolate chips.
Reduce the amount of oats to 1/4 cup and add 1/4 cup of raisins.
You might like to use our small batch oatmeal raisin cookie recipe.
More Small Batch Cookie Recipes
Looking for more petite batches of sweet delights? Explore our curated collection of small-batch cookie recipes.
Ways To Use Leftover Ingredients
If you have any ingredients leftover from this recipe, check out our Leftover Ingredients Recipe Finder or you might like to consider using them in any of these single serving and small batch recipes:
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If you’ve tried these oatmeal cookies or any recipe on One Dish Kitchen please let me know how you liked it by rating the recipe and telling me about it in the comment section below.
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Small Batch Oatmeal Cookies
Equipment
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons salted butter , melted
- 4 tablespoons brown sugar , packed
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 large egg yolk
- ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ⅓ cup all purpose flour
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup old fashioned oats
Instructions
- Heat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Line cookie sheet with parchment paper or a Silpat liner.
- In a medium-sized bowl, mix together the melted butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until well blended.
- Beat in the egg yolk and the vanilla extract until creamy. Set the bowl aside.
- In a separate small bowl, mix together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt.
- Mix the flour mixture into the butter mixture until well blended. Stir in the oats.
- Use a medium-sized cookie scoop or 1 large tablespoon to scoop out the cookie dough. Place cookies 2-inches apart on the cookie sheet. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes.
- Let the cookies cool for 5 minutes on a cookie sheet then transfer them to a cooling rack to finish cooling.
Notes
- Measure the flour correctly: This is so important. To measure flour correctly, stir the flour in its container with a spoon. Then, use a spoon to scoop flour into a measuring cup and slightly overfill. Then, use the back of a knife or other straight-edged utensil to level the flour across the cup. Do not scoop the flour. When you scoop, the flour gets packed too tightly and you will end up with more flour than the recipe calls for.
- Line the cookie sheet: Use a baking mat or parchment paper to line your cookie sheet. I don’t recommend coating your baking sheet with butter or oil spray because it creates an overly greasy sheet that will make your cookies spread.
- Do not overbake: Remove the cookies from the oven when the edges begin to lightly brown.
- Portion out the cookie dough evenly: I use a cookie scoop that holds about 2 to 2.5 tablespoons of cookie dough. Using this size will yield 4-5 cookies.
Nutrition
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
These are always absolutely delicious! Simple, healthy (as cookies can be), and easy. I can whip up a batch of these so fast. Love that they aren’t overly sweet. Once they’re ready to be put on the pan – I grab a tablespoon size measuring spoon to scoop – give it a squeeze in my hand, and then softly roll it into a ball in my hands before placing on a nonstick cookie sheet. I bake for about 10-11 minutes.
Fantastic! So excited to find your small batch recipes as an empty nester; full batches just pointless now. Thanks so much!!
I’m so glad you found us and hope you find many new recipes you love.
Have now made this recipe multiple times. It’s always delicious and the perfect size for two people. Planning to make several for a family gathering this time. Thanks for sharing your recipe!
Although they tasted good, for me they baked up super flat and very oily. Didn’t do any substitutions or adjustments to the recipe. Maybe I overmixed the wet ingredients? The recipe said “until creamy” so I mixed until the batter was slightly lighter in color. Not sure what I did wrong, many great reviews on these cookies!
Hi there! Thanks for trying the oatmeal cookies and for your feedback. It sounds like the butter might have been overmixed with the sugar, which may cause the cookies to spread and turn out flat. Next time, try mixing just until combined and the mixture is smooth. Also, if your oven runs hotter, that could be another reason for the flat and oily texture. You might want to check your oven temperature with a thermometer to see. I hope this helps, and I’m glad you enjoyed the taste! Let me know if you have any other questions.
These cookies were quick, easy to make and delicious! I made two small changes by browning the butter and adding half vanilla and half maple flavoring. Like a few other posters, my dough was a bit dry, probably from using KerryGold butter and browning, so I added a scant tablespoon of water. Thanks, Joanie for a great recipe!