Name: Apple Oatmeal Cookies Recipe
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 40 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 cup (125 grams) all-purpose flour (spooned & leveled); 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon; 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg; 1/2 teaspoon baking soda; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 1 3/4 cups (175 grams) old-fashioned rolled oats; 1/2 cup (115 grams) unsalted butter (softened); 1/2 cup (100 grams) light brown sugar (packed); 1/4 cup (50 grams) granulated sugar; 1 large egg (at room temperature); 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract; 1 cup (120 grams) chopped apple

If you’re on the hunt for a cozy, spiced treat that feels like a warm hug, you’re in for a real treat with this Apple Oatmeal Cookies Recipe. I absolutely love how these cookies turn out soft, chewy, and bursting with fresh apple flavor—perfect for fall days or anytime you want a little comfort food. Stick with me because I’ll walk you through exactly how to get these just right every single time.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Perfectly Spiced: The cinnamon and nutmeg create just the right cozy, warm flavors.
Chewy Soft Texture: Thanks to the rolled oats and juicy apples, these cookies aren’t dry or crumbly.
Quick and Easy: You can whip up the dough in under 10 minutes and have these baking in no time.
Family Favorite: My kids beg for these, and I’m sure yours will too!

The image shows a close-up of a group of oatmeal cookies with small pieces of apple mixed in. Each cookie is round and thick, with a rough texture from the oats and visible chunks of pale yellow apple spread throughout. The cookies are piled together in a round baking dish lined with brown parchment paper. The background is a white marbled texture with a striped cloth lightly showing. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Apple Oatmeal Cookies, cozy fall cookies, easy apple cookies, chewy oatmeal cookies, spiced apple treats

Ingredients You’ll Need

The magic of this Apple Oatmeal Cookies Recipe truly happens because of simple, easy-to-find ingredients that play together beautifully. I always recommend going for fresh apples and good-quality vanilla—the little details really shine through in the final cookie.

Flat lay of chopped fresh apples with their red and green skin, a neat pile of old-fashioned rolled oats, a small mound of light brown sugar, a stick of unsalted butter softened with a smooth texture, a scattering of ground cinnamon and nutmeg powders creating warm earthy tones, a single fresh egg with a clean shell, and a small glass bottle of vanilla extract, all beautifully arranged on a white marble surface, photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Apple Oatmeal Cookies, cozy fall cookies, easy apple cookies, chewy oatmeal cookies, spiced apple treats

All-purpose flour: Use spooned and leveled to keep your cookies tender and not too dense.
Ground cinnamon: This gives the cookie that warm, inviting flavor you expect in fall baking.
Ground nutmeg: Just a little adds a lovely depth without overpowering the apple.
Baking soda: Helps give your cookies a gentle lift.
Salt: Enhances all the flavors–don’t skip it!
Old-fashioned rolled oats: They keep the cookies chewy and hearty; quick oats just won’t do here.
Unsalted butter: Softened for easy creaming, butter adds richness and flavor.
Light brown sugar: Adds moisture and that slight caramel note.
Granulated sugar: Balances the sweetness and helps with crisp edges.
Large egg: Make sure it’s at room temperature to mix evenly.
Pure vanilla extract: Always use pure vanilla for the best taste.
Chopped apple: Fresh is best—choose crisp varieties like Fuji or Honeycrisp for a sweet-tart bite.

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.

Variations

I love that this Apple Oatmeal Cookies Recipe is super adaptable, so feel free to switch things up depending on what sounds good or what you have on hand in your pantry. Here are some tweaks I’ve tried out—and loved.

Add nuts or raisins: My family goes crazy for a handful of chopped walnuts or raisins stirred into the dough—it adds that little something extra in texture and flavor.
Make it gluten-free: I’ve swapped the all-purpose flour for a gluten-free blend with great results, just make sure it includes xanthan gum.
Spice it up more: If you’re a fan of warming spices, add a pinch of cloves or ginger for a little more kick.
Use different apples: Mixing sweet and tart apples can elevate the flavor profile beautifully.

How to Make Apple Oatmeal Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Prep Your Ingredients and Oven

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (177°C). I always line two large baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats to prevent sticking and make cleanup easy, trust me – no cookie rescue missions needed! While your oven warms up, get your apples chopped into small, even pieces so they bake nicely within every bite.

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients

In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, baking soda, and salt until evenly combined. Then stir in the rolled oats. This step is key because you want your spices and leavening spread out just right—no clumping here!

Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugars

Using a handheld mixer or stand mixer with a paddle attachment, beat the softened butter together with the brown and granulated sugars for about 1 to 2 minutes, until the mixture is smooth and creamy. I like to scrape down the sides occasionally because it helps everything blend beautifully and keeps your dough consistent.

Step 4: Add Egg and Vanilla

Next, mix in the egg and vanilla extract. Again, give the bowl a scrape here and there to make sure it’s fully incorporated. The egg adds structure, and the vanilla is like the cherry on top of the flavor.

Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients

Slowly add your dry oat mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing just until combined. This part is important—you don’t want to overmix or your cookies could end up tough. Finally, gently fold in the chopped apples so they’re evenly distributed without breaking down too much.

Step 6: Scoop and Bake

Use about 1.5 tablespoons of dough per cookie and drop them onto your lined baking sheets, spacing each one a bit apart to give them room to spread. Pop the trays in your preheated oven and bake for 12 to 15 minutes. The tops should look set, with just a hint of golden on the edges.

Step 7: Cool and Enjoy

Once out of the oven, let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for about 5 to 10 minutes. This resting time helps them firm up so they don’t fall apart when you transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. I always sneak one while they’re still warm—can’t help myself!

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Pro Tips for Making Apple Oatmeal Cookies Recipe

Choose the Right Apple: I’ve found crisp apples like Honeycrisp hold their texture best without turning mushy in the cookie.
Don’t Overmix: Mixing the dough just enough keeps these cookies tender and prevents them from getting tough.
Use Old-Fashioned Oats: Quick oats don’t provide the same chewy texture—trust me, the difference is worth it.
Watch Your Bake Time: Pull cookies out when the tops are set but still soft for that perfect chewy bite.

How to Serve Apple Oatmeal Cookies Recipe

A stack of six brown oatmeal cookies with visible small chunks of yellow apple pieces sits in the center of a metal pan lined with parchment paper. The cookies have a rough texture with oats and apple chunks spread throughout. One cookie lies broken on a white marbled surface in the front left of the image. In the blurred background, there is a green apple and a peach on the right side, and an out-of-focus glass bottle of milk on the left side. The background wall has white subway tiles. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Apple Oatmeal Cookies, cozy fall cookies, easy apple cookies, chewy oatmeal cookies, spiced apple treats

Garnishes

While these cookies stand beautifully on their own, I like sprinkling a tiny pinch of cinnamon sugar on top right before baking sometimes—it adds a delicate crunchy topping that makes the experience extra special. A thin drizzle of honey or a light spread of cream cheese frosting turns these into something a little fancy for guests too.

Side Dishes

Pair these cookies with a steaming mug of chai tea or a cup of hot apple cider to bring out all those autumn vibes. They’re also unexpectedly delightful alongside a scoop of vanilla ice cream if you want to turn them into a quick dessert treat.

Creative Ways to Present

For a party or brunch, I like stacking these Apple Oatmeal Cookies Recipe cookies on a pretty plate layered with fresh apple slices and sprigs of mint. Wrapping a few in parchment and tying with twine makes an easy, charming gift. You can even sandwich them with a layer of cream cheese filling for a fun twist.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. I’ve noticed that keeping a slice of bread inside the container helps keep the cookies moist and chewy—it’s a little trick I learned and swear by!

Freezing

These cookies freeze beautifully! I like to freeze them in a single layer on a baking sheet, then transfer them to a sealed freezer bag. When you want a treat, just thaw at room temp or warm a few in the oven for a fresh-from-the-oven feel.

Reheating

To reheat, pop the cookies in a 300°F oven for 5 minutes or microwave for about 15 seconds. This helps revive that soft texture and warm apple flavor I love so much.

FAQs

Can I use frozen apples in this Apple Oatmeal Cookies Recipe?

Frozen apples tend to release extra moisture, which can make your cookies soggy. If you decide to use frozen, be sure to thaw and drain them well before adding to the dough to avoid this issue.
How do I make these cookies dairy-free?

You can substitute the unsalted butter with a dairy-free spread or coconut oil. Just keep in mind that the texture might be slightly different but still delicious!
Can I use quick oats instead of rolled oats?

For this Apple Oatmeal Cookies Recipe, old-fashioned rolled oats are best because they provide the chew and texture you want. Quick oats will make the cookies softer and less chewy, so I’d avoid substituting if possible.
How can I make the cookies sweeter or less sweet?

Adjust the amount of brown and granulated sugar to suit your taste. If you like sweeter cookies, increase the sugars slightly; for less sweetness, cut back a bit but not too much or it will affect texture.

Final Thoughts

This Apple Oatmeal Cookies Recipe has become one of my go-to comfort cookies, especially when apple season comes around. There’s something about that blend of spices, chewy oats, and real apple chunks that just makes your kitchen smell like fall and your heart feel cozy. I hope you enjoy making and sharing these as much as my family and I do—it’s really like baking a little piece of happiness. Grab your apples, and let’s get baking!