Quick And Easy Oat Cookie Recipe

My teenage daughter first made this easy oat cookie recipe in her school cooking class and now whips up a batch at home whenever we fancy something sweet.

It has become our go-to (also known as Melting Moments in the UK) because it’s one bowl, just 15 minutes to prepare and perfect for baking with kids – minimal mess, maximum “I made these!” pride.

These oat biscuits bake with crisp edges and a chewy middle, proper oatmeal cookies (UK grams) you can throw together any evening.

Easy To Make Oat Cookie Recipe

Whether you trust your teens or you want to bake with younger children, this is a really easy recipe to follow.

The recipe should make 10-12 oatmeal biscuits, any less and you will need to cook the cookies slightly longer.

Ingredients (with easy swaps)

• 100 g unsalted butter, softened (or baking spread)
• 75 g caster sugar (swap half for light brown sugar for extra chew)
• 1 medium egg, beaten and halved
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 125 g self-raising flour (or 120 g plain flour + ½ tsp baking powder + ¼ tsp bicarb)
• 125 g oats (rolled/old fashioned or porridge oats)

Optional mix-ins (choose one): 75 g choc chips, 40 g desiccated coconut, 50 g raisins or zest of 1 orange.

Method (step-by-step)

1. Preheat to 170°C (150°C fan/ Gas mark 4). Line a baking tray with parchment.
2. Cream butter and sugar until pale.
3. Beat in the egg and vanilla.
4. Fold in flour, then oats (and any mix-ins) until just combined.
5. Scoop tablespoon mounds, space well and lightly flatten.
6. Bake 10–12 minutes until edges turn golden, these soft oat cookies firm as they cool down. Cool 5 minutes on the tray, then move to a rack.

Print Recipe

5 from 15 votes

Easy Oat Cookie Recipe

An easy to make cookie recipe – can be adapted

Prep Time15 minutes mins

Cook Time10 minutes mins

Total Time25 minutes mins

Course: Dessert, Snack, Treat

Cuisine: American, British

Keyword: Cookies, Easy Oat Cookie Recipe, Melting Moments, Oat Biscuits, Oat Biscuits Recipe, Oat Cookies, Oats

Servings: 10 biscuits

Calories: 158kcal

Equipment

• Scales
• Large mixing bowl
• Wooden Spoon
• Small bowl/jug
• Tablespoon/ Teaspoon/ Fork
• Baking Tray
• Plate

Ingredients

• 100 grams Butter
• 75 grams Caster Sugar
• 1/2 egg Beaten Egg
• 1 teaspoon Vanilla Essence
• 125 grams Self Raising Flour
• 125 grams Oats Can add more if you prefer more oats

Instructions

• Turn oven on – gas mark 4 or 170°C for Fan assisted ovens
• Grease a baking tray
• Weigh out ingredients
• Cream together the sugar and butter in a large bowl with a wooden spoon
• Crack the egg into a smallbowl/jug and beat with a fork. Divide beaten egg in half and stir in the vanilla essence to the half you are using for your biscuits.
• Stir egg mixture into creamed sugar and butter mix (Remember to only use half an egg)
• Slowly stir in the flour using a tablespoon and mix until mixture can be shaped into a ball
• Arrange a few handfuls of oats on a plate.
• Gather the mixture together and drop spoonfuls of the biscuit mix onto the oats and roll carefully until fully coated
• Place on baking tray – well spaced – and flatten slightly with fingertips
• Bake for 10 – 12 minutes until firm at the edges. Cool on the tray for a few minutes, the transfer tocooling rack

Notes

Easy Oat Cookie Recipe

This is a simple and fun recipe to make at home, that results in the most delicious cookies!

The recipe makes 10-12 cookies depending on the size desired.

Based on 10 cookies, the nutritional information per cookie is (via HappyForks.com):

Amount per 36 g
= 1 serving(s)

Energy (calories): 158 kcal 7%

Protein: 2.12g 4%

Fat: 8.86g 18%

Carbohydrates: 18.19g 7%

Variations, Storage & Freezing

• No mixer? Melt butter, cool slightly, mix by hand (chill dough 10 mins before baking).
• Gluten-free: Use certified GF oats and a GF self-raising blend.
• Storage: Airtight tin up to 4 days.
• Freeze dough balls: Freeze on a tray, bag, bake from frozen at 160°C fan for 12–14 mins.

Traditional Melting Moments sometimes swap some oats for desiccated coconut or add 1 tbsp custard powder for extra tenderness – use 40 g coconut in place of 40 g oats if you fancy that version (reduce flour by 1 tbsp if adding custard powder).

Quick Answers About Oat Cookies

Are rolled oats the same as porridge oats?

Short answer: Same grain, different cut: rolled/old-fashioned are chunkier; porridge oats are finer.
Baking note: Either works – rolled = chewier; porridge = smoother.

Can you use regular oats for cookies?

Yes. Use what you have: rolled/porridge/old-fashioned oats all bake well (avoid steel-cut – also known as Irish Oats).

Are oat cookies healthy?

They’re still treats, but oats add fibre (beta-glucan) and minerals like iron/magnesium, often more filling than plain sugar cookies.

Can you make oat cookies without flour?

You can. Try banana oat cookies (1 ripe banana + 80–100 g oats, bake 12–14 mins), or use finely ground oats + ½ tsp baking powder. Texture will be softer/cake-ier.

Why are oatmeal cookies so good?

Oats bring nutty flavour, chewy texture and hold moisture – biscuits stay tender for days.

Can I make soft oat cookies?

Short answer: Yes! Take the cookies out when they are light gold and let them set on the tray for 5 minutes; swap half caster for light brown sugar for extra chew.

What kind of oats are best for cookies?

For classic chew, choose rolled/old-fashioned. For a finer crumb, use porridge oats.

Are oatmeal cookies good for cholesterol?

Oats contain beta-glucan, a soluble fibre linked with supporting normal cholesterol as part of a balanced diet. (General info only – speak to a healthcare professional for personal advice.)

What are some common oat cookie mistakes?

• Over-mixing (tough)
• Too much flour/oats (dry – weigh if you can)
• No spacing (they merge)
• Over-baking (they firm as they cool – pull at light gold)
• Hot trays (second batch spreads – cool trays between bakes)

Are these the same as Melting Moments?

Yes! This is a Melting Moments–style biscuit (butter, sugar, egg, flour and oats). Some versions use desiccated coconut or a little custard powder, we keep the oats for that chewy-in-the-middle texture.

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Bake a Batch of These Quick and Easy Oat Cookies Today

That’s your easy oat cookie recipe in a nutshell, classic Melting Moments style with UK grams, simple swaps and that perfect chewy-middle, crisp-edge finish. Whether you use rolled oats for more bite or porridge oats for a smoother crumb, these oat biscuits never last long in our house.

If you bake them, I’d love to hear your twist – choc chips, coconut or orange zest?

👉 Please rate the recipe ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ in the card, drop a comment with your favourite mix-ins and print it for later.
Short on flour? Try the oat cookies without flour version in the Quick Answers section and keep a stash of dough balls in the freezer for emergency biscuits.