Hearty Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies Recipe

Sometimes you just need a treat that feels comforting but doesn’t leave you feeling weighed down by sugar. That is exactly why I started making these rich and satisfying cookies loaded with wholesome oats and dark chocolate.

These Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies strike the perfect balance between a healthy snack and a decadent dessert. I find myself reaching for them whenever I want something homemade that comes together without a fuss.

Why You’ll Love This Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies Recipe

The texture of these cookies is what keeps me coming back to the recipe time and time again. They stay incredibly soft and chewy for days thanks to the honey and applesauce in the batter.

I also appreciate that this Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies recipe is completely mixer-free. You just need two bowls and a sturdy spatula to get the job done, making cleanup a breeze.

It is wonderful to have a treat that uses white whole wheat flour for a bit of extra nutrition. I love serving these to my family knowing they are packed with good ingredients like oats and nut butter.

If you enjoyed this wholesome treat, you have to try my Ultimate Apple Bundt Cake with Honey Glaze for another fruit-sweetened delight. For a seasonal twist on cookies, the Irresistible Pumpkin Cheesecake Cookies are an absolute must-bake.

Everything You Need for Perfect Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies

Check your pantry for these simple staples before you start baking:

• Quick oats: These provide the best texture for holding the cookie together.
• White whole wheat flour: Adds a nutty flavor and nutrition, though regular whole wheat works too.
• Baking soda: Helps the cookies rise just enough to be tender.
• Salt: Balances the sweetness of the honey and chocolate.
• Unsalted butter: Melted butter makes mixing by hand incredibly easy.
• Peanut butter: creamy works best here for a smooth dough.
• Unsweetened applesauce: Keeps the cookies moist without adding extra fat.
• Honey: Sweetens the dough naturally and adds to the chewiness.
• Egg: Use a large egg to bind everything together.
• Vanilla extract: Enhances all the warm flavors in the recipe.
• Dark chocolate chips: I prefer dark chocolate, but semi-sweet works well too.

My Method for Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies

Let’s get these mixed up and into the oven for a quick treat:

1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F and line your baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. Stir the quick oats, flour, baking soda, and salt together in a large bowl.
3. Melt the butter in a medium bowl, then stir in the peanut butter until smooth.
4. Add the applesauce, honey, egg, and vanilla extract to the butter mixture and whisk until combined.
5. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry oat mixture and stir until just combined.
6. Fold in the dark chocolate chips gently.
7. Chill the dough in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to make it easier to handle.
8. Scoop rounded tablespoons of dough onto the prepared baking sheets.
9. Flatten each dough ball slightly with your fingers since these Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies won’t spread much on their own.
10. Bake for 8-10 minutes until they are just set and barely golden.
11. Let them cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack.

My Best Tips for Perfect Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies

Do not skip the chilling step for this dough. The thirty minutes in the fridge allows the oats to hydrate and makes the sticky dough much easier to roll and shape.

Since these Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies do not spread much, the shape you put in the oven is roughly the shape you get out. I always take a moment to gently press them down for that classic cookie look.

I highly recommend using quick oats rather than old-fashioned rolled oats for this specific recipe. The smaller texture of quick oats helps bind the ingredients together better, resulting in a softer bite.

How to Serve This Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies Recipe

I think these are best enjoyed slightly warm when the chocolate chips are still melty. A tall glass of cold milk is the classic pairing that never gets old.

These Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies also freeze beautifully for future snacks. I like to keep a batch in a zip-top bag in the freezer and pop one in the microwave whenever a craving hits.