Cakes

Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal Cookies


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These are Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal Cookies it’s a soft, delicate cookie filled with cinnamon and apple chunks! They are delicious year-round, but especially in the fall!

Close up some baked apple cinnamon oatmeal cookies.

Why You’ll Love Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal Cookies

  • Fresh apple flavor. These cookies have real sweet apple chunks in every bite. I used Granny Smith apples and loved how they complimented the spices and oats.
  • Super moist. Those apple chunks do something amazing to the texture of the cookies. They keep them SUPER hydrated. The cookie also creates a crisp outer edge with the perfect balance between soft and chewy.
  • No refrigeration required. You can refrigerate the cookie dough for 20 minutes to make it easier to work with, but chilling for longer is not recommended. If the apples are wet when they sit, it will make the cookie dough more difficult to work with.
  • Good all year round. Admittedly, despite being an autumn treat, these apple cookies are delicious any time of year. They even make a great breakfast on-the-go or after-school snack.

Labeled ingredients for Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal Cookies.Labeled ingredients for Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal Cookies.

Ingredients and Substitutes

Are you interested in the ingredients? Read these notes. Scroll to the recipe card below for exact measurements.

  • flour. For the base of the cookie dough, you need all-purpose flour. It is very important to measure this accurately.
  • Cook the oats quickly. I prefer to use uncooked instant oats for these cookies. You can also use old-fashioned oats, but remember that since the oats are harder, the cookies will also be a little harder and chewier.
  • Baking soda. This has many functions in cookies. This gives the cookies a little rise, helps them spread, makes the cookies very soft, and helps them brown.
  • spices. I used it ground cinnamon and ground nutmeg to give taste. They complement the apple flavors very well. If you don’t like nutmeg, it’s best to leave it out.
  • Unsalted butter and salt. I use unsalted butter to control the salt content. If you want to use salted butter, omit the added salt.
  • Brown sugar and white sugar. The mixture gives the cookies the best flavor.
  • Egg. These bind the ingredients together and add to the chewiness. Be sure to use large eggs (not medium or very large).
  • Vanilla extract.
  • Chopped apple. I recommend using Granny Smith apples, but other hard baking apples will work as well. Generally, tart, firm apples will do best. Honeycrisp would also be a great call.
Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal Cookies baked on a lined baking sheet next to apples and cinnamon.Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal Cookies baked on a lined baking sheet next to apples and cinnamon.

How to make Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal Cookies

Ready to get started? Check out these step-by-step photos and directions. Scroll to the recipe card below for detailed printable instructions.

Prepare the cookie dough

  • Prepare to cook. Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.
  • Combine the dry ingredients. Combine the flour, oats, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt in a medium bowl. Set aside.
  • Combine wet components. Cream the butter and sugar together, then add the eggs one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract.
  • Mix in dry ingredients and apples. Add the dry ingredients and mix until the batter is just combined. Stir in the chopped apples.

Bake the cookies

  • Make balls of cookie dough. Make 2 tablespoon sized balls of the cookie dough.
  • To cook. Bake the cookies for 9-12 minutes.
  • Cool. Remove the cookies from the oven and allow to cool.

Tips for success

  • Smaller is better. Peel, core and chop the apples so they can be spread over the cookie dough. Large chunks won’t spread throughout the cookie and then you won’t have them in every bite.
  • Do not mix the dough too much. If the cookie dough is mixed too long, it will overactivate the gluten in the flour and your cookies will lose their soft, chewy texture.
  • Do not chill for too long. This cookie dough is quite messy because of the moisture in the apples. Usage a cookie scoop can help. You can refrigerate the dough for about 20 minutes to make it a little easier to work with, but any longer and it will actually go bad. As the apples sit in the cookie dough, they release more moisture.
  • Make them beautiful. Rolling the cookie dough instead of just scooping it out will give the cookies a nicer shape if that’s important to you. If so, pour them on a plate and let them cool for 20 minutes, then you can roll them out. But work quickly because they heat up quickly. I will also bring some of the apple slices on top of the cookies at some point.
  • Do not overcook Bake the buns until the edges are lightly golden and the centers look done. The cookies will be slightly puffy when they come out of the oven and will flatten out as they cool.
Top view of apple cinnamon oatmeal cookies baked next to cinnamon and apple slices.Top view of apple cinnamon oatmeal cookies baked next to cinnamon and apple slices.

Proper Storage

Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal Cookies are best if eaten within 2-3 days. Because of the moisture in the apples, the cookies are even moister on the second and third day! Store the cookies in an airtight container and place a piece of parchment paper between the layers to prevent the cookies from sticking together.

This recipe was updated on 9/7/2024. Download this for the original version Recipe pdf.

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Close up some baked apple cinnamon oatmeal cookies.Close up some baked apple cinnamon oatmeal cookies.