Soft Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies Recipe
If you’re in the mood for thick, melt-in-your-mouth cookies packed with nostalgic flavors, you’re in for a treat with this Soft Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies Recipe. Imagine irresistibly soft centers, just the right amount of chew from oats, bites of peanut butter chips, and a playful crunch from Reese’s Pieces in every bite! Whether you want to please a crowd or treat yourself after a long day, this recipe delivers pure cookie joy that’s hard to resist.
Ingredients You’ll Need
With just a handful of pantry staples and a couple of unbeatable mix-ins, these cookies come together in a snap. Each ingredient plays an important role, from luxurious sweetness to chewy, hearty texture. Let’s take a look at what you’ll need and why it matters.
- All-purpose flour: The foundation that gives your cookies structure and helps them rise just enough for the perfect thickness.
- Baking soda: The secret to a gentle lift and slightly crisp edges without losing the chewiness inside.
- Salt: Just a touch of salt heightens all the sweet, peanutty flavors for a truly balanced bite.
- Unsalted butter (softened): Lends richness and moisture, resulting in that glorious soft texture.
- Peanut butter: This is where the magic happens–creamy, nutty, and absolutely essential for the signature flavor.
- Sugar: Granulated sugar gives a subtle crispness to complement the cookie’s interior.
- Brown sugar: Adds a caramel undertone and extra moisture, keeping every bite pillow-soft.
- Eggs: Bind everything together and make the cookies deliciously tender.
- Vanilla: Rounds out the dough with warm, fragrant sweetness.
- Rolled oats: These add texture and heartiness, making every cookie slightly chewy and satisfying.
- Peanut butter chips: A burst of creamy peanut taste in every bite, perfect for serious peanut butter fans.
- Mini Reese’s Pieces: Not just for decoration! They bring color and a playful crunch to the party, tempting kids and grown-ups alike.
How to Make Soft Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Prep the Dry Ingredients
Start by whisking together your flour, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl. This simple step ensures even distribution of those essential leavening agents, setting you up for cookies that bake up just right. Once mixed, set this bowl aside—it’ll be ready to jump in later.
Step 2: Cream the Butters and Sugars
In the bowl of a stand mixer (or using a handheld mixer), beat your softened butter, peanut butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar together until the mixture is light, fluffy, and smooth. This step not only combines them but also aerates the mixture, ensuring extra-soft cookies with every batch.
Step 3: Add Eggs and Vanilla
Add the vanilla and then the eggs, one at a time, to your creamed mixture. Let each egg get fully mixed in before adding the next—this helps the dough come together smoothly, which means your cookies will bake up evenly.
Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry, Then Add the Goodies
With your mixer on low, gradually add the bowl of dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing just until everything is incorporated. Next, with a gentle hand, fold in the rolled oats and the peanut butter chips, making sure every scoop of dough is filled with hearty chew and peanutty bursts.
Step 5: Chill Out
Pop the whole bowl of dough into the refrigerator for about 15 minutes. Chilling helps the cookies hold their shape when baked and adds extra chewiness—a little patience here goes a long way for texture!
Step 6: Shape and Dress Up
Preheat your oven to 350 F. Using a large cookie scoop (roughly 3 tablespoons per cookie), scoop mounds of dough and drop them onto a plate of mini Reese’s Pieces. Gently smash each dough ball into a thick disc, making sure those candies cling to the top. This step guarantees that classic look and ensures every cookie gets a pop of color and crunchy candy shell.
Step 7: Bake to Perfection
Arrange the formed cookies on a baking sheet, allowing room to spread. Bake for 10 minutes—no more! The cookies might look a little soft in the center, but that’s exactly how you want them. They’ll firm up as they cool, leaving you with the soft, chewy magic of a perfect Soft Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies Recipe.
How to Serve Soft Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
For an extra-special touch, just out of the oven, scatter a few more Reese’s Pieces or an extra pinch of rolled oats on top while the cookies are warm. The candies will gently melt into place, creating bakery-worthy appeal your friends won’t believe came from your kitchen!
Side Dishes
Pair these cookies with a tall glass of cold milk or a piping hot cup of coffee. If you’re in the mood for a true treat platter, serve them alongside a little bowl of vanilla ice cream for instant peanut butter cookie ice cream sandwiches—pure dessert bliss.
Creative Ways to Present
Arrange cookies in a mason jar and tie with a ribbon for adorable gifting, or stack them on a platter lined with parchment for a homey, cozy vibe at parties. Feeling extra fancy? Sandwich two cookies around a smear of peanut butter or marshmallow fluff for a deluxe dessert experience no one can resist.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature; they’ll stay satisfyingly soft for up to five days. A slice of bread stored in the container will keep them fresh even longer by preventing the cookies from drying out.
Freezing
This Soft Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies Recipe freezes beautifully. Store fully cooled cookies in a freezer-safe bag, separating layers with parchment. They’ll taste fresh for up to two months—ready for whenever a cookie craving strikes!
Reheating
Simply pop a chilled or frozen cookie in the microwave for 10-15 seconds. The centers become melty, the edges just a little crisp, and it’s practically like biting into a freshly baked treat.
FAQs
Can I use crunchy peanut butter instead of creamy?
Absolutely! Crunchy peanut butter will add bits of peanut throughout for extra texture. Just keep in mind your cookies may turn out slightly thicker and more rustic—but all the more delicious.
Do I have to chill the dough?
Yes, chilling is key for this Soft Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies Recipe. It keeps the cookies from spreading too much, and helps create that sought-after chewy core that makes these cookies such a hit.
What kind of oats should I use?
Rolled oats (sometimes called old-fashioned oats) are best here. They bring the ideal amount of texture. Quick oats can make the cookies a little more dense, while steel-cut oats won’t soften enough.
Can I substitute Reese’s Pieces with other candies?
Of course! Try mini chocolate chips, chopped peanut butter cups, or even classic M&Ms for a twist. The cookie itself is sturdy enough to hold nearly any of your favorite candy add-ins.
Why are my cookies so soft even after baking?
That’s the beauty of this Soft Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies Recipe—they’re meant to be soft and chewy! The cookies might seem underbaked straight out of the oven, but they’ll set perfectly as they cool, staying tender just as intended.
Final Thoughts
This Soft Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies Recipe is pure comfort in every bite and honestly, it’s the kind of treat you’ll want to make again and again. So preheat your oven, grab your favorite mixing bowl, and let the peanut butter cookie magic begin—you’re about to make everyone’s new favorite homemade cookie!
Print
Soft Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies Recipe
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: Makes about 24 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in the perfect blend of soft, chewy, and nutty goodness with these delectable Soft Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies. Packed with peanut butter flavor, oats, and peanut butter chips, these cookies are a delightful treat for any occasion.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients:
- 1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 1 cup peanut butter
- 1 cup sugar
- 2/3 cup brown sugar
- 2 eggs
- ½ teaspoon vanilla
Mix-ins:
- ½ cup rolled oats
- 1 cup peanut butter chips
- Reese’s Pieces (mini)
Instructions
- Dry Ingredients: Combine flour, baking soda, and salt in a bowl and set aside.
- Wet Ingredients: In the mixer bowl, cream butter, peanut butter, sugar, and brown sugar until creamy.
- Mixing: Add vanilla and eggs one at a time, then mix in the dry ingredients. Slowly incorporate oats and peanut butter chips.
- Chill Dough: Refrigerate the dough for about 15 minutes.
- Preheat: Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Form Cookies: Use a large cookie scoop to drop dough onto a plate of mini Reese’s Pieces. Flatten the dough into discs.
- Bake: Bake for 10 minutes.
Notes
- You can customize these cookies by adding chopped nuts or chocolate chunks.
- For a softer cookie, slightly underbake them.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 14g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 35mg
Keywords: Peanut Butter Cookies, Oatmeal Cookies, Homemade Cookies
