You are going to love the warm flavor and chewy texture of these Apple Oatmeal Raisin Cookies. Packed with fall-inspired spices and tender apple pieces, these cookies combine plump raisins and hearty oats for a comforting treat that’s perfect any time of year.
A great cookie captures the flavors of the season, and while these apple oatmeal cookies scream autumn, they’re equally enjoyable year-round. Each bite offers chewy oats, tender apple pieces, and warm cinnamon — a combo that quickly becomes a favorite.
Below you’ll find the full recipe with ingredient amounts and step-by-step instructions to make about 32 cookies. These are easy to mix, bake, and share.
Ingredients
- Butter – ¾ cup (1½ sticks)
- Brown sugar – 1 cup
- White sugar – ¼ cup
- Egg – 1 large
- Water – ¼ cup
- Vanilla extract – 1 tablespoon
- Oats – 3 cups
- Dried apples – ¾ cup, chopped into bite-sized pieces
- Raisins – ¾ cup
- Flour – 1 cup
- Cinnamon – 1 teaspoon
- Salt – 1 teaspoon
- Baking soda – ½ teaspoon
See recipe card below for a compact view of quantities and nutrition.
How to Make Apple Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper.
Step One: Cream the butter and both sugars together in a large bowl until smooth.
Step Two: Beat in the egg, vanilla, and water. The mixture may look slightly separated — that’s normal.
Step Three: Stir in the dry ingredients (flour, oats, cinnamon, salt, and baking soda) until combined.
Step Four: Fold in the chopped dried apples and raisins. Mix until the dough is uniform but avoid overmixing.
Step Five: Use a cookie scoop to form about 32 cookies and place them a few inches apart on the prepared sheets. These cookies don’t spread much; press them slightly if you prefer flatter cookies.
Step Six: Bake for 12–14 minutes, or until the edges turn golden brown. For chewier cookies, aim for the lower end of the time range.
Top Tip
Chewy dried apples deliver more apple flavor than freeze-dried pieces. If using fresh apples, dice them very small and expect a slightly firmer texture.
Substitutions
- Fresh apples – You can substitute fresh apples (Granny Smith works well) but chop them very finely. Fresh apples add moisture and a little crunch compared to dried fruit.
Variations
- Spices – Swap or add apple pie spice or pumpkin pie spice for deeper autumn flavor.
- White chocolate chips – Stir in white chocolate chips or replace raisins for a sweeter twist.
- Craisins – Dried cranberries are a tasty alternative to raisins if you prefer a tart note.
- Caramel – Add caramel bits for a caramel-apple variation; if using fresh apples, use smaller pieces and reduce other moisture slightly.
Equipment
You’ll need a large mixing bowl, two baking sheets, parchment paper, measuring cups, and a cookie scoop.
Storage
Store cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature or in the refrigerator. For longer storage, freeze in a freezer-safe container; thaw in the fridge or at room temperature before serving.
Common Questions
You can substitute applesauce, but the texture and moisture will change. A suggested swap is to replace the water and ¼ cup of the butter with ½ cup applesauce and reduce the sugar slightly, since applesauce adds natural sweetness. This variation is untested here, so adjust to taste.
Maple syrup can be used for natural sweetness: reduce brown sugar to ¼ cup and replace the water with ½ cup maple syrup. As with other swaps, results may vary, so monitor dough consistency and baking time.
Related
Try other oatmeal-based treats for more cozy flavors:
Peanut Butter Baked Oats-
Monster Cookie Dough
-
Oat and Pecan Brittle Cookies
-
Brown Butter Oatmeal Cookies
📖 Recipe
Apple Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
Ingredients
- ¾ cup butter (1.5 sticks)
- 1 cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup white sugar
- 1 egg
- ¼ cup water
- 1 tablespoon vanilla
- 3 cups oats
- ¾ cup dried apples, chopped
- ¾ cup raisins
- 1 cup flour
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Cream the butter and sugars in a large bowl.
- Add the egg, vanilla, and water, mixing until combined.
- Mix in the dry ingredients: flour, oats, cinnamon, salt, and baking soda.
- Fold in the chopped apples and raisins until the dough is uniform.
- Scoop about 32 cookies with a medium cookie scoop onto prepared sheets, leaving space between. Bake in two batches if needed.
- Bake for 12–14 minutes, or until edges are golden brown. For chewier cookies, bake 11–12 minutes; for crisper cookies, bake 14–15 minutes.
Notes
For chewy cookies, keep the baking time toward the lower end of the range. Let cookies cool slightly on the pan before transferring to a rack.
Nutrition
If you try this recipe, enjoy sharing it with friends and family. Leftovers keep well in an airtight container or freezer for longer storage.