Steel Cut Oatmeal Cookies

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These steel cut oatmeal cookies are such a delicious snack! They’re soft and crunchy at the same time, and the flavor is amazing.

Steel cut oats cookies on a plate

Oatmeal cookies are a classic dessert that everyone seems to love. I try to incorporate whole grains into my recipes whenever possible, and oats are a natural choice for a cookie recipe.

I often use rolled oats to make oatmeal cookies, but I’ve discovered that steel cut oatmeal cookies are delicious as well. With their combination of crunchiness and chewiness, these cookies are arguably more delicious than the rolled oat version.

How to Make Steel Cut Oatmeal Cookies

Dry ingredients in a bowl

Step One: Mix the dry ingredients

In a small bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.

Wet ingredients in a stand mixer

Step Two: Mix the wet ingredients

Using the large bowl of a stand mixer, mix together the eggs, coconut oil, maple syrup, and vanilla extract. 

Wet and dry ingredients together in the mixing bowl

Step Three: Combine the wet and dry ingredients

Add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients and mix to combine. 

Oats, chocolate chips, and walnuts are added to the bowl

Step Four: Add the mix-ins

Once the batter is smooth, add the steel cut oats, chocolate chips, and walnuts. Stir to combine evenly.

Steel cut oatmeal cookies on a baking sheet

Step Five: Bake the cookies

Use a cookie scoop or tablespoon to portion out the dough onto a cookie sheet (9 cookies per sheet). Bake for about 10 minutes, or until the cookies are set and they’re beginning to turn brown.

Steel Cut Oat Cookies Tips and Frequently Asked Questions

What type of steel cut oats should I use?

When making cookies with steel cut oats, you have two options. You can use traditional Irish oatmeal, or you can use the quick-cooking variety. For an easy batch of cookies, use raw “instant” or “quick-cooking” steel cut oats. These are broken down into smaller pieces than traditional Irish oats, so they give the cookies a nice texture.
If you’re using traditional steel cut oats to make these steel cut oatmeal cookies, you’ll want to cook them in a pot first, just like when you’re making oatmeal. They’re a bit too hard when baked into a cookie in their raw form, which leads to a lot of extra chewing. To use cooked oats, simply substitute one cup of cooked oatmeal for the instant raw oats listed in this recipe, and add an extra half cup of flour (or more as needed to achieve a typical cookie dough consistency).

What chocolate chips work well in this recipe?

For the chocolate chips, I like Enjoy Life allergy-friendly chocolate. These chips come in a variety of sizes. The regular size and mini chips both work well in this recipe.

What variations can be made?

Instead of chocolate chips, you can add raisins and a bit of ground cinnamon to these steel cut oat cookies for a more traditional flavor. Diced almonds can be used in place of the walnuts if desired.

Whether you make them with quick-cooking or traditional oats, these cookies have a delicious flavor and texture. 

Steel cut oat cookie comparison - -precooked oats on the left and raw oats on the right

The cookie on the left was baked with pre-cooked traditional steel cut oats. On the right, the darker brown cookie was baked using raw quick-cooking steel cut oats. The textures and appearance are a bit different, but both versions taste wonderful.

Try my vegan peanut butter oatmeal cookies for another delicious dessert that everyone loves.

Steel Cut Oatmeal Cookies

These steel cut oatmeal cookies are such a delicious snack.
Print Recipe
4.71 from 31 votes
Steel cut oatmeal cookies on a plate
Prep Time:10 minutes
Cook Time:20 minutes
Total Time:30 minutes

Recommended Equipment

Ingredients

  • 2 cups gluten free flour or all purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 2 large eggs
  • 2/3 cup melted coconut oil
  • 1 1/4 cup pure maple syrup
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1 1/4 cups instant steel cut oats* (uncooked)
  • 1 1/4 cups chocolate chips
  • 1/2 cup diced walnuts optional

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
  • In a small bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
  • Using the large bowl of a stand mixer, mix together the eggs, coconut oil, maple syrup, and vanilla extract. Add the flour mixture, and mix to combine. Then stir in the quick cooking oats, chocolate chips, and walnuts.
  • Use a cookie scoop or tablespoon to portion out the dough onto a cookie sheet (9 cookies per sheet). Bake for about 10 minutes, or until the cookies are set and they’re beginning to turn brown.
  • Transfer the cookies to a wire rack to cool. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days, or freeze for later.

Notes

If you’re using traditional steel cut oats (not quick cooking), you’ll want to cook them first, just like when you’re making oatmeal. To use cooked oats, simply substitute one cup of cooked oatmeal for the instant raw oats listed in the recipe, and add an extra half cup of flour (or more as needed to achieve a non-runny dough consistency).

Approximate Nutrition Info

Calories: 138kcal | Carbohydrates: 19g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.5g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Cholesterol: 9mg | Sodium: 93mg | Potassium: 32mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 25IU | Vitamin C: 0.1mg | Calcium: 27mg | Iron: 1mg
Servings: 40
Calories: 138kcal
Cost: $.27 per cookie

This recipe may contain affiliate links. A purchase or click through one of these links may result in a commission paid to us at no additional cost to you.

Steel Cut Oats Cookies Price Breakdown

This recipe costs a total of $10.95 to make, or $.27 per cookie. Try these steel cut oatmeal chocolate chip cookies for a delicious, healthy treat.

This post was originally published in 2018, and it was updated in 2023.

78 Comments

  1. I left a message the other day which I was told was not polite. I am writing today because after eating these cookies for several days we really like them. I didn’t have maple syrup but I read where I could substitute Kari syrup. Worked great! I still think these would be good for diabetics. Sorry for my previous comments. Thank you

  2. I just made these with Bob’s 1 to 1 gluten free flour, and quick cooking steel cut oats. The flavor is good but the cookies are much drier than I’d like. Any suggestions as to what may have caused the dryness? At first I thought it was not using butter (which may have played a part), but I suspect it was using the gluten free flour. Maybe it just didn’t bind well with the wet ingredients despite ample mixing?

    1. These always come out moist for me, so I’m not sure what happened. Did you use the listed quantities of coconut oil, pure maple syrup, and eggs? I’m wondering if something was measured incorrectly.

  3. 5 stars
    I HAVE 2 CUPS OF OLD FASHIONED OATS (THE RECIPE CALLS FOR 3 CUPS OF OLD FASHIONED OATS) CAN I USE 1 CUP OF INSTANT STEEL CUT OATS IN PLACE OF 1 CUP OLD FASHIONED OATS

    1. I’m not sure what recipe you’re referring to. This recipe calls for 1 1/4 cups instant steel cut oats. I can’t answer what substitutions would work if you’re referring to another recipe.

  4. 5 stars
    I made bars. I used previously instant pot cooked steel cut oats – firm but soft. I used one cup of cane brown sugar instead of maple syrup. I used 1 cup of dark raisins that I put in the melted coconut oil to soften while I got ingredients ready. I cooked on parchment paper in 9×13 for 22 minutes at 350. Very pleased with result.

  5. I used canola oil and instead of maple syrup I made a simple syrup with brown sugar. I also substituted a cup of raisins and a cup of walnuts for the chocolate chips. I love steel cut oats and I love these cookies!

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