This Small Batch Oatmeal Cookie delivers chewy, chocolatey cookies with crisp edges, satisfying your cookie cravings without leaving dozens of cookies leftover!
Try these other two small batch cookie recipes next: Single Serve Chocolate Chip Cookie and Single Serve Double Chocolate Cookie.
Why A Small Batch Oatmeal Cookies?
If you’re anything like me, there are days when you need an oatmeal cookie, but you don’t want a whole batch of them. Okay, so I guess I never actually need a whole batch of cookies, but I will eat them if they are there. That’s why small batches are perfect!
They’re quicker to make too, without needing a stand mixer or long chilling times—I just mix everything in my cereal bowl like my favorite edible cookie dough! This recipe yields three large cookies that bake with crispy, sugary edges and soft, chewy centers filled with melty chocolate chips.
Quick Tip
If you ever need a big batch, try these classic Oatmeal Cookies or these Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies. Those are my favorite recipes for larger batches.
Ingredients
- Good Quality Chocolate Chips: I recommend using either Ghirardelli® or Guittard® chocolate chips for the best flavor in these cookies.
- Soft Brown Sugar: Make sure the brown sugar is fresh and soft to blend well into the dough. Avoid using dark brown sugar, as it has too much moisture and will cause the cookies to spread too much.
- Butter: Use real butter instead of margarine or substitutes. If you’re using salted butter, leave out any extra salt in the recipe. If using unsalted butter, add a heaping 1/8 teaspoon of salt to the dough.
- Fresh Baking Soda: It’s important to use fresh (and clump-free) baking soda to ensure proper rise. Here’s how to test the baking agents for freshness.
- Old-Fashioned Oats: Stick with old-fashioned oats. Avoid using steel-cut oats, which won’t soften right, or quick oats, which act like flour and will deliver drier, more cake-like cookies.
- Egg Yolk: This recipe requires one large egg yolk. Save the egg white for another use such as an omelet, adding to this egg skillet, or in an easy egg wrap.
Small Batch Oatmeal Cookies FAQs
My number one tip for keeping them that way is this: Do not over-bake. Over-baked cookies lose their texture, chewiness, and much of their flavor.
This recipe is made with old-fashioned oats. Quick oats absorb more moisture and can make the cookies too dry.
Yes, feel free to add up to 2 tablespoons of chopped nuts or dried fruits like raisins or cranberries.
Cookies spread too much when butter is too hot, not mixed well with sugars, or there’s not enough flour. If cookies don’t spread enough, it’s usually due to too much flour or inactive baking soda.
The cookies are done when the edges are set and lightly browned, but the center is still soft. They will continue to firm up as they cool.
Tips For Small Batch Oatmeal Cookies:
- Whisk Well: Mix the butter and sugars thoroughly until the mixture is light and creamy. This helps make your cookies light and fluffy.
- Chill the Dough: Putting the dough in the freezer for 5-10 minutes helps the cookies keep their shape and enhances their flavor!
- Adjust for Your Oven: Since ovens can be different, start checking your cookies a little early to make sure they don’t overcook.
- Use Parchment Paper: Cover your baking sheet with parchment paper or a baking mat to keep cookies from sticking and to bake them evenly.
- Shape Your Cookies: After baking, if the edges spread out, gently push them in with a metal spatula (see process photo number 8).
- Cool Properly: Let the cookies sit on the baking sheet for a few minutes after taking them out of the oven. They keep cooking a bit from the heat!
- Add More Chocolate Chips on Top: Adding extra chocolate chips on top is optional, but it makes the cookies look nicer and ensures you get chocolate in every bite!
Storage
These cookies are best when they’re warm, right out of the oven!
For leftovers, store the cookies in an airtight container at room temp. If you have unbaked dough, keep it in an airtight container in the freezer and bake it directly from the freezer when you’re ready.
More Cookie Recipes
- Snickerdoodle Cookies these soft and chewy cookies are a reader favorite
- Oatmeal Creme Pie with a creme filling inside
- Peanut Butter Cookies dipped in chocolate
- Funfetti Cookies with bright and colorful sprinkles
- DoubleTree Cookies hotel recipe copycat
Small Batch Oatmeal Cookies
Equipment
- Sheet pan
- Parchment paper or silicone baking mat
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter melted and cooled, see note 1
- 2 tablespoons soft light brown sugar lightly packed
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 1 large egg yolk no whites, see note 2
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/8 heaping teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract optional
- 1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon optional
- 1/4 cup + 2 tablespoons old-fashioned oats see note 3
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup chocolate chips milk, semi-sweet, white, or dark
- Maldon sea salt flakes for topping, optional
Instructions
- Use exact measurements and level off the tops of measuring cups/spoons for best results.
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Add butter to a ceramic/porcelain bowl and microwave until just melted but not hot. Let butter and bowl fully cool to room temperature.
- To the cooled butter, add brown and granulated sugars. Stir briskly with a fork until well combined. Add the egg yolk and vanilla (if using). Continue to whisk with a fork until the mixture is emulsified and appears very creamy.
- Add baking soda, salt, oats, and, if using, cinnamon. Mix thoroughly with a fork. Add flour and chocolate chips. Continue stirring with a fork until it becomes difficult, then switch to a silicone spatula and fold until the dough is uniform without dry streaks.
- With the dough, fill up a 1/4 cup measuring cup and level off the top. Roll into a large ball. Repeat until you have three cookie dough balls. (Anything left over is your treat!)
- Place the balls on a parchment or silicone-lined sheet pan. Freeze for 5–10 minutes while the oven heats.
- Bake 10–12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly browned and the tops are set but soft looking. Immediately after you pull the tray from the oven, use a flat metal spatula to press the edges of the cookies inward if needed.
- Optionally, press additional chocolate chips into the tops and sprinkle with sea salt. Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before enjoying.
Recipe Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
These are the best cookies I’ve ever made. So incredibly delicious and the perfect serving size.
Yay! So thrilled to hear this! Thanks BK! 🙂
I love these, soft and chewy when they’re warm, rich and break-aparty when they are cooled, just awesome!!
So thrilled you enjoyed these! Thanks for your comment! 🙂
I made these last night and they were amazing! The absolute perfect small batch. I added some dried cranberries to mine and will try pecans or walnuts next time. This is a keeper!!
Yum!! I am so happy you enjoyed these cookies! Thanks! 🙂
OMG they are soo easy to make and DELICIOUS !
So happy to hear that 🙂
It is delicious!!! I love the snickerdoodley taste with the cinnamon and this is just the best!💝💝
Thanks Hannah! 🙂
if you did not have white sugar could you use all brown sugar?
The texture will be slightly different, but it should work!
SO yummy! Just made them 🙂
This was the perfect little dessert tonight! It was so filling I could only eat one! I subbed the butter for an equal amount of coconut butter since I can’t eat dairy and they still turned out wonderfully. Thanks for the inspiration, Chelsea 🙂
So happy to hear this was the perfect dessert for you! 🙂 You are so welcome, thank you for the comment!!
These turned out SOOOO good 😀 nice!
Yeah!! So great to hear! Thanks Kadie!! 🙂
These are the best oatmeal chocolate chip cookies I’ve ever had! I’d actually love to have a full version of this recipe in addition to the single serving!
Hey Gabrielle!! SO happy to hear that these are the best! They are certainly our favorite! 🙂 I actually have been working on one forever and finally published my favorite full version oatmeal cookie recipe. Here’s the link: https://www.chelseasmessyapron.com/oatmeal-pecan-cookies-video/
Feel free to leave out the pecans to be just like this recipe. Hope you LOVE them! 🙂