There's nothing quite like the smell of fresh apple pie oatmeal cookies baking in your kitchen on a cool morning. These breakfast treats combine everything you love about classic apple pie with the wholesome goodness of oats, creating cookies that are just as perfect with your morning coffee as they are for an afternoon snack. If you've been searching for a cookie that tastes like dessert but works for breakfast, these apple pie oatmeal cookies are exactly what you need.
I've been making apple pie oatmeal cookies for years, and they never disappoint. They're soft, chewy, and filled with tender apple pieces and warm spices that remind you of grandma's apple pie. The best part? These apple pie oatmeal cookies come together in about 15 minutes of prep time, making them perfect for busy mornings when you want something special without the fuss.
Why These Apple Pie Oatmeal Cookies Are a Fall Must-Have
Apple pie oatmeal cookies have become a staple in my kitchen, especially during fall when fresh apples are everywhere. Unlike regular cookies, these combine the comfort of a warm breakfast with the satisfying taste of apple pie. The rolled oats give them a hearty texture while keeping you full longer, making them ideal breakfast cookies that don't spike your blood sugar the way regular cookies might.
What makes these apple pie oatmeal cookies stand out is how they capture that classic apple pie flavor without needing a pie crust or hours of baking time. The diced apples get soft and jammy as they bake, creating little pockets of apple pie filling throughout each cookie. They pair beautifully with hot tea, cold milk, or even a scoop of vanilla yogurt. These apple pie oatmeal cookies also freeze incredibly well, so you can make a big batch and have homemade breakfast cookies ready whenever you need them.
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Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- Rolled oats
- All-purpose flour
- Baking soda
- Cinnamon
- Nutmeg
- Cloves
- Salt
Wet Ingredients
- Butter, softened
- Brown sugar
- Egg
- Applesauce
- Vanilla extract
Add-ins
- Diced apples
- Raisins or dried cranberries (optional)
See recipe card for quantities.
Instructions
Step 1: Prep Your Ingredients
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Dice your apples into small, ¼-inch pieces so they bake evenly throughout the cookies.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the rolled oats, flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and salt until well combined.
Step 2: Mix the Wet Ingredients
- In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy (about 2 minutes with a hand mixer).
- Beat in the egg, applesauce, and vanilla extract until smooth.
- The mixture should look creamy and slightly lighter in color.
Step 3: Combine and Add Apples
- Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring just until no flour streaks remain.
- Gently fold in the diced apples (and raisins if using), making sure they're evenly distributed.
- Let the batter rest for 5 minutes; this helps the oats absorb moisture and prevents spreading during baking time.
Step 4: Bake to Perfection
- Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto your prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes until the edges are golden but the centers still look slightly soft.
- Let cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack; they'll firm up as they cool.
- Store your finished apple pie oatmeal cookies in an airtight container once completely cooled.
Recipe Variations & Substitutions
One of the best things about this recipe is how easily you can customize it to fit your needs or use what you have on hand.
Dietary Modifications
- Gluten-Free Apple Oatmeal Cookies Swap the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend. Make sure your oats are certified gluten-free since regular oats can be cross-contaminated. The texture stays remarkably similar to the original recipe.
- Vegan Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal Cookies Replace the butter with coconut oil or vegan butter (same amount), and use a flax egg (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed mixed with 3 tablespoons water, let sit 5 minutes) instead of regular egg. These work beautifully and taste just as delicious.
- Sugar-Free Option Replace brown sugar with ½ cup of mashed banana or date paste. The cookies will be less sweet but still have great flavor from the apple cinnamon combination.
Flavor Variations
- Apple Pie Cookie Bars: Press the dough into a 9x13 pan and bake at 325°F for 25-30 minutes for easy oatmeal cookie apple pie bars.
- Extra Spicy: Add ½ teaspoon ginger and a pinch of cardamom for more complex warmth.
- Nutty Twist: Fold in ½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans for crunch and healthy fats.
- Caramel Apple: Drizzle cooled cookies with caramel sauce and sprinkle with sea salt.
- Apple Pie Filling Version: Use ½ cup canned apple pie filling oatmeal cookies instead of fresh apples for an even sweeter treat.
Equipment Recommendations
You don't need fancy tools to make perfect apple pie oatmeal cookies, but having the right basics makes the process smoother.
- Baking Sheets: Heavy-duty aluminum or stainless steel sheets prevent burning and ensure even heat distribution.
- Parchment Paper: Essential for easy cleanup and prevents sticking without adding extra grease.
- Cookie Scoop: A 2-tablespoon cookie scoop creates uniform cookies that bake evenly and look professional.
- Mixing Bowls: One large and one medium bowl; glass or stainless steel work best.
- Hand Mixer: Makes creaming butter and sugar quick and easy, though you can do it by hand if needed.
- Wire Cooling Rack: Allows air circulation so the bottoms don't get soggy.
- Sharp Knife: For dicing apples into even pieces.
Storage & Meal Prep Tips
Room Temperature Storage
Store cooled apple pie oatmeal cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. Place a piece of bread in the container to keep them soft; the cookies absorb moisture from the bread, maintaining that chewy texture.
Refrigerator Storage
If your kitchen is warm or humid, refrigerate the cookies in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks. Let them come to room temperature before eating, or warm them in the microwave for 10-15 seconds.
Freezing Instructions
These breakfast cookies freeze beautifully! Place cooled cookies in a freezer-safe bag with parchment paper between layers. They'll keep for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge or at room temperature for about 30 minutes.
Freezing Cookie Dough
Scoop the dough onto a parchment-lined baking sheet and freeze until solid (about 2 hours). Transfer frozen dough balls to a freezer bag. Bake from frozen, adding 2-3 minutes to the baking time. This way, you can have fresh apple pie oatmeal cookies whenever you want them.
The Secret to Bakery-Quality Cookies
Here's my insider trick that makes these cookies taste like they came from an expensive bakery: brown your butter! Instead of using regular softened butter, melt it in a small saucepan over medium heat and let it cook until it turns golden brown and smells nutty (about 5-7 minutes). Let it cool to room temperature before using it in the recipe.
This extra step adds an incredible depth of flavor that makes people ask, "What's your secret?" The nutty, caramelized notes from browned butter pair perfectly with the apple cinnamon combination and give your apple pie oatmeal cookies a sophisticated taste that regular butter just can't match. Trust me, once you try this method, you'll never go back.
FAQ
How to prevent oatmeal cookies from spreading?
Let your apple pie oatmeal cookies dough rest for 5-10 minutes before baking and make sure your butter isn't too warm. Using parchment paper also helps control spreading.
Why are my oatmeal cookies not crunchy?
Apple pie oatmeal cookies are meant to be soft and chewy! If you want crispier cookies, bake them 2-3 minutes longer and reduce the applesauce.
Do homemade oatmeal cookies need to be refrigerated?
Apple pie oatmeal cookies stay fresh at room temperature for 5 days in an airtight container. Refrigeration extends shelf life to 2 weeks.
How to know when oatmeal cookies are done?
Your apple pie oatmeal cookies are ready when edges are golden but centers look slightly soft. They continue cooking on the hot pan after removing from the oven.
Wrap Up Your Fall Baking
These apple pie oatmeal cookies have everything you want in a breakfast treat or afternoon snack. They're loaded with wholesome oats, packed with fresh apples, and spiced just right with cinnamon and nutmeg. Whether you're meal prepping for busy mornings or looking for a healthier dessert option, these cookies deliver that cozy fall flavor you crave without any guilt.
The beauty of apple pie oatmeal cookies is their versatility. Make them as written for a classic taste, or customize them with your favorite add-ins and dietary swaps. They freeze perfectly, travel well in lunchboxes, and make your house smell amazing while they bake. Try pairing them with a cup of hot apple cider or coffee for the ultimate autumn experience. And don't forget to check out our Carrot Oatmeal Cookies Recipe and Healthy Oatmeal Raisin Cookies Recipe for even more wholesome cookie inspiration!
Happy baking! 🍎— Emily
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Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with this Apple Pie Oatmeal Cookies Recipe:
Apple Pie Oatmeal Cookies
Equipment
- 1 Baking sheet
- 1 Parchment paper
- 2 Mixing bowls (1 large, 1 medium)
- 1 Cookie scoop
- 1 Whisk or hand mixer
- 1 Wire rack
- 1 Sharp knife
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups Rolled oats Gives chewy texture
- 1 cup All-purpose flour Swap with 1:1 GF blend if needed
- 1 teaspoon Baking soda
- 1 tablespoon Cinnamon Essential for apple pie flavor
- 0.5 teaspoon Nutmeg Warm spice
- 0.25 teaspoon Cloves Just a touch
- 0.5 teaspoon Salt Balances sweetness
Wet Ingredients
- 0.5 cup Butter, softened Can sub coconut oil for dairy-free
- 0.75 cup Brown sugar Or maple syrup
- 1 Egg Or flax egg for vegan
- 0.25 cup Applesauce Adds moisture
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
Fruits and Add-ins
- 1.5 cups Diced apples Granny Smith or Honeycrisp
- 0.5 cup Raisins or cranberries Optional
Instructions
- Preheat oven and prep ingredients.
- Mix dry ingredients in a medium bowl.
- Cream together softened butter and brown sugar in a large bowl.
- Add the egg, applesauce, and vanilla extract. Mix well.
- Fold in dry ingredients and diced apples (plus raisins or cranberries if using).
- Scoop cookie dough onto parchment-lined baking sheet and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 12–15 minutes.
- Let cookies cool on a wire rack before serving.
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