Last Updated on February 19, 2024
These Irish Oatmeal Cookies are a classic recipe that have stood the test of time. They are slightly crispy on the outside with a soft, chewy center and the oatmeal in these cookies gives them a lot of texture and flavor.
Oatmeal Cookies are a favorite in our house because they are easy to make and a great snack for any time of day. If you love oatmeal cookies, you may also enjoy these Coconut Oatmeal Protein Cookies.

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Irish Oat Cookies
One of the best things about these cookies is that they are packed with oatmeal. Oatmeal can add nutrients such as fiber and protein to your diet, making it a much healthier option than other types of cookies.
Why I Love This Recipe
These cookies are very simple to make, with only a few ingredients needed and minimal prep time.
Easy to make
- Fun to make
- Always a hit at parties
- Perfect for picky eaters
- Fills the house with a delicious aroma
If you love cookies you may also enjoy these Strawberry Lemonade Crinkle Cookies.
Ingredients

These cookies are made with only a few simple yet delicious ingredients that can easily be found at your local grocery store, or maybe you even have them at home already.
- Irish oats – Irish oats are a type of oat that is slightly larger and chewier than regular oats.
- Irish butter – Irish butter is known for its creamy, luxurious texture and excellent flavor.
- Brown sugar – Using brown sugar gives the cookies a rich, caramelized flavor.
- Eggs – Use large eggs for best results.
Substitutions
Oats: If you can’t find Irish oats, you can use steel cut oats instead.
Butter: If you can’t find Kerry gold butter at your local grocery store, you can use regular butter instead.
Variations / Options / Add-Ins
These Oatmeal Cookies are delicious as is, but if you want to mix things up a bit, you can add in your favorite mix-ins.
Nuts: Walnuts, Pecans or Almonds would be delicious in these cookies.
Chocolate Chips: Add 1 cup of chocolate chips to add a chocolatey touch; you can use dark chocolate, milk chocolate, semi-sweet chocolate or even white chocolate.
Raisins: You could also stir in some raisins to the dough mixture for an extra sweet treat.
Equipment Needed / Helpful Tools
You only need a few kitchen tools to help you make this soft cookie recipe.
- electric mixer – You can use hand mixer or stand mixer
- baking trays – You will need large baking sheet or cookie sheet
How to Make Irish Oatmeal Cookies
This delicious and easy-to-make recipe comes together in just a few simple steps. Just follow these instructions and you will have an easy snack recipe in no time at all.
Step 1: Make the oatmeal
Begin by boiling oats and water in a saucepan. Once boiling, set heat to low and allow to cook for about 15 minutes. If it is getting too dry, add water one tablespoon at a time. You do not want it too liquid, this is just to cook the oats/soften them.

Step 2: Cream together butter and sugar
In a large bowl, cream together butter and brown sugar.

Step 3: Add the egg and oats
Once creamed, add egg yolk and mix some more. Add cooked oats and combine.

Step 4: Sift the dry ingredients
In a separate bowl, sift together flour, baking powder and salt. Slowly add to wet ingredients and combine until a dough forms.

Step 5: Chill the dough
Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and place in freezer for about 15 minutes.
Step 6: Prepare a cookie sheet and preheat the oven
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Step 7: Shape and place on the prepared pan
Once the dough is done chilling, remove from freezer and roll into spheres, about 1 ยผ inch in diameter. Place on lined baking sheet, leaving about 1 ยฝ inches between each one.

Step 8: Bake the cookies
Bake for 12 to 15 minutes and allow to cool completely on a wire rack before serving.

Serving Suggestions
I love to serve these cookies on St. Patrick’s Day with this Pressure Cookier Irish Pork Stew with a side of these Air Fryer Breadsticks.

Pro Tips
Here are a few tips to make sure that your cookies turn out perfectly every time that you make them.
- To make sure the oatmeal is cooked correctly and not too dry, add water one tablespoon at a time until desired consistency is reached.
- For best results, use Irish butter and oats when making this easy recipe, however if you can’t find them you can make the swaps listed above.
- Don’t skip the chill time. You can leave them in the freezer for more than 15 minutes, but do not leave them in there for less.
- Instead of parchment paper, you could use cooking spray or a silicone baking mat on your pans.
FAQs
Do you have questions about this recipe? Here are the answers to the most commonly asked questions for this recipe.
These oatmeal cookies will keep in an airtight container or ziplock bag at room temperature for up to 5 days.ย
Yes, these cookies can be frozen for up to 2 months. Make sure they are well wrapped and sealed before freezing.
Yes, you can freeze the cookie dough. Place in a well sealed container or ziplock bag and freeze for up to 2 months. When ready to bake, let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before proceeding with the recipe instructions.
More Cookies Recipes
If you like cookies, give these recipes a try:
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๐ Recipe

Irish Oatmeal Cookies
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Equipment
- Mixing bowls
- Mixer
- Saucepan
- Baking sheets
- Parchment paper
Ingredients
- ยฝ cup Irish oats alternatively, you may use steel-cut oats
- ยฝ cup water
- 1 stick Irish butter or regular butter, softened
- 6 tablespoons brown sugar
- Egg yolk of one large egg
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 ยฝ teaspoons baking powder
- ยผ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Begin by boiling oats and water in a saucepan. Once boiling, set heat to low and allow to cook for about 15 minutes. If it is getting too dry, add water one tablespoon at a time. You do not want it too liquid, this is just to cook the oats/soften them.
- In a large bowl, cream together butter and brown sugar.
- Once creamed, add egg yolk and mix some more. Add cooked oats and combine.
- In a separate bowl, sift together flour, baking powder and salt. Slowly add to wet ingredients and combine until a dough forms.
- Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and place in freezer for about 15 minutes.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- Once the dough is done chilling, remove from freezer and roll into spheres, about 1 ยผ inch in diameter. Place on lined baking sheet, leaving about 1 ยฝ inches between each one.
- Bake for 12 to 15 minutes and allow to cool completely on a wire rack before serving.
Notes
- To make sure the oatmeal is cooked correctly and not too dry, add water one tablespoon at a time until desired consistency is reached.
- For best results, use Irish butter and oats when making this easy recipe, however if you can’t find them you can make the swaps listed above.
- Don’t skip the chill time. You can leave them in the freezer for more than 15 minutes, but do not leave them in there for less.
- Instead of parchment paper, you could cooking spray or a silicone baking mat on your pans.