Coconut Almond Oatmeal Cookies
These simple, chewy oatmeal cookies are my hands down favorite. The recipe comes from my grandmother, Myne, and in our house, they’re known as Oatmeal Chews, but to everyone else, they’re just delicious. The cookies themselves are ultra-thin, with crispy, caramelized edges and an almond scented, oatmeal and coconut interior. I make Myne’s almond and coconut oatmeal cookies every Christmas because we love them, but they’re great for anytime you’re hankering for something sweet. They’re naturally gluten free and dairy free if you have sensitivities and they’re beyond easy to make.
This post has been updated for photos and content since its original publication in 2014. The recipe remains the same.
My grandmother, Myne, makes two kinds of cookies every Christmas. One is the Chewy Noel — which I hereby confess to never having liked. It was less of a cookie and more of a bar, but very tender and almost crumbly. They were sweet like brown sugar, but to me, they were nothing special. I avoided it on the cookie tray. (I must say, the recipe that I’m linking to as an example — looks a helluva lot better than the ones that appeared on Myne’s cookie platter. Sorry, Myne.)
Oatmeal chews, however, are a different story. They are crispy and chewy in the same bite. Lightly golden and lacy-looking with a hint of almond and flaky coconut. Truly irresistible.
Table of Contents
- Rolled Oatmeal (use gluten-free oatmeal for gluten free oatmeal cookies)
- Brown Sugar
- Vegetable Oil
- Eggs
- Salt
- Almond Extract
- Sweetened Flaked Coconut
Why you’ll love Myne’s oatmeal cookie recipe
In a word, simplicity. Mix everything in one bowl and drop them on a cookie sheet. Nothing could be easier.
Beyond the ease of prep, you can see there’s no flour in this chewy oatmeal cookie recipe — and as long as you source GF oatmeal, then it’s a gluten free oatmeal cookie recipe. If you don’t care about that — use regular rolled oats.
This cookie recipe also happens to be dairy free. No butter. No milk or cream. Nada.
I suppose if you wanted to make it vegan, you could subsitute a chia egg (but I haven’t actually tried that).
The thing is — these sublimely chewy oatmeal cookies weren’t designed to fit into any particular diet category… that’s just the way you make them. You won’t be disappointed.
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How to make oatmeal chews:
- Combine the oatmeal brown sugar and vegetable oil in a large bowl and mix to combine. Let rest for one hour.
- Add the egg, salt, almond extract and coconut and mix to combine.
- Portion the dough in 1 teaspoon increments to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake for 12-15 minutes or until the edges are golden brown.
- Remove the pan from the oven and let the cookies rest for about 5 minutes to firm up.
- Use a spatula to transfer the coconut oatmeal cookies to a wire rack to cool completely.
Why do the oatmeal cookie ingredients need to rest?
The hour-long nap allows the oil to soak into the oatmeal, making it softer and more tender, but still retaining the chewy bite. If you use instant oats, you can skip the soak, but I recommend the old fashioned type of oatmeal for the prettiest look and ultra chewy texture.
Since there’s no flour in this oatmeal cookie recipe, there’s nothing to puff or rise. Consequently, they make the thinnest, most delicate and absolutely crave-worthy morsels you’ve ever had.
The caramelized brown sugar edges are as delicate as crystal, but the hearty coconut and oatmeal filling gives these cookies a hearty chew. You’ll love the light almond flavoring, too. It pairs perfectly with the coconut.
Their look belies their taste
Ok, I’ll admit it. They don’t look like much. There’s no special flair or oomph. You might even think they look a bit thrown together, because the coconut and oatmeal don’t conform to neat, uniform cookie rounds.
Don’t let the humble look of these gems fool you. The flavor and texture is outstanding.
It’s not an exaggeration to say that my entire family is in love with these simple drop cookies. It’s not just how easy they are to make — it’s the fact that they’re so UNLIKE any other cookies you’ve tried. Crispy, chewy, light, sweet, buttery, almond-y.
I’m talking eyes-rolling-back-in-your-head-good.
Not long after people know they’re there. Seriously though, these chewy oatmeal cookies will last for 3-5 days in an airtight container.
No. These are very thin, delicate cookies. Best for keeping at home and hoarding for yourself.
Yes. It will change the flavor of the cookies though. Instead of having that almond coconut flavor, the oatmeal cookies will have a more caramel flavor.
More coconut and/or almond cookies you might like:
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Oatmeal Chews
INGREDIENTS:
- 2 cups oatmeal
- 1 cup light brown sugar packed
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- 1 egg lightly beaten
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon almond extract
- ½ cup sweetened flaked coconut
DIRECTIONS:
- Mix oatmeal and brown sugar in a medium bowl. Pour oil over oatmeal mixture and toss well to combine. Set aside for one hour.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Add egg, salt, almond extract and coconut. Mix well.
- Line a sheet pan with parchment paper.
- With a teaspoon, scoop out rounded spoonfuls onto the parchment paper, leaving about 2 inches around the perimeter of the cookies, which will spread as they bake.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes. Let the cookies cool for several minutes on the cookie sheet before transferring them to a cooling rack.
NOTES:
NUTRITION:
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These cookies look delicious! I am going to make some this weekend!
I just made these for my daughter so she has a gluten-free dessert for Christmas dinner in 2 days. Good thing they are easy to make, because these may not last until then!
P.S. Best way to store these, just in CASE they make it for 2 days?
Thanks!
I put them in an airtight container in layers, separated by parchment paper so they don’t stick.
YUUMM!!!
Too bad that the recipes seems so simple that I probably have all of the ingredients in the kitchen!
Soooo I just realized that I have most of these simple ingredients!!!
Definitely going to try to make this soon : D
Do not blame me when you can’t stop eating them!
Lisa, thank you for sharing with us this lovely holiday tradition. Bold move on confessing your dislike for the Noel bar from grandma,lol. The Oatmeal chews sound delicious and I’m a fan of almond.
LOl – I don’t think my grandmother reads my blog – so what she doesn’t know…
these look so easy to make! I’ve never tried an oatmeal chew, but it looks delicious!
Very easy – very delicious!
I love oatmeal. It’s incredible how many things you can make with it. Can wait to try this!
XOXO,
Mei
These are a must try for sure.
Oh yummy! I think I could lower the sugar and use unsweetened coconut flakes and make it a healthy snack instead of my usual cookies lol.
Let me know how it goes for you!
Never imagined these would be so easy to do! I am going to try it! Happy holidays!
SUPER EASY!
I’m so loving that crispy edge on the outside! I could munch on these all day!
They’re both a blessing and a curse that way!
Ooh, I love those crisp edges. These oatmeal chews sound incredible! Beautiful photos.
Glad you like them, Tara – I have a feeling there’ll be another batch in the oven before too long!
These look fantastic! Those caramel-y chewy edges are calling my name!
My husband has the same issue — and he’s nearly eaten the entire batch!
These look so easy and delicious! I could totally eat them for breakfast. 🙂
Don’t think I haven’t done that, Lisa!
Such a lovely tradition to have in your family. We have similar ones that I love sharing.
That’s what makes the holidays special!
OK. I’m sold. Next weekend is our family’s Christmas bake and I’m going to give these a try. They look and sound superb!
Truly to die for!
I love chewy cookies – these look like the perfect afternoon snack!
Great with coffee in the morning, too Kathryn!
christmas is all about cookies for me! Love oatmeal cookies especially when they’re chewy!
Me Too! These are definitely a family favorite!
These sound amazing!! And so beautiful, too!
wow it looks so crispy, I should try this this …:-)
I am going to make these this weekend. They sound so good- thanks!