Crispy and chewy is the perfect texture combination for a cookie. And sometimes it can be hard to achieve. So many cookies are one or the other, but not both.
Enter my mom’s recipe for oatmeal coconut cookies. Crispy and crunchy edges for sure. But the chewy texture of these cookies is what really shines!
Reader MJ Says:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️They are terrific! I have finally found the perfect oatmeal cookie! Thank you for your delicious recipe!
These cookies are amazingly good. To me, there is not one dominant flavor. Meaning, you don’t take a bite and think “oh, this is an oatmeal cookie”. Or a coconut cookie. You just find yourself savoring the sweet harmony of all the flavors in every bite.
And then, without even thinking about it, you find yourself having another . . . and another. . .
Why I Love these Cookies
I feel like this was my mom’s favorite cookie. (I really wish I could go back in time and ask her!)
And to name it a favorite is a big deal. Her recipe boxes (which I now have) contain more cookies, cakes, and bars than I will ever be able to make!
And I must say, it could easily be a contender for my favorite. I love the chewy texture, with the softness of coconut and oatmeal. At the same time, it manages to be buttery and sweet. The crunchy edges are from baking but also due to a dusting of sugar put on every cookie. It’s just the perfect finishing touch!
Ingredients Needed
**Be sure to scroll to the recipe card for detailed quantities and directions**
How to Make Oatmeal Cookies With Coconut
- Preheat the oven to 375F and line a couple cookie sheets with parchment paper.
- Cream together the softened butter and sugars (granulated and brown). I use an electric hand mixer for this, but mixing it by hand works well too, it’ll just be a little more of a workout. 💪
- Now, add the eggs and vanilla and mix well to combine.
- In a separate bowl, combine the dry ingredients: flour, baking soda, and salt. Add this gradually to the creamed mixture. I like to add about a third at a time, mixing well after each addition. If you have been using an electric mixer for this, right about now is when you’ll want to abandon that and switch to a nice sturdy wooden spoon.
- Once all the flour mixture has been incorporated, add the oats and coconut. Stir to evenly incorporate throughout the batter.
- Now, use a cookie scoop or teaspoon to make about 1-inch balls of dough. Roll the balls in granulated sugar to coat, then place on the prepared baking sheets, about 3 inches apart.
- Dip the flat bottom of a glass in sugar and use it to flatten the balls of dough.
- Bake the cookies for 9 to 10 minutes at 375F, until lightly golden brown on the edges.
- Let the cookies cool slightly on the cookie sheet for a minute before removing to a wire rack to cool completely.
Expert Tips
I use old-fashioned rolled oats to make these cookies, but quick oats would work as well. Rolled oats have a little more "chew", which I like. Quick oats will have a smoother texture in the baked cookie.
I listed 9 to 10 minutes of baking time. Every oven is different, so watch the first baking sheet closely to get your timing down.
The browner the cookie, the more crisp and less chewy it will be. Your personal preference should be a guide to this. I think my mom liked hers crispier than I do. I like to bake the cookies until they are BARELY golden brown on the edges. This makes a cookie that is so deliciously chewy…they are irresistible to me!
Storing Coconut Oat Cookies
- Cool completely: this helps prevent moisture buildup. Nobody wants soggy cookies!
- Place in an airtight container: you can layer with parchment paper if you’d like, to prevent sticking. The cookies should keep at room temperature for 5 to 7 days, if they last that long!
- Longer storage: you can freeze the cookies for up to 3 months. I like to freeze them first flat on a baking sheet until firm, before stacking together in an airtight container. The first freezing step helps prevent them from freezing together into a solid block!
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More Recipes to Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth
Once you have some oatmeal in the cupboard, you have plenty of options at your disposal. Check out these fall oatmeal recipes for a ton of healthy ideas!
If you're still in a cookie mood, some Oatmeal Rice Krispie Cookies are a good place to start, and you can follow up with some Matcha Chocolate Chip Cookies, Coconut Meringue Cookies, and/or Peanut Butter Cup Brownie Bites.
How about some bars? Some Chocolate Caramel Bars are amazing, and Pumpkin Bars are the best way to satisfy that fall pumpkin craving. Chocolate Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars require no baking, so they work all year round!
Ready to get more serious? Try an Old Fashioned Carrot Cake or a White Chocolate Cheesecake for desserts that are sure to impress!
More Favorites from Ovenspiration
📖 Recipe
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Crispy & Chewy Oatmeal Coconut Cookie Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup butter softened (2 sticks)
- 1 cup sugar granulated (plus more for coating)
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 2½ cups flour all-purpose
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1¼ cup oats old fashioned or quick oats
- 1 cup flake coconut sweetened
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375F and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Cream together the butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar.1 cup butter, 1 cup sugar, 1 cup brown sugar
- Add the eggs and vanilla and mix well.2 eggs, 1 teaspoon vanilla
- In a separate bowl, combine the flour, baking soda and salt. Add gradually to the creamed mixture, stirring well to combine.2½ cups flour, 1 teaspoon baking soda, 1 teaspoon salt
- Add the coconut and rolled oats and stir until evenly incorporated.1¼ cup oats, 1 cup flake coconut
- Use a teaspoon or cookie scoop to form walnut-sized balls of dough. Roll each in granulated sugar to coat, then place on parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Dip a heavy-bottomed glass in sugar, then use it to flatten each cookie. The cookies will still spread a little more, so leave a little space between each cookie.
- Bake the cookies at 375F for 9-10 minutes, until very lightly golden brown.
- Let cookies cool for 1-2 minutes on the cookie sheet, then remove to a wire rack to cool completely.
Nutrition
Nutrition values are estimates only, using online calculators. Please verify using your own data.
gary seago
The best. Thank you. I take a few dozen cookies to church every Sunday. Your cookies will be a hit..
Sula
Fabulous!
Anonymous
Super delicious, so close to the crispy chewy from Janie's Cookie company if you’re from Michigan.
Sula
Wonderful! The next time I'm in Michigan I'll have to seek out that brand!
Jackie
Was looking for a coconut/oatmeal cookie, not many to choose from, but glad I picked this one. So delicious, and just as described, crispy outside, chewy inside. Will definitely be making these again.
Sula
I'm so glad you love them, I definitely do too!
Sandi
Wonderful cookies. And as good as the cookies is the way the recipe is written with ingredients listed under each step. You are genius and saves us cooks so much time. Thank you SO much. Sandi
Sula
I like to cook from my own recipes and realized how much easier that would make it. So I'm glad it made a difference for you! Thank you for the kind review! 😁
MJ
These are delicious! I also toasted the coconut and do part chocolate chip and part craisin and part dried cherry. They are terrific! I have finally found the perfect oatmeal cookie! Thank you for your delicious recipe!
Sula
I'm so glad you love them and I love your variations - thank you for sharing!
Sara
Very good! I used unsweetened coconut since it’s what I had on hand, and added three shakes of cinnamon and they turned out beautifully!
Sula
Yum! Thank you for the kind review!
Joanne Birtch
I appreciate seeing the ingredients again in the preparation instructions. It made life so much easier. Great recipe, too, though I thought it had enough sugar without the sparkle on the tops.
Sula
I'm glad you enjoyed the cookies, and thanks for the comment about repeating the ingredients. I've added that because I myself appreciate it, so its good to know others do as well. 🙂
Linda
I made these last week and because it was the first time trying the recipe, I halved it and then regretted that decision because they disappeared very quickly. I’m making a full batch today and because I’m a little extra, I lightly toasted the coconut first.
I only had unsweetened coconut on hand and I found the sweetness level perfect. Simple and delicious recipe!
Sula
LOL, yes a full batch is highly recommended. I love the toasted coconut idea - yummy!
Nellie
These are delicious!!! Due to the shortage of sugars right now, I had to make my own brown sugar with molasses and I did not roll the cookie balls in sugar. Baked up perfectly!!!
Sula
Thanks for sharing!
Patricia Hultz
I made these. They are the best oatmeal cookies I have ever made. I however added chopped walnuts! Fabulous
Sula
Excellent, I'm so glad you like them like I do! I'll have to try the walnuts, it sounds like a wonderful addition - thanks for sharing!
Teri
I made these. They are excellent. Added lemon zest, lemon extract and coconut extract to the above recipe. Thank you for a great recipe.
Sula
Oh I'll bet that added zip from the lemon was fun! Thank you for the kind review!
Iris
I am sorry. I do not understand the ingrediant photo. what are the amounts for each of the ingredients?
Sula
Please scroll (or jump to) the recipe card for the detailed directions.
Whitney
Would it matter if I used unsweetened coconut flakes?
Sula
I think that would work just fine!
Debbie
I used unsweetened coconut and it turned out great. Love this recipe!
Sula
Thank you!
Katie
Perfectly sweet and chewy! These were a 10/10!
Sula
Wonderful!
Nancy
Very delish and chewy. Great easy recipe
Sula
I'm so glad you enjoyed them!
Ann
I love oatmeal cookies and these were a winner!
Sula
Yay!
Audrey
These were delish! Very chewy.
Sula
Thank you, I'm so glad you enjoyed them!
Giangi Townsend
Super delicious, a must-make! We could not stop eating them and they were all gone in a flash. Thank you
Sula
I know what you mean, they don't last long in my house either!
Mary
I made the cookies awsome l put 1/2 cup of cocoa , thanks been looking for a good recipe 👍
Sula
Sounds yummy, I might have to try that cocoa addition next time! Thanks for sharing!