If you’re like me and love waking up to something both comforting and a little bit indulgent, then you absolutely have to try this Pumpkin Oat Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe. These cookies strike the perfect balance between breakfast and treat, packed with wholesome oats, warm spices, and just the right amount of pumpkin goodness. Plus, those little pockets of chocolate chips? Chef’s kiss! Trust me, once you make these, they’ll become your go-to for busy mornings or whenever you need a quick sweet bite that doesn’t feel too heavy.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Balanced Flavors: The warm pumpkin spices perfectly complement the oats and chocolate chips for a cozy, satisfying bite.
- Easy and Quick: No fancy ingredients or complicated steps—these cookies come together in about half an hour.
- Healthy-ish Indulgence: Packed with oats, walnuts, and flax seed, these cookies give you fiber and nutrients without feeling like a sacrifice.
- Versatile Snack: Enjoy them for breakfast, a midday snack, or even dessert—they’re surprisingly flexible!
Ingredients & Why They Work
This Pumpkin Oat Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe blends nutritious and flavorful ingredients that work in harmony to create a tender yet hearty cookie that’s full of fall vibes. Each element plays a role, whether it’s moisture, texture, or that irresistible spicy note.
- Canned Pumpkin: Adds moisture and a subtle sweetness plus those lovely autumn flavors without extra fat.
- Honey: Acts as a natural sweetener and keeps the cookies soft and chewy.
- Coconut Oil: Provides healthy fats and a delicate richness—plus, its liquid form makes mixing easier.
- Egg: Binds everything together to keep the cookies from falling apart.
- Vanilla Extract: Enhances all the flavors and adds a comforting aroma.
- Ground Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Ginger: Classic pumpkin spice combo that transforms the cookie from ordinary to irresistible.
- Salt: It’s a must to balance the sweetness and deepen flavors.
- Rolled Old Fashioned Oats & Quick Oats: Mixed oat textures give the cookies a chewy yet soft bite. You can use all rolled oats too, but the combo works best.
- Ground Flax Seed: Adds fiber, omega-3s, and a slight nuttiness.
- Chopped Walnuts: Give wonderful crunch and earthy flavor.
- Mini Chocolate Chips: The star sweet note that you’ll absolutely look forward to biting into.
Note: Exact ingredients and measurements are listed in the recipe card below.
Make It Your Way
I love tweaking this Pumpkin Oat Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe depending on what I have on hand and what mood I’m in. Feel free to add your personal spin or keep it classic—it’s all about making this recipe your own.
- Variation: I sometimes swap walnuts for pecans or even add a handful of dried cranberries for a tart kick—it complements the pumpkin really well.
- Dietary Modification: For a vegan version, swap the egg with a flax egg and use maple syrup instead of honey; the texture will be a touch different but still delicious.
- Spice Level: If you love spice like me, add a pinch more cinnamon or even a dash of cayenne for an unexpected warmth.
- Chocolate Swap: Try dark chocolate chips or even white chocolate for a different flavor profile.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Pumpkin Oat Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Prep the Oven & Gather Ingredients
I always start by preheating my oven to 350°F (175°C) and lining a baking sheet with a silicone mat—it makes a huge difference since these cookies are soft and can stick a bit otherwise. Having everything on hand helps the process flow smoothly, so set your measured ingredients out like a cooking pro.
Step 2: Mix the Wet Ingredients
In a large bowl, whisk the canned pumpkin, honey, melted coconut oil, egg, vanilla, and spices until smooth and combined. This step is crucial because the wet ingredients act as the glue that holds everything together without excess flour.
Step 3: Add Your Oats, Nuts, and Chocolate
Next up, stir in the rolled oats, quick oats, flax seed, chopped walnuts, and mini chocolate chips. I like to gently fold rather than vigorously mix here so the oats retain some texture and the chips don’t melt prematurely.
Step 4: Form the Cookies
Here’s a trick I picked up: spray a 1/4 cup measuring cup with non-stick spray so the cookie dough slides right out without a sticky mess. Drop each mound onto your lined tray, then spray your hands and gently flatten the cookies just a bit. This helps them bake evenly and gives you that pretty cookie look.
Step 5: Bake and Cool
Bake your cookies for about 15 to 17 minutes until they’re set but still soft in the middle. I like to keep a close eye near the end — you want them to be firm enough to hold, but not dry. Once out of the oven, let them cool completely on the baking sheet; this helps them firm up and makes them easier to handle.
Pro Tips for Making Pumpkin Oat Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
- Use Both Old Fashioned and Quick Oats: This combo gives the cookies a perfect balance of chewiness and softness—you’ll get that great oat texture.
- Don’t Skip the Cooling: Let the cookies cool fully on the sheet so they firm up nicely and won’t crumble when you pick them up.
- Measuring with a Sprayed Scoop: Spraying the cup or scoop with non-stick spray keeps sticky dough from clinging, speeding up your prep without frustration.
- Watch Baking Time Closely: Because of moisture from pumpkin, overbaking dries them out—you want soft edges but set centers.
How to Serve Pumpkin Oat Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
I often sprinkle a tiny pinch of flaky sea salt on top right out of the oven—this contrast makes the chocolate pop and balances the sweetness perfectly. Fresh whipped cream or a drizzle of maple syrup also works wonders if you’re serving these as a treat for guests.
Side Dishes
Pair these cookies with a hot cup of coffee or chai tea latte for a breakfast full of cozy textures and warm flavors. For extra fuel, I sometimes serve them alongside a smoothie bowl or fresh fruit to keep things balanced.
Creative Ways to Present
For brunch parties, I like stacking these cookies on a rustic wooden platter with small bowls of nut butter and honey nearby so folks can “dress” their own. Wrapping a few in parchment tied with twine makes a sweet homemade gift that’s always a crowd-pleaser!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store leftover cookies in an airtight container in the fridge. They keep well for about a week and actually taste better after a day or two as the flavors meld. Just be sure the container is sealed tightly to keep them from drying out.
Freezing
I freeze these cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet first, then transfer them into a freezer-safe bag or container. That way, you avoid them sticking together, and they can be pulled out one by one for quick snacks. They keep for up to 3 months and thaw quickly at room temperature.
Reheating
When I want to enjoy a cookie warm, I pop it in the microwave for about 10 seconds or into a low oven (300°F) for 5 minutes. This softens the cookie without turning it into a soggy mess, bringing out the gooey chocolate and cozy pumpkin spice all over again.
FAQs
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Can I use fresh pumpkin instead of canned pumpkin in this Pumpkin Oat Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe?
Absolutely! If you want to use fresh pumpkin, roast and puree it until smooth before measuring out the same amount (3/4 cup). Just keep in mind that fresh pumpkin might have a bit more moisture, so you might need to adjust baking time slightly.
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Can I omit nuts in this recipe?
Yes, you can leave out the walnuts if you have allergies or preference. Your cookies will still be delicious, though you might want to replace the crunch with extra oats or seeds like pumpkin or sunflower for texture.
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Is this Pumpkin Oat Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe gluten-free?
It can be! Just be sure to use certified gluten-free oats and check all your other ingredients, like chocolate chips, for gluten-free labeling.
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Can these cookies be made vegan?
Definitely. Substitute the egg with a flax egg (1 tbsp ground flaxseed + 3 tbsp water, let sit for 5 minutes) and swap honey for maple syrup or agave nectar. The texture might be a touch different but still tasty.
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How should I store these cookies to keep them fresh?
Store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. This keeps them fresh for about a week. For longer storage, freeze as suggested above.
Final Thoughts
This Pumpkin Oat Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe is hands down one of my favorite ways to embrace the flavors of fall while still sticking to a wholesome breakfast vibe. The mix of oats, spices, and melty chocolate chips is just so comforting, and the cookies hold up nicely as leftovers—which is a big win in my book. Whether you’re rushed in the morning or just craving a cozy snack, these cookies have you covered. I really hope you give them a try because it’s one of those recipes that feels like a warm hug in cookie form.
PrintPumpkin Oat Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
Enjoy a delicious and wholesome start to your day with these Pumpkin Oat Chocolate Chip Breakfast Cookies. Packed with pumpkin puree, oats, warm spices, and a touch of sweetness from honey and mini chocolate chips, these cookies are perfect for a nutritious breakfast or a satisfying snack. They are easy to make, baked to perfection, and feature a soft, chewy texture with a hint of autumn flavors.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 12 cookies
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Wet Ingredients
- 3/4 cup (170g) canned pumpkin
- 1/3 cup (115g) honey
- 1/4 cup (56g) coconut oil, melted
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Dry Ingredients
- 1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1/4 tsp ground ginger
- 1/4 tsp (heaping) salt
- 1 cup (94g) rolled old fashioned oats
- 1 cup (94g) quick oats (or additional 1 cup old fashioned oats)
- 1/4 cup (26g) ground flax seed
Mix-ins
- 3/4 cup (82g) chopped walnuts
- 1/3 cup (63g) mini chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and line a baking sheet with a silicone baking mat or parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together canned pumpkin, honey, melted coconut oil, egg, vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and salt until smooth and well combined.
- Add Dry Ingredients: Stir in both rolled old fashioned oats and quick oats, ground flax seed, chopped walnuts, and mini chocolate chips, mixing until all ingredients are evenly coated and distributed.
- Prepare for Baking: Spray a 1/4 cup measuring cup with non-stick cooking spray to help portion the cookie dough easily.
- Form Cookies: Scoop the mixture into 1/4 cup mounds onto the prepared baking sheet. Spray your hands lightly with non-stick cooking spray and gently flatten the cookie mounds slightly for even baking.
- Bake Cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 15 to 17 minutes, or until the cookies are set and lightly golden around the edges. Remove from oven and allow to cool completely on the baking sheet.
- Store Properly: Once cooled, store the cookies in an airtight container in the refrigerator to maintain freshness. Enjoy them chilled or at room temperature.
Notes
- For a nuttier texture, substitute walnuts with pecans or almonds if desired.
- You can use all old fashioned oats instead of quick oats for a chewier bite.
- If you prefer your cookies less sweet, reduce honey slightly.
- These cookies freeze well; store in a freezer-safe container and thaw before eating.
- Spraying the measuring cup and your hands helps prevent sticking and makes cookie shaping easier.
