Easy Homemade Oatmeal Cookies with Raisins and Flavors
Discover easy and healthy oatmeal cookie recipes perfect for winter. These cookies combine wholesome oats, raisins, and nutritious add-ins like flax seeds, offering a delicious treat that benefits your health. Quick to prepare and adaptable for freezing, these recipes help you enjoy homemade cookies anytime with minimal effort and maximum flavor.

Oatmeal has become a widely favored and nutritious breakfast choice worldwide. Recognized as one of the healthiest grains available, incorporating oats into your daily diet can significantly enhance your overall well-being. Oats are naturally gluten-free and packed with essential minerals, vitamins, dietary fiber, and antioxidants.
Health Benefits of Oats and Oatmeal
- Help regulate blood sugar levels
- Support weight management
- Reduce risk of cardiovascular diseases
Oats vs. Oatmeal
Whole oats, known scientifically as Avena sativa, come in various forms. Oat groats are the least processed and take longer to cook, whereas rolled or steel-cut oats are preferred for quick meals.

During colder months, nothing beats enjoying nutritious oatmeal raisin cookies. Here are some simple recipes to indulge guilt-free this season, featuring different varieties of oatmeal cookies that blend health and flavor beautifully.
Classic Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
Rich, buttery cookies with brown sugar, infused with cinnamon and plump raisins, make for a delightful treat.
Ingredients
- 1 cup raisins or alternative mix-ins like nuts or chocolate chips
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 eggs
- 3 cups oats (instant or old-fashioned)
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ cup shortening
- ⅔ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup softened butter or margarine
- ⅔ cup packed brown sugar
Preparation
- Preheat oven to 375°F. In a large bowl, beat all ingredients except flour, oats, and raisins until combined. Mix in dry ingredients and raisins.
- Drop dough onto ungreased baking sheets, spacing about 2 inches apart.
- Bake for 8-12 minutes until light brown, then transfer to cooling racks.
Helpful Tips
Press dough into a 13x9-inch ungreased pan and bake for 15-20 minutes for bar-style cookies. Cool before cutting into squares.
Light and Puffy Oatmeal Cookies
This healthier recipe offers cookies topped with raisins, oats, and flax seeds, adding fiber and Omega-3s. Ready in just 10 minutes, these cookies are nutritious and easy to make.
Ingredients
- 1⅓ cups quick oats
- 1⅓ cups all-purpose flour
- ¼ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda
- ¾ cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
- Pinch of salt
- 1 egg
- ¾ cup dark raisins
- ⅓ cup flax seeds
Preparation
- Preheat oven to 350°F, line a baking sheet with parchment. Beat butter and sugar until fluffy, then add cinnamon, vanilla, and egg.
- Mix the raisins, oats, flax seeds, and dry ingredients separately, then fold into the wet mixture.
- Scoop dough balls onto baking sheet, spaced ½ inch apart. Bake 12-14 minutes until edges are golden, centers soft.
Cookie dough can be frozen for later use. Shape into balls, freeze, and bake directly from the freezer, adding 2-3 minutes to baking time.
Note: Avoid freezing very moist or cakey dough to ensure quality.