Salted Vanilla Oatmeal Cookies

Salted Vanilla Oatmeal Cookies 🍪🍦🥄🧂

These Salted Vanilla Oatmeal Cookies are the perfect balance of soft, chewy texture and sweet-salty flavor. With rolled oats for heartiness, a touch of vanilla for warmth, and a sprinkle of sea salt for contrast, these cookies are simple yet utterly irresistible. They’re quick to make, require no chilling, and are perfect for satisfying your cookie cravings or impressing guests.

Let’s dive into how to make these delicious, crave-worthy cookies step by step.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

1. Chewy & Soft : The combination of oats, butter, and sugars creates a perfectly textured cookie.
2. Sweet & Salty : A sprinkle of sea salt elevates the sweetness and adds a gourmet touch.
3. Quick & Easy : No chilling required—these cookies are ready in under 30 minutes.
4. Versatile : Customize with chocolate chips, nuts, or dried fruit if desired.
5. Crowd-Pleasing : Perfect for bake sales, parties, or an afternoon snack with coffee or tea.

Ingredients

(Makes 12–16 cookies)

• 1 cup rolled oats 🌾
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ cup unsalted butter , softened
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• ½ cup brown sugar , packed
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Sea salt , for sprinkling

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Preheat the Oven

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) .
2. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat for easy cleanup.

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients

1. In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the rolled oats , all-purpose flour , baking soda , and salt . Set aside.

Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugars

1. In a large mixing bowl, use a hand mixer or stand mixer to cream together the softened butter , granulated sugar , and brown sugar until light and fluffy (about 2–3 minutes ).
2. Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until fully incorporated.

Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients

1. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined. Be careful not to overmix—the dough should be slightly sticky but hold together.

Step 5: Shape the Cookies

1. Scoop out tablespoon-sized portions of dough (or use a cookie scoop for uniformity ) and roll them into balls. Place the dough balls on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
2. Gently press down on each ball with the back of a spoon or your fingers to flatten slightly.

Step 6: Add Sea Salt

1. Sprinkle a pinch of sea salt over the tops of each cookie before baking.

Step 7: Bake

1. Bake in the preheated oven for 8–10 minutes , or until the edges are golden brown and the centers are set. The cookies will continue to firm up as they cool.
   • Tip : For softer cookies, avoid overbaking—remove them when the centers still look slightly underdone.

Step 8: Cool and Serve

1. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes , then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
2. Enjoy warm with a glass of milk or a cup of coffee, or store for later.

Tips for Success

1. Use Old-Fashioned Oats : Rolled oats provide the best texture—avoid instant oats, which can make the cookies too dense.
2. Don’t Skip the Sea Salt : The sprinkle of sea salt is key to balancing the sweetness and adding depth of flavor.
3. Customize Your Cookies : Add mix-ins like chocolate chips, chopped nuts, or dried cranberries for extra flavor and texture.
4. Storage : Store cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days . To keep them soft, add a slice of bread to the container.
5. Freeze for Later : Freeze unbaked dough balls on a baking sheet, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag. Bake directly from frozen, adding 1–2 minutes to the baking time.

Perfect Pairings

These Salted Vanilla Oatmeal Cookies pair beautifully with:

• Milk or Coffee : A cold glass of milk or a warm cup of coffee is the perfect complement.
• Ice Cream : Sandwich two cookies around a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a decadent treat.
• Tea : Pair with a soothing cup of black or herbal tea for an afternoon snack.
• Sparkling Beverages : Serve with sparkling water or lemonade for a refreshing contrast.

Nutritional Information (Per Cookie, Approx.)

(Based on 16 cookies)

• Calories : ~120 kcal
• Protein : ~2g
• Carbohydrates : ~16g
• Fat : ~6g
• Fiber : ~1g

Note: Nutritional values may vary based on specific brands and portion sizes.

Final Thoughts

These Salted Vanilla Oatmeal Cookies are a delightful twist on classic oatmeal cookies, combining the comforting warmth of vanilla with the sophisticated crunch of sea salt. Whether you’re baking them for a special occasion, a cozy afternoon treat, or simply to satisfy your sweet tooth, these cookies are sure to impress. The combination of chewy oats, sweet vanilla, and salty crunch creates a dessert that’s both comforting and exciting.

The best part? They’re endlessly customizable, so you can tweak the mix-ins, adjust the sweetness, or pair them with different beverages to make them your own. So grab your mixing bowl, sprinkle that sea salt, and get ready to enjoy cookies that are as fun to make as they are to eat.