Get ready to discover your new favorite snack! These Cranberry Oatmeal Cookie Bites are the perfect combination of chewy, sweet, and tangy. Packed with hearty oats and bright bursts of cranberry, this recipe is incredibly easy to whip up in just one bowl. Whether you need a quick breakfast treat, a lunchbox surprise, or a wholesome afternoon pick-me-up, these delightful bites are guaranteed to satisfy your cravings. They are simple, delicious, and wonderfully versatile.
Why You’ll Love These Cranberry Oatmeal Cookie Bites
This recipe is a keeper for so many reasons. It’s designed for busy home cooks who want maximum flavor with minimal fuss.
Incredibly Easy: You only need one bowl and a few simple pantry staples. No complicated steps here!
Perfectly Chewy Texture: Using rolled oats and brown sugar creates a wonderfully soft and chewy texture that’s simply irresistible.
Customizable: Feel free to add your favorite mix-ins like white chocolate chips, chopped nuts, or a sprinkle of cinnamon.
Great for Any Occasion: These bites are perfect for holiday platters, bake sales, or just a simple everyday treat. Looking for another great snack? Try these Strawberry Crumble Snack Bars.
Ready to enjoy! These bites are perfect for sharing.
The Simple Ingredients You’ll Need
You probably have most of these ingredients in your kitchen already. This recipe focuses on simple, wholesome components to create the best flavor.
Wet Ingredients
Unsalted Butter: Softened to room temperature for easy creaming.
Brown Sugar: Provides moisture and a deep, caramel-like sweetness that complements the oats perfectly.
Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps the edges get slightly crisp.
Egg: Acts as a binder to hold everything together.
Vanilla Extract: A splash of pure vanilla enhances all the other flavors.
Dry Ingredients
All-Purpose Flour: Provides the main structure for our cookie bites.
Rolled Oats: Old-fashioned rolled oats give these bites their signature hearty, chewy texture. Quick oats can be used, but the texture will be less chewy.
Dried Cranberries: These provide a wonderful tangy and sweet flavor that cuts through the richness.
Baking Soda: Gives the bites a little lift, making them soft.
Salt: A pinch of salt is crucial for balancing the sweetness.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Making these Cranberry Oatmeal Cookie Bites is as simple as mix, scoop, and bake. Follow these steps for perfect results every time.
Preheat and Prep: Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar together with an electric mixer until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
Add Egg and Vanilla: Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until just combined. Be careful not to overmix at this stage.
Combine Dry Ingredients: Add the all-purpose flour, rolled oats, baking soda, and salt to the wet ingredients. Mix on low speed until a cohesive dough forms.
Fold in Cranberries: Gently fold in the dried cranberries with a spatula until they are evenly distributed throughout the dough.
Scoop and Bake: Use a small cookie scoop (about 1 tablespoon) to drop rounded portions of dough onto the prepared baking sheet, placing them about 2 inches apart.
Bake to Perfection: Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and the centers are set. Let them cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Look at that perfectly chewy texture and burst of cranberry!
Tips for the Perfect Cookie Bites
A few simple tricks can take your Cranberry Oatmeal Cookie Bites from good to absolutely amazing.
Don’t Overmix the Dough
Once you add the dry ingredients, mix only until they are just combined. Overmixing can develop the gluten in the flour too much, resulting in tough, dense cookies instead of soft and chewy ones.
Chill the Dough (Optional)
If your kitchen is warm, chilling the dough for 30 minutes before baking can help prevent the bites from spreading too much. This results in a thicker, chewier cookie bite.
Use a Cookie Scoop
For uniformly sized and evenly baked bites, a cookie scoop is your best friend. It makes the process quicker and ensures every bite is the perfect size.
Variations and Substitutions
One of the best things about this recipe is how easy it is to adapt. Here are a few ideas to get you started:
Add Nuts: For extra crunch and flavor, mix in 1/2 cup of chopped walnuts or pecans.
White Chocolate Cranberry: Add 1/2 cup of white chocolate chips for a classic and delicious flavor combination.
Spice it Up: Add 1/2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon and a pinch of nutmeg to the dry ingredients for a warmer, spiced flavor. For another spiced favorite, check out these Snickerdoodle Cookie Bites.
Gluten-Free Option: You can substitute the all-purpose flour with a 1-to-1 gluten-free baking flour blend and use certified gluten-free rolled oats.
How to Store Your Cranberry Oatmeal Cookie Bites
Proper storage will keep your cookie bites fresh and delicious. Here’s how to do it:
Room Temperature: Store the bites in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
Freezing: For longer storage, you can freeze the baked cookie bites. Place them in a single layer on a baking sheet to freeze solid, then transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container. They will keep for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before enjoying.
Yes, absolutely. To make them gluten-free, simply substitute the all-purpose flour with your favorite 1-to-1 gluten-free baking flour blend and ensure you are using certified gluten-free rolled oats.
This recipe is specifically developed for dried cranberries, as they provide sweetness and a chewy texture. Fresh cranberries would add too much moisture and acidity, significantly changing the texture and taste of the final cookie bites.
Old-fashioned rolled oats are highly recommended for the best chewy texture. You can use quick-cooking oats in a pinch, but the cookie bites will be softer and less chewy.
Yes, you can freeze the cookie dough. Scoop the dough onto a parchment-lined baking sheet and freeze until solid. Transfer the frozen dough balls to a freezer-safe bag. You can bake them directly from frozen, adding 1-2 minutes to the baking time.
More Delicious Treats to Try
If you enjoyed making these cookie bites, you’ll love exploring more of our easy baking recipes. From fudgy brownies to zesty lemon bars, there’s always something new and delicious to create in your kitchen.
Share Your Creation!
I hope you love these Cranberry Oatmeal Cookie Bites as much as I do! They are a true staple for a reason. If you make this recipe, please leave a comment below and let me know what you think. And don’t forget to save it to your favorite board on Pinterest!
The perfect one-bowl recipe for chewy Cranberry Oatmeal Cookie Bites!
These Cranberry Oatmeal Cookie Bites are the perfect chewy and sweet treat. Made in one bowl with simple pantry staples, this easy recipe delivers a delicious, wholesome snack ideal for any occasion.
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a large bowl, beat the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until just combined.
Add the flour, rolled oats, baking soda, and salt. Mix on low speed until a dough forms.
Fold in the dried cranberries.
Scoop 1-tablespoon portions of dough onto the prepared baking sheet, about 2 inches apart.
Bake for 10-12 minutes, until the edges are golden brown. Cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before moving to a wire rack.
Nutrition
Calories: 95kcalProtein: 1gFat: 4gFiber: 1g
Notes
For thicker cookies, chill the dough for 30 minutes before baking. Feel free to add 1/2 cup of white chocolate chips or chopped walnuts for extra flavor and texture. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
Hi, I’m Emily Carter, and welcome to FL Recipes! I share simple, healthy recipes that make cooking easy, fun, and delicious for everyone. more about me »
