Chewy Leftover Oatmeal Cookies
- August 14, 2021
- Last Updated: July 18, 2022
- 3 Comments
- Recipes
These gooey leftover oatmeal cookies are the solution to your leftover oatmeal food waste! Made with a handful of staple pantry ingredients, these cookies are soft, gooey and make for the best snack.

I’m always looking for leftover oatmeal recipes because I don’t want it to go to waste! This recipe came out of inspiration of always having leftover oatmeal after breakfast.
What do you do with leftover oatmeal? We usually just toss it, and I HATE wasting food.
If you’re wondering what to make with leftover oatmeal, this cookie recipe is perfect for you and can be a great meal prep oats method.
Leftover oatmeal cookies with no flour, and have a similar taste and texture to no bake cookies.
What To Do With Leftover Oatmeal
We all hate wasting food. Have you ever made a big batch of oatmeal only to watch it just sit there once you’re done?

If you also wonder what to do with leftover oatmeal or what you can make with it, here are some ideas:
- make leftover oatmeal cookies
- make leftover oatmeal muffins
- throw it in a quickbread (here’s one from Alton Brown)
- use them for overnight oats
- use them for a breading
There really are several ideas and recipes for cooked oatmeal, so it just takes a little time and creativity on your part. I happen to be partial to leftover oatmeal cookies recipes because we love cookies so much.
And chewy healthy oatmeal cookies are quick and easy!
Ingredients for Cooked Oatmeal Cookies
Here’s a list of what you’ll need to make these delicious oatmeal cookies and what you can pair with your leftover cooked oatmeal.
Because of this, they are a great cheap college snack idea!

- coconut oil (or butter)
- brown sugar
- peanut butter (or use this salted cinnamon peanut butter)
- banana
- leftover oatmeal
- rolled oats
- salt
- vanilla extract
- eggs

How To Make Leftover Oatmeal Cookies
Using leftover oatmeal not only avoids food waste but also allows you to make delicious snacks like these oatmeal cookies. They’re super easy to make – only requiring one bowl a cookie scooper and a baking pan!
I also use a silicone liner – I love this one.

- Mix dry ingredients (leftover oatmeal, flour, baking soda, cinnamon, salt, nutmeg) in large bowl and let sit.
- Mix melted coconut oil, brown sugar, maple syrup in another bowl. Add in eggs and mix gently to incorporate them.
- Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients and mix until fully dissolved. You may need to add 1-2 Tbsp of milk if it seems too dry. Don’t overmix or your cookies will not be as soft and fluffy.
- Using a cookie scooper, scoop cookies onto greased baking pan or one lined with parchment paper
- Bake for 11-14 minutes, or until cookies start to brown.
- Allow cookies to cool at least 5-10 minutes on a cooling rack.

What Else Can You Add To Your Leftover Oatmeal Cookies?
When you’re thinking of what to make with leftover oatmeal, I bet chocolate chip oatmeal cookies come to mind.
But the reality is, you can add pretty much anything to these cookies to suit your mood & preference, and what you might just fancy at the time!
- pumpkin seeds
- flax seeds
- hemp seeds
- chia seeds
- homemade trail mix
- dried cranberries
- pretzels
- crumbled graham crackers (the star in these cookie dough overnight oats)
- fruit – blueberries, strawberries and banana slices work well
- orange zest
- coconut flakes
- walnuts, pistachios, almonds, peanuts
- dried cherries (like in these cherry chocolate chip baked oatmeal cups)

Tips On Using Leftover Oatmeal For These Cookies
- These are not crispy cookies! They are meant to be soft and gooey. We can thank the mushy leftover oats and mashed banana for that.
- I’ve made these with leftover oatmeal that’s been out for hours. Put it to use!
- You can create sweet and salty flavor combo’s – chocolate chips and crushed pretzels are a dream!
How To Store Leftover Oatmeal Cookies
What should you do with leftover oatmeal cookies that you don’t eat? Freeze them, of course!
These are great freezer friendly cookies (add these to your repertoire for quick freezable toddler meals), make great gifts for neighbors, and of course, among the best postpartum snacks.
More Oatmeal Cookie Recipes
- Sweet Potato Oatmeal Cookies
- Coconut Flour Oatmeal Cookies
- Powdered Peanut Butter Cookies
- Oatmeal Raisin Peppermint Cookies
- 3 Ingredient Banana Oatmeal Cookies
Looking For A Cooked Oatmeal Recipe?
If you love oatmeal and are looking for some inspiration for some cooked oatmeal recipes, try one of these recipes out below!
Now you know how to use leftover oatmeal, you’ll have no reason not to make it!
- Sweet Potato Oatmeal Bake with Blueberries
- Baked Chocolate Oats with Banana
- Apple Pumpkin Pie Baked Oatmeal
- Anti-inflammatory Turmeric Oats
- Gingerbread Oats
- Cranberry Pomegranate Baked Oatmeal
- Banana Peach Steel Cut Baked Oatmeal
Ingredients Needed For These Cookies

Leftover Oatmeal Cookies
These gooey leftover oatmeal cookies are the solution to your leftover oatmeal food waste! Made with a handful of staple pantry ingredients, these cookies are soft, gooey and make for the best snack.
Ingredients
- 1.5 cups leftover oatmeal
- 2 cups flour
- ¼ tsp salt
- ½ tsp cinnamon
- 1/8 tsp nutmeg
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp vanilla
- ½ cup coconut oil
- 1/3 cup brown sugar
- 2 eggs
- 2 tbsp milk, optional (if dry)
- ½ cup chocolate chips
- ¼ cup maple syrup
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 350. Mix dry ingredients (leftover oatmeal, flour, baking soda, cinnamon, salt, nutmeg) in large bowl and let sit.
2. Mix melted coconut oil, brown sugar, maple syrup in another bowl. Add in eggs and mix gently to incorporate them.
3. Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients and mix until fully dissolved. You may need to add 1-2 Tbsp of milk if it seems too dry. Don’t overmix or your cookies will not be as soft and fluffy.
4. Using a cookie scooper, scoop cookies onto greased baking pan or one lined with parchment paper.
5. Bake for 11-14 minutes, or until cookies start to brown.
6. Allow cookies to cool at least 5-10 minutes on a cooling rack.
Notes
These leftover oatmeal muffins aren’t sugar free, but you can certainly reduce the sugar. I prefer to use half maple syrup (liquid) and half brown sugar. You could just do ½ cup of either, but I’ve always baked this way and I like the resulting texture and sweetness.
Recommended Products
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BetterBody Foods Organic Virgin Coconut Oil — Cold-Pressed and Unrefined Coconut Oil, Medium Temperature Cooking Oil, Great Alternative To Butter, Light Coconut Flavor and Aroma, 56 Ounce
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Organic Maple Syrup - 32 Oz. Jug - 100% Pure Canadian Maple Syrup - Small Family Farm Sourced - Grade A: Amber Rich Taste - Non-GMO, Healthy and Gluten-Free
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Bob's Red Mill Bob's Red Mill Gluten Free 1-to-1 Baking Flour, 22 Ounce, Pack of 4
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Manitoba Harvest Hemp Hearts Shelled Hemp Seeds, 24oz; 10g Plant-Based Protein & 12g Omegas per Serving, Whole 30 Approved, Vegan, Keto, Paleo, Non-GMO, Gluten Free
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Dried Cherries Unsweetened Tart Cherry, 1lb. Montmorency Tart Cherries, Dried Sour Cherries Fresh, Montmorency Dried Tart Cherries, Dried Cherries No Sugar Added, All-Natural Whole Sour Cherry 16 oz.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
15Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 211Total Fat: 10gSaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 25mgSodium: 137mgCarbohydrates: 27gFiber: 1gSugar: 11gProtein: 3g
Make This?
Tag @BucketListTummy on social media and Rate the Recipe
Why did you say no eggs necessary and then add eggs in your ingredients and instructions? Not sure what you mean here; wish it was more straight forward. Thx
I made these today. Had a big batch of leftover steel cut oats. Cookies were DELICIOUS. They were more like muffin tops but still so good! used chocolate chips. WW flour. Irish butter instead of oil. Will make again!!
So happy you liked them! Thank you for sharing your modifications 🙂