Coconut Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies

These cookies combine tender coconut-oil based dough with a satisfying mix of steel-cut and old-fashioned oats, shredded coconut, and melty chocolate chips. They have soft, chewy centers and slightly crisp edges.  Perfect for some weekend baking! Easy to scoop, bake, and even easier to enjoy!

Ingredients Needed

  • flour
  • baking soda
  • kosher salt
  • dark brown sugar
  • white sugar
  • egg
  • vanilla
  • coconut extract – optional
  • coconut oil – this recipe is a little different in that it uses oil instead of butter.  I prefer coconut oil here because it lends well to the mellow coconut flavor in the cookies, but you can substitute vegetable oil here as well.
  • quick steel cut oats – I used Quaker 3-Minute Steel Cut Oats. Steel Cut oats are whole oat groats that have been chopped into pieces.  They have an entirely different texture than regular old fashioned oats, and I knew they would be really great in a cookie!
  • old fashioned oats – you can make this recipe with all steel cut oats, but I found I especially liked it with a combination of steel cut and old fashioned.  It’s just more great texture and the old fashioned oats help give the cookies a little shape. But I’ve made them several times both ways, and they’re super delicious with all steel cut as well.  My family was split on which version they like better.
  • shredded sweetened coconut flakes
  • dark or semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • My go-to cookie making supplies are a cookie scoop and a silicone baking sheet.

How to Make Coconut Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies

This is a simple overview of the recipe, you’ll find a full printable recipe below!

  1. Preheat oven and prep baking sheets.
  2. Mix sugars, egg, vanilla, extracts, and coconut oil until smooth.
  3. Stir in dry ingredients, then fold in oats, coconut, and chocolate chips.
  4. Scoop dough onto baking sheets and bake until edges are set and centers look soft.
  5. Let cool briefly on the pan, then transfer to a rack.
Chewy Coconut Cookie

Storage & Other Tips

  • Once cooled, store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 – 5 days. This helps keep them soft and chewy.
  • Cookies freeze really well for up to 3 months. First, flash freeze them spread out on a baking sheet, then pack in an airtight container or freezer-safe bag with parchment paper between layers.
  • You can also make the cookie dough ahead of time. You can scoop or shape the dough into balls and freeze them on a tray until firm. Then, store in a bag or container and freeze for up to 3 months. You can bake them straight from frozen, just add a minute or two to the baking time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did my cookies turn out cakey instead of chewy?

If your cookies seem too cake-like, it may be from over-mixing after adding the flour. Always mix gently and measure flour carefully, ideally spooning it into your measuring cup or using a scale.

Why didn’t my cookies stay soft?

If they firm up too much, storing them airtight at room temperature is key. To revive chewiness, sometimes I stick a slice of bread in the container to help retain moisture.

Can I use quick oats instead of old fashioned oats?

Quick oats will change the texture and make the cookies less chewy. Old-fashioned oats give the best hearty bite.

Can I swap the coconut oil for butter?

Sure, but just know we haven’t tested it that way and can’t guarantee the results. It will give a slightly different flavor and texture, probably richer and more traditional. The coconut oil gives it a light coconut note.

Can I add nuts or other mix-ins?

Yes! Pecans or walnuts work great alongside the oats, coconut, and chocolate.

Coconut Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies

5 from 10 votes
Soft and chewy cookies loaded with a satisfying mix of steel-cut and old-fashioned oats, shredded coconut, and melty chocolate chunks.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings24 cookies

Ingredients

  • 1 cup flour
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt if using table salt, use closer to ¼ teaspoon
  • ½ cup dark brown sugar
  • ¼ cup white sugar
  • 1 egg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1 teaspoon coconut extract optional
  • ½ cup coconut oil melted
  • ½ cup quick cooking steel cut oats I used Quaker 3-Minute Steel Cut Oats
  • ½ cup old fashioned oats
  • ½ cup shredded sweetened coconut flakes
  • ¾ cup chocolate chips dark or semi-sweet

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  • Combine flour, baking soda and salt in a bowl and set aside.
  • In a mixing bowl, combine brown and white sugars, egg, vanilla, extracts, and coconut oil.
  • Mix until well blended and add in flour mixture.
  • When well combined, add in oats, coconut, and chocolate chips and mix until combined. Use a cookie scoop to portion dough into balls and place baking sheets.
  • Bake for 9-11 minutes or until edges are set and centers still appear soft. Remove from oven and let sit for 2-3 minutes before transferring cookies to a cooling rack.

Nutrition

Calories: 120kcal, Carbohydrates: 15g, Protein: 1g, Fat: 6g, Saturated Fat: 5g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.2g, Monounsaturated Fat: 0.4g, Trans Fat: 0.001g, Cholesterol: 7mg, Sodium: 75mg, Potassium: 37mg, Fiber: 0.3g, Sugar: 10g, Vitamin A: 10IU, Calcium: 11mg, Iron: 0.4mg
Course: Desserts
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Coconut Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies
Calories: 120kcal
Author: Sara Wells
Cost: $5
Did You Make This Recipe?Snap a picture, and hashtag it #ourbestbites. We love to see your creations on our Instagram @ourbestbites!
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Meet The Author

Sara Wells

Sara Wells co-founded Our Best Bites in 2008. She is the author of three Bestselling Cook Books, Best Bites: 150 Family Favorite RecipesSavoring the Seasons with Our Best Bites, and 400 Calories or Less from Our Best Bites. Sara’s work has been featured in many local and national news outlets and publications such as Parenting MagazineBetter Homes & GardensFine CookingThe Rachel Ray Show and the New York Times.

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Questions & Reviews

  1. We LOVE oats in our family. Every morning, my son asks for oatmeal. I make everything from plain oatmeal to granola bars, to your wonderful oatmeal pancakes 😉 Amazing yummy stuff. I will have to try these… coconut is good with anything!!

  2. I love “why start with breakfast when you can start with cookies?” It sounds like a good philosophy for every morning.

  3. Do you think I could make a 3-minute steel-cut oat variation just by throwing steel-cut oats in my food processor and pulsing them a bit?

    1. I was wondering the same thing. I might try soaking two or three tablespoons of steel cuts in boiling water until they swell up, then drain and dry them before adding to the dough.

  4. The wife is just into steel cut oats lately and honestly, I like the texture. Chocolate and coconut is just a win win for everyone. Looks nice.

  5. Steel cut oats are my new obsession so these look awesome! I hadn’t thought of baking with them. The question is…will these oats be one of the many fun products available in the US that never makes it north of the border?! I will have to keep my eyes peeled (or win the prize, but the chances of that are slim!)

  6. Oh im definitely gonna keep my eyes out for these to try. I have quick cooking steel cut oats every. Single. Morning so I’m always looking for new ones to try!! Eek hope I win! 40 weeks, 5 days here and this would be great for baking up some ” nursing” cookies. ( just an excuse to eat lots more cookies while nursing, right?!)