Description

If you’re on the lookout for a quick and tasty dessert, you’ve come to the right place. Our Instant Oatmeal Cookies are perfect for those busy days when you need something sweet in a hurry. These cookies are soft, chewy, and bursting with flavor. Using instant oatmeal packets not only adds convenience but also gives you a variety of flavors to play with, from maple and brown sugar to cinnamon spice. Get ready to whip up a batch in just 20 minutes!

Ingredients

Scale

½ cup unsalted butter (room temperature)
½ cup brown sugar
1 large egg
¾ cup all-purpose flour
3 instant oatmeal packets (about 1 ⅓ cups or 129 grams; any flavor like maple & brown sugar or cinnamon)
½ teaspoon baking soda
¼ teaspoon kosher salt

For those with dietary restrictions or preferences, here are some helpful substitutions:

Dairy-Free: Use a plant-based butter.
Gluten-Free: Swap out the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend.
Low Sugar: Substitute the brown sugar with coconut sugar or a sugar-free alternative.

These easy-to-find ingredients ensure that you can whip up a batch of cookies any time, even on short notice.

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat the Oven

Set your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent the cookies from sticking.

Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugar

In a large bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer, beat the softened butter and brown sugar together on medium speed. Keep beating for about 3 minutes until the mixture is light and fluffy.

Step 3: Add the Egg

Crack in the egg and mix until it’s fully incorporated. Don’t worry if the mixture looks a bit curdled – it’s perfectly normal!

Step 4: Mix in the Dry Ingredients

Add the flour, instant oatmeal packets, baking soda, and kosher salt to the bowl. Stir everything together until a smooth cookie dough forms. You’ll notice the wonderful aroma of the flavored oatmeal packets at this stage.

Step 5: Scoop and Bake

Using a small cookie scoop, drop balls of cookie dough onto the lined baking sheet, leaving space between each cookie to allow them to spread. Bake in the preheated oven for 10-11 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and the centers look just set.

Step 6: Cool the Cookies

Once baked, remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for at least 10 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Tip: For an extra chewy texture, slightly underbake the cookies by pulling them out of the oven just before the centers fully set.

Notes

Use room temperature butter: This ensures that the butter and sugar cream together properly, creating a light and fluffy texture.
Experiment with flavors: Instant oatmeal packets come in a variety of flavors like apple cinnamon, maple brown sugar, and even banana nut. Feel free to mix and match!
Chill the dough: If you want thicker cookies, chill the dough for 30 minutes before baking.

By following these tips, you’ll ensure your Instant Oatmeal Cookies turn out perfectly every time.