Name: Apple Cheddar Oat Cookies Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 18 min
Total time: 28 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 3/4 cup all-purpose flour (105 grams); 1/2 teaspoon baking powder; 3/4 teaspoon ground or grated nutmeg; 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt; 1/4 cup smooth applesauce; 1/3 cup honey; 2 teaspoons vanilla extract; 1 large egg; 1 medium apple, such as Granny Smith or Gala, cut into small dice (about 1 1/2 cups); 1 1/2 cups oats (155 grams); 1 1/4 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese (105 grams); 1/2 cup raisins, optional (85 grams)

There’s something wonderfully cozy about biting into a cookie that’s both comforting and unexpected. This Apple Cheddar Oat Cookies Recipe strikes that perfect balance between sweet and savory, making it an absolute delight worth baking again and again.

A white round plate is filled with a pile of golden brown oatmeal cookies, each cookie showing a rough texture with visible oats and small chunks of what looks like fruit or nuts mixed inside. The cookies are thick and unevenly shaped, showing a homemade look. The plate sits on a white marbled surface, with a glass of light brown tea placed to the right side, creating soft shadows. The overall scene has a bright and warm lighting, highlighting the crispy and chewy texture of the cookies photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Apple Cheddar Oat Cookies Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Apple Cheddar Oat Cookies Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Apple Cheddar Oat Cookies Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve pulled these Apple Cheddar Oat Cookies out when friends drop by or when I need a quick morning snack. The flavors work beautifully together, and the texture is just right — not too dense, with a little chew from the oats and a subtle crisp on the edges.

Unique Flavor Combo: The unexpected mix of sharp cheddar with sweet apples makes this cookie stand out from the usual sweet treats.
Simple Ingredients: Everything you need is probably already in your pantry—no fancy or hard-to-find stuff.
Versatile Snack: Perfect for breakfast on the go, afternoon pick-me-up, or even a lunchbox surprise.
Easy to Make: It’s straightforward with no complicated steps, so you can whip these up even on busier days.

The image shows a cooling rack filled with golden brown oatmeal cookies that have a rough, chunky texture with visible oat flakes and small pieces of what looks like dried fruit. The rack holds two rows of five cookies and one row of four, placed on a white marbled surface. To the right side, there is a full white bowl filled with dry oats and two green apples on a small wooden cutting board with a dark knife. Around the cooling rack, there are three glasses filled with amber liquid, and near the bottom left corner, a woman's hand is holding a spoon dripping honey. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

The magic of this Apple Cheddar Oat Cookies Recipe lies in the balance between each ingredient. Every single one plays a role, whether it’s adding flavor, moisture, or texture, turning this into a cookie that’s equal parts wholesome and indulgent.

Flat lay of a small mound of all-purpose flour on a simple white ceramic plate, a small white bowl filled with smooth applesauce, a small white bowl with golden honey, two whole brown eggs with clean shells, a medium diced Granny Smith apple with vibrant green skin and white flesh on a white ceramic dish, a neat pile of rolled oats on a white ceramic plate, shredded sharp cheddar cheese in a small white bowl showing bright orange color, a small white bowl holding dark raisins, and a tiny white bowl containing a mixture of ground nutmeg, kosher salt, and baking powder, all arranged symmetrically and balanced, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

All-purpose flour: Provides structure to hold everything together without making the cookies tough.
Baking powder: Helps the cookies rise just enough, keeping them from being dense.
Nutmeg: Adds a warm, cozy hint of spice that pairs beautifully with apples and cheddar.
Kosher salt: Balances sweetness and enhances the flavors in the cookie.
Applesauce: Keeps the cookies moist, naturally sweet, and soft.
Honey: Adds gentle sweetness plus a subtle floral note you can’t replicate with sugar alone.
Vanilla extract: Boosts the overall flavor profile with its sweet aroma.
Egg: Binds all the ingredients together and adds richness.
Apple (Granny Smith or Gala): Fresh diced apple brings bursts of juicy freshness that contrast wonderfully with the cheddar.
Oats: Offer chewiness and heartiness—making these cookies feel a little like a wholesome breakfast.
Sharp cheddar cheese: The star ingredient that lends a tangy, savory twist you don’t expect in a cookie but absolutely love.
Raisins (optional): I like adding these for a touch of extra sweetness and chew, but they’re totally optional.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One of my favorite things about this Apple Cheddar Oat Cookies Recipe is how easy it is to tweak according to what you love or have on hand. I often swap in different apples or toss in nuts for extra crunch—don’t be afraid to make this recipe your own.

Variation: Once, I tried using a smoked cheddar instead of sharp cheddar, which added a beautiful depth of flavor. Definitely worth experimenting if you love smoky notes!
Dietary swap: Use maple syrup instead of honey to make it vegan-friendly, and swap the egg for a flax egg to keep the texture intact.
Seasonal changes: In fall, I like stirring in some chopped toasted pecans and swapping nutmeg for cinnamon for a more autumn vibe.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Apple Cheddar Oat Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Prep and Mix the Dry Ingredients

Start by lining a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat to keep your cookies from sticking. Then, whisk together the flour, baking powder, nutmeg, and kosher salt in a small bowl. This dry mix ensures even distribution of the leavening and spices, which helps the cookies bake consistently. I like sifting the flour with the baking powder to avoid clumps—it makes a noticeable difference in texture.

Step 2: Combine the Wet Ingredients

In a large bowl, whisk the applesauce, honey, vanilla extract, and egg until everything is smooth and well combined. This wet base is what keeps your cookies moist and chewy, and it’s where a lot of the sweet and tangy flavors start to come together.

Step 3: Mix it All Up

Pour your dry ingredients into the wet mixture and whisk gently until you see no dry patches of flour—don’t overdo it; we want the cookies to stay tender. Then fold in the diced apples, oats, shredded cheddar, and raisins if you’re using them. The dough will look a bit sticky and loose — that’s how you know your cookies will turn out soft inside with a nice hold.

Step 4: Shape the Cookies

Use a ¼ cup scoop or weigh out approximately 60 grams of dough for each cookie. Using your hands, gently shape each portion into a round about ¾ inch thick—think mini burger patties. Place them on your sheet pan close together; they won’t spread much, so no worries about spacing. I find shaping the dough with lightly dampened hands prevents sticking and makes the process quicker.

Step 5: Bake and Cool

Bake the cookies at 350°F (175°C) for 16 to 18 minutes. Look for the edges to turn a warm golden brown and listen for a subtle sizzling sound. I learned to check the bottom of a cookie for that even browning as a sign they’re perfectly baked – it’s a handy trick to avoid underbaking. When done, let them cool completely on a wire rack; they’ll firm up and get that ideal chewy-soft texture I adore.

Top Tip

Through testing this Apple Cheddar Oat Cookies Recipe, I realized that a few small tweaks make all the difference between a good cookie and an unforgettable one. Here’s what really helps me every time:

Cheese choice: Always opt for a sharp cheddar; mild cheese just won’t give you that tangy kick that balances the sweetness.
Don’t overmix: When combining wet and dry ingredients, mix just enough to bring it together. Overworking makes cookies tough, and you want tenderness here.
Shape carefully: Using measuring cups or a scale ensures uniform cookies that bake evenly — no one likes one cookie burnt and another underdone.
Check doneness visually: Use the cookie bottoms for checking browning rather than relying solely on the clock. Oven temps vary and this will save you from guesswork.

How to Serve Apple Cheddar Oat Cookies Recipe

Apple Cheddar Cookies - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I love serving these cookies simply, letting their unique flavor shine. Sometimes I sprinkle a pinch of flaky sea salt on top right after baking to enhance the savory edge a little more — it’s such a nice surprise in every bite.

Side Dishes

Pairing them with a warm cup of chai or a sharp cheddar cheese board makes for a cozy afternoon snack. They also make a great match with apple cider or pear-infused tea, which brings out the fruity notes beautifully.

Creative Ways to Present

For brunch gatherings, I’ve layered these Apple Cheddar Oat Cookies on a platter with sliced apples, small wedges of cheddar, and a drizzle of honey on the side. It’s a crowd-pleaser and looks lovely on the table, plus guests love grabbing a cookie with a bit of cheese.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I usually keep these cookies in an airtight container in the fridge, where they stay fresh and tasty for up to a week. Just make sure they’re completely cooled before storing to avoid sogginess.

Freezing

Freezing these cookies works like a charm. I freeze them in a single layer first, then stack with parchment sheets between layers in a freezer-safe container. When you’re ready, just thaw at room temperature — it’s a lifesaver for busy weeks.

Reheating

To enjoy cookies as if freshly baked, reheat them briefly in the oven at 300°F (150°C) for about 5 minutes. This revives the crisp edges and melted cheese aroma wonderfully. Avoid microwaving if you want to keep that texture intact.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use other types of cheese besides sharp cheddar?

While sharp cheddar packs the ideal tanginess to balance the sweetness of apples, you can experiment with other cheeses like gouda or fontina for a milder flavor. Avoid very strong cheeses like blue cheese as they can overpower the cookie's taste.

Will these cookies be gluten-free?

Not as written, since they use all-purpose flour and oats which might contain gluten. For a gluten-free version, substitute the flour with gluten-free all-purpose flour and ensure your oats are labeled gluten-free.

Can I make the dough ahead and bake later?

Yes! You can mix the dough and store it covered in the fridge for up to 24 hours before baking. Just give it a gentle stir before scooping and shaping the cookies.

Why are my cookies turning out dry?

Dry cookies usually happen from overbaking or mixing the dough too much. Be sure to bake just until the edges brown and the bottom has a golden hue, then let them cool; they’ll firm up perfectly. Also, mixing the ingredients just enough to combine helps keep them tender.

Final Thoughts

This Apple Cheddar Oat Cookies Recipe is one of those rare finds that surprises you with every bite. It’s cozy, comforting, and just a little bit playful with the mix of flavors. I always feel a little spark of joy baking them, and I’m sure you’ll feel it too. Give this recipe a try and watch how these cookies quickly become a beloved staple in your kitchen!