Best cowboy cookies! This easy cowboy cookie recipe makes chewy oatmeal cookies packed with coconut, pecans, and chocolate chunks. 
Sometimes it’s nice to make just a basic oatmeal cookie. Something simple and comforting and easy.
Other times, it’s nice to make a cookie that’s loaded with all sorts of good things – like monster cookies or these cowboy cookies.
These cowboy cookies are soft, chewy oatmeal cookies that have plenty of chocolate chunks, pecans, and coconut in them.
What are cowboy cookies?
Cowboy cookies are oatmeal cookies that have pecans, chocolate chips or chunks, and coconut in them.
There are lots of variations, and some recipes include peanut butter, corn flakes, M&M’s, or other ingredients.
This cowboy cookie recipe, though, is a traditional recipe that just has the basics in it.
How to make cowboy cookies
Begin by melting the butter. I recommend melting the butter most of the way and then whisking it to finish melting.
It takes 40 seconds in my microwave. You don’t want the butter to be hot and sizzling. It should look like the butter in the second picture once it’s melted.
Next, add the brown sugar.
Whisk in the brown sugar until combined.
Then, add the egg, egg yolk, and vanilla. Whisk in until combined.
Add the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Whisk in until combined.
Whisk in the oats until combined.
Add the pecans, coconut, and chocolate chunks. Mix in until incorporated.
Scoop the dough and place on prepared baking sheets, spacing about 2-inches apart.
Do I have to use chopped baking chocolate?
No, you can use 10-12 ounces semisweet (or milk or bittersweet) chocolate chips instead.
How to store
Store the cookies in an airtight container or resealable bag.
How long will the cookies keep?
The cookies will keep for 3-4 days.
More cookie recipes!
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Cowboy Cookies
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup butter (melted¹)
- 1 ½ cups light brown sugar (packed)
- 1 large egg
- 1 egg yolk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour²
- 3/4 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt³
- 1 ½ cups old-fashioned oats
- 4 ounces semisweet baking chocolate⁴ (chopped)
- 1 cup shredded coconut
- 1 cup chopped pecans
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats. Set aside.
- Add the melted butter and brown sugar to a large mixing bowl, and whisk until well-combined.
- Whisk in the egg, egg yolk, and vanilla until well-combined.
- Add the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Whisk in until just combined.
- Whisk in the oats just until incorporated.
- Add the baking chocolate, pecans, and coconut, and whisk in until combined.
- Drop by 1.5 tablespoon scoops (medium cookie scoops) 2 inches apart on prepared baking sheet.
- Bake 8-14 minutes. The cookies should be light golden brown at the edges but look underdone in the middle. This will help to keep them soft and chewy.⁵
Video
Notes
- I recommend melting the butter most of the way and then whisking to finish melting the butter. It takes about 40 seconds in my microwave.
- Be sure to either weigh or sift or stir the flour, lightly spoon into the measuring cup, and then level to avoid packing in the flour.
- Or 1/4 teaspoon table salt.
- Or 12 ounces semisweet chocolate chips
- Overbaking the cookies will give you a crunchier cookie.
- Nutrition values are estimates.
Nutrition Information
Keitisha says
Everyone loves this recipe!
Kate says
Thank you! I’m so glad that it’s been a hit!
Trisha says
Recipe looks delicious. Can I use Almond flour instead?
Kate says
Thank you! I haven’t tried almond flour in this recipe, so I’m not sure whether you could sub it in without having to adjust the eggs.
Debbie says
This recipe sounds great… any ideas for replacing the oatmeal? I’m allergic
Kate says
Hi! Thank you! There are some subs for oatmeal, like ground flax, but I’m not sure how well it will work in this cookie. Would you be interested in coconut chocolate chip cookies instead?
April Taylor says
We love these cookies, since quarantine form corona I’ve made them 3 times!! Prob our favorite cookie now! 5 stars for sure!!!
Kate says
Thank you so much!! I really appreciate hearing that. =) Thank you for taking the time to comment!
Janice Wren says
No did not sift as thought that was just meant for U.S. flour? Will try that next time & will cut down on the coconut. Thank you! Flavour is still very good.
Kate says
Of course! =) It’s really just meant to keep the flour from being compacted. If you don’t want to sift or weigh, you can also use less flour, and that will help the cookies spread more. If you have any questions or if I can help with anything, please feel free to ask!
Sami says
Just the best!!! Weighed the ingredients and they came out perfect!
Kate says
Thank you!! I know it can seem fussy at first, but it’s amazing how much of a difference weighing the ingredients can make. =)
Janice Wren says
These were very dry & hard to bind. I followed your recipe to the T, followed the pictures & ingredients precisely. I used a hand whisk, should I have used my electric mixer. They taste delicious but had to end up throwing out a cup of ingredients because there was not enough dough to bind it.
Kate says
There’s one reason why the dough would be dry. Did you weigh or sift your flour?
Lisa says
I used 12 ounces of chocolate chips and it was way too much. There was hardly any dough to bind everything together. I ended up making bars out of the last 1/2 of the dough. The flavor was good.
Kate says
Hey! Thanks for sharing that about the chocolate chips! I really love using the chopped baking chocolate bar in this recipe. =)
Mary - Windy Meadows Farm says
These came out perfect…delicious! I didn’t have pecans so I just added extra chips and oats to equal one cup. Thanks so much!
Kate says
Thank you so much! I’m happy to hear that you liked the cookies. =) Thanks for commenting!
Jessica says
My favorite cowboy cookie recipe! This has become a favorite at my house. Thanks for sharing!
Kate says
Yay!! I’m happy to hear that! Thanks for commenting. =)
Mary says
This cookie has been a disaster for me. I’m an experienced baker.
So many dry ingredients it will not bind. I even added an extra egg but it barely helped. I had to force the dough in to the scoop. They did not spread & not even close to chewy. Only cooked 4 cause I knew something was wrong. Went over the recipe many times. Can you help me out so I don’t have to toss the dough?
Kate says
I’m happy to help! From what you described, it sounds like the ratios in the dough were off. There are step-by-step photos if you scroll up from the recipe, and that may help, too. To save this dough, it sounds like you need more fat (melted butter) in order to get the spread and chew.
For next time, I’m happy to troubleshoot with you. I really think something happened with the dry ingredients, and I’d like to help you figure out what that was.
Rosa says
These were such a success and absolutely amazing! We couldn’t get enough of them
Kate says
Thank you! I’m so glad to hear that! =)
Sherri says
one egg and yolk? can i get one eggs or two eggs?
Kate says
The reason that I use one egg and one egg yolk is because the fat in the extra egg yolk helps to make the cookies chewier. You can certainly try it with two eggs and see how it works out!
Raquel Bogan says
Is there something else that can be used instead of coconut? My youngest son is allergic to coconut.
Kate says
Yes, you could add more nuts, or you could leave the coconut out. Hope that helps! =)
Diana says
Butter in gram plz!
Kate says
Hi! If you click on “metric” underneath the ingredients, it will show you the weights in grams.
Michelle says
Super easy and super delicious!
Kate says
Thanks! I’m so glad that you liked the cookies! Thanks for commenting! =)
Linda says
This is the best cowboy cookie recipe! I made them to take to my ladies’ lunch, and they didn’t last long.
Kate says
Thank you so much! I’m glad you liked the cookies. =) Thanks for commenting!
Kelsey says
Delicious! I liked that they were soft and chewy and not flat and crispy like other recipes I’ve tried.
Kate says
Thank you! I’m glad you liked the cookies! Thanks for commenting. =)