Monster Cookies are soft, chewy, colorful, and full of delicious goodies! Loaded with oats, peanut butter, chocolate chips, and M&M's, anyone who loves cookies will instantly fall in love with these delightfully monstrous treats. Take a bite once and you'll be hooked forever!
The idea behind this classic treat is to combine three types of cookies into one: Chocolate chip, Peanut Butter, and oatmeal. And to make it even more scrumptious, we’re throwing in a generous amount of candy-coated chocolates for a nice pop of color and texture. Cheap to make, easy to bake, and dangerously delicious, these monster cookies are sure to make your day a little sweeter.
Why You’ll Love this Monster Cookie Recipe
- The best of three worlds. Although oats, peanut butter, and chocolate chips may seem like an unlikely trio, it’s a classic that everyone loves. The oats add a chewy texture, the peanut butter gives a nutty sweetness, and the chocolate chips provide that melt-in-your-mouth goodness. And of course, who wouldn’t like those M&M’s?
- Easy to bake. It only takes 30 minutes for these cookies to come out of the oven smelling like heaven, but it can possibly make you crave for a day. Plus, there’s no need to chill the dough before baking, so you can have your monster cookies in no time!
- An all-around treat. Whether you’re looking for a quick snack to munch on during the day or a special dessert to serve your guests, these monster cookies have got you covered. Kids will definitely enjoy these rainbow treats, and adults won’t be able to resist them either!
- Customizable. Add your unique twist to the recipe by using a different nut butter, opting for white chocolate or butterscotch chips, adding other mix-ins, or even incorporating a few of your favorite spices. And if you want to make your cookie extra special, top it with some ice cream or chocolate syrup!
Ingredient Notes
To make these delicious Monster Cookies, you will need the following ingredients (full measurements in recipe card below):
- all-purpose flour - suitable for almost all types of baked goods.
- baking soda + powder - gives the cookies a light, airy texture.
- salt - enhances all the flavors in the cookies.
- peanut butter - use creamy peanut butter to add a rich, buttery flavor yet still keep the cookies soft.
- butter - use melted butter to easily blend with the peanut butter.
- sugar - I use both white (granulated) and dark brown sugars to produce light, chewy, and moist cookies.
- egg - binds everything together and maintains structure.
- vanilla extract - adds a nice flavor and aroma.
- old-fashioned rolled oats - these hold their shape during baking and provide a chewier texture than quick oats.
- chocolate chips - use store-bought chocolate chips or chop up your favorite chocolate bar. We used mini chocolate chips, but you can also use regular sized ones.
- M&M’s - adds a fun pop of color and texture. We used mini m&m's, but you can also use regular sized ones.
You will also need measuring cups and spoons, large baking sheets, stand mixer or hand mixer, ice cream or cookie scoop, and wire rack.
How to Make the Best Monster Cookies
- Combine dry ingredients. In a medium to large sized mixing bowl, add in flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Whisk well to combine and set aside.
- Combine wet ingredients. In a large mixing bowl, add the peanut butter and melted butter, then whisk until smooth. Add in the brown sugar, white sugar, eggs, and vanilla, then whisk again until smooth.
- Add dry ingredients to wet. Add in the flour mixture. Use a spatula to fold together until well-combined.
- Fold in mix ins. Add in the rolled oats, chocolate chips, and m&m’s. Fold until well-dispersed.
- Scoop cookies. Using a medium cookie scoop, scoop out your cookies onto a large baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Press in extra chocolate chips and M&M's on top of the cookies, if desired.
- Chill. Cover lightly with plastic wrap and place the cookies into the fridge to rest for 4 hours (up to overnight). Note: These cookies can be baked immediately and do not require to be chilled – however the rest makes them thicker and chewier!
- Bake. Bake the cookies in batches by adding 6 cookie dough balls onto a large baking sheet lined with parchment paper, placed at least 2-3 inches apart. Bake in a 350F preheated oven for 11-13 minutes. Allow the cookies to cool for 5 minutes on the pan before transferring onto a wire rack to cool completely. Repeat baking in batches with remaining cookie dough balls.
Recipe Variations
- Put in a surprise filling. Stuff a big chunk of chocolate, Reese's mini peanut butter cups, or tiny marshmallows in the middle of each cookie for a delicious surprise!
- Make it big. Double the recipe and surprise your family with a giant cookie treat. Who won't say yes to a six-inch monster cookie? It’s a monster, after all.
- Match your mood. Switch up the color of the M&M's to match any holiday or special occasion. Red, white, and blue for the 4th of July, pastel colors for Easter, or red and green for Christmas.
How to Serve
Dip these delicious Monster Cookies in a glass of cold milk or top them off with a scoop of your favorite ice cream. Serve them at your next birthday party, holiday gathering, or just a random weeknight dinner with other desserts and drinks like:
- Vanilla Ice Cream with Strawberry Jam
- Chocolate Whoopie Pies
- Pumpkin Spice Latte
- Chocolate Pecan Pie
- Cold Brew Coffee
- White Hot Chocolate
Recipe Tips and Tricks
- Don’t overmix. You’ll want to mix just enough until the dry ingredients are incorporated into the wet ones to keep the texture soft, chewy, and gooey — exactly what you want from a cookie!
- Use a scoop. Scooping out cookie dough with a spoon and shaping it into a ball can take forever. An ice cream or cookie scoop is the perfect tool for getting consistently sized cookies without the fuss.
- Don’t overbake. The cookies should still be slightly soft when you take them out of the oven. The residual heat will help them finish baking as they cool.
- Soften the butter. Any cookie recipe will benefit from softened butter as it helps create a light and airy cookie. Make sure to take out the butter 30 minutes before baking or if you’re in a rush, microwave it in 10-second intervals until soft but not melted.
Storing Instructions
How to Store
Keep your cookies fresh and delicious by placing them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. You can also store them in the fridge for up to a month, but the texture will suffer the longer it is stored.
How to Reheat
Enjoy a warm cookie after meals by popping it into the microwave for 10-15 seconds or until warm.
How to Freeze
Place your baked cookies in a freezer-safe container or freezer bag and freeze for up to 3 months. You can also freeze the dough balls for up to 3 months if you want to have ready-to-bake cookies all the time. Just allow them to thaw overnight in the fridge before popping into the oven to bake.
More Cookie Recipes
- 50 Best Cookie Recipes
- Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
- Chocolate Chunk Peanut Butter Cookies
- M&M Christmas Cookies
- Brownie Cookies
- Coffee Cookies
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