• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
To Simply Inspire
  • About Me
    • Contact
    • Press
  • Recipe Index
  • Appetizers
  • Breakfast
  • Main Dishes
  • Desserts
  • On the Lighter Side Recipes
  • Salads
  • Side Dishes
  • Soups and Stews
  • Shop
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
menu icon
go to homepage
  • All Recipes
  • By Course
  • Holidays
  • Shop
  • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • All Recipes
    • By Course
    • Holidays
    • Shop
    • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×
    Home » Recipes » Cookies

    Cowboy Cookies

    Published: Jul 26, 2022 · Modified: May 23, 2025 by Sherri · This post may contain affiliate links · 9 Comments

    3137 shares
    • Facebook
    Jump to Recipe
    woman's fingers holding a oatmeal cookie over a stack of three cookies

    Cowboy Cookies, aka Ranger Cookies, are a hearty yet soft and chewy oatmeal cookies with some nutty crunch, ooey-gooey chocolate chips, flakes of coconut, and fully loaded with flavor!

    five cowboy cookies with oats, chocolate chips, chopped pecans and coconut

    Oatmeal Cowboy Cookie Recipe

    I’m a firm believer that some of the best cookies are the simplest cookies and these cowboy cookies are one of my favorites! Like these, Apple Oatmeal Cookies, they have the perfect balance of texture and taste and are so easy to make, yet fully loaded and wholesome.

    These delicious cookies are a no-fuss basic recipe that comes together in one bowl resulting in a batch of thick, soft, and chunky cookies that taste like they’re made fresh in a bakery.

    It’s the kind of recipe that you turn to when you’re craving something sweet but when you want something more unique than just a classic chocolate chip cookie!

    Looking for another new cookie recipes to try? These Butter Pecan Cookies are a must make too!

    WANT TO SAVE THIS RECIPE?

    Enter your email below and we’ll send you this recipe so you can come back to it any time! (as well as our new recipes weekly!)

    Single Post Emails

    five cowboy cookies with chocolate chips, oats, pecans and shredded coconut.

    Cowboy Cookie Ingredients

    You might want to double the batch because these won’t last long!

    several small white bowls with ingredients for cowboy cookies - flour, sugar, oats, chocolate chips, coconut, pecans, egg, vanilla extract and stick of butter

    • Butter, softened: Bring to room temperature beforehand so it creams easily. It also helps to keep these cookies chewy as opposed to crispy. Use salted or unsalted butter.
    • Light Brown sugar: You can also use dark brown sugar or white sugar, if you’d like.
    • Large egg
    • Vanilla extract: I like to use a high-quality pure vanilla extract.
    • Old fashioned rolled oats: Use quick oats too but they won’t be quite as hearty.
    • All-purpose flour: Use any favorite brand. I have even make them with gluten free 1:1 flour
    • Baking soda
    • Add-ins: Chocolate chips, chopped pecans or walnuts, shredded coconut. Use semi-sweet, milk chocolate, dark chocolate, or white chocolate chips. chocolate chunks, peanut butter chips, or butterscotch chips. If you’re not a coconut fan, you can leave it out.

    How to Make Our Cowboy Cookies

    Here are the simple steps to making these amazing kitchen sink cookies. Just be sure to grab a couple before they’re gone!

    glass bowl with butter and sugar being mixed togethe

    Step 1: In a large bowl, cream butter and brown sugar using medium speed of an electric mixer. After about 2 minutes it should be creamy and beige. For this, you can also use a stand mixer.

    glass bowl of cowboy cookie dough with

    Step 2: Beat in the egg and vanilla extract, scraping down the sides as you go. Then, add the oats, flour, and baking soda and mix until the dry ingredients are just combined. Do not overmix!

    cowboy cookie dough in a glass mixing dough

    Step 3: Here’s when you’ll add the chocolate chips, shredded coconut, and chopped pecans. Gently fold them in. Again, be careful not to overmix.

    eight balls of cookie dough on parchment paper lined baking sheet

    Step 4: Scoop out the dough using a large cookie scoop and place them far enough apart on the cookie sheet so that they have room to spread a bit. Bake them for 12-14 minutes until the edges of the cookies start to get golden brown. Remove from the oven and let cool for one minute on the pan then transfer them to a cooling rack.

    Other Add-In Suggestions

    1: Add a teaspoon of cinnamon.
    2: Add ¼ cup of crushed pretzels, rice Krispies or even corn flakes.
    3: Add dried fruit like raisins or dried cranberries.
    4: Toss in some mini M&Ms, or Reese’s pieces.

    closeup of a cowboy cookies with chopped pecans, chocolate chips, oats and coconut

    Tips

    For a crispier cookie, use melted butter. Keep in mind they will also be thinner!

    Use a cookie scoop to make sure every cookie is the same size.

    Why are they called Cowboy Cookies??

    No one knows! Some folks say it’s because they were a snack or treat given to cowboys in the Old West for energy, sort of like trail mix in cookie form. Other people think they originated in Texas, which is considered the cowboy capital. I’m not sure which version of the story I prefer!

    If you like this recipe, please leave us a comment and rate it in the recipe card. We would love for you to join us and over 300,000 followers on Facebook as well as on Pinterest and Instagram too!

    closeup of an oatmeal cookie with chocolate chips, pecans and coconut.

    Easy Cowboy Cookies Recipe

    Cowboy Cookies, aka Ranger Cookies, are a hearty yet soft and chewy oatmeal cookies with some nutty crunch, ooey-gooey chocolate chips, flakes of coconut, and fully loaded with flavor!
    5 from 37 votes
    Prevent your screen from going dark
    Print Pin Share Rate
    Course: Dessert, Snack
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 15 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 25 minutes minutes
    Servings: 18 cookies
    Calories: 195kcal
    Author: Sherri Hagymas

    Ingredients

    • ½ cup butter softened, 1 stick
    • 1 cup brown sugar
    • 1 large egg
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    • 1 ¼ cups old fashioned oats
    • ¾ cup all-purpose flour
    • ½ teaspoon baking soda
    • ½ cup chocolate chips
    • ½ cup shredded coconut
    • ½ cup chopped pecans

    Instructions

    • Preheat oven to 350° F and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
    • In a large mixing bowl, add the softened butter and brown sugar and beat on medium speed for 2 minutes . You can also use the bowl of a stand mixer.
    • Add the egg and vanilla extract and beat until blended in. (scrape down the side if necessary)
    • Then add in the oats, flour, and baking soda and mix until just barely combined , being careful not to over-mix.
    • Next, add the chocolate chips, shredded coconut, and chopped pecans and gently stir them into the dough.
    • Using a cookie scoop or spoon, scoop out 1 ½ tablespoons of dough and place it on the baking sheets 2 inches apart.
    • Bake for 12-14 minutes or until the edges start to brown.
    • Allow the cookies to cool completely on the pan before storing them in an airtight container.

    Notes

    Store at room temperature for up to 4-5 days.
    Use quick oats instead of old-fashioned oats if desired.
    Use gluten free one-on-one flour like Bob’s Red Mill if needed.
    Use semi-sweet chocolate chips, dark chocolate chocolate chips or milk chocolate chips.
    Substitute walnut for pecans.
    Add ½ cup of mini M&Ms or Reese’s Pieces if desired.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1cookie | Calories: 195kcal | Carbohydrates: 25g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 25mg | Sodium: 89mg | Potassium: 69mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 16g | Vitamin A: 185IU | Vitamin C: 0.1mg | Calcium: 25mg | Iron: 1mg

    Nutritional Disclosure

    Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should only be used as an approximation.

    Tried this recipe?We love seeing your pictures! Mention @ToSimplyInspire or tag #ToSimplyInspire!

    More Cookies

    • A white plate with seven round lemon sugar cookies on a white surface.
      Lemon Sugar Cookies
    • A Easter basket cookie cup filled with green icing, topped with three candy eggs: one blue, one yellow, and one speckled.
      Easter Basket Cookies
    • Easter cookies with pastel-colored M&M candies in shapes of bunny head with ears on a white plate.
      Easter Cookies
    • Close-up of cranberry orange cookies recipe drizzle with a simple icing on a cooling rack.
      Cranberry Orange Cookies

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Alli

      February 11, 2025 at 4:18 pm

      5 stars
      These are so good. I melted the butter for a chewy cookie. Added everything plus butterscotch chips and 1/4 c. Puff rice cereal. Chilled the dough for 30 min then let sit out 5 min before baking.

      Reply
    2. Cyndi

      December 17, 2023 at 6:31 pm

      Why did my cookies come out so flat? What did I do wrong?
      Also, should the brown sugar be packed?

      Reply
      • Sherri

        December 17, 2023 at 6:39 pm

        Oh gosh. There are so many stories of flat cookies this year! There is a theory it’s changes in butter lately.

        I do not pack the sugar. That would definitely affect the turnout. I always use the spoon and level method for measuring if I don’t have a scale handy for accuracy.

        This facebook group is a wonderful resource and full of stories of flat cookies. Feel free to join if you’d like. https://www.facebook.com/groups/756832418039671

        Reply
    3. Colleen

      February 22, 2023 at 11:15 pm

      5 stars
      good cookies, husband agrees two thumbs up!

      Reply
    4. Jennifer

      February 11, 2023 at 8:56 am

      How well do you think using an alternative sweetener like swerve or Splenda would work?

      Reply
    5. Kittie

      November 11, 2022 at 1:03 pm

      5 stars
      Has anyone use almond flour instead of white flour?

      Reply
      • Sherri

        November 11, 2022 at 2:51 pm

        Unfortunately, you can’t swap out almond flour one-to-one for all-purpose flour without changing the texture drastically. It has a higher fat and moisture content as well as not containing binding gluten.

        You can use a binder like 1/4 teaspoon of xanthin gum per 1 cup of flour.

        If you are wanting to swap to make them gluten free, I have used Bob’s Red Mill One-to-One Flour with success.

        But all that said, you can certainly try it and just know that they will taste amazing but may be more flat. 🙂

        Reply
      • Cyndi

        November 20, 2022 at 8:46 am

        Do you use sweetened coconut?

        Reply
        • Sherri

          November 23, 2022 at 8:33 am

          I usually do not, but you definitely can 🙂 Enjoy!

    5 from 37 votes (34 ratings without comment)

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Sherri Hagymas leaning on a counter with a white coffee mug

    Hi there! I’m Sherri I love creating a variety of easy recipes that anyone can make and enjoy! From healthy to comforting, I hope you find something that inspires you!.

    More about me →

    Easy Dinners

    • White bowl full of Egg Fried Rice with fork inserted.
      Egg Fried Rice
    • White skillet with tuscan chicken recipe with sun-dried tomatoes, spinach in a creamy sauce.
      Tuscan Chicken
    • four breaded chicken breasts in a cast iron skillet with lemon slices
      Creamy Lemon Parmesan Chicken
    • Butter Steak Bites and Potatoes
      Butter Steak Bites with Garlic Herb Potatoes
    • skillet full of creamy chicken with mushroom sauce topped with parsley.
      Chicken with Mushroom Sauce
    • bowl full of fresh cucumber slices, imitaion crab meat, and avocado with spicy mayo drizzles and topped with sesame seeds
      California Roll in a Bowl

    Popular Recipes

    • slice of coffee cake on a white plate
      Best Easy Coffee Cake
    • Bang Bang Shrimp Pasta recipe in a silver serving bowl
      Bang Bang Shrimp Pasta
    • closeup of several crispy chicken wings on white parchment paper.
      Oven Baked Chicken Wings
    • White bowl full of fresh mango salsa topped with cilantro and red onion.
      Mango Salsa
    • black bowl with cottage cheese dip with a carrot and celery
      Ranch Cottage Cheese Dip
    • closeup of shrimp corn chowder in a white bowl with spoon in it.
      Shrimp Corn Chowder

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    List of publications that have featured Tosimplyinspire.com. woman's day, southern living, delish, parade, Forbes, prevention, and parade.

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms of Use
    • Disclosure Policy

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact
    • Shop
    • Shop My Favorites
    Copyright © 2025 To Simply Inspire
    Discloure Policy | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use
    To Simply Inspire is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program
    designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.

    Rate This Recipe

    Your vote:




    A rating is required
    A name is required
    An email is required

    Recipe Ratings without Comment

    Something went wrong. Please try again.