Flourless Oatmeal Peanut Butter Scotchies: The Ultimate Chewy Cookie Recipe

Prepare to fall in love with these incredible Oatmeal Peanut Butter Scotchies! This award-winning recipe, originally from a contest sponsored by Mrs. Fields, quickly became a family favorite. When I first served these cookies, both my sister and mother-in-law gave them an enthusiastic “thumbs up!” They boast a wonderfully chewy texture, rich peanut butter flavor, and delightful bursts of butterscotch morsels and crunchy pecans. What makes them truly special? They are completely flourless, offering a unique denseness and incredible flavor profile that sets them apart from traditional oatmeal cookies.

These Scotchies share a lineage with other beloved oatmeal creations, like King Arthur’s Monster Cookies, yet they carve out their own niche. While Monster Cookies are typically larger and incorporate various chocolates and M&Ms, our Oatmeal Peanut Butter Scotchies are designed to be more compact, focusing on the harmonious blend of butterscotch and pecans with a dominant peanut butter base. The absence of flour is key here, contributing to their signature chewiness and making them an excellent option for those seeking gluten-conscious treats, or simply a different texture experience in their cookie repertoire.

The Secret to Success: Choosing the Right Oats

When it comes to baking oatmeal cookies, the type of oats you use can significantly impact the final texture and taste. For these Flourless Oatmeal Peanut Butter Scotchies, I highly recommend using quick-cooking oats, not instant oats. While both are processed to cook faster than old-fashioned rolled oats, they are fundamentally different. Quick-cooking oats are simply rolled oats cut into smaller pieces, retaining some of their structural integrity and chewiness. Instant oats, on the other hand, are pre-cooked, dried, and then pressed very thin, which can result in a mushier texture in baked goods.

Using quick-cooking oats in this recipe ensures a less “health-foodish” texture, which is often preferred, especially when serving to children or those who might be less enthusiastic about overtly wholesome flavors. The smaller pieces integrate more seamlessly into the cookie dough, creating a smoother chew while still providing that satisfying oaty character. Old-fashioned oats would yield a much chewier, more rustic cookie, which can be delightful, but quick-cooking oats offer a softer, more uniform experience perfect for these Scotchies.

On a personal note, I’m thrilled to share an update regarding my own child. For years, she seemed to have inherited her father’s “sick peanut butter aversion gene,” making my attempts at peanut butter-based treats a challenge. However, I’m pleased to report that she has since developed a love for peanut butter! This makes baking these Oatmeal Peanut Butter Scotchies even more joyous, knowing they’ll be enjoyed by the entire family, without any culinary resistance.

Award-Winning Oatmeal Peanut Butter Scotchies Recipe

Oatmeal Peanut Butter Scotchies

Oatmeal Peanut Butter Scotchies are irresistible flourless peanut butter oatmeal cookies, generously studded with butterscotch morsels and crunchy pecans. A truly satisfying treat!

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Prep Time
20 minutes mins

Cook Time
12 minutes mins

Total Time
32 minutes mins

Course
Dessert

Cuisine
American

Servings
40

Ingredients

• 4 tablespoon unsalted butter softened
• 1 cup peanut butter Jif, Skippy, Peter Pan – kind with sugar, creamy preferred
• ⅔ cup white sugar
• ⅔ cup brown sugar packed
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 2 tsp. vanilla extract
• 2 large eggs
• 1 ¼ teaspoon baking soda
• 3 cups quick cooking oats (not instant!)
• 1 ⅓ cups butterscotch chips
• ½ cup chopped toasted pecans

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Prepare your baking sheets by lightly greasing them or lining them with parchment paper.
2. In a large mixing bowl, using an electric mixer, cream together the softened unsalted butter, peanut butter, white sugar, and packed brown sugar until the mixture is light and creamy. This typically takes 2-3 minutes.
3. Add the salt, vanilla extract, large eggs, and baking soda to the creamed mixture. Beat on medium speed for about 30 seconds, ensuring all ingredients are well combined but be careful not to overmix.
4. Reduce the mixer speed to low, or remove the bowl and use a sturdy spatula. Gradually stir in the quick-cooking oats, butterscotch chips, and chopped toasted pecans until just incorporated. Do not overmix the dough once the dry ingredients are added.
5. Drop rounded teaspoonfuls or smallish tablespoons of cookie dough onto your prepared baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches between each cookie. These cookies do spread slightly, so adequate spacing is important.
6. Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes. The cookies should be lightly golden brown around the edges but still appear slightly soft in the center. Avoid overbaking to maintain their signature chewiness.
7. Once baked, remove the baking sheets from the oven and let the cookies cool on the sheet for about 5 minutes. This allows them to set properly before transferring.
8. Carefully transfer the cookies to a wire rack to cool completely. Store leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-4 days, or freeze for longer enjoyment.
9. This recipe makes approximately 40 delicious cookies, perfect for sharing or savoring yourself!

Notes

If you prefer a purely peanut butter-themed cookie, you can substitute the butterscotch chips with peanut butter chips and omit the pecans entirely. Alternatively, for a different nutty twist, try walnuts or almonds instead of pecans.

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Why Flourless? The Benefits of Oatmeal Peanut Butter Scotchies

The “flourless” aspect of these Oatmeal Peanut Butter Scotchies is not just a detail; it’s a key characteristic that defines their unique appeal. By omitting traditional wheat flour, these cookies achieve a distinct texture that is incredibly chewy, dense, and rich, unlike the lighter, cakier crumb of many conventional cookies. This dense, satisfying chewiness is largely due to the high fat content from the peanut butter and butter, combined with the quick-cooking oats acting as the primary dry binder.

Beyond texture, being flourless also means these cookies are naturally gluten-free, provided you use certified gluten-free oats. This makes them a fantastic option for individuals with gluten sensitivities or those simply looking to reduce gluten in their diet, without sacrificing flavor or indulgence. The peanut butter takes center stage, allowing its robust, nutty essence to truly shine through, complemented by the sweet butterscotch and earthy pecans. It’s a delightful combination that proves you don’t need flour to create a truly exceptional cookie.

Expert Baking Tips for Perfect Peanut Butter Scotchies

To ensure your Oatmeal Peanut Butter Scotchies turn out perfectly every time, here are a few expert tips:

• Butter Temperature: Ensure your unsalted butter is genuinely softened, but not melted. It should be pliable enough to press an indentation with your finger, but still cool to the touch. This allows it to cream properly with the sugars, creating an airy base for your dough.
• Peanut Butter Choice: Stick to the recommended peanut butter types (Jif, Skippy, Peter Pan) that contain sugar. Natural peanut butters, which often separate and have less sugar, can alter the cookie’s texture and sweetness balance significantly.
• Don’t Overmix: After adding the eggs and especially after adding the oats, chips, and nuts, mix only until just combined. Overmixing can develop gluten (even in flourless recipes, some protein structures can form with eggs), leading to a tougher cookie.
• Scooping Consistency: Use a cookie scoop for uniform size. This not only makes the process faster but also ensures all cookies bake evenly. Rounded teaspoonfuls or small tablespoons are ideal for the size this recipe is designed for.
• Monitor Baking Time: Ovens vary, so keep a close eye on your cookies. They should be lightly golden brown at the edges but still look slightly underbaked and soft in the center when you pull them out. They will continue to set on the hot baking sheet.
• Cooling Process: The 5-minute cooling period on the baking sheet is crucial. It allows the cookies to firm up enough to be transferred without breaking, retaining their perfect shape and texture.

Customization and Flavor Variations

While the classic Oatmeal Peanut Butter Scotchies recipe is perfection in itself, don’t hesitate to experiment with variations to suit your taste or what you have on hand. Here are some ideas:

• Chocolate Lover’s Dream: Swap butterscotch chips for semi-sweet, milk, or dark chocolate chips. A combination of butterscotch and chocolate chips is also divine!
• Nutty Alternatives: Instead of pecans, try chopped walnuts, almonds, or even cashews. For an extra treat, lightly toast them before adding to the dough to enhance their flavor.
• Add-ins Galore: Stir in mini M&Ms, white chocolate chips, dried cranberries, or shredded coconut for added texture and flavor dimensions.
• Spice It Up: A pinch of cinnamon or a dash of nutmeg can add a warm, cozy note to these cookies, especially appealing during the fall and winter months.
• Nut-Free Version: For those with peanut allergies, sunflower seed butter (SunButter) can be a suitable substitute for peanut butter, though the flavor profile will naturally change. Ensure all other ingredients are also nut-free.

Storage and Serving Suggestions

These Oatmeal Peanut Butter Scotchies are best enjoyed fresh, but they also store wonderfully. Keep them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-4 days to maintain their chewiness. For longer storage, you can freeze the baked cookies for up to 2-3 months. Simply thaw them at room temperature when you’re ready to indulge.

Serve these delectable cookies with a tall glass of cold milk, a warm cup of coffee or tea, or as an irresistible accompaniment to a scoop of vanilla ice cream. They make a fantastic addition to lunchboxes, bake sales, holiday platters, or simply as a comforting snack any time of day. Their rich flavor and satisfying texture make them a versatile treat that’s always a crowd-pleaser.