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    Home » Recipes » Recipe Index

    Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies with Cacao Nibs

    Published: Apr 16, 2021 by Jere Cassidy · This post may contain affiliate links. · 38 Comments

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    A baking pan with Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies.

    Are you craving cookies right now, but maybe something a little different from a plain old chocolate chip cookie? How about a cookie filled with lots of chocolate and nutty goodness? This recipe for Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies with Cacao Nibs is seriously addicting. The cocoa nibs, pecans, and oatmeal bake into a fabulous hearty cookie. 

    Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies

    This page may contain affiliate links; please see my full disclosure for policy details. I earn commissions if you shop through the links on this page.

    This recipe has several components, but the great thing is you add the ingredients to a mixing bowl for a quick mix, and no chilling is required.  Nope, you don't have to find room in the fridge for your big mixing bowl and patiently wait for some magic chilling thing to happen with this dough.

    Let's start with the ingredients

    • Butter
    • Brown sugar
    • White sugar
    • Eggs
    • Vanilla
    • Oatmeal
    • Flour
    • Salt
    • Baking soda
    • Baking powder
    • Chocolate
    • Chocolate chips
    • Cacao nibs
    • Pecans
    cookie ingredients

    This cookie is all about texture. Yes, I know there are quite a few ingredients, but each has a delicious purpose that results in a deeply rich, chewy and crunchy chocolate chip oatmeal cookie that begs for a glass of cold milk or even a cup of coffee or tea.

    And if you are looking to make just a few cookies, try this Small Batch Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe for 12 delicious cookies. Or if you want a classic oatmeal cookie, bake these chewy Ice Oatmeal Cookies.

    Three ingredients make this a great cookie

    Chocolate - Cocao Nibs - Rolled Oats

    Grated chocolate - for the grated chocolate, a large piece of chocolate works the best since you need to grate 4 ounces. I use milk chocolate for this step, which mildly flavors the cookie and gives it a light chocolate color. Feel free to use your favorite chocolate.  I buy chunks of chocolate, but you can also buy 4-ounce bars such as Lindt, Ghiradelli, and Valahrona at most stores.

    Grating the chocolate does take a little time, but it is worth the effort.

    Here are a few grating tips

    1. Grating a block of chocolate is easier than a bar
    2. Refrigerate the chocolate before grating to keep it from getting soft, and it will grate more easily.
    3. Watch your knuckles when grating and stop before you get close to the end piece of the chocolate.

    Chocolate Chips - use your favorite brand for the chips.  I like using semi-sweet to add a deep chocolatey flavor, and to offset the grated milk chocolate; for today's recipe, is used Trader Joe's semi-sweet chips.

     Cacao Nibs - Lastly, what about those cacao nibs? I like to add cacao nibs to these cookies for a nice little crunch, and the nibs add another layer of chocolate flavor. You can find cacao nibs next to chocolate and cocoa in most stores. Try these Cacao Nibs and Sea Salt Shortbread Cookies for another cacao nib recipe.

    But what the heck are cacao nibs?  They are roasted and husked cacao beans and are pure chocolate.  I like to eat them by themselves. Cacao nibs are crunchy and not sweet at all, plus they are also full of antioxidants; another good reason to eat chocolate!

    three types of chocolate

    Rolled Oats - Unlike other oatmeal cookie recipes, this recipe calls for putting the oatmeal in a food processor and grinding it down into smaller pieces. Grinding the oatmeal gives these cookies a lighter texture than regular oatmeal cookies, but you still get that great nutty oatmeal taste. Seriously, I love this technique, and I love the ground oats in cookies.

    Ground oats for cookies

    Ready to bake?  Get out your cookie sheets, turn on your oven and let's mix up a batch of cookie dough.

    How To Make Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies

    Step 1. Using a small food processor, grind the rolled oats to a medium to fine grind; this takes a few whirls, and add the ground oats to a bowl along with the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Set this aside for a minute.

    Step 2. Using a food grater, grate the four ounce bar of chocolate into a shallow pan or a pie plate. The grated chocolate tends to scatter, so use a pan with edges that help keep it contained better.  Once grated, set aside.

    grating chocolate and grinding oatmeal

    Step 3. In a stand mixer bowl, mix the softened butter and the white and brown sugars on medium speed until the mixture is nice and creamy.

    Step 4. Add the eggs and vanilla and mix on medium speed until the mixture is well blended.

    making a cookie batter

    Step 5. Add the flour and oatmeal mixture to the creamed mixture, then mix at low speed until blended.

    Step 6. Add the grated chocolate, chocolate chips, cacao nibs, and pecans; mix at a low speed to incorporate all the ingredients.  At this point, the dough will be very heavy and thick, so mix slowly.

    Step 7. Scoop the dough onto parchment-lined baking sheets and bake at 375 degrees F. for 10 minutes.  I like using a 1.5 tablespoon (#40) cookie scoop for this, but a regular teaspoon will also work.

    When done, remove from the oven and let cool for 5 minutes. Store in an airtight container for several days.

    mixing cookie batter and cookies on baking sheet

    These didn't last long...we started eating them right off the cookie sheet when they were nice and warm with all the gooey chocolate.

    cacoa nib cookies on a cooling rack

    Bake these other chocolate treats from One Hot Oven 

    Chocolate Shortbread Cookies with Cacao Nibs

    Double Chocolate Chip Cookies

    Dark Chocolate Slice and Bake Cookies

    Chocolate Bundt Cake with Ganache

    Stout Beer Cake

    Chocolate Torte with Chocolate Ganache

    Make sure to visit the Sweet Than Oats Blog for another tasty treat made with cacao nibs. These vegan Cacao Nib Truffles have just six ingredients and are a healthy and delicious snack.

    Cookie Questions

    Can you freeze these cookies? Yes, and I do it two ways.

    1. Make the cookie batter and scoop the cookie dough onto parchment paper or wax paper on a plate or tray.  Place these cookie dough scoops in the freezer and freeze for about ½ hour. Remove from the freezer and place the frozen dough balls in a storage bag or container, pressing the air out of the bag. When ready to bake, remove from the freezer, place on the baking sheet, and bake as directed, adding  2-3 minutes for the cookies to bake.
    2. Bake the cookies as directed and let them cool completely.  Transfer the cookies to a freezer container or bag, press to remove the air, and seal tightly.  When ready to eat, remove the cookies from the freezer and let them defrost for about a half-hour.  You can pop the cookies into a 350-degree F. oven for 5 minutes to heat up if you like warm cookies.

    What about the nuts

    1.  Chopped walnuts or almonds are a good option
    2. You can also leave the nuts out, and the cookie with be just as tasty.

    Do you have to grind the oatmeal?

    For these cookies, yes. The recipe is calculated for the flour to the ground oatmeal ratio for the right consistency.

    Do you have to grate the chocolate?

    I suggest doing this step; otherwise, it isn't a chocolate cookie, and the grated chocolate adds great flavor.

    Chocolate Suggestions

    Cacao Nibs add a wonderful crunch to these cookies, and they make a delicious snack.

    Using blocks of chocolate are perfect for recipes like this when you need grated or shaved chocolate.

    Organic Navitas cacao nibs

    You can also buy smaller bars of chocolate like this 4-ounce bar.
    Ghirardelli Milk chocolate bar.

    Please pin for later!

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    Recipe

    cookies and milk

    Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies with Cacao Nibs

    Jere' Cassidy
    Chocolaty oatmeal pecan cookies with the extra chocolate flavor and crunch from cacao nibs.
    5 from 42 votes
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    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 25 minutes mins
    Cook Time 10 minutes mins
    Total Time 35 minutes mins
    Course Cookies
    Cuisine American
    Servings 36
    Calories 202 kcal

    Equipment

    • Food grater
    • Food chopper
    • Baking sheets
    • 1 inch cookie scoop
    • Mini food processor

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 cup butter
    • ¾ cup brown sugar
    • ¾ cup granulated sugar
    • 2 eggs
    • 2 tsp. vanilla
    • 2 cups Old Fashioned Rolled Oats Quick oats will also work
    • 2 cups flour
    • ½ tsp. salt
    • 1 tsp. baking soda
    • 1 tsp. baking powder
    • 4 ounces milk chocolate
    • 8 ounces semi-sweet chocolate chips
    • 1 cup chopped pecans
    • ½ cup cacao nibs

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat oven to 375 degrees. This is a very heavy dough and mixes best in a stand-mixer.
    • Grate the 4 oz. chocolate bar over a large plate. The grated chocolate is light and tends to scatter so use something like a pie plate that has sides to it. Set aside.
    • In a food processor grind the oatmeal to a medium to fine grind, then pour the oats into a medium-sized bowl and add the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
    • Cream the softened butter and the white and brown sugars together over medium speed until smooth and creamy
    • Add the eggs and vanilla and beat until combined, scraping the bowl and remixing until you have a smooth mixture.
    • Add in the oatmeal flour mixture along with the grated chocolate, chocolate chips, cacao nibs, and pecans. Beat on a low speed to slowly incorporate all the ingredients.
    • Scoop out the cookie dough with a cookie scoop of a tablespoon on parchment-lined baking sheets and bake for 10 minutes until the cookies are golden brown
    • Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes then remove to a cooling rack until cool. Store in an airtight container for several days.

    Notes

    This cookie batter is very thick, so it is best to use a stand-mixer.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1Calories: 202kcalCarbohydrates: 21.8gFat: 11.9gCholesterol: 25mgSodium: 115mg
    Tried this recipe?Follow me on Facebook @onehotoven and tag #onehotoven to show me your dish!

    First Published: Nov 9, 2015... Last Updated: April 16, 2021, for better readability,

    Thank you for stopping by the One Hot Oven blog.  Please leave a comment to say hello or tell me what you are baking; I always love hearing from fellow bakers. Have any questions or want to chat about the recipe? Please visit my About page for information, and I’ll be happy to help!

    About Jere' 

    From learning to cook on a farm in Indiana to culinary school in California, my passion for food is never-ending.  Turning on my oven to bake something for friends and family is my happy place, and I am glad to be here at One Hot Oven, sharing both sweet and savory recipes with all my baking friends.

     

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Marthana Sharp

      May 13, 2022 at 8:16 am

      5 stars
      I just discovered cacao nibs, they are amazing and I eat them for snacks. These cookies pack some serious flavor and the family devoured them. I do like that crunch you get from the cacao nibs.

      Reply
    2. Faith Still

      April 15, 2021 at 6:12 am

      5 stars
      These cookies look delicious! I have a bag of cacao nibs in my pantry and didn't quite know what to do with them. Thanks for the inspiration!

      Reply
    3. Freya

      April 14, 2021 at 10:34 pm

      5 stars
      I love using cacao nibs, such a wonderful nibbly texture and a more refined flavour: plus the health benefits!

      Reply
      • Jere Cassidy

        April 24, 2021 at 8:40 am

        I'm kind of addicted to them for my snack.

        Reply
    4. Addison

      April 14, 2021 at 6:17 pm

      5 stars
      I love how chocolaty these are! So many great flavors and textures. Yum!

      Reply
    5. Kim Guzman

      April 14, 2021 at 5:16 pm

      5 stars
      Chocolate and oatmeal is such a great combination. I love your tip to grind up the oats a little before adding them to the batter. Brilliant! I can't wait to try this recipe. I need to make it this weekend.

      Reply
      • Jere Cassidy

        April 24, 2021 at 8:40 am

        Grinding the oats definitely gives these cookies a different texture that I love.

        Reply
    6. Kristina Tipps

      April 14, 2021 at 1:38 pm

      5 stars
      These were so fabulous! One of my new favorite cookie recipes.

      Reply
    7. Lathiya

      June 10, 2020 at 1:52 pm

      5 stars
      Chocolate oatmeal cookies with cocoa nibs looks amazing. Thank you for giving a detailed recipe explaining every question.

      Reply
    8. Alena

      June 08, 2020 at 8:39 am

      5 stars
      Oatmeal, pecans, and chocolate are such a delicious combination and come together perfectly in these cookies! Thanks for sharing!

      Reply
    9. Emily

      June 03, 2020 at 2:31 pm

      5 stars
      I love cocoa nibs but had never tried them in cookies before- they were so delicious!!

      Reply
      • Jere Cassidy

        June 06, 2020 at 5:43 am

        I love the crunch to deep chocolate flavor.

        Reply
    10. Julie @ Running in a Skirt

      June 01, 2020 at 10:40 am

      This recipe is so tasty! What an amazing twist on oatmeal cookies that really elevate them to a whole new level. Making ASAP.

      Reply
    11. Alexis

      June 01, 2020 at 9:37 am

      5 stars
      My family loves this cookie recipe and I love that we get the chocolate taste without all the chemicals.

      Reply
      • Jere Cassidy

        June 06, 2020 at 5:44 am

        That's why I bake at home. Just don't need nasty chemicals in my food.

        Reply
    12. Gail Montero

      May 31, 2020 at 7:36 pm

      5 stars
      This recipe takes the humble and typical oatmeal cookie to a higher plane. I won't be able to make oatmeal cookies any other way after seeing this! YUM!

      Reply
    13. Marta

      May 30, 2020 at 8:33 pm

      5 stars
      I bought some cocoa nibs a while back and had no idea what I want to do with them! Thank you for this recipe!

      Reply
    14. Jacqui DeBono

      May 29, 2020 at 7:50 pm

      5 stars
      I haven't baked with cacao nibs before, I must look for them the next time I go shopping! Cookies are a great treat to throw in the oven when I have a break from work, and they keep everyone's sweet tooth satisfied!

      Reply
    15. Ramona

      May 29, 2020 at 3:43 pm

      5 stars
      My daughter will be presented with this recipe tomorrow. She really wanted to make some chocolate cookies so this is the one! Beautiful recipes and I love that you added the chocolate nibs to this. I cannot wait to taste these beauties.

      Reply
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