This thick and chewy Monster Cookie Recipe is made with oats, peanut butter, M&M candies, and chocolate chips. These are always a huge hit with family and friends.
These quick and easy monster cookies are extra soft, thick, and packed with all the good stuff – including two sizes of M&M’s. But what I love the most about this recipe is that this is a NO-CHILL dough – which means you can enjoy these almost as soon as the craving strikes!
Everyone knows that the best monster cookies are loaded with peanut butter, oats, chocolate chips, and m&m’s! But for me- they absolutely must be soft and chewy both fresh out of the oven and several days later. This recipe is ALL OF THAT – which I love.
**Be sure to try our Rice Krispies Cookies too!
Who can resist gigantic monster cookies chock-full of goodies like chocolate chips, M&M’s, oats, AND peanut butter? I’m all in!
Many recipes out there have these cookies in monster-size too. But I like to make them more like a standard cookie (about the size of a golf ball) – which helps to keep them perfectly soft and chewy. This is the world’s best monster cookies recipe.
monster cookies
Here are some commonly asked questions
What is a monster cookie?
Monster cookies are a delicious cookie recipe that starts with a combination of oatmeal and peanut butter cookies. Then you add chocolate chips and M&M’s for the classic monster add-ins.
Some say that they got their name because they have so many fun ingredients that they are the “monster” of all cookies. But others think it is because they look like little monsters – especially these ones we adapted for Halloween.
Should I use light or dark brown sugar?
Since I make my own brown sugar, I use light brown sugar for almost all of my recipes. But light or dark brown sugar will work in this recipe.
Want to know how to make your own brown sugar – visit my Homemade Brown Sugar post here.
monster halloween cookies
How to store monster cookies
The best way to store these is in an airtight container at room temperature. You can also wrap each cookie individually in plastic wrap or in its own zip-top bag. Then you can keep them in the freezer for up to 1 month.
Why do you add vanilla extract?
Vanilla extract is a common flavoring found in most baked good recipes and frequently found in cookies too. It adds a certain depth to the flavor of the recipe that extends beyond a more “bready” taste.
Halloween Monster Cookies
This recipe calls for a stand mixer. Can I also make this recipe by hand?
I don’t recommend trying to beat the ingredients together with a spoon. However – a hand mixer will work just fine in place of a stand mixer. However, keep in mind that this method will influence the overall time commitment.
Can I use old-fashioned oats instead?
Unfortunately with this recipe, the old-fashioned oats won’t absorb enough of the moisture in the dough for the cookies to hold their shape. This recipe needs the quick-cooking oats for the texture and consistency to be right.
oatmeal monster cookies
Can this recipe be doubled?
You can, and we do it often. The dough will work just fine when doubled. We encourage you to make a double batch when making these cookies to give as gifts.
Why do the ingredients need to be at room temperature?
Room temperature ingredients help to ensure that everything blends together perfectly. You don’t want any pockets of unblended butter. You want everything evenly disbursed for the perfect texture.
When your dairy products are at room temperature, they can create an emulsion. It’s essential to have an emulsion because air gets trapped, so the baked goods expand and get fluffy as it bakes.
original moster cookie recipe
How to soften the butter to room temperature?
First
There are a couple of ways to do this. The first being that you can take the butter (& any other ingredients that need to be at room temperature) out, leave it on the counter for about 30 minutes while you prep for baking.
I usually start with all my chilled ingredients and pull everything I need out onto the counter before getting started – so I know for sure I have everything before I’m mid-way through I realize I’m out of something.
But sometimes it’s winter and that isn’t enough time to get the ingredients warmed up – OR – I’m just not that organized to plan ahead. It happens. So I have another couple of tricks.
Second
I place the butter in the microwave – wrapped in the paper. (don’t do this if it is wrapped in foil) Then I microwave for 2 seconds – flip – go another 2 seconds – flip again – and continue for 2 seconds on each side.
This is usually enough to get it perfect – sometimes stopping before if it feels soft enough. Take care when doing this method – overly softened butter from the microwave WILL ALTER the end result of the recipe. Don’t over-do it.
Third
My third method is to place the wrapped butter sticks in a zip-top bag and place it in a bowl of warm water. I do this with the eggs too. If the water isn’t too hot it can be THE PERFECT way to get “room-temperature” ingredients.
If you love this monster cookie recipe – don’t miss some of our other favorite monster-inspired recipes here.
- Monster Cupcakes
- No-Bake Monster Cookie Bites
- Easy Monster Cookie Bars
- Chocolate Monster Bark
- Cookie Monster Cookie Dough
monster eyeball cookies
Tips for the best Monster Cookies
- Butter adds richness to our cookies and helps them keep their shape in the oven.
- Brown sugar adds a delicious depth of flavor to the cookies, but feel free to use granulated sugar if you prefer.
- Egg binds the cookies together so they don’t fall apart!
- Peanut butter also binds the cookies together– plus it adds peanut butter flavor to the cookies.
- Vanilla enhances the sweetness of the cookies.
- Flour helps absorb any extra moisture so our cookies don’t get soggy.
- Baking soda and Baking Powder helps the cookies stay light and airy.
- Feel free to use any add-ins or color varieties of M&M’s you like.
- If you add candy corn to the cookie dough, make sure they are fully encased in the dough when you bake them or they’ll melt in the oven. I recommend adding them on top of the cookies if you want to keep the shape.
- Candy eyes add a fun halloween twist as well, but they are completely optional! Just make sure to press them into the cookies while they’re still warm so they stick
Why are my monster cookies falling apart?
The most common reason for cookies to fall apart is either not using the right ingredients or not measuring the ingredients correctly.
For instance, using a different type of oats – instead of quick-cooking oats will result in a completely different texture for the cookies.
Another reason – not measuring the ingredients properly. This one little thing can add too much of that ingredient, which dries out the cookies and keeps them from holding together. Please follow the instructions listed here and don’t scoop the flour directly from the bag – especially when it has been compacted in the bag.
eye cookies
How do I properly measure the flour?
The official way is to spoon the flour into the measuring cup & level off. This makes sure the flour isn’t packed tightly into your measuring cup, adding more than you need, as that will make your recipe too dry.
However – if you fluff your flour with a spoon, then gently scoop the flour into the measuring cup, taking care to not pack the flour – that should work for this recipe.
What do you mean by soft butter?
You will need to take your butter out of the fridge about an hour before you would like to bake the cookies for the butter to soften but not get too soft.
monster cookie peanut butter
Can the cookies be made ahead of time?
You bet – these cookies can be made ahead of time. If you would like to do that, let the baked cookies cool to room temperature. Then place them in an airtight container for up to 3 days prior to serving.
Ingredients for Monster Cookies
- butter – softened
- creamy peanut butter
- granulated sugar
- brown sugar – firmly packed
- large egg
- vanilla extract
- quick cook oats
- all-purpose flour
- baking powder
- baking soda
- table salt
- standard M&M’s + more for the tops
- mini M&M’s + more for the tops
- mini chocolate chips + more for the tops
Halloween Monster Cookie Add-Ins
- Halloween M&M’s
- candy corn
- candy eyes
How to make Monster Cookies
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
- Line 2-3 baking sheets with parchment and then set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the butter, and peanut butter – beat until smooth.
- Add the granulated sugar, brown sugar, eggs and vanilla – beat until blended.
- Next add the oats, flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Stir until just blended.
- Fold in both types of M&M’s and the chocolate chips.
- Scoop out the dough and roll between your hands to form into balls – about the size of a golf ball.
- Place on the prepared baking sheets about 2″ apart.
- Bake for 12-13 minutes or until golden brown.
- Remove from the oven and immediately add additional M&M”s and chocolate chips as desired.
- Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before storing in an airtight container.
Halloween Monster Cookie
- When making the Halloween version – swap out the M&M’s and replace the chocolate chips with the candy corn.
- Add the eyes and additional candy corn after baking.
Why do my cookies go flat?
Cookies typically go flat when the dough isn’t the right temperature at the time of baking OR when they are missing the right ingredients that help them to rise- such as eggs, baking soda, and baking powder. Please make sure you are measuring those ingredients correctly and that they are at room temperature when you start the mixing.
Also – something to keep in mind- make sure you are placing the dough on a cool baking sheet. The cookies will bake differently if you are placing the dough on the hot baking sheet you just removed from the oven. Make sure you have a rotation of baking sheets so you can always place the unbaked dough on a cool tray.
DON’T MISS THESE HOLIDAY E-BOOKS!
Products I love when making this Monster Cookie Recipe…
This cookie recipe is SUPER EASY and delicious – and if you’re like me, then you maybe already have some of these items on hand OR maybe you have never made monster cookies before, & you might be a bit nervous – but you’re going to love them. I have made a list below of the things I absolutely can’t live without when it comes to making this cookie recipe.
- all-purpose flour
- quick-cook oats
- baking powder
- baking soda
- table salt
- peanut butter
- granulated sugar
- brown sugar
- vanilla extract
- M&M’s
- mini M&M’s
- mini chocolate chips
- Halloween M&M’s
- candy corn
- baking sheet
- parchment paper
- mixer
If you love this Easy Monster Cookies Recipe, you’re going to love these other treats too. Please click each link below to find the easy, printable recipe!
monster cookies halloween
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Monster Cookies
Ingredients
- ½ cup butter – softened (1 stick)
- ½ cup creamy peanut butter
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup brown sugar – firmly packed
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1¼ cup quick cook oats
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ½ tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ⅛ tsp table salt
- ½ cup standard M&M’s + more for the tops
- ¼ cup mini M&M’s + more for the tops
- ¼ cup mini chocolate chips + more for the tops
Halloween Monster Cookie Add-Ins
- ½ cup Halloween M&M's
- ¼ cup candy corn
- candy eyes
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
- Line 2-3 baking sheets with parchment and then set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the butter, and peanut butter – beat until smooth.
- Add the granulated sugar, brown sugar, eggs and vanilla – beat until blended.
- Next add the oats, flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Stir until just blended.
- Fold in both types of M&M’s and the chocolate chips.
- Scoop out the dough and roll between your hands to form into balls – about the size of a golf ball.
- Place on the prepared baking sheets about 2″ apart.
- Bake for 12-13 minutes or until golden brown.
- Remove from the oven and immediately add additional M&M”s and chocolate chips as desired.
- Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before storing in an airtight container.
Halloween Monster Cookie
- When making the Halloween version – swap out the M&M's and replace the chocolate chips with the candy corn.
- Add the eyes and additional candy corn after baking.
Notes
- I’m using Halloween-colored M&Ms, but feel free to use any add-ins you like.
- If you add candy corn to the cookie dough, make sure they are fully encased in the
dough when you bake them or they’ll melt in the oven. I recommend adding them on top of the cookies if you want to keep the shape. - Candy eyes add a fun Halloween twist as well, but they are completely optional! Just make sure to press them into the cookies while they’re still warm so they stick
Nutritional information for the recipe is provided as a courtesy and is approximate. Please double-check with your own dietary calculator for the best accuracy. We at Yummi Haus cannot guarantee the accuracy of the nutritional information given for any recipe on this site.
