These thick and chewy Cowboy Cookies are loaded with chocolate chips, old-fashioned oats, and crunchy pecans. They’re an easy, family-favorite cookie that’s hard to stop at just one!

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If you love a chocolate chip cookie with a little bit of everything in it, these Cowboy Cookies are about to become a favorite. They’re soft and chewy in the middle, slightly crisp around the edges, and loaded with chocolate chips, old-fashioned oats, and chopped pecans.

These have been one of Jordan’s favorite cookies for years, which is actually why you’ll notice one traditional Cowboy Cookie ingredient missing from my recipe: coconut. He’s not a fan, so I leave it out. If you love coconut like I do, I’ve included an easy way to add it back in.

They’re easy enough for an everyday batch of cookies but loaded enough to bring to a party, holiday cookie exchange, or anywhere you need a cookie people will remember.

What You’ll Love About This Recipe:

If a regular chocolate chip cookie isn’t quite enough for you, Cowboy Cookies give you a little something extra in every bite.

LOADED WITH THE GOOD STUFF – Chocolate chips, chewy oats, and crunchy pecans make these so much more interesting than a basic chocolate chip cookie.
EASY TO CUSTOMIZE – Keep them exactly as we make them or add shredded coconut for a more traditional Cowboy Cookie.
SOFT, CHEWY CENTERS – A quick chill of the dough helps keep the cookies thicker, with crisp edges and the soft centers we love.

this cowboy cookie recipe is the perfect combination of salty and sweet

Ingredients Needed

All-Purpose Flour – Gives the cookies their structure while keeping the centers soft.
Baking Powder & Baking Soda – Using both gives the cookies the right amount of lift and spread.
Salt – Balances all that sweetness and brings out the chocolate and pecans.
Unsalted Butter – Let it soften to room temperature so it creams easily with the sugars.
Brown Sugar & Granulated Sugar – The combination gives you chewy centers with lightly crisp edges.
Eggs – Help bind the dough and add richness.
Vanilla Extract – Adds that classic warm cookie flavor.
Old-Fashioned Oats – One of the ingredients that gives Cowboy Cookies their signature hearty, chewy texture.
Chocolate Chips – I use a generous amount so you get chocolate in every cookie.
Chopped Pecans – Add crunch and a slightly salty, nutty flavor that balances the sweet dough.
Shredded Coconut – Completely optional in our house, but an easy addition if you prefer a more traditional Cowboy Cookie.

This cowboy cookie recipe is packed with sweet chocolate chips, oats, and pecans

How to Make Cowboy Cookies

Start by whisking together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. In a separate bowl, cream the softened butter with the brown and granulated sugars, then add the eggs and vanilla.
Gradually mix the dry ingredients into the butter mixture until just combined. Fold in the oats, chocolate chips, chopped pecans, and coconut, if using.
Scoop the dough onto a baking sheet and bake at 350°F until the edges are lightly golden. Let the cookies cool for a few minutes before moving them to a cooling rack.
For thicker, chewier cookies, I like to refrigerate the dough between batches. If you prefer a thinner, crispier cookie, you can bake the dough without chilling it first.

Find the measurements and full recipe below!

This dough is super easy to whip up and you can stash any extra dough in the fridge between batches. I’ve found that placing any cookie dough in the fridge makes less-spread and more solid cookie. That’s my preference, but if you like the crispy, thinner cookies, keep leaving out all the dough!

Doesn’t this cookie dough look good enough to eat?

these cowboy cookies are the perfect nutty chocolate chip cookies!

Tips & Tricks

Chill The Dough For Thicker Cookies – Your firsthand tip is one of the strongest things in the post. About 30 minutes should reduce spreading and give you thicker, chewier cookies.
Don’t Overbake Them – Take them out when the edges are lightly golden and the centers still look slightly soft. They’ll continue setting on the baking sheet.
Use A Cookie Scoop – This isn’t just about making them pretty. Similar-size cookies bake more evenly.
Keep The Mix-Ins Evenly Distributed – With oats, chocolate chips, and pecans, it’s easy for the last few cookies to end up overloaded. Give the dough a quick stir between scooping batches.

I love the handy little cookie dough scooper. It’s the only way I can maintain consistency when making cookies. Otherwise, I get distracted and up with either 55 or 15 cookies… when the recipe says 24. Anyone else? The Silpat sheets are oldies but goodies. I’m not one to mess with what works… and these are working for me!

These came out perfectly! They had the best crisp-to-softness ratio. Whenever I need to cool cookies, I always place 2 pieces of wax paper under my supersize cooling rack. I’m all about easy clean up. 🙂

Cowboy Cookies FAQs

What makes a Cowboy Cookie different from a regular chocolate chip cookie?

Cowboy Cookies start with everything you love about a classic chocolate chip cookie, then load it up with old-fashioned oats, pecans, and traditionally, coconut. The extra mix-ins give them a heartier, chewier texture with a little crunch in every bite.

Do Cowboy Cookies have to have coconut?

No! Traditional Cowboy Cookie recipes often include shredded coconut, but I’ve always made ours without it because Jordan isn’t a coconut fan. If you love coconut, simply add about 1/2 cup when you mix in the chocolate chips, oats, and pecans.

Can I freeze Cowboy Cookie dough?

Absolutely. Scoop the cookie dough onto a parchment-lined baking sheet and freeze until firm, then transfer the dough balls to a freezer-safe bag or container. When you’re ready for fresh cookies, you can bake a few at a time straight from frozen, adding a minute or two to the baking time as needed.

Why did my Cowboy Cookies spread too much?

Warm butter and warm cookie dough can cause the cookies to spread more in the oven. If you want thicker, chewier Cowboy Cookies, refrigerate the dough for about 30 minutes before baking. I also like to keep the remaining dough in the refrigerator between batches.

Can I make Cowboy Cookies without pecans?

Yes. You can simply leave the pecans out if you don’t like nuts or need a nut-free cookie. You can also replace them with extra chocolate chips if you still want plenty of goodies in every bite.

this cowboy cookie recipe is a simple, sweet, and nutty chocolate chip cookie that's too easy to make

These Cowboy Cookies have been a favorite in our house for years, and they’re one of those recipes that never really goes out of style. Make them thick and chewy, add the coconut, leave it out like Jordan does, or sneak a few extra chocolate chips into the dough. Just don’t expect the batch to last very long!

If you make these Cowboy Cookies, I’d love to hear how your family likes them. Leave a comment below and let me know if you’re Team Coconut or Team No Coconut!

More Delicious Cookie Recipes You’ll Love:

The Best Chocolate Chip Cowboy Cookie Recipe

Name: The Best Chocolate Chip Cowboy Cookie Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 22 min
Yield: 24
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 cups All Purpose Flour; 1 teaspoon Baking Powder; 1 teaspoon Baking Soda; 1/2 teaspoon Salt; 1 cup Butter, unsalted, room temperature; 3/4 cup Brown Sugar, packed; 3/4 cup Granulated Sugar; 2 Eggs (Room temperature is ideal but not necessary); 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract; 1 & 1/2 cup Old Fashioned Oats; 12 ounces Chocolate Chips; 3/4 cup of Pecans, chopped; Optional: 1/2 cup of shredded coconut

Yield: 24 Cookies

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 12 minutes

Total Time: 22 minutes

These cowboy cookies have chocolate chips, oats, and pecans. You can add coconut to make it a traditional cowboy cookie, but no matter how you customize, this is a perfect recipe!

5.0 Stars (2 Reviews)

Ingredients

2 cups All Purpose Flour
1 teaspoon Baking Powder
1 teaspoon Baking Soda
1/2 teaspoon Salt
1 cup Butter, unsalted, room temperature
3/4 cup Brown Sugar, packed
3/4 cup Granulated Sugar
2 Eggs (Room temperature is ideal but not necessary)
1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
1 & 1/2 cup Old Fashioned Oats
12 ounces Chocolate Chips
3/4 cup of Pecans, chopped
Optional: 1/2 cup of shredded coconut

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Mix the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a medium sized bowl.
In a large mixing bowl, cream together the butter and sugars.
Once creamed, add in eggs, one at a time.
Add vanilla. Mix for about one minute.
Slowly add in the flour mixture. Mix until combined.
Add in the oats, chocolate chips, pecans, and coconut (optional).
Spoon onto baking sheets.
Bake for 12 minutes or until browned.
Cool.

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Nutrition Information:

Yield: 24 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 347Total Fat: 19gSaturated Fat: 8gUnsaturated Fat: 10gCholesterol: 38mgSodium: 213mgCarbohydrates: 43gFiber: 2gSugar: 24gProtein: 4g

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this is the ultimate cowboy cookie recipe! Packed with chocolate chips, oats, and pecans in every bite!

This is the BEST cowboy cookie recipe you'll find

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