Best Monster Cookies Recipe (2024)

By Laura

Posted Jul 23, 2021, Updated Feb 26, 2024

5 from 7 votes

2 Comments

Jump to Recipe

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.

The best monster cookies recipe! These monster cookies are crispy on the outside and soft and chewy on the inside, plus they’re loaded with peanut butter, chocolate chips & M&Ms!

Best Monster Cookies Recipe (2)

I can imagine how “monster cookies” came into existence; a craving for cookies struck but it was impossible to decide which kind to bake.

Peanut butter cookies? Oatmeal cookies? ? Chocolate chip cookies? Why choose when you can have all four baked into one perfect variety – the monster cookie!

These monster cookies are crispy on the outside and soft and chewy on the inside, plus they’re loaded with peanut butter, chocolate chips & M&Ms!

Best Monster Cookies Recipe (3)

Monster Cookies Recipe: Ingredients & Substitutions

Let’s discuss the ingredients, as well as possible substitutions, in this recipe.

Best Monster Cookies Recipe (4)
  • Salted Butter. Unsalted butter or coconut oil can be used in place of salted butter.
  • Creamy peanut butter. I recommend using a variety of peanut butter that is solid at room temperature. You can also use crunchy peanut butter if you like the little pieces of nuts in your monster cookies.
  • Eggs. Try to make sure the egg is room temperature! I have not made this recipe with an egg substitute, so if you do let me know in the comments below!
  • Light brown sugar. If you like a little bolder, molasses taste then you can use dark brown sugar. Coconut sugar also works well.
  • Granulated Sugar.Organic cane sugar is my granulated sugar of choice, but regular granulated sugar works perfectly.
  • All-purpose flour. A 1:1 gluten-free all purpose flour can be used to make these cookies gluten-free.
  • Fine sea salt. I only ever bake with pure, fine sea salt. If you are using iodized salt I recommend decreasing the amount of salt by half.
  • Chocolate chips/M&Ms.The traditional mix-ins in monster cookies are chocolate chips and M&Ms. However you can choose to use whatever you’d like. Chopped peanut butter cups, peanut butter chips, white chocolate chips, etc.
Best Monster Cookies Recipe (5)

How to Make Monster Cookies

These monster cookies are easy to make! We’ll walk through the process together and don’t forget to watch the video.

Begin by combing the flour, baking soda, sea salt, baking powder and cinnamon in a small bowl. Then, set it aside. Do not add the oats to this step, they are added in later.

Best Monster Cookies Recipe (6)

Next, either in the bowl of a standing mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, or in a large bowl with a handheld mixer, beat the butter, peanut butter, brown sugar and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy.

Best Monster Cookies Recipe (7)

Once the mixture is smooth, add the vanilla and egg and beat until combined.

Next, add the dry ingredient mixture and beat until combined.

Best Monster Cookies Recipe (8)

Finally, add oatmeal, chocolate chips and M&Ms and stir until evenly distributed.

Once the monster cookie dough is finished, cover the bowl with plastic wrap, or transfer the dough to an airtight container with a lid and chill for at least 1 hour.

Best Monster Cookies Recipe (9)

Portion & Roll Dough

Once the dough is chilled, preheat the oven. Use a small cookie scoop (1.5 to 2 TBS) to measure out the oatmeal cookie dough. Roll each portion into a smooth ball and place on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper.

Once the dough balls are on the parchment paper, gently and ever-so-slightly press the tops down. This will ensure even baking. (NOTE: Dough will be slightly tacky, but should still roll easily into balls).

Best Monster Cookies Recipe (10)

Bake

Bake the monster cookies in the preheated oven for 10-11 minutes, or until cookies are just barely set. Be very careful not to over-bake, or you run the risk of making dry cookies.

Cool

Once the monster cookies are baked, let them cool on the baking pan for 5-10 minutes, then transfer to a wire cooling rack to cool completely.

Best Monster Cookies Recipe (11)

To Freeze the Dough

  1. Form dough into balls.
  2. Place cookie dough balls on a non-stick cookie sheet and put them in the freezer for 1-2 hours or until firm.
  3. Transfer to an airtight, freezer-friendly container (I recommend either a glass storage container or a freezer-friendly ziplock bag).
  4. Freeze for up to 1 month.
  5. To bake: remove dough from the freezer and let it come to room temperature. Then bake according the the recipe instructions.
Best Monster Cookies Recipe (12)

Store

Store these monster cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for 3-5 days (if they last that long)!You can also freeze baked cookies in an airtight container for up to 2 months.

Best Monster Cookies Recipe (13)

Monster Cookies Recipe FAQs

Can you use instant oatmeal in Monster Cookies?

Yes, quick-cooking oatmeal is a fine substitution for old-fashioned oatmeal.

Can you use natural peanut butter in cookies?

Yes, but be aware that the cookies may spread more and be more on the crispy side than the soft side. Also, many natural peanut butters are unsalted, so you may need to increase the amount of salt int he recipe by 1/4 tsp.

How do you keep peanut butter cookies from crumbling?

First, make sure you do not over-bake or over-mix them. Second, be sure to store them in an airtight container.

Why are my cookies dry?

The most common reason for dry cookies is over-baking. Check your oven’s temperature and bake for a shorter amount of time.

Best Monster Cookies Recipe (14)

If you make and love our recipes, it would mean so much to me if you would leave a comment and rating! And don’t forget to follow along with us on Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook, and Youtube – be sure to tag @joyfoodsunshine and use the hashtag #joyfoodsunshine so we can your creations!

Best Monster Cookies Recipe (15)

Best Monster Cookies Recipe (16)

SavePinPrint

Monster Cookies Recipe

Laura

The best monster cookies recipe! These monster cookies are crispy on the outside and soft and chewy on the inside, plus they’re loaded with peanut butter, chocolate chips & M&Ms!

5 from 7 votes

Course cookies, Dessert

Cuisine American

Servings 30 Cookies

Calories 159

Prep Time10 minutes minutes

Cook Time10 minutes minutes

Chilling1 hour hour

Total Time1 hour hour 20 minutes minutes

Ingredients

Instructions

  • In a small bowl, combine flour, baking soda, sea salt, and cinnamon. Set aside.

  • In the bowl of a standing mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat together butter, peanut butter, brown sugar and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.

  • Add vanilla and egg and beat until combined.

  • Add the dry ingredient mixture and beat until combined.

  • Add oatmeal and beat until evenly distributed.

  • Add chocolate chips and M&Ms and stir until evenly distributed.

  • Cover dough with plastic wrap, or transfer to an airtight container with a lid and chill for at least 1 hour.

  • After 1 hour, preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.

  • Use a small cookie scoop to portion dough into 1 ½ Tablespoon portions, roll into balls and place evenly spaced on the prepared baking sheet. Gently press the tops down slightly. (Note: Dough will be slightly tacky, but should still roll easily into balls).

  • Bake in the preheated oven for 10-11 minutes, or until cookies are just barely set.

  • Let cool on the baking pan for 5-10 minutes, then transfer to a wire cooling rack to cool completely.

Video

Notes

Ingredient Substitutions

  • Salted Butter. Unsalted butter or coconut oil can be used in place of salted butter.
  • Creamy peanut butter. I recommend using a variety of peanut butter that is solid at room temperature. You can also use crunchy peanut butter if you like the little pieces of nuts in your monster cookies.
  • Eggs. Try to make sure the egg is room temperature! I have not made this recipe with an egg substitute, so if you do let me know in the comments below!
  • Light brown sugar. If you like a little bolder, molasses taste then you can use dark brown sugar. Coconut sugar also works well.
  • Granulated Sugar.Organic cane sugar is my granulated sugar of choice, but regular granulated sugar works perfectly.
  • All-purpose flour. A 1:1 gluten-free all purpose flour can be used to make these cookies gluten-free.
  • Fine sea salt. I only ever bake with pure, fine sea salt. If you are using iodized salt I recommend decreasing the amount of salt by half.
  • Chocolate chips/M&Ms.The traditional mix-ins in monster cookies are chocolate chips and M&Ms. However you can choose to use whatever you’d like. Chopped peanut butter cups, peanut butter chips, white chocolate chips, etc.

Freeze

  1. Form dough into balls.
  2. Place cookie dough balls on a non-stick cookie sheet and put them in the freezer for 1-2 hours or until firm.
  3. Transfer to an airtight, freezer-friendly container (I recommend either a glass storage container or a freezer-friendly ziplock bag).
  4. Freeze for up to 1 month.
  5. To bake: remove dough from the freezer and let it come to room temperature. Then bake according the the recipe instructions.

Store

Store monster cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or in the refrigerator for 5 days. You can freeze baked cookies for up to 1 month in an airtight container.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cookie | Calories: 159kcal | Carbohydrates: 15g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 20mg | Sodium: 142mg | Potassium: 88mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 11g | Vitamin A: 121IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 17mg | Iron: 1mg

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

Did you enjoy this recipe? Have a question? Leave a comment below!

Try these recipes

Best Peanut Butter Cookies

The Best Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe Ever

Best No Bake Cookies

Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies

Peanut Butter Blossoms

Best Monster Cookies Recipe (2024)
Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Fredrick Kertzmann

Last Updated:

Views: 5915

Rating: 4.6 / 5 (66 voted)

Reviews: 89% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Fredrick Kertzmann

Birthday: 2000-04-29

Address: Apt. 203 613 Huels Gateway, Ralphtown, LA 40204

Phone: +2135150832870

Job: Regional Design Producer

Hobby: Nordic skating, Lacemaking, Mountain biking, Rowing, Gardening, Water sports, role-playing games

Introduction: My name is Fredrick Kertzmann, I am a gleaming, encouraging, inexpensive, thankful, tender, quaint, precious person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.