A quick and easy fusion of classic chocolate chip and wholesome oatmeal cookies infused with a Middle Eastern twist. Chewy dates, decadent chocolate chips, and crunchy walnuts nestled in a buttery, soft dough make these cookies utterly irresistible.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Layered textures and flavors – soft, chewy, and packed with sweet dates, chocolate bursts, and nutty crunch. feelgoodfoodie.net+6fooddolls.com+6allrecipes.com+6
Pantry-friendly – uses common baking staples with exceptional results. allrecipes.com+4fooddolls.com+4unicornsinthekitchen.com+4
Simple and fast – dough comes together in about 10 minutes; bake time is under 15 minutes. feelgoodfoodie.net+7fooddolls.com+7allrecipes.com+7
Perfect for a crowd – yields a generous batch, suitable for family gatherings or bake sales. fooddolls.com

ingredients

(Tip: You can find the complete list of ingredients and their measurements in the recipe card below.)

All‑purpose flour
Rolled oats
Baking soda
Kosher salt
Unsalted butter
Light brown sugar and white sugar
Egg and egg yolk
Vanilla extract
Dark chocolate chips
Medjool dates (pitted and chopped)
Walnuts (chopped)
Optional sea salt for garnish thespruceeats.com+13fooddolls.com+13facebook.com+13

directions

Preheat oven to 350 °F (175 °C) and prepare a baking sheet. theguardian.com+7fooddolls.com+7feelgoodfoodie.net+7
In a bowl, whisk together flour, oats, baking soda, and salt. fooddolls.com
In another bowl, cream softened butter, brown sugar, and cane sugar until smooth. Add the egg, mix until combined; add the yolk and vanilla and beat until light and fluffy. fooddolls.com
Stir dry ingredients into wet until just combined—avoid overmixing.
Fold in chocolate chips, chopped dates, and walnuts. realsimple.com+5fooddolls.com+5crumbblog.com+5
Scoop dough (using a ¼‑cup measure or cookie scoop) and place onto prepared sheet, spacing evenly.
Bake 12–15 minutes, until edges are golden but centers remain soft. reddit.com+10unicornsinthekitchen.com+10crumbblog.com+10
Cool on sheet for several minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Servings and timing

Yield: 24 cookies eatingwell.com+7fooddolls.com+7feelgoodfoodie.net+7
Prep time: ~10 minutes thespruceeats.com+8fooddolls.com+8eatingwell.com+8
Cook time: 12–15 minutes per batch
Total time: 22–25 minutes

Variations

Swap nuts – use pecans or almonds instead of walnuts. realsimple.com+13feelgoodfoodie.net+13allrecipes.com+13
Change mix‑ins – try white chocolate chips, dried cherries, or raisins. thespruceeats.com+1fooddolls.com+1
Spice it up – add a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg for warmth.
Butter alternative – replace half butter with applesauce or tahini for different texture and flavor.
Gluten‑free option – substitute with certified gluten‑free flour and oats. fooddolls.com

storage/reheating

Make-ahead dough: Refrigerate up to 2 days or freeze dough balls for up to 4 months. Bake directly from fridge/frozen (add a few minutes to bake time). fooddolls.com
Storage: Keep baked cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for 5–7 days. fooddolls.com
Freezing baked cookies: Freeze cooled cookies for up to 6 months; thaw to room temperature before serving.

FAQs

1. Can I make these gluten‑free?

Yes, use 1:1 gluten‑free flour and certified gluten‑free oats. fooddolls.com

2. My dates are hard—what do I do?

Soften them by soaking briefly in hot water or microwaving with a bit of water for 10–20 seconds.

3. Can I use other nuts?

Absolutely—pecans or almonds are great substitutes, or omit nuts for a nut‑free version.

4. Why are my cookies turning out hard?

This usually happens when the dough is overmixed or the cookies are overbaked. fooddolls.com

5. Can I add spices like cinnamon?

Yes—warm spices such as cinnamon or nutmeg complement the dates beautifully.

6. How do I prevent spreading too much?

Chill the dough for 30 minutes before baking to keep cookies thicker and chewier.

7. Can I freeze the dough?

Definitely—freeze dough balls on a tray, then store in a freezer bag for up to 3–4 months.

8. Do these cookies need a topping?

No, but a sprinkle of flaky sea salt before baking enhances flavor.

9. Are old-fashioned or quick oats better?

Old-fashioned oats provide a better chewy texture; quick oats tend to be softer. glamour.com+14crumbblog.com+14nutsaboutgreens.com+14

10. Can I turn this into a bar recipe?

Yes – press dough into a lined pan and bake as a blondie-style date bar. reddit.com

Conclusion

These Date Cookies combine the best of classic chocolate chip and oatmeal cookies with a wholesome, Middle Eastern flair. Easy to prepare, full of flavor and texture, and perfect for sharing or gifting—don’t be surprised if they quickly become a pantry staple and family favorite.