15 Ways to Turn Oatmeal Into a Delicious Dessert

Oats Make Great Sweets

By
Lizz Schumer
Lizz Schumer
Lizz Schumer
A journalist, writer, and author, Lizz Schumer has 10+ years of experience covering food and drink for a wide variety of well-known print and online publications.
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Updated on 08/10/21
Sugar-Free Vegan Peanut Butter, Oatmeal and Banana Cookies

 Claire Cohen

Oatmeal makes a delicious addition to desserts, thanks to its chewy texture and nutty flavor. When baking with oats, read the recipe carefully. Quick-cooking oats are more processed than those labeled old-fashioned oats, so won't behave the same way in recipes. Steel-cut oats are an even longer-cooking option, so make sure you get the right kind. Try some of these delightful oatmeal dessert recipes for a hearty sweet treat.

  • 01 of 15

    One-Bowl Oatmeal Jam Bars

    oatmeal jam bars

    The Spruce / Jessie Sheehan

    No need to wash a sinkful of dirty dishes after making these one-bowl oatmeal jam bars. Both chewy and crispy, salty, nutty, and sweet, they have all the makings of your new favorite dessert. Use whatever jam you have on hand for the filling, or mix it up depending on the season.

  • 02 of 15

    Oatmeal Walnut Cookies

    Oatmeal walnut cookies

    Flavia Morlachetti / Getty Images

    These oatmeal walnut cookies have a wonderfully chewy texture with a little crunch, thanks to the addition of walnuts. Add raisins or chocolate chips for even more variation. And for a make-ahead treat, freeze a few of the unbaked balls to pop in the oven later.

  • 03 of 15

    No-Bake Oatmeal Cocoa Cookies

    no bake cookies

    The Spruce Eats / Abby Mercer

    This classic no-bake cookie recipe works especially well in the summer when you don't want to heat up your kitchen by turning on the oven. Kids can get in the fun by rolling the cookies into balls for an easy, slightly messy afternoon activity. Use quick-cooking oats for the right texture.

  • 04 of 15

    Banana Oatmeal Cookies

    Banana Oatmeal Cookies

     Kristina Vanni 

    Chock full of wonderful ingredients like bananas, oatmeal, and walnuts, these cookies make a delicious breakfast treat, after-school snack, or hand-held dessert. If you need to use up leftover bananas, these cookies fit the bill.

    Continue to 5 of 15 below.
  • 05 of 15

    Oatmeal Bar Cookies

    Wholesome Low-Calorie Oat Granola Bars

    The Spruce / Loren Runion

    These simple oatmeal bar cookies taste better than any store-bought granola bar, plus they come together more quickly than drop cookies with no shaping required. Add your favorite mix-ins like pecans, walnuts, chocolate chips, or dried fruit.

  • 06 of 15

    Apple Crisp

    Apple crisp for two

    The Spruce

    This simple and delicious apple crisp layers apples with a spiced oatmeal and butter mixture for a warming autumn-inspired dessert that tastes just perfect with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream. Scale up the recipe to feed a crowd or enjoy as-is for a couple of servings.

  • 07 of 15

    Blueberry Crisp with Oat Crumble

    blueberry crisp with ice cream
    Diana Rattray

    Make the most of fresh summer blueberries with this delicious fruit crisp. Blueberries can range from super-tart to sweet, so you may want to adjust the amount of sugar depending on the fruit you have. Top with ice cream, whipped cream, or really go for it and use both.

  • 08 of 15

    Pumpkin Pie with Spiced Oat Crust

    Pumpkin Pie With Oat Crust
    Photo: Diana Rattray

    The spiced oat crust in this simple pumpkin custard pie makes a nice change from a heavier, more complicated pastry pie crust. If you want it even lighter, leave out the pecans. Make sure you get pumpkin, not pumpkin pie filling, for this recipe.

    Continue to 9 of 15 below.
  • 09 of 15

    Peanut Butter, Banana, and Oatmeal Cookies

    Sugar-Free Vegan Peanut Butter, Oatmeal and Banana Cookies

     Claire Cohen

    With peanut butter for nuttiness, mashed bananas for fruity flavor, a little maple syrup for sweetness, and oatmeal for a hearty texture, these vegan cookies will hit the spot. They have no refined sugar or dairy products.

  • 10 of 15

    Spiced Apple Oatmeal Cake

    apple cake is served
    Diana Rattray

    Chopped apples give this spiced oatmeal cake a lovely moist texture, while raisins and pecans add a little crunch. Feel free to omit those or swap them for other nuts and dried fruits, if you prefer. The cake doesn't need frosting, but a simple white glaze or dusting of powdered sugar would give it a pretty finish.

  • 11 of 15

    Spiced Cranberry Oatmeal Cookies

    vegan oatmeal cookies with spices and dried cranberries
    The Spruce

    With their thick and chewy texture, these vegan cranberry oatmeal cookies taste almost like a scone. They're hearty enough to eat a few for breakfast, if you feel like treating yourself. And they use no egg replacement, so they make a great start for those new to vegan baking.

  • 12 of 15

    Chocolate Oatmeal Bars

    Chocolate Filled Oatmeal Bars
    Diana Rattray

    Sweetened condensed milk and chocolate chips give the filling in these easy oat bars a nice creaminess that contrasts perfectly with the oat crust. Walnuts or pecans give them extra crunch, but you can leave them out if you don't care for nuts.

    Continue to 13 of 15 below.
  • 13 of 15

    Peanut Butter and Chocolate No-Bake Cookies

    Easy Gluten-Free Chocolate Oatmeal No-Bake Cookies

    The Spruce / Kristina Vanni

    If you love peanut butter and chocolate together, these no-bake cookies will do it for you. Lots of variations can help you make them your own, including tips for adding coconut, nuts, cocoa, and much more. Try them for a summer treat when you just can't stand turning on the oven.

  • 14 of 15

    Date Squares with Oat Crust

    Date Bars
    Photo: Diana Rattray

    Dates have an earthy sweetness that tastes decadent. These sticky and crumbly bars go wonderfully alongside a cup of tea or coffee for a brunch or afternoon treat.

  • 15 of 15

    Raspberry Crumble Bars

    Raspberry Crumble Bars

    The Spruce / Stephanie Goldfinger

    A buttery crumb crust, sweet raspberry filling, and more crumbly filling on top give these layered bars a lovely contrast. Make a big batch—they go fast. You can swap out raspberry jam for strawberry or other flavors too, to use up what you have on hand.