Quick Answer
The number of calories in a homemade oatmeal raisin cookie can vary depending on the recipe and ingredients used. On average, a medium-sized oatmeal raisin cookie contains around 130 calories. The calories come mainly from sugar, flour, oats, raisins, butter or oil, and eggs in the cookies. The exact calorie count will depend on the quantities of each ingredient in the specific recipe.
Calories in Different Oatmeal Raisin Cookie Recipes
The calorie content in oatmeal raisin cookies can range quite a bit based on the recipe. Here is the calorie count for oatmeal raisin cookies from various popular recipes:
- Quaker Oats Oatmeal Raisin Cookies: 147 calories per cookie
- Joy of Baking Oatmeal Raisin Cookies: 132 calories per cookie
- Betty Crocker Oatmeal Raisin Cookies: 117 calories per cookie
- Tasty Oatmeal Raisin Cookies: 128 calories per cookie
- Emeril’s Oatmeal Raisin Cookies: 140 calories per cookie
- Martha Stewart’s Oatmeal Raisin Cookies: 130 calories per cookie
As you can see, the calorie range is from around 115 to 147 calories per average-sized oatmeal raisin cookie depending on the quantities of ingredients used.
Calories from Each Ingredient
To get a better idea of how many calories are in an oatmeal raisin cookie, let’s look at the calorie contribution from each of the main ingredients:
Flour
Most oatmeal raisin cookie recipes call for 1.5-2 cups of all-purpose flour. Since a cup of all-purpose flour contains around 400 calories, the flour contributes 600-800 calories to the full recipe.
Butter or Oil
The recipes usually call for between 1/2 to 1 cup of butter or oil. Butter contains about 800 calories per cup while oil provides around 1900 calories per cup. So the butter or oil can contribute 400-1900 calories.
Sugar
Granulated white sugar and brown sugar are commonly used in oatmeal raisin cookies. Recipes call for 0.5-1 cup of each sweetener. As sugar contains around 770 calories per cup, it contributes 385-1540 calories.
Eggs
Most recipes use 1-2 eggs which adds around 70-140 calories.
Oats
The oats provide around 300 calories per cup, and recipes use 1-2 cups. So oats add 300-600 calories.
Raisins
Raisins add natural sweetness and nutrients. A quarter cup of raisins contain around 110 calories, and recipes use up to 1 cup raisins. So raisins can contribute up to 440 calories.
Vanilla, Baking Soda, Salt
These ingredients add minimal calories, around 5-20 calories total.
Total Calorie Count
Adding up the calorie ranges from each ingredient gives us a total calorie count of:
- Flour: 600-800 calories
- Butter or Oil: 400-1900 calories
- Sugar: 385-1540 calories
- Eggs: 70-140 calories
- Oats: 300-600 calories
- Raisins: 110-440 calories
- Vanilla, baking soda, salt: 5-20 calories
In total, this gives a calorie range of around 1870-4440 calories for the full recipe, which makes approximately 18-24 cookies.
Dividing the total calories by number of cookies gives an average calorie count per oatmeal raisin cookie of around 130 calories. But this can range from as low as 85 calories to as high as 175 calories depending on the recipe.
Factors Affecting Calorie Count
As we’ve seen, the calories per oatmeal raisin cookie can vary quite a bit. Here are some factors that account for these differences:
1. Quantities of Ingredients
Recipes with larger amounts of calorie-dense ingredients like sugar, oil and butter will be higher in calories than those using less of these.
2. Type of Sugar
Brown sugar is slightly higher in calories than white granulated sugar. Recipes using honey or coconut sugar will also be higher in calories than those using plain white sugar.
3. Type of Flour
Whole wheat flour contains more calories per cup compared to all-purpose. Oat flour is even higher in calories than wheat flour.
4. Type of Fat Used
Butter and coconut oil are higher in calories than canola or vegetable oil per tablespoon. So recipes with more of these will be higher in calories.
5. Cookie Size
The bigger the cookie, the more calories it will contain. Cookies that spread out and flatten will have less calories than thick bakery-style oatmeal cookies.
6. Add-ins
The addition of chocolate chips, nuts, coconut or dried fruit will increase the calories compared to plain oatmeal raisin cookies.
So in summary, many factors account for the calorie differences between recipes, with ingredient quantities being the main one.
How to Reduce Calories in Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
Here are some easy tips to lighten up your oatmeal raisin cookies:
- Use less butter/oil and replace a portion with unsweetened applesauce
- Reduce the amount of sugar
- Use white whole wheat flour instead of all-purpose
- Replace some or all of the brown sugar with white sugar
- Use egg whites instead of whole eggs
- Reduce the number and size of cookies slightly
- Leave out add-ins like chocolate, coconut, nuts
Making these simple swaps can easily shave off around 30-50 calories per cookie, while still leaving you with a delicious and satisfying oatmeal raisin cookie.
Nutrition Information in Homemade Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
Here is the nutrition breakdown for a typical homemade oatmeal raisin cookie based on a standard recipe:
Calories
130 calories
Carbohydrates
20g carbs
Fiber
1-2g fiber
Sugars
9g sugars
Fat
5g total fat
Protein
2g protein
Sodium
Around 65mg sodium
Vitamins and Minerals
Provides small amounts of iron, calcium, potassium, vitamin A, and B vitamins.
So in addition to being fairly low in calories, oatmeal raisin cookies provide carbohydrates for energy, dietary fiber, heart-healthy unsaturated fats, and small amounts of important vitamins and minerals. The oats, raisins, and eggs also contribute additional nutrients.
Health Benefits of Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
Here are some of the key nutrients and health benefits that oatmeal raisin cookies can provide:
1. Fiber
Oats and raisins give a fiber boost to help regulate digestion and lower cholesterol.
2. Healthy Fats
Oats contain omega-3 fatty acids that are good for your heart and brain.
3. Protein
The eggs and oats provide plant-based and animal protein for staying power.
4. Iron
Raisins are high in iron to prevent anemia and boost energy.
5. Antioxidants
Oats contain avenanthramides that act as antioxidants and fight inflammation.
6. Vitamins and Minerals
Oats are high in manganese, phosphorus, magnesium, B vitamins and vitamin E.
So in moderation, as part of a balanced diet, oatmeal raisin cookies can provide important nutrients and health benefits rather than just empty calories. The fiber, antioxidants, vitamins and minerals make them more nutrient-dense than many other cookie choices.
Serving Size Guide for Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
Here are some tips for smart portion sizes when eating oatmeal raisin cookies:
– 1 small cookie (2 inches wide) = 60 calories
– 2 small cookies = 120 calories
– 1 medium cookie (2.5-3 inches wide) = 130 calories
– 3 medium cookies = 390 calories
– 1 large bakery-style cookie (4 inches wide) = 200+ calories
Stick with 1-2 small or medium cookies for a snack, or 3 cookies as a dessert. Be mindful of portion sizes, as the calorie count can creep up quickly if you eat multiple large cookies in one sitting. Enjoy your oatmeal raisin cookies in moderation as part of an overall healthy diet.
How to Store Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
To retain freshness and texture, store oatmeal raisin cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for 2-3 days maximum. To extend the shelf life for 1-2 weeks, store the cookies in the fridge. For long term storage, freeze baked oatmeal raisin cookies in a freezer-proof container for 3-4 months. Thaw cookies overnight in the fridge before enjoying.
Oatmeal Raisin Cookie Variations
There are many ways to add your own twists to oatmeal raisin cookies:
- Add 1/2 cup chocolate chips
- Use pecans or walnuts instead of raisins
- Add shredded coconut for tropical flair
- Cranberries and white chocolate chips for a festive cookie
- Toasted nuts add crunch and depth of flavor
- Cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, or cardamom provide warming spice
- Swap out some of the oats for quick oats or old-fashioned oats
- Add flax or chia seeds for a nutrition boost
Feel free to get creative and make the oatmeal raisin cookie your own with unique add-ins and spice combinations!
Conclusion
Oatmeal raisin cookies are a beloved cookie jar classic for good reason. They provide a hearty, wholesome, and soothing treat with a reasonable calorie count. On average, a medium homemade oatmeal raisin cookie contains around 130 calories, but can range from 85-175 calories depending on the recipe. The main factors accounting for calorie differences are the types and amounts of sugar, flour, fat, and mix-ins used. There are also easy ways to lighten up the calories in oatmeal raisin cookies while keeping all the delicious flavor. In moderation, oatmeal raisin cookies can be enjoyed as part of a balanced diet thanks to their fiber, antioxidants, vitamins and minerals. Now that you know approximately how many calories are in homemade oatmeal raisin cookies, you can enjoy your favorite cookie with peace of mind and a bit of restraint.
