Everything But The Lunchbox Cookies
Bake a batch of Everything But The Lunchbox Cookies filled with pretzels, oats, chocolate chips, and candies. The perfect chewy, sweet, and salty cookie for any occasion.
There are days when I want a cookie that feels like a full treat but still has a touch of nostalgia from those packed lunch days. These Everything But The Lunchbox Cookies do that perfectly. They are loaded with texture, full of flavor, and remind me of the best parts of school lunches without the hassle of packing them.
When I first made them, I pulled together bits of what I had in the pantry. Pretzels, chocolate chips, oats, and a handful of peanuts came together in the dough, and the smell that filled the kitchen was irresistible. My family gathered before they even cooled, and by the end of the night, only crumbs were left.
Now they have become a go-to in our house whenever we want a cookie that hits all the notes at once. They are crunchy, chewy, salty, and sweet, the kind of cookie that satisfies every craving in one bite.
Questions You May Have About This Recipe
Can I use different mix-ins?
Yes. You can use any combination of nuts, candy, or crunchy snacks you like.
Can I make them gluten free?
Yes. Substitute gluten free flour and make sure your oats are certified gluten free.
Can I freeze the dough?
Yes. Scoop the dough onto a baking sheet and freeze, then transfer to a bag. Bake from frozen, adding a few extra minutes.
What makes these cookies chewy and soft?
Using brown sugar keeps them moist, while the oats add texture without making them dry.
Do I need to chill the dough?
It is not required, but chilling helps the cookies hold their shape better while baking.
What You Need to Make Everything But The Lunchbox Cookies
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup brown sugar, packed
½ cup granulated sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2¼ cups all purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
1 cup rolled oats
1 cup crushed pretzels
1 cup semi sweet chocolate chips
½ cup chopped peanuts or walnuts
½ cup mini candies like M&M’s
How to Make Everything But The Lunchbox Cookies
Preheat the oven to 350°F and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
In a large bowl, cream together butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
Add eggs and vanilla, then mix until smooth.
In another bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt. Add to the wet ingredients and mix until combined.
Stir in oats, pretzels, chocolate chips, nuts, and candies.
Scoop dough into rounded tablespoons and place them two inches apart on the baking sheet.
Bake for 10 to 12 minutes until golden around the edges.
Cool on the pan for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
Tips
Use room temperature butter for the best texture.
Do not overbake or the cookies will turn crisp instead of chewy.
For a bakery look, press a few candies or chocolate chips on top of each dough ball before baking.
Store in an airtight container for up to five days.
These taste even better the next day after the flavors settle.
Reader Reviews
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ “I made these for a bake sale and they were gone in minutes. Everyone wanted the recipe.” Judy C.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ “These cookies are the perfect mix of salty and sweet. My husband could not stop eating them.” Carol P.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ “I swapped in peanut butter chips and they were incredible. So easy and fun to make.” Sharon W.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ “Loved the texture. The pretzels add such a nice crunch without being too salty.” Denise R.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ “These are now my favorite cookie to make with my grandkids. They love adding all the mix-ins.” Margaret H.
Printable Recipe
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Everything But The Lunchbox Cookies
Chewy, crunchy, salty, and sweet cookies packed with oats, chocolate, pretzels, nuts, and candy. A fun treat that makes everyone happy.
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2¼ cups all purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup rolled oats
- 1 cup crushed pretzels
- 1 cup semi sweet chocolate chips
- ½ cup chopped peanuts or walnuts
- ½ cup mini candies like M&M’s
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, cream together butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add eggs and vanilla, then mix until smooth.
- In another bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt. Add to the wet ingredients and mix until combined.
- Stir in oats, pretzels, chocolate chips, nuts, and candies.
- Scoop dough into rounded tablespoons and place them two inches apart on the baking sheet.
- Bake for 10 to 12 minutes until golden around the edges.
- Cool on the pan for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
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