Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Bars Recipe
If you’re on the hunt for a dessert that’s every bit as nostalgic and cozy as a homemade cookie, but so much easier to make, you’ll fall in love with these Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Bars. Imagine chewy, golden oats hugging rich pockets of melty chocolate, all in a perfectly hand-held bar you can share, pack, or stash for later. This crowd-pleasing treat has quickly become a staple in my kitchen, and once you try a bite, you’ll understand why!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Pulling together Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Bars couldn’t be easier, thanks to a lineup of pantry-favorite ingredients that create pure magic. Each ingredient shines here—adding delicious layers of flavor, texture, and that unmistakable home-baked aroma you can’t get anywhere else.
- Unsalted butter (1 cup, softened): Essential for that rich, tender base and perfectly chewy bar texture.
- Brown sugar (1 cup, packed): Adds caramel notes and helps keep the bars moist and soft.
- Granulated sugar (1/2 cup): Balances sweetness and contributes to a satisfying chewiness.
- Large eggs (2): Bind the ingredients together for that classic cookie-bar structure.
- Vanilla extract (2 teaspoons): Brings warmth and depth, enhancing all the cozy flavors.
- All-purpose flour (1 1/2 cups): Provides structure without making the bars heavy.
- Baking soda (1 teaspoon): Gives the bars lift and the perfect crumb.
- Salt (1/2 teaspoon): Pops all the sweet, buttery flavors and balances the richness.
- Old-fashioned oats (2 cups): The heart of the bars—these give chewy bite and rustic appeal.
- Semisweet chocolate chips (1 1/2 cups): Little chocolate surprises in every bite; you can sneak in a few extra if you’re a true chocolate lover.
How to Make Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Bars
Step 1: Prep Your Pan and Preheat
To set up for success, preheat your oven to 350°F. Then, grab a 9×13-inch baking pan and either line it with parchment paper (my go-to for easy removal) or lightly grease it if you’d rather. This small step ensures your bars come out perfectly and leaves less mess for you later.
Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugars
In a large bowl, combine your softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar. With a hand mixer or sturdy wooden spoon, cream them together until the mixture is light, fluffy, and pale—this helps guarantee your Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Bars have a soft, melt-in-your-mouth texture.
Step 3: Add Eggs and Vanilla
Crack in the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Then stir in the vanilla extract. Take a moment to breathe in that sweet vanilla aroma—it’s a little preview of how good these bars will smell as they bake.
Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients
In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. Combining the dry ingredients on their own ensures even distribution, so you get consistent flavor and texture in every single bite.
Step 5: Mix Everything Together
Gradually add the dry ingredients into your creamed butter mixture, mixing until just combined. Don’t over-mix here—just stir until no streaks remain. Then, fold in the old-fashioned oats and semisweet chocolate chips to finish the dough. At this point, it takes serious willpower not to sneak a taste!
Step 6: Spread and Bake
Scoop the dough into your prepared pan and use a spatula (or clean hands) to press it evenly to all the edges. Slide the pan into your oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until the bars are turning golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out mostly clean with just a few moist crumbs.
Step 7: Cool and Slice
Patience is key—let your Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Bars cool completely in the pan before slicing. This helps them set up nicely so every bar is picture-perfect (and easy to cut without crumbling!). Then, serve and watch them disappear!
How to Serve Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Bars
Garnishes
When it comes to garnishing Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Bars, a light dusting of powdered sugar or a drizzle of melted chocolate turns them into a little celebration. For a festive touch, sprinkle a pinch of flaky sea salt on top right after baking—this elevates every bite!
Side Dishes
Pairing these bars with a glass of cold milk is a classic, but they’re also wonderful alongside a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a mug of hot coffee. For a party platter, add some fresh berries or sliced fruit for brightness and color!
Creative Ways to Present
Serve Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Bars at bake sales cut into mini squares, or wrap individual bars with parchment and colorful twine for sweet party favors. For an indulgent dessert, stack them high on a cake stand and let guests help themselves.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep leftover Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Bars in an airtight container at room temperature. They stay wonderfully chewy and fresh for up to five days, making them fantastic for lunchboxes, after-school snacks, or easy treats with your morning coffee.
Freezing
If you want to make a batch ahead or save some for later, these bars freeze beautifully. Arrange the sliced (and fully cooled) bars in layers with parchment between them in a freezer-safe container or bag. They’ll keep for up to three months—just thaw on the counter for a grab-and-go snack!
Reheating
Want that just-baked warmth? Pop a bar (or two) in the microwave for 10 to 15 seconds. This brings back some melty chocolate magic and makes the oats extra soft—just perfect with a cool scoop of ice cream on top.
FAQs
Can I use quick oats instead of old-fashioned oats?
Old-fashioned oats give Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Bars their signature chew and texture, but in a pinch, you can substitute quick oats. The bars will be slightly softer, so keep an eye on baking time to avoid overbaking.
What other mix-ins can I add?
Feel free to customize with chopped walnuts, pecans, or even dried cranberries or cherries for a fun fruity twist. Just aim to keep total mix-ins to about 2 cups so the bars hold together nicely.
Can I make these bars dairy-free?
Yes! Substitute a good-quality vegan butter and use dairy-free chocolate chips. The bars will still bake up beautifully and taste fantastic.
My bars turned out too dry. What went wrong?
This often happens if the bars are slightly overbaked. Pull them from the oven as soon as the edges are golden and the center looks just set. They’ll firm up as they cool and be deliciously chewy.
How do I cut clean, even bars?
Let the bars cool completely, then lift them out of the pan with parchment for neat slicing. Use a sharp knife wiped clean between cuts for perfect, bakery-worthy bars every time.
Final Thoughts
I can’t wait for you to share these Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Bars with your family and friends! They’re perfect for bake sales, potlucks, or just as a sweet everyday treat. Give them a try—your kitchen is about to smell amazing, and you might just find your new favorite bar recipe.
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Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Bars Recipe
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 24 bars 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Bars are a delightful treat that perfectly balances the wholesome goodness of oats with the sweet indulgence of chocolate chips. Chewy, flavorful, and easy to make, these bars are a favorite for dessert lovers of all ages.
Ingredients
Wet Ingredients:
- 1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 1 cup brown sugar (packed)
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Dry Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 cups old-fashioned oats
- 1 1/2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat oven and prepare pan: Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper or grease it lightly.
- Cream butter and sugars: In a large bowl, cream together the butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until smooth and fluffy. Beat in eggs one at a time, then mix in the vanilla.
- Combine dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until combined.
- Add oats and chocolate chips: Stir in oats and chocolate chips until evenly distributed in the dough.
- Bake: Spread the dough evenly into the prepared pan. Bake for 25–30 minutes until golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out mostly clean.
- Cool and cut: Allow the bars to cool completely before cutting into bars for serving.
Notes
- You can customize these bars by adding chopped nuts or dried fruit for extra flavor and texture.
- Store the bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days or freeze for longer shelf life.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 16g
- Sodium: 120mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 27g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
