Name: Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Bars Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 cup unsalted butter, softened; 1 cup brown sugar, packed; 1/2 cup granulated sugar; 2 large eggs; 2 teaspoons vanilla extract; 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour; 1 teaspoon baking soda; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 3 cups old-fashioned rolled oats; 2 cups semisweet chocolate chips; Optional: 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans

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Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Bars are everything you crave in a homemade treat: chewy, chocolatey, and just the right balance of hearty oats and sweet indulgence. These magical bars are my go-to for bake sales, quick weeknight desserts, or even a grab-and-go breakfast (yes, I’ve done it!). If you love desserts that are unfussy but utterly delicious, this recipe is bound to become a staple in your kitchen, too. Each bite is layered with cozy warmth and nostalgic flavor, making these bars a must for every dessert lover.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Bars Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

You won’t believe how simple these ingredients are, yet each one is essential for creating that irresistible texture and taste we crave in Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Bars. From buttery richness to the classic hug of vanilla and oats, every component has its own delicious role to play.

Butter: Unsalted butter gives the bars a luscious, soft base and delivers a rich, creamy flavor.
Brown Sugar: Packed brown sugar adds deep caramel notes and helps keep the bars ultra-moist and chewy.
Granulated Sugar: A bit of white sugar keeps the sweetness perfectly balanced and encourages those golden edges we love.
Eggs: These act as the binder, giving the bars their structure and adding a touch of tenderness.
Vanilla Extract: Don’t skip this — vanilla brings the whole batch to life with warm, fragrant depth.
All-Purpose Flour: Flour holds everything together and provides that classic “cookie bar” texture.
Baking Soda: A touch of leavening keeps the bars light without letting them get cakey.
Salt: Just enough salt to balance the sweetness and intensify the chocolate flavors.
Old-Fashioned Rolled Oats: The star ingredient! Oats bring chewiness, heartiness, and classic flavor.
Semisweet Chocolate Chips: Melty, gooey chocolate chips turn every bite irresistible—feel free to use your favorite variety.
Chopped Walnuts or Pecans (optional): A handful of nuts introduces crunch and a lovely nutty undertone to the bars.

How to Make Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Bars

Step 1: Prepare Your Pan and Preheat

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking pan, or line it with parchment paper for easy removal. Prepping your pan first means you can transition your finished batter straight to the oven without any fuss.

Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugars

In a large bowl, use a hand mixer or stand mixer to cream together the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until the mixture looks light, fluffy, and slightly lighter in color. This step is key—it traps air, which translates into those beautifully tender and chewy Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Bars.

Step 3: Add the Eggs and Vanilla

Beat in the eggs, one at a time, ensuring each egg is fully incorporated before adding the next. Add the vanilla extract, and blend until the mixture looks glossy and smooth. The eggs and vanilla are the background “hum” of flavor and structure in this recipe.

Step 4: Mix Dry Ingredients and Combine

In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. With your mixer on low (or a sturdy spatula if you’re doing it by hand), gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture. Stir just until combined to avoid overmixing, which can make the bars tough instead of chewy.

Step 5: Stir In Oats, Chocolate Chips, and Nuts

Fold in the rolled oats and semisweet chocolate chips. If you’re adding chopped walnuts or pecans, this is the moment! Give everything a good stir to make sure those chunks and chips are evenly dotted throughout the batter.

Step 6: Spread and Smooth the Batter

Scrape the batter into your prepared pan. It will be thick—just use a spatula to spread it evenly all the way to the corners. Smoothing the top ensures even baking and beautifully squared off Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Bars later.

Step 7: Bake to Golden Perfection

Pop your pan into the oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when the edges turn a lovely golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with just a couple of moist crumbs. Avoid overbaking for that ideal chewy texture!

Step 8: Cool and Cut

Let the bars cool completely in the pan before cutting—this is how you get those perfectly defined squares. Cooling also lets the flavors mingle and the chocolate set to just the right creamy consistency.

How to Serve Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Bars

Garnishes

Dress up your Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Bars with a light dusting of powdered sugar, a quick chocolate drizzle, or even a dollop of whipped cream. If you’re feeling extra festive, sprinkle a few flakes of sea salt on top for that sweet-salty magic.

Side Dishes

These bars pair perfectly with a tall glass of cold milk, a steaming mug of coffee, or even a scoop of vanilla ice cream for dessert night. Want to keep things light? Add fresh berries alongside for a refreshing contrast.

Creative Ways to Present

Cut your Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Bars into fun shapes with a cookie cutter, layer them into a parfait with yogurt and fruit for breakfast, or wrap individual squares in parchment for a sweet lunchbox surprise. They’re also wonderful tucked into a decorative tin as a homemade gift any time of year.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store any leftover bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to five days. They stay moist and chewy, and actually taste even better after a day as the flavors settle together.

Freezing

To freeze, layer Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Bars in an airtight container with parchment paper between each layer. They freeze beautifully for up to two months, making it easy to have a stash ready for sudden cravings or surprise guests.

Reheating

For fresh-from-the-oven goodness, zap a bar in the microwave for 10 seconds. If reheating from frozen, let the bars thaw at room temperature, then warm gently if desired. The chips get gooey again and the oats turn chewy and comforting.

FAQs

Can I use quick oats instead of old-fashioned rolled oats?

While quick oats can be used in a pinch, old-fashioned rolled oats give the bars a heartier texture and chewier bite. Quick oats will make the bars a bit denser, but they’ll still taste delicious!

Can I make Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Bars gluten-free?

Absolutely! Just swap in your favorite 1:1 gluten-free flour blend in place of the all-purpose flour, and ensure your oats are certified gluten-free. The recipe works beautifully with these adjustments.

How can I tell when the bars are done baking?

Look for golden-brown edges and a center that’s just set—insert a toothpick into the middle; it should come out with a few moist crumbs but not wet batter. Don’t overbake for ultimate chewiness.

Are there any fun add-ins I can try?

Get creative! Chopped dried fruit like cranberries or raisins, a swirl of peanut butter, or even a handful of shredded coconut all work wonderfully in Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Bars. Play with flavors to suit your mood!

Can I cut this recipe in half?

Yes, this recipe halves easily. Use an 8×8-inch pan instead of a 9×13, and check for doneness a few minutes earlier since the bars will be a bit thinner or bake more quickly.

Final Thoughts

I can’t wait for you to experience just how easy and crowd-pleasing these Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Bars are. Whether you’re baking for loved ones or treating yourself, this recipe brings smiles every single time. Enjoy every chewy, chocolate-dotted bite!

Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Bars Recipe

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4.7 from 29 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 45 minutes
Yield: 24 bars 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

These Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Bars are the perfect combination of chewy and sweet, with a hint of crunch from the nuts. Easy to make and even easier to enjoy, these bars are a great treat for any occasion.

Ingredients

Scale

Ingredients:

1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup brown sugar, packed
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
Optional: 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans

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Instructions

Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare a 9×13-inch baking pan.
Cream butter and sugars: In a large bowl, cream together the butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
Add eggs and vanilla: Beat in the eggs one at a time, then mix in the vanilla extract.
Combine dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture.
Stir in oats and chocolate: Stir in the oats and chocolate chips (and nuts if using) until evenly distributed.
Bake: Spread the batter in the pan and bake for 25-30 minutes until golden brown.
Cool and cut: Let cool in the pan before cutting into bars.