If you love the rich, buttery taste of chocolate chip cookies but want something even chewier, thicker, and easier to make, these Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Bars are for you! They combine the nutty goodness of oats, the sweetness of brown sugar, and the decadence of chocolate chips into a soft, melt-in-your-mouth dessert bar.
Perfect for snacks, lunchboxes, potlucks, or after-dinner treats, these bars come together quickly with simple pantry ingredients. Plus, you can easily customize them with nuts, coconut, or even peanut butter for an extra indulgent twist.
In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know about making these irresistible oatmeal bars, including step-by-step instructions, pro tips, variations, storage tips, and even nutritional details.
Ingredients for Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Bars
Wet Ingredients:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Dry Ingredients:
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 ½ cups old-fashioned oats
Mix-ins:
- 1 ½ cups chocolate chips (semi-sweet, milk, or dark)
- ½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon (optional, for extra warmth)
- ½ cup shredded coconut (optional, for extra texture)
Step-by-Step Instructions
Preheat & Prepare the Baking Dish
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Line a 9×13-inch baking dish with parchment paper or grease it lightly with butter.
Mix the Wet Ingredients
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the melted butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until smooth and creamy.
- Add the eggs and vanilla extract, then mix until well incorporated.
Prepare the Dry Ingredients
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, and oats.
- Slowly add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring gently until just combined.
Fold in the Chocolate Chips
- Gently fold in the chocolate chips (and optional add-ins like nuts or coconut).
- Be careful not to overmix—this keeps the bars soft and chewy!
Spread and Bake
- Evenly spread the batter into the prepared baking dish.
- Sprinkle some extra chocolate chips on top for a pretty, bakery-style look.
- Bake for 22-25 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with just a few moist crumbs.
Step 6: Cool & Slice
- Let the bars cool in the pan for 15 minutes before slicing.
- Cut into squares or rectangles and enjoy!
Tips & Tricks for the Best Oatmeal Bars
Use melted butter – This creates a rich, chewy texture.
Don’t overbake – They will continue to firm up as they cool.
For a thicker bar, use an 8×8-inch pan and bake for 5-7 extra minutes.
Customize the flavors – Add a sprinkle of sea salt, a drizzle of caramel, or mix in peanut butter chips.
Use quick oats for extra softness, or stick with old-fashioned oats for a heartier bite.
Variations to Try
Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars – Swap ½ cup of butter for ½ cup peanut butter for a nutty twist.
Nutty Chocolate Bars – Add ½ cup of chopped pecans or walnuts for a crunchy bite.
Coconut Chocolate Bars – Stir in ½ cup shredded coconut for a tropical flavor.
Banana Oatmeal Bars – Replace one egg with a mashed banana for a natural sweetness boost.
Pumpkin Oatmeal Bars – Substitute ¼ cup pumpkin puree for extra moisture and fall flavors.
How to Store & Freeze
Short-Term Storage:
- Store the bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days.
Long-Term Freezing:
- Wrap individual bars in plastic wrap, then store in a freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months.
- To thaw, let sit at room temperature for 30 minutes, or microwave for 10-15 seconds.
Conclusion
These Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Bars are chewy, buttery, and packed with rich chocolate flavor. They make the perfect dessert for any occasion and can be customized with nuts, coconut, or even dried fruit. Whether you enjoy them warm with a glass of milk or as an on-the-go snack, these bars are a must-try for chocolate lovers!
FAQ
1. Can I use quick oats instead of old-fashioned oats?
Yes! Quick oats create a softer texture, while old-fashioned oats make the bars chewier. Both work well, so it depends on your preference.
2. How do I make these bars gluten-free?
Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend instead of all-purpose flour and ensure you’re using certified gluten-free oats.
3. Can I add nuts or dried fruit?
Absolutely! Chopped walnuts, pecans, raisins, or cranberries add great texture and flavor.
4. How do I store these bars?
Keep them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days, or refrigerate for up to a week. You can also freeze them for up to 3 months.
5. Can I reduce the sugar?
Yes! You can cut the sugar by ¼ cup without affecting texture too much. Using coconut sugar or honey as a substitute also works well.
Print
Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Bars
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 16 bars 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Bars are soft, chewy, and packed with rich chocolate chips. Made with oats and brown sugar, they have a perfect balance of sweetness and texture. A quick and easy dessert for any occasion!
Ingredients
Bars:
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, melted
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 cups old-fashioned oats
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 ½ cups semisweet chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat & Prep: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper or grease it lightly.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together melted butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar. Add eggs and vanilla, mixing until smooth.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In another bowl, whisk oats, flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add this to the wet ingredients, stirring until combined.
- Add Chocolate Chips: Fold in the chocolate chips, ensuring they are evenly distributed.
- Bake: Spread the batter evenly into the prepared pan. Bake for 25–30 minutes or until the edges are golden brown and a toothpick inserted comes out with a few moist crumbs.
- Cool & Serve: Let cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing into bars.
Notes
- For Extra Chewiness: Use quick oats instead of old-fashioned oats.
- For a Crunchy Texture: Add ½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans.
- Storage: Store in an airtight container at room temperature for 4 days or refrigerate for up to a week.
- Freezing Instructions: Wrap bars individually in plastic wrap and store in a zip-top freezer bag for up to 3 months.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dessert, Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 240
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 120mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
Keywords: Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Bars, Oatmeal Cookie Bars, Chewy Oat Bars, Chocolate Oatmeal Dessert, Homemade Granola Bars