If you love a chewy, chewy texture with just the right amount of sweetness and a rich chocolatey punch, these Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Bars are your new best friend. This treat manages to bring together the wholesome goodness of oats with the irresistible charm of melty chocolate chips, all wrapped up in a soft, buttery base. Whether you need an afternoon pick-me-up, a snack for guests, or a sweet finish to a casual meal, these bars deliver on every level and are surprisingly simple to make, turning everyday ingredients into pure homemade magic.

Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Bars Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

The beauty of making Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Bars lies in their simplicity and how each ingredient plays its part perfectly. You’ll find that just a handful of pantry staples come together to create layers of flavor and texture—soft yet chewy oats, warm cinnamon notes, buttery richness, and those pockets of gooey chocolate.

Old-Fashioned Oats: Provides that classic chewy texture and hearty flavor that defines the bars.
All Purpose Flour: Helps bind the bars together while keeping them tender.
Light Brown Sugar: Adds moisture and a subtle caramel undertone for depth.
Granulated Sugar: Balances the sweetness and aids in browning.
Baking Soda: Ensures the bars have a light, pleasant rise without becoming cakey.
Salt: Enhances all the flavors, especially the chocolate and cinnamon.
Ground Cinnamon: Gives a warm, comforting spice note that’s so inviting.
Unsalted Butter (Melted): Brings richness and a gorgeous buttery flavor throughout.
Eggs: Bind everything together and give the bars structure.
Vanilla Extract: Lifts the flavor and adds a wonderful sweet aroma.
Semi Sweet Chocolate Chips: The star ingredient that melts into pockets of deliciousness in every bite.

How to Make Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Bars

Step 1: Preheat and Prepare the Pan

Start by setting your oven to 350 degrees F, a perfect temperature that gently bakes the bars without drying them out. Grease and line a 9×13 baking pan with parchment paper to ensure the bars pop out easily when cooled—no sticking, just perfect squares.

Step 2: Combine the Dry Ingredients

In a medium bowl, whisk together your oats, all-purpose flour, light brown sugar, granulated sugar, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon. This dry blend is where the magic starts, layering sweetness, spice, and texture seamlessly.

Step 3: Add in the Wet Ingredients

Now pour in the melted butter, crack in the eggs, and add the vanilla extract. Mix everything until just combined—the batter will be thick and hearty, which is exactly what you want for these bars to be both chewy and tender.

Step 4: Fold in the Chocolate Chips

Gently fold in the semi sweet chocolate chips, spreading little pockets of sweet melty chocolate throughout the batter. This step is where these bars earn their “chocolate chip” name in the best possible way.

Step 5: Bake Until Golden and Set

Spread your batter evenly into the prepared pan, smoothing out the top. Bake for about 18-20 minutes until the edges begin to turn a light golden color and the center is set but still soft. The smell will tell you you’re almost there—it’s pure homey happiness.

Step 6: Salt, Cool, and Slice

The final touch is a sprinkle of coarse sea salt as soon as the bars come out of the oven. This contrast of salty meets sweet lifts the flavors beautifully. Let the bars cool completely in the pan before slicing into squares—that way, they hold together perfectly and look picture-perfect for sharing (or sneaky snacking!).

How to Serve Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Bars

Garnishes

While they’re fantastic on their own, you can jazz up your Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Bars with a dusting of powdered sugar for a pretty finish or a drizzle of melted chocolate for extra indulgence. A pinch of flaky sea salt on top really intensifies their flavor if you want to highlight the sweet-and-salty vibe.

Side Dishes

Serve these bars alongside a cold glass of milk, a steaming cup of coffee, or a creamy hot chocolate for an irresistible combo. They also pair wonderfully with fresh fruit, like berries or sliced bananas, to balance out their rich texture.

Creative Ways to Present

Cut them into bite-sized squares for a crowd-pleasing dessert platter or layer them between wax paper in a pretty box as a delightful homemade gift. For a fun twist, serve warm bars topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a cozy dessert everyone will rave about.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Keep your Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Bars fresh by storing them in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay perfectly soft and chewy for up to 3 days, which means you can enjoy a tasty homemade snack anytime without extra effort.

Freezing

If you want to make these bars well ahead of time, freeze them in a sealed container or freezer bag for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to indulge, just thaw at room temperature or gently warm them in the microwave to revive that fresh-baked texture.

Reheating

To bring back that just-out-of-the-oven warmth, pop your bars into the microwave for 10-15 seconds or bake in a 300-degree oven for about 5 minutes. This little step enhances the gooeyness of the chocolate chips and makes the butter notes shine.

FAQs

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

Old-fashioned oats are preferred because they keep the bars chewy and have a heartier texture. Quick oats can make the bars softer and less structured, but if that’s what you have on hand, they’ll still work in a pinch.

Is it possible to substitute the butter?

You can swap melted unsalted butter for coconut oil or a vegan butter alternative if you want a dairy-free version. Keep in mind the flavor and texture might shift slightly, but the bars will still be delicious.

How do I prevent the bars from being too crumbly?

Make sure not to overbake these bars and let them cool completely before slicing. The eggs and butter help bind everything together, so sticking to the bake time and letting them set is key to avoiding crumbly squares.

Can I add nuts or dried fruit to the recipe?

Absolutely! Chopped walnuts, pecans, or dried cranberries add delightful texture and flavor notes. Just fold them in alongside the chocolate chips in Step 4 for an easy upgrade.

Are these bars gluten-free?

This recipe calls for all-purpose flour, which contains gluten. To make the bars gluten-free, use a certified gluten-free flour blend and ensure your oats are also labeled gluten-free.

Final Thoughts

These Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Bars are a treasure to have in your baking repertoire—simple to make, irresistibly tasty, and wonderfully versatile. Once you try them, you’ll be reaching for this recipe again and again, making it a staple for cozy afternoons or whenever you need a little sweet comfort. Go ahead and bake a batch; I promise these bars will become a beloved classic in your home too!

Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Bars Recipe

★★★★★

4.8 from 11 reviews

Author: Victor
Total Time: 35 minutes
Yield: 24 bars 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

These Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Bars are a delightful treat that combines the hearty texture of old-fashioned oats with the rich sweetness of semi-sweet chocolate chips. Perfectly soft and chewy with a hint of cinnamon and a touch of sea salt sprinkled on top, these bars are ideal for a quick snack, dessert, or even breakfast on the go.

Instructions

Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) and grease and line a 9×13 inch baking pan with parchment paper for easy removal and clean-up.
Mix Together Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, combine the oats, all-purpose flour, light brown sugar, granulated sugar, baking soda, salt, and ground cinnamon. Stir thoroughly to evenly distribute all the ingredients.
Add in the Wet Ingredients: Pour the melted unsalted butter, add the eggs, and vanilla extract into the bowl with the dry ingredients. Mix well until the batter is fully combined and smooth.
Add the Chocolate Chips: Gently fold the semi-sweet chocolate chips into the batter ensuring they are evenly distributed throughout the mixture.
Bake: Transfer and spread the dough evenly into the prepared baking pan. Bake in the preheated oven for 18-20 minutes or until the bars turn a light golden brown and are set in the middle.
Sprinkle with Salt, Cool and Slice: Immediately upon removing the bars from the oven, sprinkle the top generously with coarse sea salt. Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan before cutting into squares. Serve and enjoy your delicious oatmeal chocolate chip bars!

Notes

Use parchment paper for easy removal and cleanup.
Make sure not to overbake; bars should be just set to keep them soft and chewy.
For a nutty flavor, consider adding chopped walnuts or pecans.
Store bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
Coarse sea salt enhances the chocolate’s sweetness and adds a delightful crunch.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 18-20 minutes
Category: Dessert, Snack
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American