Irresistibly Chewy Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars: Your New Favorite Easy Dessert
Imagine the comforting, wholesome flavor of your favorite oatmeal cookies, but with the added decadence of rich chocolate chips, all baked into a wonderfully easy-to-make bar. These Chewy Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars transform a classic cookie into an even simpler, more convenient dessert. Forget the tedious process of scooping individual cookies; with this recipe, you’ll simply spread the delicious dough into a pan, achieving the same beloved flavors and textures in a fraction of the time. These delightful oatmeal blondies are packed with hearty old-fashioned oats, generous melty chocolate chips, and a subtle hint of warm cinnamon that ties all the flavors together beautifully. Best of all, they come together in about 30 minutes from start to finish, making them perfect for last-minute cravings or spontaneous gatherings.
While I absolutely adore the process of making cookies from scratch, some days the thought of portioning out two dozen individual rounds onto a baking sheet is just too much. That’s where these incredible chocolate chip oatmeal bars come to the rescue! This recipe is incredibly straightforward, often requiring just a single bowl for mixing, which means less cleanup and more time to enjoy your delicious creation.
Furthermore, these bars offer something for every preference. If you’re someone who always reaches for the crisp edges of a cookie, simply grab a corner piece for that satisfying crunch. But if you’re a true connoisseur of gooey, chewy centers, then the middle pieces of these bars are your ultimate treat – extra soft and delightfully rich. Don’t hesitate to give these easy oatmeal cookie bars a try – I’m absolutely certain you’ll fall in love with them! They share the same delightful, comforting essence as my brown butter blondies, but with the added hearty goodness of oats and classic chocolate chip flavor.
Why You’ll Love These Chewy Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Bars
These oatmeal chocolate chip cookie bars aren’t just another dessert; they’re a revelation for anyone who loves homemade treats but craves simplicity. Here’s why they’re destined to become a staple in your baking repertoire:
- A Dream for Oatmeal Cookie Lovers: These bars offer a delightful and convenient twist on classic Oatmeal Raisin Cookies. You get all the hearty texture and comforting flavor of oats combined with the universally loved sweetness of chocolate chips, making them an oatmeal cookie lover’s ultimate dream. It’s the perfect way to enjoy that beloved flavor profile without the often polarizing raisins.
- Subtle Warm Spice: A carefully measured hint of cinnamon is expertly added to the dough. This isn’t just any spice; it perfectly complements the oats and chocolate, adding a subtle warmth and depth that elevates the overall flavor without overpowering it. It’s the secret ingredient that makes these bars truly special.
- Melty Chocolate in Every Bite: Each and every bite is guaranteed to be filled with pockets of melty, rich chocolate chips. Whether you prefer semi-sweet, milk, or dark, the generous amount of chocolate ensures a satisfyingly sweet experience that perfectly contrasts with the chewy oats.
- Effortless Cleanup: We know that baking can sometimes lead to a mountain of dishes. This recipe is designed to minimize cleanup, often coming together in just one bowl! Spend less time scrubbing and more time savoring these delectable bars.
- Quick & Easy: From mixing to baking, these bars are incredibly quick to prepare, requiring only about 30-35 minutes total. They’re perfect for busy weeknights when you need a dessert fast, or for impromptu gatherings where you want to impress without the fuss.
- Perfect Texture Every Time: Whether you prefer a slightly crisp edge or a supremely soft, chewy center, these bars deliver. The simple pan-baking method ensures uniform baking with delightful textural variations, guaranteeing satisfaction for all tastes.
Essential Ingredients for Perfect Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Bars
Crafting the best chewy oatmeal chocolate chip cookie bars starts with understanding the role of each ingredient. Here’s a closer look at what you’ll need and why:
- Light Brown Sugar and Vanilla Extract: These two powerhouse ingredients are crucial for giving these bars their undeniably classic chocolate chip cookie flavor. The light brown sugar provides moisture and a deep, caramel-like sweetness, while vanilla extract enhances all the other flavors, adding a fragrant, warm note. If you only have dark brown sugar on hand, don’t worry – it will work perfectly and might even lend a slightly richer molasses flavor to your bars.
- Softened, Unsalted Butter: The foundation of any great chewy dessert, softened unsalted butter adds incredible richness and is key to achieving that desirable chewy texture in these chocolate chip oatmeal cookie bars. Using unsalted butter allows you to control the total salt content in the recipe. Ensure it’s truly at room temperature for optimal creaming.
- Old-Fashioned Oats: These are the defining element that sets these chewy blondies apart from traditional chocolate chip cookie bars. Old-fashioned oats (also known as rolled oats) provide a wonderful chewy texture and a wholesome, nutty flavor. It’s crucial to use old-fashioned oats and avoid quick-cooking or steel-cut oats, as they will yield a very different texture in your final product.
- Cinnamon: Just a touch of ground cinnamon is incorporated to provide a subtle, warm spice that beautifully complements both the oats and the chocolate. It adds a layer of complexity and comfort without being overwhelming, enhancing the overall flavor profile.
- Chocolate Chips: Of course, chocolate chips are the undeniable star here! I personally prefer semi-sweet chocolate chips for a balanced sweetness, but the beauty of this recipe is its versatility. Feel free to use milk chocolate for a sweeter, creamier taste, or dark chocolate for a more intense, robust flavor. You can even mix different types for a complex chocolate experience.
- All-Purpose Flour, Baking Powder, and Salt: These essential dry ingredients provide the structure, lift, and balance for the bars. All-purpose flour gives them body, baking powder ensures a soft, slightly risen texture, and a touch of salt brings out all the other flavors, preventing the bars from tasting overly sweet.
For a precise and comprehensive list of ingredients and their exact measurements, please refer to the detailed recipe card provided below.
Exciting Substitutions & Variations for Your Oatmeal Bars
One of the best things about baking is the ability to customize and experiment! While these chewy oatmeal chocolate chip bars are perfect as is, here are some fantastic ideas to put your own spin on them:
- Change Up the Mix-Ins: Instead of or in addition to chocolate chips, get creative! Try substituting plump raisins for a classic oatmeal raisin twist, add colorful M&Ms for a fun pop of color and extra sweetness, or introduce chipped peanut butter cups for an irresistible nutty and chocolatey combination. White chocolate chips or butterscotch chips would also be delicious!
- Swirl in Extra Decadence: For an extra layer of flavor and visual appeal, swirl generous dollops of creamy peanut butter or rich Nutella on top of the bars before baking. Use a knife or skewer to create beautiful patterns. This adds a delightful marbling effect and an intense burst of flavor.
- Frosting Fun: Once your bars have completely cooled, elevate them with a luscious topping. A classic buttercream frosting would add a creamy sweetness, or consider a cream cheese frosting for a tangy counterpoint that pairs wonderfully with the oatmeal flavor.
- Boost the Oats: If you’re a true oat enthusiast and prefer a denser, more wholesome bar, feel free to add an extra ¼ cup of old-fashioned oats to the dough. Be aware that this might make the bars slightly drier or less intensely chewy, so adjust accordingly if you like a very moist bar.
- Add Nuts: For extra crunch and flavor, fold in ½ cup of chopped walnuts, pecans, or almonds along with the chocolate chips. Toasted nuts would provide an even deeper, richer taste.
- Spice It Up: Enhance the warm spice profile by adding a pinch of nutmeg or allspice alongside the cinnamon. A tiny dash of cardamom could also offer an exotic twist.
Please note that this recipe has been thoroughly tested with the original ingredients and quantities. If you choose to replace or add any ingredients, we encourage you to share your results and any helpful tips in the comments section below! Your culinary adventures help our baking community grow.
How to Effortlessly Make Chewy Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Bars
Making these delightful cookie bars is surprisingly simple. Follow these straightforward steps to achieve perfect, chewy results every time:
Step 1: Prepare the Wet Ingredients. In a large mixing bowl, using either a hand mixer or a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream together the softened unsalted butter and brown sugar. Beat them on medium speed until the mixture becomes noticeably light and fluffy, usually about 2-3 minutes. This creaming process incorporates air, which contributes to the bars’ texture. Next, beat in the large egg and vanilla extract until they are fully combined and the mixture is smooth. Remember to scrape down the sides of the bowl to ensure everything is evenly incorporated.
Step 2: Combine Dry and Wet Ingredients. To the creamy wet ingredients, add the all-purpose flour, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon. Gently stir these dry ingredients into the wet mixture. It’s important to mix just until they are combined and no streaks of flour remain. Overmixing can develop the gluten in the flour, resulting in tougher bars, so mix just enough to bring everything together.
Step 3: Fold in the Oats and Chocolate Chips. Now for the star additions! Gently fold the old-fashioned oats and your chosen chocolate chips into the batter. Use a spatula to incorporate them just until they are evenly distributed throughout the dough. Again, avoid overmixing to maintain the perfect texture of your bars.
Step 4: Bake to Perfection. Press the prepared cookie dough evenly into an 8×8 inch pan that has been lined with parchment paper. This parchment paper sling will make it incredibly easy to lift the bars out after baking and cooling. For an extra tempting finish, sprinkle the top with a few additional chocolate chips – this is optional but highly recommended for that bakery-style look! Bake the bars in your preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) until the edges are golden brown and the center is mostly set with a slight wobble (approximately 20-25 minutes). Remember, a slightly underbaked center ensures maximum chewiness!
Once baked, remove the pan from the oven and let the bars cool completely on a wire rack before slicing. This allows them to set properly, making for clean cuts and the perfect chewy texture. Enjoy your homemade chewy oatmeal chocolate chip cookie bars!
Expert Baking Tips for Flawless Chewy Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Bars
Achieving bakery-quality results at home is easier than you think with a few expert tricks up your sleeve. Here are some essential tips to ensure your oatmeal chocolate chip bars turn out perfectly every time:
- The Golden Rule: Do Not Overbake! This is perhaps the most critical tip for chewy bars. You’re aiming for that perfectly soft, tender texture, so it’s essential to take them out of the oven when the edges are just barely golden and the middle still looks a little soft or “barely tan.” Remember, the bars will continue to cook slightly from the residual heat of the pan even after you remove them from the oven (this is called carryover baking). An extra minute or two can quickly turn chewy into dry and crumbly.
- Elevate Your Chocolate Experience: For those stunning, photo-worthy chocolate puddles and an even richer flavor, consider using high-quality chocolate chunks or a chopped chocolate bar instead of standard chocolate chips. Chocolate chunks melt more luxuriously and create those beautiful, gooey pockets. For an extra touch of gourmet flair, sprinkle a pinch of flaky sea salt over the top of the bars immediately after they come out of the oven. This sweet and salty combination is truly divine!
- Room Temperature Ingredients are Key: Always ensure your butter and egg are at room temperature before you start mixing. Room temperature butter creams more easily with sugar, trapping air that gives your bars a lighter, softer texture. Similarly, a room temperature egg incorporates more smoothly into the batter, creating a more uniform emulsion.
- Precision with Dry Ingredients: For the most consistent and professional baking results, I highly recommend weighing your dry ingredients (especially flour) using a food scale. Measuring cups can be inaccurate due to variations in how ingredients are packed. If you don’t have a scale, use the “spoon and level” method: lightly spoon flour into your measuring cup until it’s overflowing, then level it off with the back of a knife. Never scoop directly from the bag.
- Don’t Overmix the Dough: Once you add the dry ingredients to the wet, mix only until just combined. Overmixing develops gluten, which can lead to tough, dense bars instead of the desired chewy texture. The same applies when folding in the oats and chocolate chips.
- Cool Completely Before Slicing: Patience is a virtue when it comes to cutting these bars. Allow them to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. This lets the bars fully set, making them much easier to slice cleanly and ensuring they hold their shape beautifully. Warm bars will be too soft and crumbly to cut neatly.
Recipe FAQs: Your Questions Answered
Here are some common questions about making these chewy oatmeal chocolate chip bars, along with detailed answers to help you achieve the best results:
No, this recipe specifically calls for dry old-fashioned rolled oats. While these are the same oats used to make breakfast oatmeal, they are incorporated dry into the cookie dough to provide texture and flavor. This is different from using pre-cooked or instant oatmeal.
While this recipe is designed for bars, you can certainly adapt it for individual cookies! I haven’t personally tested it as cookies, but generally, you would scoop individual portions onto a baking sheet and bake them at the same temperature (350°F or 175°C). The baking time will be significantly shorter – likely about half the time or even less than the bars, so keep a close eye on them. For better spread in traditional cookies, you might also consider swapping the ½ teaspoon of baking powder for ¼ teaspoon of baking soda to encourage a flatter, chewier cookie profile.
Yes, you absolutely can! If you wish to make a larger batch suitable for a 9×13 inch pan, you will need to double the entire recipe. This will provide enough dough to fill the larger pan to a similar thickness, ensuring the same delicious results. The baking time might need to be adjusted slightly, so start checking for doneness around the 25-30 minute mark, looking for golden edges and a mostly set center.
I have not tested this recipe with gluten-free flour. However, many readers have success with a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend that contains xanthan gum. Ensure your oats are certified gluten-free as well. Results may vary slightly in texture.
For perfectly clean slices, make sure the bars are completely cooled before cutting. Placing them in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to an hour after cooling at room temperature can also help firm up the chocolate chips and butter, leading to even sharper cuts. Use a sharp, non-serrated knife, wiping the blade clean between each cut if necessary.
Storage Solutions for Your Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars
Proper storage ensures your chewy oatmeal chocolate chip cookie bars stay fresh and delicious for as long as possible. Here’s how to keep them at their best:
Room Temperature Storage
Once your cookie bars have completely cooled, place them in an airtight container. This will protect them from drying out and keep them fresh and wonderfully chewy for up to 5 days. Store the container in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.
Freezing Instructions
These bars freeze beautifully, making them perfect for meal prep or enjoying a homemade treat whenever a craving strikes! Allow the cookie bars to cool entirely before preparing them for the freezer. You can freeze them whole, or cut them into individual squares. Wrap them tightly in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer-safe container or a heavy-duty freezer bag. They will maintain their delicious flavor and chewy texture for up to 2 months. To enjoy, simply thaw them at room temperature for a few hours, or pop a frozen bar into the microwave for 15-30 seconds for a warm, gooey treat.
More Irresistible Cookie Bar & Oatmeal Recipes You’ll Love
If you’re a fan of these easy and delicious oatmeal chocolate chip cookie bars, you’ll surely enjoy these other fantastic recipes from my kitchen. Expand your baking repertoire with these tried-and-true favorites:
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The Best Easy Nutella Bars
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Old Fashioned Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
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Chocolate Chip Cowboy Cookies
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Oatmeal Craisin White Chocolate Chip Cookies
Did you try this recipe?
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📖 Recipe
Chewy Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars
Kayla Burton
Pin Recipe
Equipment
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8×8 inch metal pan lined with parchment paper
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Mixing bowls
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Measuring spoons
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Scale/measuring cups
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Electric mixer recommended
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Spatula
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Wire cooling rack
Ingredients
- 10 tablespoons (140 g) unsalted butter room temperature
- ¾ cup (150 g) brown sugar light or dark, packed
- 1 large egg room temperature
- 1½ teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 cup (125 g) all-purpose flour weighed in grams or spooned and leveled
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¾ cup (60.75 g) old-fashioned oats
- ⅔ cup (120 g) semi-sweet chocolate chips
Instructions
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Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8-inch metal baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on two sides to create a “sling” for easy removal later.
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In a large mixing bowl, using an electric hand mixer or stand mixer, cream together the softened unsalted butter and brown sugar until the mixture is light, fluffy, and well combined (about 2-3 minutes). Beat in the large egg and vanilla extract until fully incorporated.
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Add the all-purpose flour, baking powder, salt, and ground cinnamon to the wet ingredients. Stir gently with a spatula just until the dry ingredients are combined and no streaks of flour remain. Then, fold in the old-fashioned oats and semi-sweet chocolate chips until they are evenly distributed throughout the dough. Avoid overmixing.
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Press the cookie dough evenly into the prepared parchment-lined pan. For extra appeal, you can sprinkle a few additional chocolate chips on top (optional). Bake on the middle rack of your preheated oven for approximately 20-25 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and the center is mostly set with a slight give.
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Notes
Nutrition: The provided nutrition information is an estimated value for a single bar, assuming the recipe is cut into 16 equal slices. Please note that accuracy is not guaranteed and can vary based on specific ingredients and preparation methods.
The provided nutritional information is an estimate per serving. Accuracy is not guaranteed.