Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars Recipe

Why You’ll Love This Chewy Chocolate Chip Oat Bars

Picture a treat that combines the comforting chew of oatmeal cookie bars with gooey chocolate chips in every bite. These chewy chocolate chip oat bars deliver that perfect texture busy home cooks crave. They stand out among chocolate chip oat bars for their simple prep and crowd-pleasing taste.

Quick to make with pantry staples, this lemon oatmeal cookies fan favorite takes just minutes to assemble. Families love them as an after-school snack or weekend dessert. Keep reading for the full chewy chocolate chip oat bars recipe.

• Ease of preparation: Whip up these easy chewy oatmeal chocolate chip bars in under 30 minutes of active time. No mixer needed beyond creaming butter and sugar. Press into a pan and bake, ideal for busy parents or students short on time.
• Health benefits: Rolled oats pack fiber for digestion and heart health. Each bar offers about 4g fiber, plus antioxidants from semi-sweet chocolate chips. Learn more about the health benefits of oats that make these a smarter cookie alternative.

• Versatility: Adapt for vegan, gluten-free, or low-calorie diets with easy swaps. Add nuts for crunch or dried fruit for natural sweetness, suiting food enthusiasts and diet-conscious eaters alike.
• Distinctive flavor: Brown sugar creates that signature soft chew, while vanilla and chocolate chips bring classic comfort. The oats add nutty depth that sets these soft chocolate chip oatmeal bars apart from regular cookies.

These bars stay moist for days, making them perfect for baking enthusiasts who want bakery results at home.

Essential Ingredients for Chewy Chocolate Chip Oat Bars

Gather these straightforward items for your oatmeal chocolate chip cookie bars recipe. Each plays a key role in achieving the ideal chewy texture and rich flavor.

Main Ingredients:

• 2 cups rolled oats – Provide hearty texture and fiber for chewiness and nutrition.
• 1 cup all-purpose flour – Forms the base structure, keeping bars firm yet tender.
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda – Helps the bars rise slightly and spread evenly.
• 1/2 teaspoon salt – Balances sweetness and enhances chocolate flavors.
• 3/4 cup softened unsalted butter – Creates richness and the perfect crumb.
• 1 cup packed brown sugar – Adds moisture for that signature soft, chewy bite.
• 1/3 cup granulated sugar – Offers subtle crispness to the edges.
• 1 large egg – Binds everything together for cohesion.
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract – Infuses warm, aromatic notes.
• 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips – Delivers melty pockets of chocolate goodness.
• 1/2 cup chopped nuts (optional) – Adds crunch and protein, like walnuts or pecans.

Grease one 8×8-inch pan for baking.

Special Dietary Options:

• Vegan: Swap butter for plant-based butter and use a flax egg (1 tbsp ground flax + 3 tbsp water).
• Gluten-free: Use certified gluten-free oats and 1:1 gluten-free flour blend.
• Low-calorie: Replace half the butter with unsweetened applesauce and cut sugar by 1/4 cup.

How to Prepare the Perfect Chewy Chocolate Chip Oat Bars: Step-by-Step Guide

Follow these clear steps for foolproof chewy chocolate chip oat bars. Total time includes 30 minutes prep and bake, plus cooling. Yields 16 bars.

First Step: Preheat and Prep

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease an 8×8-inch baking pan with butter or cooking spray. Line with parchment for easy removal if desired. This setup ensures even baking and clean cuts.

Second Step: Cream Wet Ingredients

In a large bowl, beat 3/4 cup softened unsalted butter with 1 cup packed brown sugar and 1/3 cup granulated sugar. Mix until fluffy, about 2-3 minutes by hand or with a mixer. This step incorporates air for tenderness.

Third Step: Add Egg and Vanilla

Beat in 1 large egg and 2 teaspoons vanilla extract until smooth. Scrape down the bowl sides to combine fully. The mixture should look creamy and light.

Fourth Step: Mix Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk together 2 cups rolled oats, 1 cup all-purpose flour, 1/2 teaspoon baking soda, and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Stir this dry mix into the wet ingredients until just combined. Avoid overmixing to keep texture soft.

Fifth Step: Fold in Add-Ins

Gently fold in 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips and 1/2 cup chopped nuts if using. The dough will be thick and sticky, perfect for bars.

Sixth Step: Press into Pan

Transfer dough to the prepared pan. Use damp hands or a spatula to press evenly to about 1/2-inch thick. Smooth the top for uniform baking.

Seventh Step: Bake

Bake for 22-25 minutes. Edges turn golden brown, but center stays soft. Undercooking preserves chewiness; check at 22 minutes.

Final Step: Cool and Cut

Cool in the pan on a wire rack for 2 hours. This sets the bars without drying. Lift out, cut into 16 squares. Serve at room temperature for best texture. Store as noted below.

Pro tip: Chill dough 30 minutes pre-bake for extra control on spreading. These chocolate chip oat bars rival bakery versions.

this …

Dietary Substitutions to Customize Your Chewy Chocolate Chip Oat Bars

Protein and Main Component Alternatives

Boost protein by adding 1/4 cup protein powder to dry ingredients or swapping nuts for seeds like sunflower. For nut-free, use sunflower seed butter instead of nuts. Replace flour with almond flour for lower carbs and nutty flavor, or coconut flour (reduce to 3/4 cup and add extra egg).

Oats can swap to quick oats for finer texture or steel-cut (pulse in blender). Chocolate chips? Go dairy-free or dark for antioxidants.

Vegetable, Sauce, and Seasoning Modifications

Mix in 1/2 cup mashed banana or zucchini for moisture and hidden veggies, keeping chew intact. Swap vanilla for almond extract or add cinnamon (1 tsp) for spice. For sauce-like binding, stir in 2 tbsp honey.

Season with sea salt flakes post-bake or pumpkin pie spice for fall twists. Dried cranberries or raisins replace chips for fruit-forward bars, suiting seasonal preferences.

Mastering Chewy Chocolate Chip Oat Bars: Advanced Tips and Variations

Take your oatmeal cookie bars to the next level with these tweaks. Perfect for baking enthusiasts experimenting in the kitchen.

Pro cooking techniques: Use room-temperature butter for even creaming. Chill dough 30 minutes to limit spread. Bake on middle rack; rotate pan halfway for even color.

Flavor variations: Add 2 tbsp honey for binding. Mix white chocolate and dried cherries, or peanut butter chips. For a twist, try my peanut butter squares.

Presentation tips: Dust with powdered sugar or drizzle melted chocolate. Stack two bars with ice cream for sundaes. Cut into triangles for parties.

Make-ahead options: Dough freezes up to 3 months; thaw overnight. Bake ahead, freeze bars individually. Prep for busy weeks as grab-and-go snacks.

Check this oatmeal chocolate chip cookie bars recipe for more bar ideas.

Small changes like underbaking yield days of soft bars.

How to Store Chewy Chocolate Chip Oat Bars: Best Practices

Keep your chewy oat bars fresh with these simple methods. Brown sugar helps them stay soft longer.

Refrigeration: Place in airtight container up to 5 days at room temp, or refrigerate up to 2 weeks. Warm to room temp before eating.

Freezing: Wrap individually in plastic, store in freezer bag for 3 months. Thaw in fridge overnight or microwave 10-15 seconds.

Reheating: Microwave 15 seconds or oven at 300°F for 5 minutes. Avoid high heat to prevent drying.

Meal prep considerations: Portion for lunchboxes with parchment separators. Add silica packet in humid areas to fight moisture.

FAQs: Frequently Asked Questions About Chewy Chocolate Chip Oat Bars

Chewy Chocolate Chip Oat Bars

---

• Author: Brandi Oshea
• Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
• Yield: 24 bars
• Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

🍪 Create chewy, satisfying oatmeal chocolate chip cookie bars that combine the wholesome goodness of oats with rich chocolate chips in every bite
🥛 Master these easy-to-make bars that deliver the perfect texture – soft and chewy centers with slightly crispy edges, making them ideal for snacks, desserts, or lunchbox treats

---

Ingredients

– 2 cups rolled oats for hearty texture and fiber

– 1 cup all-purpose flour for base structure

– 1/2 teaspoon baking soda for rising

– 1/2 teaspoon salt for balancing sweetness

– 3/4 cup softened unsalted butter for richness

– 1 cup packed brown sugar for moisture

– 1/3 cup granulated sugar for crispness

– 1 large egg for binding

– 2 teaspoons vanilla extract for flavor

– 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips for richness

– 1/2 cup chopped nuts for crunch and protein

---

Instructions

1-First Step: Preheat and Prep Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease an 8×8-inch baking pan with butter or cooking spray. Line with parchment for easy removal if desired. This setup ensures even baking and clean cuts.

2-Second Step: Cream Wet Ingredients In a large bowl, beat 3/4 cup softened unsalted butter with 1 cup packed brown sugar and 1/3 cup granulated sugar. Mix until fluffy, about 2-3 minutes by hand or with a mixer. This step incorporates air for tenderness.

3-Third Step: Add Egg and Vanilla Beat in 1 large egg and 2 teaspoons vanilla extract until smooth. Scrape down the bowl sides to combine fully. The mixture should look creamy and light.

4-Fourth Step: Mix Dry Ingredients In a separate bowl, whisk together 2 cups rolled oats, 1 cup all-purpose flour, 1/2 teaspoon baking soda, and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Stir this dry mix into the wet ingredients until just combined. Avoid overmixing to keep texture soft.

5-Fifth Step: Fold in Add-Ins Gently fold in 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips and 1/2 cup chopped nuts if using. The dough will be thick and sticky, perfect for bars.

6-Sixth Step: Press into Pan Transfer dough to the prepared pan. Use damp hands or a spatula to press evenly to about 1/2-inch thick. Smooth the top for uniform baking.

7-Seventh Step: Bake Bake for 22-25 minutes. Edges turn golden brown, but center stays soft. Undercooking preserves chewiness; check at 22 minutes.

8-Final Step: Cool and Cut Cool in the pan on a wire rack for 2 hours. This sets the bars without drying. Lift out, cut into 16 squares. Serve at room temperature for best texture. Store as noted below.

Notes

🍪 Don’t overbake the bars – they should look slightly underdone in the center when you remove them from the oven for the perfect chewy texture
🥛 Use old-fashioned rolled oats instead of instant oats – they provide better texture and prevent the bars from becoming too dense
🍫 Press the dough firmly into the pan – this ensures even baking and prevents the edges from burning before the center is done

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cooling time: 1 hour
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 bar
• Calories: 220
• Sugar: 15g
• Sodium: 140mg
• Fat: 10g
• Saturated Fat: 6g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3.5g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 28g
• Fiber: 2g
• Protein: 3g
• Cholesterol: 30mg

Keywords: undefined