Chewy Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Bars

Welcome to the irresistible world of homemade treats! These delicious Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Bars are more than just a dessert; they’re a comforting hug in bar form. Packed with wholesome oats, rich chocolate chips, crunchy pecans, and a warm hint of cinnamon, they are guaranteed to become a crowd favorite in your home. Simple to make and utterly delightful, these chewy bars are a perfect treat for any occasion.

Are you looking for a super easy and incredibly rewarding weekend baking project? Or perhaps a quick-to-prepare dessert that disappears as fast as you make it? Look no further!

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The Best Homemade Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Bars

There’s something uniquely satisfying about a homemade cookie bar. These Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Bars are a prime example. They consistently win over hearts and taste buds with their perfect balance of chewiness, sweetness, and hearty texture. You’ll be amazed at how quickly you can whip up a batch of these indulgent bars – typically, you’ll only need a handful of pantry staples and about 30-35 minutes from start to finish. Imagine: rich, chewy, and utterly satisfying bars, ideally paired with a tall, cold glass of milk, a steaming cup of coffee, or even a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Why These Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Bars Are a Must-Try

Beyond their amazing taste, these bars offer several advantages that make them a go-to recipe:

Effortless Preparation: Unlike traditional cookies that require individual scooping and shaping, these bars are a breeze. Simply mix the dough, spread it into a baking pan, and bake. Minimal fuss, maximum reward!
Crowd-Pleasing Flavor: The combination of rolled oats, melty chocolate, toasted nuts, and a touch of cinnamon creates a flavor profile that appeals to everyone, from kids to adults.
Perfect Texture: They strike the ideal balance between soft and chewy, with just enough crispness around the edges. Each bite is a delightful blend of textures.
Versatility: These bars are perfect for any occasion – a casual snack, a dessert for a potluck, an addition to a school lunchbox, or even a delightful breakfast on the go (we won’t tell!).
Customizable: Easily adapt the recipe to your preferences, swapping out nuts, different types of chocolate, or even adding dried fruit.

Simple Ingredients for Exceptional Flavor

One of the best things about these oatmeal chocolate chip bars is that they rely on common ingredients you likely already have in your pantry. No exotic components needed for this classic treat!

Old Fashioned Oats: Essential for that signature chewy texture. (Avoid quick oats here!)
All-Purpose Flour: The foundation of our bar structure.
Light Brown Sugar: Adds moisture and a delicious caramel-like depth.
Granulated Sugar: For sweetness and a slight crispness.
Baking Soda: Our leavening agent, ensuring a perfect rise.
Ground Cinnamon: A secret weapon that adds warmth and enhances all the other flavors. Feel free to omit if it’s not your preference.
Unsalted Butter: Crucial for richness and flavor. Make sure it’s at room temperature for easy creaming.
Egg: Binds the ingredients and adds structure. Also best at room temperature.
Vanilla Extract: A splash of pure vanilla elevates all the sweet notes.
Chocolate Chips: The star of the show! Semisweet is classic, but feel free to experiment.
Pecans: Provides a wonderful crunch and nutty flavor. Walnuts or almonds are great alternatives.

Baking Made Easy: From Pantry to Perfect Bars

I not only adore the taste of these cookie bars, but I also love how incredibly easy they are to prepare. Whenever a cookie craving hits, but I’m in a particularly lazy mood, bar cookies always come to the rescue. There’s no tedious scooping of individual cookies; just mix the dough, press it into a baking dish, and let your oven do the rest. It’s baking made easy, right?

And if you’re feeling extra indulgent, I highly recommend treating yourself to one of these warm bars, fresh from the oven, topped with a generous scoop of your favorite vanilla bean ice cream. I promise, it might just be the best decision you make all day!

Pro Tips for Perfect Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Bars

Achieving bakery-quality oatmeal chocolate chip bars at home is entirely within reach with a few simple tips:

Oats Matter: Always use old-fashioned rolled oats, not quick-cooking or instant oats. Old-fashioned oats provide the ideal chewy texture and prevent the bars from becoming too dense or mushy.
Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure your butter and egg are at room temperature. This allows them to cream together properly with the sugars, creating a smooth, airy base for your dough and ensuring a consistent texture in your finished bars.
Don’t Overmix: Once you add the flour mixture, mix only until just combined. Overmixing can develop the gluten in the flour, leading to tough, dry bars instead of tender, chewy ones.
Press Evenly: When spreading the batter into the pan, aim for an even layer. You can lightly grease your rubber spatula or fingertips with nonstick cooking spray to prevent the sticky dough from adhering, making it easier to achieve a smooth, uniform surface.
Watch the Baking Time: Ovens vary, so keep a close eye on your bars. They should be golden brown around the edges, and a tester inserted into the center should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs attached. Avoid overbaking, as this can make the bars dry.
Customize Your Mix-Ins:
- Chocolate: While semisweet chips are a classic choice, feel free to substitute with milk chocolate, dark chocolate, white chocolate, or a mix. You could even do half chocolate chips and half peanut butter chips for a delicious twist.
- Nuts: Pecans are my favorite for their buttery flavor, but walnuts or chopped almonds are equally delicious. If you have a nut allergy or preference, feel free to omit them entirely.
- Additions: Consider adding a handful of dried cranberries, raisins, or shredded coconut for extra flavor and texture.

Serving Suggestions for Your Delicious Bars

These versatile bars are wonderful in many ways. Serve them:

Warm, straight from the oven, for a truly comforting experience.
Topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, caramel sauce, or a dollop of whipped cream.
Alongside a cold glass of milk, which perfectly complements their rich sweetness.
With your morning coffee or afternoon tea for a delightful pick-me-up.
Chilled, for a firmer, more fudge-like texture.

Storage and Freezing Instructions

To enjoy your oatmeal chocolate chip bars for days to come, proper storage is key:

Room Temperature: Once completely cooled, store the bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-4 days. For best results, place a piece of parchment paper between layers if stacking.
Refrigeration: While not strictly necessary, refrigerating the bars can extend their freshness slightly, especially in warm climates. They will keep for up to a week in an airtight container in the fridge.
Freezing: These bars freeze beautifully! Once cooled completely, cut them into individual portions. Wrap each bar tightly in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer-safe bag or airtight container. They can be frozen for up to 2-3 months. Thaw at room temperature or warm briefly in the microwave for a fresh-baked taste.

Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Bars Recipe

Ready to bake a batch of these irresistible bars? Here’s the complete recipe:

Overhead photo of a white baking dish of chocolate chip oatmeal bars, perfectly baked and ready to be cut

Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Bars

Author: MaryAnn Dwyer

Servings: 9 bars

Print Recipe

These delicious homemade Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Bars are a crowd favorite! They’re packed with oats, chocolate chips, pecans and a hint of cinnamon! They’re such a treat!

Prep Time: 10 mins

Cook Time: 25 mins

Total Time: 35 mins

Ingredients

1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup old fashioned oats
1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
1/2 cup light brown sugar, firmly packed
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg, room temperature
2 tsp. vanilla extract
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1/3 cup pecans, roughly chopped

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 C). Spray an 8×8-inch baking pan with nonstick cooking spray. Set aside.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, old fashioned oats, ground cinnamon, and baking soda. Set aside.
In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, cream the room temperature butter and both sugars together until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add the room temperature egg and vanilla extract, and continue to mix until well combined and smooth.
Gradually add the dry flour mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
Fold in the semisweet chocolate chips and chopped pecans until evenly distributed throughout the batter.
Spread the batter evenly into the prepared 8×8-inch baking dish. You can spray your rubber spatula with nonstick cooking spray to prevent sticking and make spreading easier.
Bake for 25 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and a wooden skewer or toothpick inserted into the center of the bars comes out clean. Do not overbake to ensure the bars remain moist and chewy.
Remove the pan from the oven and place it on a wire rack to cool completely. (These bars are best enjoyed warm, perhaps with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top!)

Notes

Always use old-fashioned oats for this recipe, not quick oats, to achieve the perfect chewy texture.
While semisweet chocolate chips are recommended, feel free to substitute with milk chocolate chips, dark chocolate chips, or a combination. You could even use half chocolate chips and half peanut butter chips for a different flavor profile.
These bars are delicious with pecans (my personal favorite), but walnuts or almonds are excellent substitutes if you prefer. Choose your favorite!
The ground cinnamon adds a wonderful warmth and depth of flavor. If you’re not a fan, you can simply omit it from the recipe.

Nutrition

Keyword: chocolate chips, cookie bars, oatmeal, oats, easy recipe, homemade dessert

Cuisine: American

Course: Dessert, Snack

More Delicious Bar Cookie Recipes to Enjoy

If you loved these oatmeal chocolate chip bars, be sure to check out these other fantastic bar cookie recipes:

White Chocolate Raspberry Bars
Marshmallow Butterscotch Blondies
Chocolate Drizzled Maple Pecan Bars

I hope you give this recipe a try and fall in love with these easy, comforting Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Bars! They’re truly a simple pleasure that brings joy with every bite. If you make this recipe, I’d absolutely love to see your creations! Be sure to follow and mention @thebeachhousekitchen or tag #thebeachhousekitchen on Instagram. Happy baking!