Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Bars
These thick and chewy oatmeal chocolate chip bars are made with brown butter and lots of chocolate chips. An easy dessert recipe perfect for any occasion! Get the recipe.
Try Chocolate Zucchini Snack Cake, Cowboy Cookies, and Nutella Drop Biscuits while you’re at it.
Why These Brown Butter Oatmeal Bars Are My Go-To Dessert
These oatmeal chocolate chip bars start with brown butter, which gives them a rich, nutty flavor you just don’t get from regular melted butter. The oats add chew, the chocolate chips bring sweetness, and a sprinkle of flaky sea salt ties it all together. They’re thick, chewy, and I’ve brought them to potlucks more times than I can count. The pan always comes back empty.
4 Reasons You’ll Love These Chewy Oatmeal Bars
- Brown butter adds depth without extra effort.
- They come together in one bowl and one pan.
- The texture is perfectly thick and chewy.
- They store well and are great for sharing.
Key Ingredients for the Best Oatmeal Bars
- Butter: Use unsalted butter so you can control the salt level. Browning it is what gives these bars their signature flavor.
- Old-fashioned oats: They hold their shape during baking, creating a chewy texture that quick oats can’t replicate.
- Semi-sweet chocolate chips: Their moderate sweetness balances the brown butter and oats. Feel free to swap with dark or milk chocolate chips.
Kitchen Tools You’ll Need for Oatmeal Bars
- 9×9-inch square baking pan
- Parchment paper (for easy removal)
- Medium saucepan (for browning butter)
- Large mixing bowl
- Wooden spoon or spatula
Tips for Perfect Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars
Use old-fashioned rolled oats, not quick oats, for the best chewy texture. Quick oats will make the bars softer and less structured. When spreading the dough in the pan, lightly press it with your fingers to make sure it reaches the corners evenly. This helps the bars bake uniformly.
Expert Tips for Brown Butter Oatmeal Bars
Brown the butter over medium heat, stirring often, until it foams and turns a deep golden color and smells nutty. This takes 5 to 7 minutes. Watch closely at the end, it can go from browned to burnt quickly. Let it cool for 5 minutes before adding the sugars so it doesn’t cook the egg later. Don’t overmix the batter once you add the flour; stir just until no streaks remain to keep the bars tender.
How to Brown Butter for These Oatmeal Bars
Brown butter is the secret to these bars’ deep, nutty flavor. Start with cold butter cut into pieces, it melts more evenly. Use a light-colored saucepan so you can see the color change. Swirl the pan occasionally as the butter melts, then stir constantly once it starts to foam. When the foam subsides and you see brown specks forming on the bottom, and it smells toasty, it’s done. Immediately scrape it into your mixing bowl to stop the cooking. Let it cool for 5 minutes before proceeding.
Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Bar Variations to Try
Swap the semi-sweet chips for dark chocolate or white chocolate if you prefer. Add a half cup of chopped walnuts or pecans for extra crunch. For a peanut butter twist, stir in a quarter cup of peanut butter chips along with the chocolate. You can also replace a quarter cup of the flour with cocoa powder for a double-chocolate version.
How to Serve Thick Oatmeal Bars
These bars are great on their own, but a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a drizzle of caramel sauce takes them over the top. Serve them warm with a glass of cold milk for an afternoon treat. They also make a sturdy dessert for picnics, just pack them in a container and go.
How to Store Leftover Oatmeal Bars
Store the bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. If your kitchen is warm, you can refrigerate them for up to a week. Place a sheet of wax paper between layers to prevent sticking. Bring refrigerated bars to room temperature before serving for the best texture.
How to Freeze Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Bars
Freeze baked bars in a single layer on a baking sheet, then transfer to a freezer bag for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature for about 30 minutes, or reheat directly from frozen in a 300°F oven for 10 minutes. You can also freeze the unbaked dough in the pan, then bake straight from frozen, adding 5 to 10 minutes to the baking time.
Reheating Leftover Oatmeal Bars
To bring back that just-baked warmth, microwave individual bars for 10 to 15 seconds. For a crisper edge, reheat them in a 325°F oven for 5 to 7 minutes. Avoid overheating, or the bars can dry out, they’re best when still slightly warm and soft.
Frequently Asked Questions About Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Bars
Can I use quick oats instead of old-fashioned oats?
Yes, but the texture will be softer and less chewy. Old-fashioned oats give these bars their signature hearty chew, so I recommend sticking with them if you can.
Why do I need to brown the butter?
Browning the butter adds a nutty, caramelized flavor that plain melted butter can’t match. It’s an easy step that makes these bars taste more complex and delicious.
Can I make these bars gluten-free?
Yes. Substitute the all-purpose flour with a 1-to-1 gluten-free flour blend. Make sure the oats are certified gluten-free as well, since oats are often cross-contaminated.
How do I know when the bars are done baking?
The edges should be golden brown and the center should look set, not jiggly. A toothpick inserted in the center may come out with a few moist crumbs, but not wet batter. They’ll firm up as they cool.
Recipe
Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Bars
Thick, chewy oatmeal chocolate chip cookie bars made with brown butter, oats, lots of chocolate chips, and a sprinkling of flaky sea salt. An easy dessert for any occasion!
Ingredients
- 0.75 cup butter, cut into tablespoon pieces
- 1.25 cup brown sugar, packed
- 0.25 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 egg yolk
- 1 tbsp pure vanilla extract
- 1.25 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 0.5 tsp sea salt
- 0.25 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 cup old fashioned oats
- 0.75 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- flaky sea salt, for sprinkling on bars
Instructions
- 1
Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Line a 9x9-inch square baking pan with parchment paper and set aside.
- 2
Place the butter in a medium saucepan and melt over medium heat, stirring often, until it foams, smells nutty, and browns. This will take about 5 to 7 minutes. Scrape the browned butter into a large bowl and let cool for 5 minutes.
- 3
Add the brown sugar and sugar to the brown butter and stir with a wooden spoon or spatula until smooth. Add the egg, egg yolk, and vanilla. Stir until combined.
- 4
Add the flour, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon. Stir until just combined, don’t over mix.
- 5
Stir in the oats and chocolate chips.
- 6
Pour the dough into the prepared pan and spread with a spatula. You can use your fingers to lightly press the dough into the corners of the pan to make sure the dough is evenly spread.
- 7
Bake for 25 to 35 minutes or until the bars are set and golden brown. Don’t over bake the bars will continue setting up as they cool.
- 8
Remove from the oven and sprinkle with flaky sea salt. Let the bars
Nutrition (per serving)
Calorie breakdown
How this was calculated — 13 of 13 ingredients matched
Nutrition information is automatically calculated from USDA FoodData Central, so should only be used as an approximation. Actual values may vary depending on the ingredients, brands, and preparation methods used.
Open in analyzerKeyword: chocolate chip, dessert, oatmeal, Oven Baked, vegetarian
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