Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Bars Recipe
Deliciously chewy Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Bars combine the heartiness of old-fashioned oats with the sweet indulgence of chocolate chips and colorful M&Ms. Perfect as a snack or dessert, these bars are easy to bake in a single pan and deliver a comforting treat with a tender, moist texture that lasts for days.
- Author: Leo
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 28 minutes
- Total Time: 43 minutes
- Yield: 16 bars 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Dry Ingredients
- 1 cup All-Purpose Flour (125 grams)
- 1/4 teaspoon Baking Powder
- 1/4 teaspoon Ground Cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon Kosher Salt
Wet Ingredients
- 8 Tablespoons Unsalted Butter, melted and cooled slightly (1 stick)
- 1 cup lightly packed Brown Sugar (200 grams)
- 1 large Egg
- 1 teaspoon Pure Vanilla Extract
Add-ins
- 1 cup Old Fashioned / Rolled Oats
- 1 cup Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips
- 1/2 cup M&Ms
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C). Line an 8×8 inch metal baking pan with parchment paper or spray it with nonstick cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, ground cinnamon, and kosher salt. Set this mixture aside for later.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In a larger mixing bowl, whisk together the melted butter and brown sugar until they are evenly combined. Then whisk in the egg and vanilla extract, making sure everything is well incorporated.
- Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures: Pour the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients and gently stir with a spatula or wooden spoon until there are no dry spots left. Be careful not to overmix to maintain the soft texture.
- Add Oats and Mix-ins: Gently fold in the rolled oats, semi-sweet chocolate chips, and M&Ms, reserving a few to scatter on top if desired.
- Pour Batter into Pan: Transfer the batter into the prepared baking pan, smoothing the top and scattering any remaining mix-ins over the surface.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 24 to 28 minutes, until the edges are lightly browned. For softer bars that stay moist longer, bake closer to 24 minutes; for firmer bars suitable for same-day serving, bake up to 28 minutes.
- Cool and Slice: Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan until they can be easily removed. Then slice into squares and serve.
- Storage: Store the bars at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 3 days to maintain freshness.
Notes
- Using either light or dark brown sugar works; adjust for sweetness preference.
- The M&Ms add color and extra sweetness but can be omitted or substituted for other candies or nuts.
- Do not overmix the batter to keep the bars tender and moist.
- Baking time adjustment affects the softness and moisture content of the bars.
- Use parchment paper for easy removal from the pan.
Keywords: Oatmeal bars, Chocolate chip bars, Baked oats, M&M bars, Easy dessert, Snack bars