Description
Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Bars are the ultimate blend of nostalgia and convenience. This easy recipe combines hearty oats, rich chocolate chips, and a touch of sweetness to create a chewy, satisfying treat. Perfect for snacks, desserts, or lunchbox surprises, these bars are sure to become a family favorite.
Ingredients
Scale
Base Ingredients:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ cups rolled oats
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients:
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup packed brown sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Add-Ins:
- 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
- Optional: ½ cup chopped nuts (walnuts, pecans, or almonds) or dried fruits
Instructions
- Prepare Your Pan and Preheat the Oven:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×9-inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper for easy removal.
- Mix the Dry Ingredients:
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, rolled oats, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
- Cream Butter and Sugar:
- In a large bowl, cream the softened butter and brown sugar using a hand or stand mixer until the mixture is light and fluffy (about 2-3 minutes).
- Incorporate Wet Ingredients:
- Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until well combined.
- Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures:
- Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring just until combined. Avoid overmixing.
- Add Chocolate Chips:
- Gently fold in the chocolate chips and any optional add-ins like nuts or dried fruits.
- Spread and Bake:
- Spread the dough evenly into the prepared baking pan. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool and Slice:
- Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan before slicing into squares or rectangles.
Notes
- For a chewier texture, use rolled oats instead of quick oats.
- To make the bars less sweet, reduce the brown sugar to ½ cup or use dark chocolate chips.
- Store bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, or freeze for up to 3 months.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dessert, Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: ~210
- Sugar: ~15g
- Sodium: ~95mg
- Fat: ~9g
- Saturated Fat: ~5g
- Unsaturated Fat: ~3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: ~30g
- Fiber: ~2g
- Protein: ~3g
- Cholesterol: ~20mg