Looking for a simple, satisfying, and utterly delicious dessert? These oatmeal cookie bars are the answer! They have the perfect chewy texture and a warm, comforting flavor profile that will make them a new favorite in your kitchen. Best of all, they’re much easier to make than traditional cookies, as there’s no need to scoop individual rounds—just spread the batter into a pan and bake.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
These bars are the perfect combination of classic flavors. The rich taste of brown sugar, the comforting warmth of cinnamon, and the hearty texture of rolled oats come together to create a treat that is both familiar and irresistible. This recipe is also incredibly versatile, so you can easily customize it to your liking. Feel free to add chocolate chips, raisins, nuts, or a combination of your favorite mix-ins.
Ingredients
- 1 cup (226g) unsalted butter, melted
- 1 ½ cups (300g) packed brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 ½ cups (180g) all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 3 cups (240g) old-fashioned rolled oats
- 1 cup chocolate chips, raisins, or nuts (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare Your Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving a slight overhang on the sides to make it easy to lift the bars out later.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the melted butter and brown sugar until the mixture is smooth. Beat in the eggs one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract, until well combined.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate medium-sized bowl, sift together the flour, baking soda, salt, and ground cinnamon.
- Combine Wet and Dry: Gradually fold the dry flour mixture into the wet mixture. Be careful not to overmix; just combine until there are no streaks of flour left.
- Add Oats and Mix-Ins: Stir in the old-fashioned rolled oats and any optional add-ins you’ve chosen, such as chocolate chips or raisins.
- Bake: Spread the batter evenly into your prepared pan. Place it in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and the center is set. A toothpick inserted into the center should come out clean.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan before lifting them out using the parchment paper overhang. Slice them into squares and serve. These bars are wonderful as a simple dessert, a sweet snack, or even a delightful treat to pack in a lunchbox.
How to Store Your Oatmeal Cookie Bars
To keep your bars fresh and delicious, follow these simple storage tips:
- Room Temperature: Once the bars have cooled completely, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-4 days. Placing a piece of parchment paper between layers will prevent them from sticking together.
- Refrigeration: For longer storage, you can refrigerate the bars for up to a week. The texture will become firmer, but they will still be delicious.
- Freezing: For a long-term option, wrap individual bars or the entire slab tightly in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. They can be frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw them at room temperature before serving.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Even though this is a simple recipe, avoiding these common errors will ensure a perfect result every time:
- Overmixing the Batter: Once you add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mix just until they are combined. Overmixing can develop the gluten in the flour, resulting in a tough, dense bar instead of a chewy one.
- Using the Wrong Oats: Be sure to use old-fashioned rolled oats. Quick-cooking or instant oats will absorb liquid too quickly and can result in a drier, less-chewy bar with a different texture.
- Skipping the Cooling Step: It’s tempting to cut into these bars while they are still warm, but this is the number one cause of them falling apart. The bars need to cool completely for their structure to set, which is what gives them that perfect, sliceable shape.
- Not Lining the Pan: The parchment paper is your best friend here! It ensures that you can easily lift the entire slab of bars out of the pan without any sticking or crumbling, making slicing a breeze.
Conclusion
Now that you have all the tips and tricks for making these incredible chewy oatmeal cookie bars, it’s time to get baking! Whether you’re whipping up a batch for a special occasion, an after-school treat, or simply to have a sweet bite on hand, these bars are guaranteed to bring a smile to anyone’s face. The comforting aroma filling your kitchen will be the first clue that you’ve made a truly wonderful choice. So, grab your apron, gather your ingredients, and discover the joy of creating a delicious, homemade treat that everyone will love. Happy baking!
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Chewy Oatmeal Cookie Bars
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 16 bars 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These chewy oatmeal cookie bars are a delicious and easy-to-make dessert. They are packed with flavor from oats, brown sugar, and cinnamon, and are so much easier than making individual cookies! The result is a perfect treat with a golden-brown finish and a wonderfully chewy texture.
Ingredients
1 cup (226g) unsalted butter, melted
1 ½ cups (300g) packed brown sugar
2 large eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 ½ cups (180g) all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
3 cups (240g) old-fashioned rolled oats
1 cup chocolate chips, raisins, or nuts (optional)
Instructions
1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving a slight overhang on the sides.
2. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the melted butter and brown sugar until the mixture is smooth. Beat in the eggs one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract, until well combined.
3. In a separate medium-sized bowl, sift together the flour, baking soda, salt, and ground cinnamon.
4. Gradually fold the dry flour mixture into the wet mixture. Be careful not to overmix; just combine until there are no streaks of flour left.
5. Stir in the old-fashioned rolled oats and any optional add-ins you’ve chosen, such as chocolate chips or raisins.
6. Spread the batter evenly into your prepared pan. Place it in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and the center is set. A toothpick inserted into the center should come out clean.
7. Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan before lifting them out using the parchment paper overhang. Slice them into squares and serve.
Notes
Always use old-fashioned rolled oats, not quick-cooking or instant oats, for the best texture.
The bars must cool completely for their structure to set, which is what gives them a perfect, sliceable shape.
Don’t overmix the batter once you add the flour, as this can lead to a tough, dense bar.
For easy cleanup, don’t skip lining the pan with parchment paper.
Store leftover bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-4 days.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 11g
- Sodium: 105mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 17g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 20mg