These family-favorite Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Bars can be ready to eat in just 20 minutes. They’re a perfect combination of sweet and just a tiny bit of salty. Absolutely irresistible!
There are affiliate links in this post. If you use these links, I may earn a commission- please read my full disclosure policy.
It’s a rare person that doesn’t love an oatmeal chocolate chip cookie! Am I right? Well, good news! These Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Bars are like your favorite oatmeal chocolate chip cookie but in bar form.
In other words, way less time-consuming to make but every bit as delicious! And who’s going to complain about a tasty dessert that takes all of 20 minutes to mix up and bake? You really can’t beat that!
Why We Love Chocolate Oatmeal Bars
- Easy to Make. These bars are made using just one mixing bowl, making the prep work and cleanup minimal.
- Simple Ingredients. Uses basic pantry staples, so you likely already have what you need on hand.
- Quick Dessert Idea. From start to finish, these bars only take 20 minutes! Perfect for when you are short are time or want something sweet on the fly.
- Budget-Friendly. One of my favorite inexpensive desserts! And it’s great for larger groups too since one batch makes 18 to 24 bars.
Ingredients Needed For Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Bars
- Flour. I use all-purpose but you could also substitute with gluten-free all-purpose too.
- White Sugar.
- Salt.
- Baking Powder.
- Baking Soda.
- Brown Sugar.
- Quick Cooking Oatmeal. I have never tried substituting this for any other kind of oats, but a reader mentioned in the comments that she used old-fashioned oats and it worked well.
- Chocolate Chips. I love using dark chocolate chips but they are delicious with milk or semi-sweet chocolate too.
- Egg.
- Canola Oil. You can also use another neutral oil such as vegetable oil. I have also substituted melted coconut oil as well and we really liked that. However, they will have a slightly different taste if using coconut oil.
- Vanilla.
How to Make Oatmeal Cookie Bars
STEP 1: Mix the flour, sugar, salt, baking powder, and baking soda together.
STEP 2: Stir in the brown sugar, oatmeal, and chocolate chips.
STEP 3: Mix in the egg, oil, and vanilla.
STEP 4: Press into an un-greased 9×13 pan.
STEP 5: Bake for 15 minutes at 350 degrees.
Storing and Freezing Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars
Store leftover cookie bars in an airtight container on the counter for up to 5 days.
To freeze, allow the bars to cool completely then place them in a freezer-safe container or freezer bag.
Variations of Oatmeal Cookie Bars
Chocolate. You can use dark chocolate, semi-sweet or milk chocolate. And I think white chocolate chips could be really delicious too!
Double It. To feed a large group, use a jelly roll pan and double the recipe.
More Easy Dessert Recipes You’ll Love
- Blonde Brownies- the best chocolate chip brownies
- Super Moist Chocolate Cake (no eggs, no butter, no milk)
- Fresh Strawberry Yogurt Cake
- Easy Apple Dumpling Dessert
Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Bars Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 c. flour
- 6 tbsp. sugar
- 1/2 tsp. salt
- 1/2 tsp. baking powder
- 1/2 tsp. baking soda
- 1/2 c. brown sugar
- 1 c. quick cooking oatmeal
- 1/2 c. chocolate chips
- 1 egg slightly beaten
- 1/2 c. canola oil
- 1/2 tsp. vanilla
Instructions
- Combine flour, sugar, salt, baking powder and baking soda.
- Mix in brown sugar, oatmeal and chocolate chips.
- Add egg, oil and vanilla. Mix thoroughly.
- Press into un-greased 9×13 pan. (Yes, no need to grease your pan!)
- Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes or until lightly browned.
Molly
These are so good! Easy late night snack when your craving something sweet and chocolatey 🙂
Lydia Beiler
Happy to hear that you enjoyed them, Molly!
Kendle
Can you use butter if necessary and just melt it and then cool it before mixing it all together? I do not use vegetable or canola oil. I watch the sales on butter and stock up when on sale then freeze my butter (have at least 5 lbs of butter in freezer at all times)
Lydia Beiler
I have never tried it, but I would guess that it would probably work. It may change the final results just a bit but I would think they would still be delicious. If you try it, I’d love to know how it worked out for you. Also, I love that you stock up on butter and freeze it too. I do that too and it’s so helpful in cutting costs!
Sue
These were DIV INE!! I added 1/4 cup of Heath Bits o’ Brickle (Heath toffee chips without the chocolate) and used 1/2 c. mini chocolate chips. Never heard of these before, but they’re a new family favorite! Thank you!
ThriftyFrugalMom
The toffee bits addition sounds amazing! So glad you loved them. I’ve been making these bars recently for quite a few events that I needed to take a snack or dessert too and they have been getting rave reviews! No one needs to know that they literally took me 5 minutes to mix up! 🙂
Sabrina Birch
I love how fast and easy these are and that they call for canola oil instead of butter (we rarely have much butter around). I used whole wheat flour since that is what we had on hand and the dough looked a bit dry so I threw in another egg and added 7 min to the bake time. They turned out great! Perfect easy treat!
ThriftyFrugalMom
Oh, I love your whole wheat flour switch! I’ll have to try that. And so glad you enjoyed the recipe. It’s my go-to when I need a quick and easy dessert or snack to take somewhere.
Carol
Excellent!! Made them twice this past weekend. The second batch I used Bob’s Red Mill gluten free flour with great results. Baked in a 8×11 pan for 18 minutes
Lydia Beiler
So happy to hear that you enjoyed them, Carol! And thanks for sharing about the gluten free flour and baking time for the smaller pan size. Really helpful!
Amy
Would whole or old fashioned oats work? I don’t keep quick oats.
ThriftyFrugalMom
Amy, I’ve only used regular oats when I’ve made these, but a reader left a comment on my Facebook page recently saying that she made them with old fashioned oats and they turned out great. So I think you should be fine!
Kim
Love cookie bars and these look amazing! My kids would love them too. Will definitely be giving them a try!
ThriftyFrugalMom
Hope you enjoy them, Kim!