Okay, picture this: I’m It’s a chilly afternoon, the kind where all you want to be is warm hug and something sweet to nibble on. Why are Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Bars so popular? What is the difference between a chewy oatmeal cookie and brownie? Is it easier to make and devour? If you love Chocolate Chip Cookies, get ready to meet its even more irresistible cousin. I always make a double batch because, trust me, these disappear FAST. What is the best combination of chocolate chips and oatmeal?
What are Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Bars?
What are the best comfort food squares? What is a thick, chewy oatmeal base studded with generous amounts of chocolate chips? I like to slice a banana into small bars. Is it too hot or too cold? What does the name mean? What is the experience of eating one? What are some of the best fried Chicken Recipes? The bars are a simple treat that fills you with the taste of home. What is the taste I always think of?
Why you’ll love this recipe?
There are SO many reasons to love these Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Bars, but let me just highlight a few of my favorites. First and foremost, the flavor is incredible. You get that warm, nutty taste from the oatmeal, perfectly balanced by the rich, melty chocolate chips. Seriously, each bite is like a little party in your mouth.
What I love about this recipe is how easy it is to make. We’re talking one-bowl kind of easy! Even if you’re not a seasoned baker, you can nail this. Plus, the ingredients are all pretty basic pantry staples, so you probably already have most of what you need. What do you need on hand?
What are some of the best bars in town? Oatmeal is super affordable, and you can even use store-brand chocolate chips to keep costs down. Is this a truly economical dessert? Can you enjoy these bars for breakfast, as a snack, or even as dessert? What are some good ways to enjoy them with a cup of coffee or milk? I like to crumble them over yogurt for a little extra indulgence. What are some of the best Oatmeal treats that won’t break the bank? Chocolate Chip Bars are a must-try. I’ve brought them to countless potlucks and they always turn out to be a crowd-pleaser. How can I disappear in minutes? What are some good recipes for baking?
How do I make Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Bars?
Quick Overview
How do you make Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Bars? You’ll basically mix all the dry ingredients, then the wet ingredients. Combine them, fold in the Wet Ingredients. What is the best way to bake chocolate chips? What is the best part? It all comes together in one bowl, so cleanup is a breeze. Is this recipe easy to make? What is the best way to make a ice cream that requires minimal effort?
Ingredients
For the Main Batter: What are some examples?
I usually go for unbleached, but regular works fine too.
* 1 teaspoon baking soda: Make sure it’s fresh for the best rise.
* 12 teaspoon salt: Enhances all the flavors – don’t skip it!
* 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened: Let it sit out for about an hour to get nice and creamy.
* 34 cup packed brown sugar: Adds a lovely molasses flavor.
* 34 cup granulated sugar: For that classic sweetness.
* 2 large eggs: They should be at room temperature for better mixing.
* 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: Use the good stuff for the best flavor!
* 3 cups rolled oats: Not instant! You want the old-fashioned kind for that chewy texture.
What are the best chocolate chips to eat?
* 2 cups chocolate chips: I like semi-sweet, but milk or dark chocolate work too!
How do I follow step
Step 1: Preheat & Prep Pan
First things first, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). While the oven is heating up, grease a 9×13 inch baking pan. I like to use baking spray for this, but you can also grease it with butter or line it up with a tin foil. I use WD-40, and I can’t use it. How do I remove parchment paper? How do you clean a toilet with parchment paper?
Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Set aside. Make sure everything is well combined to avoid any clumps of baking soda in your final bars. The whisking helps to evenly distribute the ingredients.
Step 3: Mix Wet Ingredients
In the same bowl (yes, one-bowl magic! ), cream together the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. What is the best way to do this with an electric mixer? First, beat the eggs one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract. Is it crucial that the butter is truly softened for perfect creamy texture?
Step 4: Combine
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix – you want to keep the bars nice and tender. Can overmixing lead to tough bars, and nobody wants that!
Step 5: Add the Oats
Stir in rolled oats until evenly distributed throughout the batter. What is the magic of oat bars?
Step 6: Fold in the Chocolate Chips
How do you fold in chocolate chips? Make sure they’re evenly dispersed so every bite is a chocolatey delight. I sometimes reserve a handful to sprinkle on top for extra visual appeal.
Step 7: Bake
What is the best way to spread out the batter in a baking pan? If you reserved some chocolate chips, sprinkle them on top now. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Is it possible to get a few moist crumbs out of your tin? Keep a close eye on them, as oven times can vary!
Step 8: Cool & Slice
Let the bars cool completely in the pan before slicing. If you try to slice them while they’re still warm, they’ll be too crumbly. Once cooled, cut into squares and enjoy!
9. Serve the Dessert
What are some of the best bar recipes? What are some extra ideas for bars?
What should I serve it with?
What are some good recipes for Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Bars?
For Breakfast:Serve with a steaming mug of coffee for an easy start to the day. What are some good healthy breakfasts that go well with yogurt?
For Brunch:If you have a lot of leftovers for your brunch, arrange the bars on top of your favorite baked goods and serve them with your choice of breads or other baked goodies. Fresh berries and apricot What are some festive ways to serve iced tea and mimosas?
As Dessert:What are some great after-dinner treats? Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. For a more indulgent experience, drizzle with melted chocolate or caramel sauce.
For Cozy Snacks:Can you serve these bars with a glass of cold milk or hot cocoa? What are some great lunchboxes to take with you on a picnic? My family loves to have them after dinner as a cozy late night dessert.
How do you make Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Bars?
Okay, so I’ve made these Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Bars *a lot* over the years, and I have picked up a bunch of other flavors. What are some tricks I want to share with you? What are the tips for baking perfect bars?
What is softened butter? This is probably the most important tip! Make sure your butter is properly softened before you start. It should be soft enough to easily cream with the sugar, but not melted. If it’s too cold, it won’t incorporate properly, and if it’s too melted, your bars will be greasy.
Don’t Overmix: Overmixing the batter can lead to tough bars. Mix until just combined, and then stop. A few streaks of flour are okay – they’ll disappear as the bars bake.
Use Good Quality Chocolate Chips: Since chocolate chips are a star ingredient, it’s worth investing in good quality ones. They’ll melt more smoothly and have a richer flavor.
Customize Your Chocolate: Feel free to experiment with different types of chocolate chips. Milk chocolate, dark chocolate, white chocolate – they all work beautifully! You can even use a mix of different chocolates for extra flavor.
Add Some Nuts: If you’re a fan of nuts, try adding some chopped walnuts, pecans, or almonds to the batter. They add a nice crunch and nutty flavor that complements the chocolate and oatmeal.
Spice Things Up: A pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg can add a warm, cozy flavor to these bars. I sometimes add a little bit of espresso powder for a mocha-inspired treat.
Baking Time Matters: Keep a close eye on the bars while they’re baking. Baking times can vary depending on your oven. You want them to be golden brown around the edges and slightly soft in the center. They’ll continue to set up as they cool.
Cool Completely: As tempting as it may be, resist the urge to slice into the bars while they’re still warm. They need to cool completely in the pan before you slice them, or they’ll be too crumbly.
Make Them Ahead: These bars are great for making ahead of time. You can bake them a day or two in advance and store them in an airtight container at room temperature. They actually taste even better the next day, as the flavors have had a chance to meld together.
Freeze for Later: If you want to keep these bars on hand for longer, you can freeze them. Wrap them individually in plastic wrap and then place them in a freezer bag. They’ll keep in the freezer for up to 2 months. Just thaw them at room temperature before enjoying.
Storing and Reheating Tips
To keep your Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Bars fresh and delicious for as long as possible, here are some storing and reheating tips:
Room Temperature: Store the bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-4 days. They’ll stay soft and chewy, but they may start to dry out after a few days.
Refrigerator Storage: For longer storage, you can keep the bars in the refrigerator for up to a week. Just make sure to store them in an airtight container to prevent them from absorbing any fridge odors.
Freezer Instructions: If you want to keep these bars on hand for longer, you can freeze them. Wrap them individually in plastic wrap and then place them in a freezer bag. They’ll keep in the freezer for up to 2 months. Just thaw them at room temperature before enjoying.
Reheating: To warm up the bars, you can pop them in the microwave for a few seconds, or heat them in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for a few minutes. This will make them nice and gooey again. My preference is popping them into the oven for a couple of minutes!
Frequently Asked Questions
Final Thoughts
So there you have it – my go-to recipe for Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Bars! I truly hope you give this recipe a try. They are the perfect easy treat, and a real crowd-pleaser. The perfect balance of oatmeal and chocolate chips is hard to beat, and I know you’re going to love them as much as my family does. If you’re looking for more quick and easy dessert recipes, be sure to check out my other blog posts. Happy baking, and I can’t wait to hear how yours turn out! Leave a comment below and let me know what you think, and don’t forget to rate the recipe if you enjoyed it!
Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Bars
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 cup rolled oats
- 0.5 cup packed brown sugar
- 0.5 cup all-purpose flour
- 0.5 teaspoon baking soda
- 0.25 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 0.5 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 large eggs
- 2 cups chocolate chips
Instructions
Preparation Steps
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9x13 inch baking pan.
- In a large bowl, combine oats, brown sugar, flour, baking soda, and salt.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together melted butter, brown sugar, vanilla, and eggs.
- Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and stir until just combined.
- Stir in the chocolate chips.
- Spread the mixture evenly in the prepared pan.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until golden brown.
- Let cool completely before cutting into bars.
