These chocolate chip oatmeal cookie bars are easy to make in under 30 minutes. They have a crispy shiny top with a gooey center and you can make them your own by choosing your favorite mix-ins! Best served warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream! 

If you’re craving oatmeal cookies but don’t want to bother with chilling dough, rolling, and baking multiple batches then these oatmeal cookie bars are just what you need!

These oatmeal chocolate chip bars have a crispy, shiny top with a gooey center. They are easy to make in less than 30 minutes with a handful of simple ingredients.

You can even use your favorite mix-ins to make them your own, and of course I suggest serving them warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream (or chocolate ice cream)!

Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Bars: Ingredients & Substitutions

• Salted Butter. both unsalted butter and coconut oil work in this recipe, however I recommend butter.
• Oatmeal: For the perfect, chewy texture use old-fashioned (or rolled) oats. You can use quick oats, just decrease the amount by 1/4 cup.
• Light Brown Sugar. For a bolder molasses taste, use dark brown sugar.
• Granulated Sugar. white sugar or organic cane sugar both work in this recipe.
• Flour. make these gluten-free by using a 1:1 all-purpose gluten-free baking flour.
• Cinnamon. Choose a high-quality ground cinnamon for the best results.
• Sea salt. I bake with pure, fine sea salt. If you are using iodized salt I recommend decreasing the amount of salt by half. 
• Mix-ins. Adding mix-ins is optional. Obviously I prefer chocolate chips. Additional suggestions include: cinnamon chips, white chocolate chips, dried fruit, chopped nuts, peanut butter chips, etc.

How to Make Oatmeal Cookie Bars

These oatmeal chocolate chip bars are very easy to make. As always, we’ll walk through the process step-by-step, and don’t forget to watch the video.

Make the batter

In a small bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt and cinnamon. Then, set it aside.

Next, beat the softened butter, granulated sugar and brown sugar in the bowl of a standing mixer (or in a large bowl with a handheld mixer) until combined.

Then, add eggs and vanilla and beat on medium speed until the mixture is light and fluffy (about 1 minute).  

Next, add the dry ingredient mixture and beat on low speed until just combined.

Once the mixture is smooth and there are no lumps, add the oatmeal and beat on low speed until combined.

Finally, add the mix ins (if desired) and stir until they are evenly distributed in the dough.

Mix-in suggestions

• chocolate chips or chopped chocolate bars
• white chocolate chips
• raisins
• dried fruit (cranberries, raspberries, blueberries, etc.)
• cinnamon chips (YUM)
• nuts (walnuts, pecans, sliced almonds, etc.)
• Peanut butter chips

Bake the oatmeal cookie bars

Bake the oatmeal chocolate chip bars for about 25 minutes, or until top is lightly browned and the bars are slightly jiggly. Do not over-bake.

Cut and Serve

Let the oatmeal cookie bars cool on a wire rack for at least 30 minutes before serving. They will get firmer as they cool, they will be gooey when warm.

Serve warm with a scoop of homemade vanilla ice cream, or homemade chocolate ice cream.

Store/Freeze

Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, in the refrigerator for up to 1 week or in the freezer for up to 1 month.

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The photos in this post were taken by Angelina from Baked Ambrosia.