Oatmeal Cookie Bars are sweet, chewy, soft and fudgy. They’re gluten-free and super yummy!
Whether for breakfast or as a midday pick-me-up. These chewy, fudgy, and oh-so-addicting cookie bars will be everyone’s favorite!
They are a wholesome version of a classic dessert. These bars sneak some more nutrients into your diet while still satisfying your sweet tooth. How can you not love them?
They’re loaded with bananas, rolled oats, and chocolate. And they’re very filling, too!
These oatmeal bars are also gluten-free, so they are perfect for bringing to potlucks or gatherings.
Table of Contents
Ingredients and Substitutes
Bananas (3) – Ripe bananas are best here.
Eggs (2) – It is best to use free-range, organic eggs.
Vanilla extract (1 tsp) – Vanilla gives a nice flavor to this dish, and I recommend not using any substitutes.
Butter (7 oz) – Try not to use shortening or other alternatives.
Honey (1/4 cup) – If you don’t have honey, you can substitute it with maple or corn syrup.
Cinnamon (1/2 tsp) – Cinnamon gives such a warming touch to these bars. I recommend adding it, but you can totally go without it.
Baking soda (1/4 tsp) – Needed to give a bit of “air” to the bars.
Rolled oats (4 cups and 2 tbsp) – I recommend rolled oats for a chewier texture. However, quick oats can also be used.
Chocolate chips (1/2 cup) – Dark or milk
How to Make Oatmeal Cookie Bars
Step 1. Start by preheating your oven to 350 degrees F. Add the bananas to a large bowl and mash them with a fork.
Step 2. Add the eggs to the bowl, along with the vanilla extract.
Step 3. Grab a small bowl and melt the butter in it in the microwave.
Step 4. Pour your melted butter into the bowl that contains the bananas and eggs..
Step 5. Add the cinnamon, honey, and baking soda.
Step 6. Whisk until the mixture is well incorporated.
Step 7. Add 4 cups of rolled oats and combine all of the ingredients. Then, add two tablespoons of rolled oats and combine. Finally, add in chocolate chips and give the dough a mix.
Step 8. Cover an 8’’x8’’ baking dish with parchment paper.
Step 9. Add the dough to a baking dish and level it out.
Step 10. Press your chocolate chips on top of the dough.
Step 11. Bake in the oven for 30 minutes and let it sit for another 30 minutes in the baking dish once removed.
Step 12. Remove the baked oatmeal from the edges of the parchment paper and cut it into 16 squares before serving.
How to Store and Freeze?
It is best to store these chewy bars in an airtight container in the fridge. They will keep well for up to 5 days.
If you want to freeze them, I suggest wrapping individual bars into parchment paper first. Then, store them in an airtight container or freezer bag. If properly frozen, they will keep well for up to 6 months.
Tips for Oatmeal Cookie Bars
If you follow the method carefully, chewy and soft bars are guaranteed. But here are some extra tips:
- Use room-temperature eggs so that the ingredients can combine cohesively.
- Press the dough well when transferring it to the baking dish. That way, it will bake evenly.
- Do not overbake. The bars will continue to cook even when out of the oven, so make sure to remove them as soon as they turn brown around the edges.
- Allow to cool before cutting into bars. I cannot stress this enough! If it is still hot, the bars are not set yet and will break into pieces.
Watch How to Make
Other Oatmeal Recipes
Oatmeal Cookie Bars
Ingredients
- 3 medium bananas 3/4 cup mashed
- 2 medium eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 7 oz lightly salted butter 1 cup melted
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- ¼ tsp baking soda
- 4 cups and 2 tbsp rolled oats
- 1/2 cup chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350F and line 8” x 8” baking dish with baking paper, leaving a few inches of paper on the sides.
- In a large bowl, add the bananas and mash them with a fork.
- Break in the eggs and add in vanilla extract.
- Melt slightly salted butter (if using unsalted butter, just add 1 tsp of salt). Pour the butter into the bowl (it should be a total of about 1 cup melted).
- Add in the honey, cinnamon and baking soda. Mix all of the ingredients together.
- Add 2 cups rolled oats and mix. Then another 2 cups of rolled oats and combine all the ingredients well.
- Then, mix in chocolate chips at the very end.
- Transfer the dough to the baking sheet, level it out, and press in a few chocolate chips here and there on top.
- Bake in the oven for 30 minutes until the edges are golden brown. Afterward, let it sit in the baking dish for 30 minutes before removing it by the edges and cutting it up.