The ultimate chewy chocolate oatmeal bars are the cookie that isn't: a buttery oat-and-walnut base and lid with a thick melted-chocolate layer sealed between. They slice cleanly, travel well, and vanish at any gathering they attend.
The Ultimate Chewy Chocolate Oatmeal Bars
Get ready to fall in love with the ultimate comfort dessert! These incredible oatmeal bars boast a chewy, buttery base bursting with rich brown sugar and hearty oat flavor. We then smother them in a decadent layer of melted semi-sweet chocolate and a generous sprinkle of crunchy walnuts. They’re not just a treat; they’re an experience! Perfect for an afternoon snack, a potluck showstopper, or beautifully wrapped as a thoughtful holiday gift.
Ingredients
• MAKES 24 BARS
• 1 cup (240 ml) / 2 sticks butter, softened
• ¾ cup firmly packed light brown sugar
• 1 egg yolk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup (240 ml) rolled oats, non-instant
• 1 cup (240 ml) whole wheat pastry flour, or ½ cup whole wheat flour and ½ cup unbleached white flour
• 1 cup (240 ml) finely chopped walnuts, not ground
• 1 ½ cups / 9 ounces semisweet chocolate chips
Instructions
1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C). Butter and flour a 12 x 7 x 2-inch pan. If using a glass pan, preheat the oven to 325°F (165°C).
2. In a large bowl, beat together the butter, sugar, egg yolk, and vanilla until smooth and creamy.
3. Add the oats, flour, and half of the walnuts. Beat just until blended; do not overwork the dough. You may need to finish this step by hand.
4. With a rubber spatula or your fingers, spread the mixture evenly into the prepared pan and smooth the top. Bake for 25 minutes, or until it is a rich golden color.
5. Remove the pan from the oven and immediately sprinkle on the chocolate chips. Return to the oven for 3 minutes, or until they are soft. With a spatula, spread the chocolate evenly over the surface. Sprinkle on the remaining nuts and press them lightly into the surface.
6. Cool on a wire rack for 30 minutes, then chill for 1 hour, or until the chocolate is firm but not hard. Cut into 24 bars and serve. Store in a tightly covered tin.
Nutritional Information
• Serving: 1 bar | Calories: 220kcal | Carbohydrates: 20g (0.71 oz) | Protein: 3g (0.11 oz) | Fat: 15g (0.53 oz) | Saturated Fat: 7g (0.25 oz) | Sodium: 60mg | Sugar: 12g (0.42 oz) (This is an estimate and may vary).
Pro Tips
• for Perfect Oatmeal Bars
• For a deeper, nuttier flavor, toast the walnuts in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3-5 minutes before chopping and adding them to the recipe.
• To get perfectly clean cuts, run a sharp knife under hot water and wipe it dry between each slice. This prevents the chocolate from cracking and smearing.
• Don’t overbake the base. It should be golden brown at the edges but still slightly soft in the center when you remove it from the oven; it will firm up as it cools.
• Feel free to customize! Swap the walnuts for pecans or almonds, or use butterscotch or white chocolate chips for a different flavor profile.
FAQ
Q: Can I make these chocolate oatmeal bars vegan
A: Yes, you can easily make this recipe vegan. Use a plant-based butter substitute in a 1:1 ratio for the dairy butter. To replace the egg yolk, you can use 1 tablespoon (15 ml / 0.5 fl oz) of unsweetened applesauce or a commercial vegan egg replacer. Finally, ensure you use dairy-free semi-sweet chocolate chips.
Q: Are these vegetarian oatmeal bars a good source of protein
A: These bars provide about 3 grams (0.11 oz / 3.1 g) of plant-based protein per serving, primarily from the whole grains, oats, and walnuts. To increase the protein content, consider adding a tablespoon of chia seeds or ground flaxseed to the base, or swapping the walnuts for almonds.
Q: How should I store these vegetarian oatmeal bars to keep them fresh
A: Store the bars in a tightly covered tin or airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer freshness, you can refrigerate them for up to one week. They also freeze well for up to 3 months; just be sure to separate layers with parchment paper.
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The Ultimate Chewy Chocolate Oatmeal Bars
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C). Butter and flour a 12 x 7 x 2-inch pan. If using a glass pan, preheat the oven to 325°F (165°C).
- In a large bowl, beat together the butter, sugar, egg yolk, and vanilla until smooth and creamy.
- Add the oats, flour, and half of the walnuts.
- Beat just until blended; do not overwork the dough. You may need to finish this step by hand.
- With a rubber spatula or your fingers, spread the mixture evenly into the prepared pan and smooth the top.
- Bake for 25 minutes, or until it is a rich golden color.
- Remove the pan from the oven and immediately sprinkle on the chocolate chips. Return to the oven for 3 minutes, or until they are soft. With a spatula, spread the chocolate evenly over the surface.
- Sprinkle on the remaining nuts and press them lightly into the surface.
- Cool on a wire rack for 30 minutes, then chill for 1 hour, or until the chocolate is firm but not hard.
- Cut into 24 bars and serve. Store in a tightly covered tin.
- Don't overbake the base. It should be golden brown at the edges but still slightly soft in the center when you remove it from the oven; it will firm up as it cools.
