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Best Ever Chewy Oatmeal Bars: Easy Oat Snacks for Breakfast or Dessert

A close-up, sunlit view of a square, chewy oatmeal bars piece showing visible rolled oats texture.
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Create these versatile, chewy oatmeal bars using simple pantry staples. This base recipe works for quick grab and go snacks, portable breakfast ideas, or simple oat desserts, and we include variations like no-bake chocolate and fruit-filled squares.

Ingredients

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  • 2 cups rolled oats
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour (or oat flour for gluten-free)
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup packed light brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup milk (any type)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13 inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang for easy removal.
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the rolled oats, flour, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
  3. In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to beat the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, about 3 minutes.
  4. Beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
  5. Gradually add the dry oat mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined. Stir in the milk. The dough will be thick.
  6. Press about two-thirds of the dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking pan.
  7. If making the base bar, proceed to step 7. For variations (like adding chocolate chunks or fruit), mix your additions into the remaining one-third of the dough and spread evenly over the base layer.
  8. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and the center is set.
  9. Let the oatmeal bars cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before lifting them out using the parchment overhang.
  10. Cut into squares. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days for chewy oatmeal bars.

Notes

  • For a **No-Bake Chocolate Oat Bar** variation, skip the oven. Mix 2 cups rolled oats, 1 cup peanut butter, 1/2 cup honey/maple syrup, and 1/2 cup melted chocolate chips. Press into a lined pan and chill for 2 hours before cutting.
  • To make **Banana Oatmeal Bars**, mash 1 ripe banana and add it to the wet ingredients (step 3) before adding the eggs. Reduce the milk to 1/4 cup.
  • For a **Gluten Free** version, substitute the all-purpose flour with an equal amount of certified gluten-free oat flour or a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://completelyyummy.com/chewy-oatmeal-bars-easy-oat-snacks/