An easy snack cake that’s not too sweet: Salted Dark Chocolate Oatmeal Bars! Crispy corners. Soft, chewy centers. Mixed in one bowl. The best kind of sweet snack or on-the-go breakfast!

this recipe

What are Chocolate Oatmeal Bars?

Chocolate Oatmeals Bars are an easy treat that’s a cross between a cookie and a cake. The combination of oatmeal with a cookie base makes it feel wholesome, filling, and not quite a dessert. Plus, the dark chocolate and flaky sea salt make it extra special!

While I love a good dessert, sometimes you just need a sweet but snacky treat. Chocolate Oatmeal Bars are that treat for me. Oatmeal Cookie Bars that are not too sweet. But so good!

As a bonus, these healthy Oatmeals Bars are easy enough to bake with the kids. And full of wholesome ingredients, too. Enjoy!

Ingredients

• Oatmeal. Rolled oats work best. Do not use instant oats (too soft) or steelhead oats (too hard).
• Bittersweet Chocolate Chips. I love the deep flavor of bittersweet chocolate chips. But if you prefer sweeter, use milk chocolate or white chocolate chips.
• Sugar + Brown Sugar. You need a combination of white sugar and brown sugar. Creates a chewy base.
• Flour. Regular all purpose flour works great.
• Butter. Use unsalted butter.
• Baking Powder. For rise.
• Flaky Sea Salt. Add last, right before serving. Enhances all the flavors.

How to make Salted Dark Chocolate Oatmeal Bars

1. Prep the oven and baking pan. Preheat the oven to 350C/175C. Grease the baking square with butter or oil, using a pastry brush to get into the corners.
2. Make the oatmeal base. In a large bowl, add the flour, rolled oats, baking powder, and salt. With a fork, mix everything until well combined. Add the butter evenly over the top. Using the same fork, press and mix everything together until loose crumbs form.
3. Add the chocolate. Add the chocolate chips. Mix everything together with the fork.
4. Bake. Pour ingredients into the baking pan. Press gently with the fork to make an even layer. Bake in the oven for 18-22 minutes.
5. Enjoy. Remove from the oven and sprinkle with flaky sea salt. Cool for 10 minutes. Cut into squares and enjoy!

PRO Tips

• Use a metal baking square. For the best rise, chewy corners, and a dense bar-like base, I recommend a metal baking pan. Metal pans conduct heat better than glass pans.
• Do not overbake! Be careful not to overbake. The oatmeal bars should be browned on the edges and somewhat crispy looking.

FAQ

More recipes

• Chocolate Steel Cut Oats
• Dark Chocolate Buckwheat Granola
• Mochi Chocolate Brownies

Salted Dark Chocolate Oatmeal Bars recipe

Lis Lam

An easy snack cake that's not too sweet: Salted Dark Chocolate Oatmeal Bars! Crispy corners. Soft, chewy centers. Mixed in one bowl. The best kind of sweet snack or on-the-go breakfast!

5 from 2 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 8 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Servings 16 (smallish) squares

Calories 225 kcal

Equipment

• 8×8 Baking Pan
• Large Bowl
• Fork

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 1 1/4 cup rolled oats (not the quick cooking kind)
• 1 1/2 cup flour
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 3/4 cup unsalted butter, cut into cubes (softened, room temperature)
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 3/4 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup bittersweet chocolate chips
• flaky sea salt (for sprinkling on top)

Instructions

 

• Prep oven and baking pan. Preheat oven to 350F/175C. Generously butter an 8×8 baking pan and set aside. Or, line the baking square with parchment paper and set aside.
• Make oatmeal base. In a large bowl, add the rolled oats, flour, baking powder, and salt. Add the room temperature butter. Using a fork, mash and combine all the ingredients until loose crumbs form.
• Add chocolate. Add the chocolate chips. Gently mix everything with the fork until combined. It should be loosely and slightly sticking to each other.
• Bake. Pour into a baking pan. Pat gently with a fork to make an even layer. Make sure not to press too hard, as you don't want it to be too compacted. Bake in the oven until the edges are browned and crispy looking, about 18-22 minutes.
• Enjoy. Remove from the oven and sprinkle with flaky sea salt. Set aside to cool for 10 minutes. Cut into squares and enjoy!

Notes

*Cut into 16 smallish squares or 9 giant ones.  Enjoy!

Nutrition

Calories: 225kcalCarbohydrates: 30gProtein: 3gFat: 11gSaturated Fat: 7gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0.3gCholesterol: 23mgSodium: 97mgPotassium: 87mgFiber: 1gSugar: 15gVitamin A: 266IUVitamin C: 0.03mgCalcium: 41mgIron: 1mg

Keyword Bars, Dark Chocolate, Oatmeal

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