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Home Recipes By Meal Dessert

Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Bars

34 Reviews Recipe
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By: Erin Antoniak • Updated On January 29, 2023

These oatmeal chocolate chip bars are an easy and healthy dessert (or even breakfast!) made from instant oats and whole wheat flour. They are the best snack for busy families and taste like traditional chocolate chip oatmeal cookies.

eight oatmeal chocolate chip bars

Oatmeal chocolate chip bars are truly what my dessert-for-breakfast loving self needed and I just never knew it. Thick and chewy, made from good for you ingredients, and can be eaten for dessert or for breakfast? Count me in.

Oatmeal chocolate chip cookies have long been a favorite of mine because I love the chewy addition that the oatmeal adds to any cookie. Also, anything with chocolate chips in it is already five times better than if it were just raisin like the traditional oatmeal cookie.

Plus, making these into bar form is much more fun than cookies! We love a good cookie bar here.

What makes this oatmeal chocolate chip bar recipe special is that they are truly healthy enough to eat for breakfast! You could swap out the chocolate chips for raisins if you want to add some more nutrients, or you could include both!

I love bars to grab and go and have to share my Pumpkin Oat Bars which are great any time of year.

stack of oatmeal chocolate chip bars

Healthier Desserts

Many of the dessert recipes I make, like these chocolate chip oatmeal bars, can be eaten for breakfast because of the healthier ingredients that are using in place of traditional ingredients. I love to make desserts like these because they don’t leave you with a sugar hangover or with any worry about ‘oh no, what did I just eat that’s making me feel awful?’

I choose to bake with wholesome ingredients that are made from real food and I promise that these baked goods taste just as good as the traditional versions! In my opinion, they taste even better!

Let’s take a look at what ingredients I use for a healthier dessert:

Natural sweeteners: I love to bake with coconut sugar, maple syrup, or honey because they all have a lower glycemic index than white sugar or brown sugar. What this means is that you won’t feel that sugar rush and then crash like you would with typical baked goods.

Alternative flours: Whole wheat flour is a great alternative to white flour, which is what I use in this recipe! I also bake with a lot of almond flour and gluten-free flour blends to ensure those who can’t eat gluten can still have my recipes. Also, almond and coconut flour are a lot more nutrient dense than regular white flour.

Different fats: I love to bake with coconut oil, if you haven’t already noticed! It’s a neutral tasting oil that works great in baking (make sure you buy refined in order to have no coconut flavor!). I also like to bake with grass-fed butter made from real ingredients. Long are the days of baking with canola oil and margarine.

oatmeal bar overhead shot

Ingredients in oatmeal chocolate chip bars

The ingredients in this recipe are easy. You can pick them all up in one stop to the grocery store! Here are the main ingredients you need to make chocolate chip oatmeal bars:

  • whole wheat flour
  • quick cooking oatmeal
  • coconut sugar
  • coconut oil
  • chocolate chips
  • egg
overhead of oatmeal bar

How to make oatmeal chocolate chip bars

Best part about these bars? They take less than five minutes to actually prepare.

All you have to do is prepare an 8-inch baking dish with non-stick spray or parchment paper. Then mix together all of your dry ingredients: flour, oats, baking soda, and salt.

You’ll set that aside and then whisk together egg, coconut oil, and coconut sugar. Then add in the vanilla.

Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and add the splash of almond milk and chocolate chips. Stir until completely combined.

Pour into your baking dish and bake! Then let cool before cutting into.

Enjoy!

If you make this recipe, be sure to comment below and let me know how it was! Also tag @erinliveswhole on Instagram and use the hashtag #erinliveswhole so I can see it and feature you!

If you liked this recipe, you’ll want to try these!

  • Mixed Berry Crumble Bars
  • Healthy Oatmeal Tahini Cookies
  • Oatmeal Cookie Skillet
oatmeal chocolate chip bars
oatmeal bar overhead shot
5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.9 from 34 reviews

Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Bars

These oatmeal chocolate chip bars are an easy and healthy dessert (or even breakfast!) made from instant oats and whole wheat flour. They are the best snack for busy families and taste like traditional oatmeal chocolate chip cookies.

Prep: 10 Cook: 15 Total: 25 minutes
Yield 12 bars 1x
Scale
Print Pin it Rate

Ingredients

  • 3/4 cup whole wheat flour
  • 1 cup quick cooking oats
  • 1/2 tsp. baking soda
  • 1/4 tsp. salt
  • 1/2 cup coconut oil – melted
  • 1/2 cup coconut sugar
  • 1 egg, whisked
  • 1 tsp. vanilla extract
  • 2 tbsp almond milk (or other if nut free)
  • 1/2 cup chocolate chips

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350F.
  2. Grease 8×8 inch baking pan or a bread loaf pan with cooking spray. Use a bread loaf pan if you want thicker squares.
  3. In a medium bowl mix together flour, oats, baking soda and salt.
  4. In a large bowl beat coconut oil, coconut sugar, egg, and vanilla 
  5. Add dry ingredients into wet and stir in almond milk. Then add in chocolate chips.
  6. Pour batter into prepared pan; spreading evenly with a rubber spatula.
  7. Bake for 12-14 minutes ( or 14-16 minutes for bread pan) Let cool on a wire rack then cut into squares.
  8. Store on counter for up to 5 days or freezer for longer.
Author: Erin Antoniak Category: dessert, breakfast Method: bake
oatmeal bar overhead shot

Did you make this?

Leave a comment below and tag @erinliveswhole on social media!

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Recipe Rating




  1. Natasha says

    Posted on 6/6 at 12:12 pm

    So good! Used gf four instead of wheat. Will make again!

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 8/3 at 11:50 pm

      Hi Natasha, thank you so much! So happy you enjoyed them!

      Reply
  2. Kasey says

    Posted on 5/18 at 8:10 pm

    I substituted white flour, white sugar and coconut milk. They came out a bit claggy for my liking. I think it must be the coconut oil. The baking time also seemed a bit short. They came out very soft and fluffy which was nice but did not brown at all. They are still very tasty but i would like to try the recipe with butter.

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 8/4 at 9:49 pm

      Hi Kasey, I have not tried the recipe with those substitutions, but maybe one of the ratios were off which changed the consistency? Let me know if you try them again and how they come out!

      Reply
  3. shawn says

    Posted on 5/15 at 11:42 am

    Can you sub canola or vegetable oil for the coconut oil?

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 8/4 at 10:26 pm

      Hi Shawn, I haven’t tried the recipe with that substitution, but you can and it is a 1:1 ratio to! Let me know how the bars come out!

      Reply
  4. victoria says

    Posted on 5/7 at 2:59 pm

    SO good! Taste just like cookie dough, omg. I had to use a flax egg because I’m out of eggs, so mine look a little different than your pictures, but still delicious!

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 8/4 at 11:14 pm

      Hi Victoria, I am so happy you enjoyed it and made it your own!!

      Reply
  5. Elicia says

    Posted on 5/1 at 12:28 pm

    I don’t like coconut oil. What can I sub that for?

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 8/4 at 11:51 pm

      Hi Elicia, feel free to use any oil you prefer. Let me know which one you use and how your bars come out!

      Reply
  6. Maureen Conroy says

    Posted on 5/1 at 11:48 am

    I’ve made a ton of your recipes and each one is better and better! These were AMAZING. I love my mom’s blondie recipe but being able to make these as a healthier version and taste just as good?? OBSESSED

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 8/4 at 11:52 pm

      Hi Maureen, thanks for all your support! I am so happy you enjoyed them!!

      Reply
  7. Benedette says

    Posted on 4/23 at 11:52 am

    These are INCREDIBLE. They literally taste like cookie dough I am obsessed with them.

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 8/5 at 1:54 pm

      Hi Benedette! Thank you so much for your kind words! I am so happy you love them! 🙂

      Reply
  8. Katie M says

    Posted on 4/20 at 5:30 pm

    I recently discovered Erin and all her amazing recipes! This morning my husband requested that I buy granola bars at the grocery store. I immediately thought of these ones I had seen on ELW and whipped them up. They are so delicious and a perfect start to the day. I am thinking I may add nuts to the next batch.

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 8/5 at 2:18 pm

      Hi Katie, thank you so much and so happy you enjoyed the bars!! 🙂

      Reply
  9. Carmen says

    Posted on 3/31 at 7:14 am

    Good thing I bought an extra large bag of choc chips because I am baking my way through this quarantine! I subbed 1/2 cup GF flour mix + 1/4 cup brown rice flour for the wholewheat and it turned out amazing. 🙂 I think an almond flour sub would be slightly less crumbly. 🙂

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 8/6 at 9:17 pm

      Hi Carmen, I am so happy you enjoyed it!! Let me know if you change flours next time and just be sure to check the ratio before since some flours aren’t 1:1.

      Reply
  10. Fatima says

    Posted on 2/14 at 10:06 pm

    super yummy! I like how soft the texture is. I used rolled oats instead of quick oats, which worked fine. Do you think there’s a way I could add peanut butter to these, and some maple syrup instead of coconut sugar? thank you!

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 8/9 at 9:06 pm

      Hi Fatima, I am so glad that you enjoyed the bars! I haven’t tried any of those, but feel free to try it out and let me know how it goes!!

      Reply
  11. Alyssa says

    Posted on 11/10 at 11:53 am

    These were really good! My only issue was the bake time. I had to keep them in there for at least double the time to get the inside fully baked, while the edges started to burn. Thankfully I don’t mind my cookies crispy but my kids were not big fans of it. Thanks for sharing! I will still definitely make them again.

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 8/16 at 8:33 am

      Hi Alyssa, thanks for the kind words and hmm it sounds like your oven might not heat up to the proper temperature. You could try buying an over thermometer to see what the internal temperature actually is. Thanks for making the bars and let me know if you try them again!

      Reply
  12. Maggie V. says

    Posted on 10/10 at 2:32 pm

    OMG! I just made these & they are DELISH! I only had almond flour & rolled oats, so I used those to sub for whole wheat flour & quick cooking oats. The result? PURE JOY! The outer edges were so crispy & delightful while the inside was warm, nutty & FULL of flavor! I LOVE this recipe & will make OVER & OVER AGAIN!

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 10/13 at 8:24 pm

      Aw, thanks Maggie! I’m so happy that you love them!!

      Reply
    • Maggie says

      Posted on 2/10 at 5:53 pm

      How much almond flour did you use for this? I am thinking about doing the same thing!

      Reply
    • Emily says

      Posted on 6/27 at 7:19 pm

      I had to make a few substitutions based on what I had (butter, brown sugar) so they’re not as healthy as intended, but this is a great recipe. They’re delicious. Thank you!

      Reply
      • Erin says

        Posted on 8/3 at 9:29 pm

        Hi Emily, I’m so happy you loved the bars and made them your own! 🙂

  13. Lily says

    Posted on 9/9 at 9:15 pm

    A batch doesn’t last long in our house. We are all OBSESSED with these. I love that the ingredients are healthy and it’s so easy to whip up a pan (for a non-baker like myself). I even baked some to take on a plane cross-country so we could have yummy and healthy snacks!

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 9/11 at 11:28 am

      Aw, I love to hear that! Stay tuned for a pumpkin version coming soon!

      Reply
  14. Danielle says

    Posted on 8/20 at 9:19 pm

    So good! These bars are amazing 🙂

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 8/23 at 12:51 pm

      Thank you Danielle! Glad you like them 🙂

      Reply
  15. Elsa says

    Posted on 8/15 at 5:26 pm

    Hi! I am dying to try this recipe out soon! Would i be able to sub quick oats with rolled oats?

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 8/16 at 4:34 pm

      I think you would be able to!

      Reply
  16. Taylor says

    Posted on 7/29 at 9:49 am

    These sound absolutely fabulous. I’ll be making them this weekend for sure. If I want to lower the sugar just a bit, could I use a trivia brown sugar instead of coconut sugar? Thank you!

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 7/29 at 3:45 pm

      Yes! Just follow the instructions on the bag and you should be good!

      Reply
  17. Madiha says

    Posted on 7/25 at 9:45 am

    Can you sub gluten free flour or brown rice flour for whole wheat?

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 7/25 at 10:44 am

      I believe a 1:1 gf flour would be the best replacement!

      Reply
    • Alison Coen says

      Posted on 1/10 at 5:27 pm

      Would these still be ok with dark chocolate chips?

      Reply
      • Erin says

        Posted on 1/12 at 10:18 pm

        Hi Alison, yes that would be perfectly fine! Let me know how the bars come out!

  18. Caitlin says

    Posted on 7/25 at 9:35 am

    Can you sub almond flour for the whole wheat flour?

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 7/25 at 10:44 am

      I haven’t tested this but you may be able to!

      Reply
  19. Elizabeth says

    Posted on 7/23 at 8:56 pm

    Can you post the nutrition breakdown for these? They look amazing!!

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 7/24 at 8:50 am

      Updated! Enjoy!

      Reply
  20. Thomas says

    Posted on 7/23 at 8:31 am

    I could eat an entire tray of these. They are amazing and so soft and moist and yummy!

    Reply
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I’m Erin. Creator of Erin Lives Whole, a food blog with delicious and easy healthy recipes that will leave you feeling good. We’ve got everything from wholesome baked goods to comforting savory dishes. I can’t wait to see what you whip up! Read More...

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oatmeal chocolate chip bars