Thick chocolate fudge sandwiched between two layers of chewy oatmeal. These fudgy oatmeal bars are a chocolate lover’s dream!
Sometimes you’re in the mood for chocolate. Decadent fudge chocolate. This recipe will satisfy the most outrageous craving for just that.
I’m going to go ahead and apologize to you because these bars are going to make your pants fit a little tighter.
These fudgy oatmeal bars are rich and decadent. They’re thick, dense, chewy and so fudgy. They make great homemade gifts for anyone who loves chocolate. Know someone who has a birthday coming up? Make them these!
The best part about these bars is they are so simple. Or maybe that’s the worst thing. It’s all too easy to make them over and over again considering how easy they are. Once again, I’m sorry.
Most of you already have all the ingredients to make these fudgy oatmeal bars. They require mostly staple ingredients: flour, oats, sugar, butter, baking powder and soda, salt, instant coffee, eggs, and chocolate chips. See, you don’t need to make a trip to the store. Just hop on over to your kitchen and whip these up in no time.
Flour, oats, sugar, butter, baking powder, and baking soda get mixed together to make a crunchy, chewy crust. Press a little more than half the mixture into the bottom a 9x9-inch pan lined with foil. The remaining mixture will go over the top of the chocolate filling.
The bars take about 30 to 45 minutes to bake. Make sure not to overbake them. The bars will puff up and the edges will brown slightly. The center will deflate some as they cool.
It’s important to let them cool to room temperature for close to an hour before removing them from the pan to slice them.
I’m certain this simple decadent recipe will be a welcome treat for anyone who loves chocolate.
Chocolate Oatmeal Bars
Thick chocolate fudge sandwiched between two layers of chewy oatmeal. These chocolate oat bars are a chocolate lover’s dream!
Ingredients
For The Crust
- 1 cup (130 g) all-purpose flour
- 1 cup (89 g) quick-cooking oats
- ¼ cup (50 g) granulated sugar
- ¾ cup (157 g) light brown sugar, packed
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup (113 g) unsalted butter, melted
For The Filling
- ⅔ cup (86 g) all-purpose flour
- ½ cup (105 g) light brown sugar, packed
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 12-ounces (339 g) semi-sweet chocolate, coarsely chopped
- ¼ cup (56 g) unsalted butter, cut into pieces
- 3 large eggs, room temperature
Instructions
Make the crust
- Preheat the oven to 325°F. Line a 9x9-inch pan with parchment paper and spray lightly with cooking spray.
- In a medium mixing bowl, combine the flour, oats, both sugars, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Stir with a whisk to combine.
- Stir in the melted butter until combined.
- Set aside 1 cup of the mixture to use for the topping. Press the remaining mixture into the bottom of the prepared pan.
- Bake for 8 minutes until light golden brown. Set aside to cool while you make the filling.
Make the filling
- In a small mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, and salt. Stir with a whisk to combine.
- Place chocolate and butter in a large heat-proof bowl set over a pot of barely simmering water. Stir with a silicone spatula until chocolate has melted completely. Remove from heat.
- Whisk in the eggs, one at a time. Stir in the flour mixture until combined. The mixture will resemble thick brownie batter.
- Pour over the cooled crust. Sprinkle the top with the remaining oatmeal mixture.
- Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, until the edges are set and have browned lightly. Cool in the pan on a wire rack for 1 hour.
- Remove from pan and cut into squares. For neat slices, refrigerate for 2 hours before cutting.
Notes
Oats: quick-cooking oats are required. Old fashioned rolled oats will leave the bars extra dense and chewy. If you don't have quick-cooking oats, you can pulse rolled oats in a food processor to break them down some.
Chocolate: Use bars of baking chocolate for best results. Chocolate chips don't melt as smoothly.
Make ahead tip
- The bars will stay fresh in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- The bars also freeze well. Cool them completely the slice and wrap them individually in plastic wrap. Place the wrapped bars in a sturdy container with an airtight lid and freeze them for up to 3 months.
- Thaw them in the refrigerator overnight when you are ready to serve them. You can eat them cold or set them out to come to room temperature.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield: 16 Serving Size: 1 barAmount Per Serving: Calories: 325Total Fat: 16gSaturated Fat: 10gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 58mgSodium: 122mgCarbohydrates: 44gFiber: 2gSugar: 29gProtein: 4g
* Nutrition information is provided as a courtesy by an online nutrition calculator and is not guaranteed to be accurate. Always seek advice from a nutritionist or medical professional.
Samantha says
So you HAVE to use the coffee granules? I want to make these but not everyone is a big coffee fan.
Jen Sobjack says
No, you don't have to use coffee granules if you don't want to. I should mention that you can't taste the coffee. It's there to enhance the flavor of the chocolate.
Fallgirl says
Just made these for a grad party. They are so decedent! They are fudgy and the hint of coffee is perfect. My only small recommendation might be to cut the squares to serve 20 rather than 16, since the squares are a generous size. 5 out of 5 stars !!
Jen says
Thank you so much for the wonderful feedback!
Janis says
These look amazing & I can't wait to make them!!
Thao @ In Good Flavor says
Just looking at these bars are making my pants feel tight already! They look amazing and worth the slight wardrobe discomfort!
Anu-My Ginger Garlic Kitchen says
These fudgy chocolate bars look awesome, Jen. Sounds amazingly delish! And that top of oats looks intriguing.
Claudia | The Brick Kitchen says
Love the idea of doing an oaty top and bottom to these brownies - they look so super fudge and I can imaging the crumble would give amazing extra texture. Need one in my life right now! 🙂
Dorothy @ Crazy for Crust says
Oh my gosh. I'd eat ALL OF THEM. That chocolate fudge!!! Pinned!
Jen says
Thank you so much for pinning, Dorothy! 🙂
Manali @ CookWithManali says
these bars look so good Jen! This is all I want right now!
Shashi at RunninSrilankan says
Oh that fudgy layer balanced with the oats! These bars look so darn good! These should be called EPIC FUDGY OATMEAL BARS!
Cyndi - My Kitchen Craze says
I love me so bars and these look great!! I will take bars over any dessert any day of the week! Delicious!
Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary says
Sometimes life just calls for something deliciously decadent! And when it does, these bars look PERFECT to fill that need! Seriously, these look CRAZY YUM! These are oatmeal bars totally taken to the next level! LOVING the rich chocolate fudge center! Pinned! Cheers to a day as fabulous as these bars!
Laura @ Laura's Culinary Adventures says
What a decadent treat that uses ingredients I already have on hand!
Mira says
Love dessert bars! I was experimenting with some oatmeal ones today, but yours are incredible Jen! Pinned!
Jessica @ Sweetest Menu says
These bars look INCREDIBLE! I just love that chocolate fudgy filling and that thick oatmeal crust! Love!
Blair @ The Seasoned Mom says
Oh, my. These look dangerous! My pants would definitely fit tighter if I had these sitting in my kitchen. Holy chocolate! That thick layer in the middle is making my mouth water. 🙂