Crispy, chewy oatmeal chocolate chip cookie bars that feel indulgent but use wholesome ingredients. Chewy oats, crisp edges, and melty chocolate morsels come together in these healthy oatmeal cookie bars — perfect for dessert or a snack.
Deliciously Spiced Healthy Oatmeal Cookie Bars
How can oatmeal chocolate chip cookie bars be healthy? By swapping highly processed ingredients for nutrient-rich alternatives. These bars use oat flour and rolled oats for fiber and texture, coconut oil and minimally refined sweeteners for balanced fat and sweetness, and a flax egg instead of a chicken egg for a vegan-friendly binder. The result is a perfectly spiced bar with chewy centers, crispy edges, and gooey chocolate chips.
Guilt-Free Ingredients
- Oat flour: a fiber-rich alternative to all-purpose flour that adds a cozy, slightly nutty flavor and tender texture.
- Rolled oats: add chew and extra fiber, plus vitamins and minerals when you use whole oats.
- Coconut oil: used sparingly here to keep fat moderate while adding moisture and a light richness.
- Coconut sugar & maple syrup: minimally refined sweeteners that caramelize during baking for a deep, toffee-like note.
- Flaxseed: used as a flax egg to replace a chicken egg, providing structure and omega-3s.
- Chocolate chips: use your preferred variety — vegan, dark, or stevia-sweetened sugar-free chips to keep sugar lower.
- Optional: these bars are easy to make gluten free and vegan by choosing certified gluten-free oats/flour and plant-based chocolate chips.
How to Make Healthy Oatmeal Cookie Bars
These bars come together in a few simple steps using whole ingredients. Follow the method below for chewy, golden-brown bars with crisp edges.
Preheat & Make the Flax Egg
Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line an 8-inch square baking pan with parchment paper and set aside. Make the flax egg in advance so it has time to thicken: whisk ground flaxseed with water and let it sit for about 15 minutes.
Whisk the Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, combine the oat flour, rolled oats, baking powder, ground cinnamon, and salt. Whisk until evenly blended and set aside.
Whisk the Wet Ingredients
In a large bowl, whisk together the melted coconut oil, coconut sugar, the prepared flax egg, vanilla extract, and maple syrup until smooth and slightly glossy.
Combine & Fold
Pour the dry ingredients into the wet mixture. Use a rubber spatula to fold everything together until no dry patches remain. Fold in the chocolate chips.
Transfer & Spread
Transfer the dough to the prepared pan and press it into an even, tightly packed layer. Optionally press a few extra chocolate chips into the top for a pretty finish.
Bake, Cool, Slice, Enjoy
Bake for 26–30 minutes, until the top is golden brown (about 28 minutes in my oven). Cool the pan on a rack for 30 minutes, then lift the parchment to remove the slab and cool completely (about 1–2 hours). Slice into 16 bars and enjoy.
Why These Bars Are Worth Making
- Crispy edges: these bars bake up with a satisfying crunch around the edges and a tender center.
- Chewy texture: rolled oats and light caramelization from coconut sugar and maple syrup create a delightful chew.
- Whole-food ingredients: made with oats, oat flour, flax, and minimally refined sweeteners.
- Melty chocolate: warm or at room temperature, the chocolate chips add rich pockets of flavor.
- Versatile: great as a dessert, an on-the-go snack, or even a breakfast treat.
More Oat-Based Treats
- Crispy Chewy Oatmeal Cookies
- No Bake Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies
- Gluten Free Oatmeal Bars
- Healthy Oatmeal Cranberry Cookies
- Gluten Free Pumpkin Oatmeal Bars (Vegan)
- Easy Vegan Oatmeal Cookies
- Cinnamon Oatmeal Cookies
- Banana Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Breakfast Bars
- 3-Ingredient Healthy Vegan Rice Crispy Treats
Tools You Need
- 8-inch square baking pan
- oat flour (or homemade, finely ground)
- unbleached parchment paper
- your choice of chocolate chips
Oatmeal Cookie Bars for Any Time
These bars are wholesome enough to enjoy any time of day. Pack one for a satisfying snack or serve warm as a dessert. If you make them, share a photo on social media with the hashtag #beamingbaker or leave a comment below to say how they turned out.
Sending love — xo Demeter
Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars – Healthy
Equipment
- 8-inch square baking pan
- Mixing bowls, whisk, rubber spatula
- Parchment paper
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 1/2 cup oat flour (very finely ground)
- 3/4 cup rolled oats
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1/4 cup melted coconut oil
- 1/4 cup + 1 tablespoon coconut sugar
- 1/2 flax egg (1/2 tablespoon ground flaxseed + 1 1/2 tablespoons water, whisked and set 15 minutes)
- 3/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup
Add-ins
- 1/2 cup chocolate chips (use vegan or sugar-free if desired)
Optional Topping
- 2 tablespoons chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Line an 8-inch square baking pan with parchment or greased foil and set aside.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients and set aside.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the wet ingredients until smooth.
- Add the dry mixture to the wet mixture and fold with a rubber spatula until combined. Fold in the chocolate chips.
- Transfer the mixture to the prepared pan and press into an even, tightly packed layer. Optionally press extra chocolate chips on top.
- Bake for 26–30 minutes, until golden brown on top (about 28 minutes).
- Cool the pan on a rack for 30 minutes, then lift the parchment and cool completely on the rack (1–2 hours). Slice into 16 bars and enjoy.
Notes
Storing: Store in an airtight container at room temperature for 1–2 weeks.
Freezing: Freeze in a freezer-safe container for 1–3 months. Thaw at room temperature 10–20 minutes or warm briefly in the microwave.
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