Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Oat Cookie Bars. These bars are everything you want in a treat – chewy, sweet, and perfectly salty, with melty chocolate chips and swirls of gooey caramel in every bite. The best part? You don’t need to be a master baker to make them. I’ll walk you through everything you need to know to create these amazing bars in your own kitchen.
What Makes These Bars Special?
Imagine taking a perfect chocolate chip cookie, making it even chewier with hearty oats, then adding ribbons of salted caramel throughout. That’s what we’re making here. The oats give these bars a wonderful texture and nutty flavor, while the salted caramel takes them from “really good” to “I can’t stop eating these.” They’re indulgent but not over-the-top, and they’ll disappear fast at any gathering.
Let’s Talk About What Goes Into These Bars
Each ingredient in these bars has a job to do:
Oats are our star player here. They create that perfect chewy texture we’re after and add a subtle nutty flavor that makes these bars extra special. Plus, they add a bit of fiber and protein, so we can pretend these are kind of healthy, right?
Chocolate Chips bring that classic melty goodness. Use whatever kind you love – dark, milk, or semi-sweet all work beautifully here.
Salted Caramel is what makes these bars unforgettable. It creates gorgeous swirls throughout and adds that perfect sweet-salty balance that keeps you coming back for more. Store-bought works great, but if you’re feeling ambitious, making your own is totally worth it.
The Supporting Cast:
Butter and sugar work together to create that soft, chewy base we’re after
Flour and baking soda give structure and a bit of lift
A pinch of salt makes all the other flavors pop
Ready to start baking? Here’s everything you’ll need:
1 cup rolled oats
1½ cups all-purpose flour
½ teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
¾ cup unsalted butter, softened
¾ cup brown sugar
¼ cup granulated sugar
1 egg
1 vanilla extract
1 cup chocolate
½ cup salted caramel
Let me rewrite this in a more natural,
Let’s Make These Bars!
Here’s the step-by-step process (I promise it’s easier than it sounds):
First things first: Get your oven heating to 350°F (175°C). While that’s warming up, line a 9×9-inch baking pan with parchment paper. Trust me – don’t skip the parchment, it’ll make your life so much easier later!
Grab two bowls. In one, mix together your oats, flour, baking soda, and salt. Pretty straightforward stuff here.
In your other bowl, beat the softened butter with both sugars until it’s light and fluffy – this usually takes about 2-3 minutes. Add in your egg and vanilla, and mix until everything’s well combined and happy together.
Now comes the gentle part – gradually mix your dry ingredients into your wet mixture. The key here is to mix just until everything comes together. Over-mixing is your enemy! Once it’s combined, fold in those chocolate chips.
Here’s where it gets fun: Spread half your dough into the pan (it might be a bit sticky – that’s normal!). Now drizzle that gorgeous caramel all over, then add the rest of your dough on top. Take a knife and make some pretty swirls through the dough. Don’t go crazy here – less is more with swirling!
Pop it in the oven for 25-30 minutes. You’re looking for golden brown edges. Now comes the hard part – waiting for them to cool completely before cutting!
Some Tips I’ve Learned Along the Way
Pull your ingredients out of the fridge early – room temperature ingredients really do mix better
When you’re mixing everything together, think “gentle” – we’re making cookie bars, not bread!
Those caramel swirls? Think artistry, not aggressive mixing
I know it’s tempting, but let these cool completely before cutting. Your bars will thank you by not falling apart
These keep beautifully in an airtight container for about 5 days, if they last that long!
Make It Your Own
Want to switch things up? Here are some of my favorite variations:
Need gluten-free? Just swap in gluten-free oats and flour
Going vegan? Use coconut oil instead of butter and try a flax egg
Love nuts? Throw in some chopped walnuts or pecans
Feeling fancy? Try using dulce de leche instead of caramel
Chocolate lover? Add some cocoa powder to the dough!
Serving Ideas
These bars are amazing on their own, but want to take them over the top? Try:
Warming them slightly and adding a scoop of vanilla ice cream
Pairing them with your morning coffee (I won’t tell!)
Adding an extra drizzle of warm caramel sauce
Packing them for picnics or potlucks (they travel really well)
Making Them a Bit Healthier
Look, these are definitely a treat, but if you want to make them a bit more virtuous:
Try coconut sugar instead of regular
Swap in some almond flour
Look for sugar-free caramel options
They’ll still be delicious, just a little more wholesome!
Common Questions I Get
“Can I use quick oats?” Sure can! Your bars will just be a bit softer.
“How should I store them?” Airtight container at room temp for about 5 days, or freeze them for later.
“Can I make them ahead?” Absolutely! They’re perfect for making a day before.
“Tips for clean cuts?” Use a sharp knife and wipe it clean between cuts.
“Can I skip the caramel?” You can… but it really makes these bars special!
Each bar comes in around 250 calories – not bad for something that tastes this good! Give them a try and let me know how they turn out. I bet they’ll become your new favorite too!