Oatmeal Cookie Bars Recipe: These are like a combination between a granola bar and oatmeal cookies. Often called Flapjacks in England.
Jump to:
This Oatmeal Cookie Bars Recipe is a favourite of mine. Loved by kids and parents alike. It's perfect as a snack, school lunch addition, or with a cup of tea.
British Flapjacks
Many years ago I had the opportunity to live in England for a year, while I went to school there. I learned a whole new vocabulary, developed a love of Sunday afternoon walks followed by an ice cream with a Flake in it, and found lots of new foods to love.
One of the things I had there for the first time were flapjacks. They're kind of a cross between an oatmeal cookie and a granola bar, usually called an oatmeal cookie bar here in North America. I haven't had one since I lived in England 20 years ago -yes I was very young, but I still remember how yummy they were.
Here lots of people add chocolate chips or raisins to them, but I really prefer them plain. If you're a big can of oatmeal raisin cookies, or oatmeal chocolate chip cookies, then you might disagree with me.
Very Quick and Easy Recipe
These are super easy to make, and my whole family loves them. I've made them now many, many times. They're become a old standby because they're an easy recipe to make and a great treat. They're so quick to make that you don't need a special occasion to make this great recipe.
These oatmeal cookie bars are much quicker and easier to make than cookies, because you don't have to spoon out the cookie dough into individual cookies. Bake them in one baking dish, and slice them into bars for serving. Also they're only 4 or 5 ingredients easy to find at the grocery store, or in your pantry. You can stir them together in one pan, you don't even need to get your electric mixer or cookie sheets out to make them. Find the full recipe below. If you have a sweet tooth you'll love this tasty dessert bar. The hardest part about making these, is to try and not eat them all right away. Hopefully you still have some the next day.
Granola Bar or Oatmeal Cookie?
These bar cookies are like the perfect cross between a granola bar and an oatmeal cookie. They're a little sweeter than some granola bars. But the texture and thickness make them more like a granola bar. These make a chewy bar. I prefer to cut them in bar form, but you can cut them into squares if you like. These chewy oatmeal cookie bars a great addition to a bake sale. Or wrap these delicious cookie bars in parchment paper like a traditional granola bar and bring them on a hike or add to a packed lunch, or picnic for a sweet treat.
Which Oats To Use In Oatmeal Cookie Bars Recipe
I like to combine some large flake and regular flake oats for this recipe. I think the two different kinds gives the bars a nice texture. But if you don't have the large flake oats on hand, or prefer just regular flake oats feel free to use just those.
This recipe is very forgiving. I use quick-cooking oats, but you can substitute in instant oats, or old fashioned oats if that's what you have on-hand.
Other Substitutions In Oatmeal Cookie Bars Recipe
I make these bars with salted butter. If you prefer feel free to use unsalted butter, and add some sea salt to the recipe. For ½ cup of unsalted butter add ½ teaspoon salt.
I use light brown sugar for this recipe, but feel free to substitute dark brown sugar if you prefer it.
These dessert bars are best stored at room temperature in an airtight container to maintain their chewy texture.
Recipe
Oatmeal Cookie Bars Recipe
Ingredients
- ½ cup butter
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup golden corn syrup
- 1 ⅓ cups quick-cooking oats
- 1 cup large flake quick-cooking oats or more regular quick oats
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Coat with butter or cooking spray an 8x8 pan.
- Combine butter, brown sugar, and corn syrup in a medium saucepan. Stir constantly over medium heat until the melted butter, and dissolved sugar and corn syrup mixture is smooth and golden brown. Then remove from the heat.
- In a large bowl add the remaining dry ingredients, both kinds of oats and stir together. Then combine the butter, sugar, and corn syrup mixture with the oats, and stir until it's fully combined.
- Spread mixture in 8 x 8 inch prepared pan and bake until top is golden (edges will be darker), about 20 minutes.
- Cool in the pan 5 minutes. Cut into bars will they are still soft. Cool completely in pan before serving.
Nutrition
Next time you feel like an oatmeal cookie, but want to make something quicker and easier, try these bar desserts. With this amazing cookie bar recipe, life really is a party! Enjoy!
More Recipes You'll Love
You might also like our Large Flake Oatmeal Cookies recipe here.
Also check out our Easy One Bowl Brownies recipe here.
You might also enjoy our Homemade Custard Creams recipe here.
Katherines Corner says
what a great "to go" snack Hugs P.S. I invite you to share this at my hop
Karin says
I am definitely going to try these. Might add some toasted almonds or pecans. Hubby will be so happy!