Old-Fashioned Oatmeal Bars is an easy Mix-n-bake recipe ~ perfect for breakfast or a snack to add to the lunch box
It is that time of the year where my son is almost done with his studies for the year. Only one more test and he can relax, meaning relax from his studies as he is also working full-time.
Every year around this time, he also ups his time spent in the gym and is always ravenous when he gets home. He goes to the gym straight after work and gets home a while before we have dinner.
I like to keep these old-fashioned Oatmeal bars on hand for him, to grab whenever he feels the hunger pains can not wait any longer.
He would usually pack a couple of bars together with his lunch as well in the mornings.
I, on the other hand, am a huge snacker and these gooey Oatmeal bars are just perfect for me to snack on. A little better than last nights leftover dessert, right ?
And it is Oatmeal after all, which is breakfast …
Chocolate Chip alternatives:
You can leave out the Chocolate Chips and replace them with Raisins or dried Cranberries, which is also delicious in these snacks.
I have to be honest, I would rather have either the Choc Chips or the Cranberries as neither myself or (especially!) my son are big fans of Raisins. Okay in some desserts and even savory dishes, but not in this kind of treat.
I bake the bars slightly longer than necessary as I like the extra bit of crunchiness it adds to the edges. And I am not talking 10 – 15 minutes here, only about 5 minutes at most.
The bars are ready when the color is golden and if you press slightly down it should feel a little springy. On baking the dough will rise to about twice the size, but will settle back to the original thickness on cooling.
You might also want to slice the baked piece into bars when you remove it from the oven dish, but do not try to move the pieces apart as it will only break. This needs to cool down completely before you can safely handle them by hand.
Old-Fashioned Oatmeal Bars
Old-Fashioned Oatmeal Bars

Mix-n-bake Old-Fashioned Oatmeal Bars ~ perfect for breakfast or a snack to add to the lunch box
Ingredients
- 1 cup Butter
- 1 TB Maple Syrup
- 1 t Baking Soda, (Bicarbonate of Soda)
- 1/2 t Allspice
- 2 cups Oatmeal, (Quick Cooking or Instant)
- 1 cup Flour
- 1 cup Sugar
- 1/4 cup Chocolate Chips
Instructions
- Pre-heat the oven to 180 deg C (350 deg F) – line a 20 x 30cm (9x 12 inch) oven dish with baking paper (let the edges hang over the dish for easier removal)
- Melt together the Butter and Maple Syrup in a large mixing bowl {microwavable} – stir in the Baking Soda and Allspice
- Add the Oatmeal, Flour and Sugar – stir until well combined – add in the Chocolate Chips
- Press tightly into the prepared oven dish and bake 18 – 20 minutes – remove from the oven and let cool in the dish for 10 minutes – remove by firmly holding the sides of the overhanging paper and transfer to a cooling rack to cool completely
- Slice into rectangles or squares
Nutrition Information
Yield
18Amount Per Serving Calories 207.1Total Fat 11.8gSaturated Fat 7.2gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 4.6gCholesterol 27.5mgSodium 142.7mgCarbohydrates 24.8gFiber 1.1gSugar 14gProtein 1.9g
Keep in a sealed container.
Mindy
Sunday 10th of April 2022
These were delicious! In place of white sugar I substituted 1/2 cup brown sugar and 1/4 cup honey. I did finf them really buttery and will try to cut that down some. There will be a next time.
Linda Nortje
Sunday 10th of April 2022
Thank you for leaving a comment, Mindy - glad you liked the oatmeal bars !
Amanda
Wednesday 17th of February 2021
These are delicious! I cut the sugar in half. I might try them with butterscotch chips next time! Thanks for the recipe!
Linda Nortje
Wednesday 17th of February 2021
Butterscotch chips sound like a delicious idea, Amanda !
cmhicklin
Friday 18th of November 2016
I made these with half of the sugar, and they are still delicious!
Marsha Baker
Friday 28th of August 2015
Love this wonderful recipe...just what size is a 20 X 30 cm? 9" X 13"? Thanks for sharing with us at Weekend Potluck.
Rita
Thursday 7th of May 2020
I made these for the first time and they are delicious, I have made them again , my family loves them.
Linda Nortje
Friday 28th of August 2015
Thank you ! The 20 x 30cm is slightly smaller than a 9" x 13", not enough to make any difference to the baking :-)
Evelyn Osborn
Wednesday 26th of August 2015
These remind me of the Oatmeal bars Mom used to make except she didn't add the chocolate chips. I just have to try these! (with the chocolate chips of course:)