These Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Oat Bars are the ultimate combination of gooey, crunchy, and rich flavors. With a buttery oat cookie crust, layers of homemade salted caramel, dark chocolate, and toasted nuts, every bite is a sweet and satisfying treat. The flaky sea salt on top adds the perfect finishing touch to balance out the sweetness.
Ideal for dessert trays, parties, or a personal indulgence, these bars will quickly become a household favorite. They’re easy to make yet deliver bakery-quality results. Whether served warm with a scoop of ice cream or chilled for a denser bite, these bars promise an unforgettable treat.
Full Recipe:
Homemade Salted Caramel
- 3/4 cup (150g) granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup + 2 tbsp (90g) water
- 4 1/2 tbsp unsalted butter, sliced
- 1/4 cup + 2 tbsp (100g) heavy cream, room temperature
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Hefty pinch of kosher salt
- 7 tbsp (60g) all-purpose flour
Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough
- 1 cup (95g) quick oats
- 1 1/4 cup (165g) all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp kosher salt
- 1/2 cup (110g) unsalted butter, room temperature
- 1 cup (210g) dark brown sugar, packed
- 1 large egg + 1 egg yolk
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup (85g) semisweet chocolate chips
- 3/4 cup (130g) dark chocolate chips
- 3/4 cup (95g) walnuts or pecans, finely chopped
- Flaky sea salt, for sprinkling
Directions:
- Homemade Salted Caramel: Prepare all caramel ingredients in advance, ensuring the heavy cream is room temperature. Heat water and sugar in a heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium heat, stirring gently. Allow it to dissolve without touching the sides. Once bubbling and clear, let the sugar caramelize to an amber color. Remove from heat, whisk in butter, and slowly pour in the cream. Return to heat for 2 minutes, then whisk in flour and set aside.
- Prepare the Cookie Dough: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line an 8×8-inch baking dish with parchment paper. In a bowl, whisk together oats, flour, baking powder, and salt. In another bowl, cream butter and sugar, then mix in the egg, yolk, and vanilla. Combine wet and dry ingredients, folding in the semisweet chocolate chips.
- Assemble and Bake: Press 2/3 of the dough into the pan and sprinkle with chopped nuts. Bake for 8 minutes, refrigerating remaining dough. Add a layer of dark chocolate chips, then pour over the caramel. Add remaining dough in random blobs. Bake for 20-25 minutes until golden.
- Cool for 30 minutes at room temperature, then chill for 1 hour. Remove from pan, sprinkle with flaky sea salt, and slice into bars.
Prep Time: 30 minutes | Cooking Time: 30 minutes | Cooling Time: 1 hour 30 minutes | Total Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
Kcal: 320 kcal | Servings: 16 bars
A Decadent Treat: Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Oat Bars
Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Oat Bars are the perfect marriage of rich, gooey caramel, velvety dark chocolate, and a soft, buttery oat cookie crust. This dessert is more than just a sweet treat—it’s a textural masterpiece. With toasted nuts adding crunch and the slight saltiness of flaky sea salt enhancing the sweetness, each bite delivers a harmonious balance of flavors. Whether you’re hosting a gathering, need a shareable dessert, or just want to indulge, these bars are guaranteed to impress.
What Makes These Bars Special
Unlike many traditional cookie bars, this recipe stands out due to its unique combination of homemade salted caramel, dark chocolate chips, and toasted nuts. The homemade caramel sauce adds depth with its rich, buttery flavor, while the dark chocolate provides a slightly bitter contrast to the sweetness. This careful interplay of ingredients elevates the bars into something truly extraordinary.
The addition of quick oats in the cookie dough lends a hearty texture that’s soft yet structured, holding up beautifully against the gooey caramel. The toasted nuts add an extra layer of complexity, bringing a savory crunch that rounds out the flavor profile. This combination ensures the bars are not only delicious but also visually appealing with layers of golden brown cookie, caramel, and chocolate.
Homemade Salted Caramel: The Star of the Show
The salted caramel in this recipe is truly a standout feature. Made from scratch, it brings a luxurious and complex flavor that’s unmatched by store-bought alternatives. The process of caramelizing sugar to a deep amber hue creates a rich base, while the addition of butter, cream, and a touch of flour ensures the caramel is thick and luscious.
The salty-sweet flavor of the caramel perfectly complements the bitter notes of dark chocolate and the buttery oat cookie layers. This balance is what makes these bars so addictive—you get sweetness, richness, and a slight savory kick in every bite.
A Perfect Balance of Textures
One of the key elements of this recipe is its textural variety. The base layer is a soft, chewy oat cookie that acts as a sturdy foundation for the toppings. The gooey caramel layer seeps into the cookie base slightly, creating a moist and tender center.
On top of the caramel, you’ll find a layer of rich dark chocolate chips that melt just enough during baking to become smooth and velvety. The toasted nuts sprinkled throughout the layers provide a satisfying crunch, while the flaky sea salt on top ties everything together. This interplay of textures ensures every bite is exciting and satisfying.
Perfect for Any Occasion
These Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Oat Bars are incredibly versatile, making them suitable for almost any occasion. They’re an excellent choice for dessert tables at parties, potlucks, or holiday gatherings. Their beautiful, layered appearance also makes them a great choice for gifting during special occasions.
For a casual treat, they’re equally enjoyable. Whether you’re looking for a dessert to share with friends or something indulgent to enjoy with a cup of coffee, these bars fit the bill. They can even be served warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an extra-special dessert experience.
Tips for the Perfect Bars
Achieving the perfect Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Oat Bars requires a few key considerations. First, when making the caramel, it’s essential to use room-temperature cream. Cold cream can cause the caramel to seize, resulting in a grainy texture. Additionally, be patient when caramelizing the sugar—rushing this process can lead to uneven caramel or burnt sugar.
Another tip is to ensure you measure your flour correctly when making the cookie dough. Too much flour can lead to a dry base, while too little can cause the bars to fall apart. For best results, spoon the flour into your measuring cup and level it off with a knife rather than scooping directly from the bag.
Finally, let the bars cool completely before slicing. While it’s tempting to dive in while they’re warm, cooling allows the layers to set, making it easier to cut clean, even bars.
Customizations and Variations
One of the great things about this recipe is its flexibility. While the combination of dark chocolate and salted caramel is unbeatable, there’s plenty of room for customization to suit your preferences.
For example, if you’re not a fan of nuts, you can leave them out or replace them with dried fruits like cranberries or chopped dried apricots. Similarly, if dark chocolate isn’t your favorite, you can substitute it with milk or white chocolate chips for a sweeter flavor profile.
You can also experiment with the caramel by infusing it with additional flavors. A splash of bourbon or a pinch of cinnamon can add a unique twist that complements the other ingredients.
Storing and Serving Suggestions
Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Oat Bars are best stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator, where they’ll keep for about a week. If you’re making them ahead for a party or event, this makes them an ideal option—they can be prepared in advance without compromising their texture or flavor.
For serving, these bars can be enjoyed straight from the fridge for a firmer texture or brought to room temperature for a softer bite. If you prefer a warm, gooey dessert, simply heat a slice in the microwave for 10-15 seconds.
Conclusion
Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Oat Bars are a delightful dessert that delivers a perfect blend of flavors and textures. From the rich homemade caramel to the velvety chocolate and crunchy nuts, every element works in harmony to create a dessert that’s both indulgent and satisfying.
Whether you’re a seasoned baker or a beginner in the kitchen, this recipe is approachable yet impressive. It’s a surefire way to wow guests or treat yourself to something special. Once you try these bars, they’re bound to become a staple in your dessert repertoire.