Name: Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Oat Cookie Bars Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 15 min
Yield: 12
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 cup granulated sugar; 1/4 cup water; 1/2 cup (113 grams) unsalted butter; 1/2 cup heavy cream; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1 teaspoon kosher salt; 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour; 2 cups quick oats; 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour; 1 teaspoon baking powder; 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt; 1 cup (226 grams) unsalted butter; 1 cup dark brown sugar; 2 large eggs; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips; 1 cup dark chocolate chips; 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans

Sweet, buttery oat cookie bars with a rich salted caramel chocolate chip twist deliver pure dessert magic.

These decadent bars blend crumbly oats and deep caramel notes into an irresistible treat.

Layers of chocolate and caramel create a symphony of flavors that dance across your palate.

Soft, chewy edges give way to gooey chocolate centers in each perfectly balanced bite.

The sprinkle of sea salt cuts through the sweetness, elevating every mouthful with a sophisticated touch.

Each bar promises a moment of pure indulgence that will leave you craving more.

Bake these bars and watch them disappear in record time.

Why You’ll Love These Salted Caramel Oat Bars

Learn professional-level caramel making without complex equipment, gaining confidence in creating restaurant-quality sweet treats right in your kitchen.
Ideal for potlucks, family gatherings, and casual dessert moments where you want to impress with minimal effort and maximum flavor satisfaction.
Designed for home cooks of all skill levels, this recipe provides clear steps and minimal technical challenges, making gourmet baking accessible and enjoyable.

Caramel Base:

Granulated Sugar: A key ingredient that creates the base of the caramel with a sweet, rich flavor.
Water: Helps dissolve the sugar and create a smooth caramel mixture.
Unsalted Butter: Adds richness and helps create a smooth, creamy caramel texture.
Heavy Cream: Provides a luxurious, creamy consistency to the caramel sauce.
Vanilla Extract: Enhances the overall flavor with a warm, sweet aroma.
Kosher Salt: Balances the sweetness and adds depth to the caramel flavor.
Flour: Helps stabilize the caramel and provides a slight thickening effect.

Dry Ingredients:

All-Purpose Flour: Serves as the base for the cookie bars.
Rolled Oats: Adds texture and a nutty flavor to the cookie bars.
Baking Soda: Helps the cookies rise and achieve a soft, tender texture.
Salt: Enhances the overall flavor of the cookie bars.

Chocolate and Binding Ingredients:

Chocolate Chips: Provides pockets of rich, melty chocolate throughout the bars.
Eggs: Binds the ingredients together and adds moisture to the cookie bars.
Brown Sugar: Contributes a deep, caramel-like sweetness and helps keep the bars moist.
Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps with the cookie's texture.
Unsalted Butter: Creates a rich, tender base for the cookie bars.
Vanilla Extract: Adds a warm, sweet flavor to the cookie base.

How to Make Salted Caramel Oat Bars Easily

Step 1: Prepare Caramel Base

Create a smooth, rich caramel sauce by combining sugar and water in a heavy-bottomed saucepan.

Heat the mixture carefully, watching it transform from clear to golden amber.

Don’t stir once it starts cooking – instead, gently swirl the pan to ensure even heating.

The magic happens when the sugar reaches a deep, rich amber color that signals perfect caramelization.

Step 2: Blend Creamy Goodness

Remove the pan from heat and whisk in butter until completely melted and incorporated.

Slowly pour in heavy cream, stirring constantly to create a silky smooth texture.

Be cautious during this step – the mixture will bubble and steam dramatically, so keep your hands protected.

Step 3: Season and Stabilize Caramel

Introduce vanilla extract and salt to elevate the caramel’s flavor profile.

Return the pan to medium heat and let the mixture bubble gently for a couple of minutes.

Whisk in flour to help stabilize the caramel and create a more consistent texture.

Allow the caramel to cool slightly, giving it time to thicken and develop deeper flavors.

Step 4: Prepare Cookie Base

Combine oats, flour, brown sugar, and butter in a mixing bowl.

Use your hands or a pastry cutter to create a crumbly mixture that will form the perfect cookie bar foundation.

Press half the mixture into a lined baking pan, creating an even, compact base for your bars.

Step 5: Layer and Assemble

Drizzle the prepared caramel sauce over the cookie base.

Sprinkle chocolate chips generously across the caramel layer.

Crumble the remaining oat mixture on top, creating a rustic, textured surface that will become golden and crisp when baked.

Step 6: Bake to Perfection

Place the pan in a preheated oven and bake until the top turns a beautiful golden brown and the edges become slightly crisp.

The aroma of caramel and chocolate will fill your kitchen, signaling that your cookie bars are almost ready.

Step 7: Cool and Slice

Remove from the oven and let the bars cool completely in the pan.

This resting period allows the caramel to set and the bars to firm up.

Once cooled, lift out of the pan using the parchment paper and slice into generous squares.

Tips for Baking Salted Caramel Chocolate Bars

Avoid stirring the sugar mixture after initial mixing to stop sugar crystals from forming, which can make caramel grainy and unpleasant.
Bring heavy cream to room temperature or slightly warm to ensure smooth caramel integration and prevent sudden temperature changes.
Monitor sugar transformation closely, removing from heat at deep amber stage to achieve perfect rich flavor without burning.
Select a sturdy saucepan with thick base for even heat distribution and more controlled caramel cooking process.
Work slowly when adding butter and cream to prevent splattering, using a long whisk and keeping hands protected from potential hot sugar splashes.

Store cooled cookie bars in an airtight container for up to 5 days, placing parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking.
Wrap individual bars tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 3 months for maximum freshness.
Warm individual bars for 10-15 seconds on medium power to restore softness and enhance caramel's gooey texture.
Remove frozen bars from freezer and let sit at room temperature for 30-45 minutes before serving, allowing gradual temperature return.

Caramel Companion Wines: Select a late-harvest Riesling or Moscato to complement the sweet, rich caramel notes of the cookie bars, balancing their decadent flavor profile.
Bold Beverage Match: Craft a creamy espresso martini that echoes the deep chocolate and caramel undertones, providing a sophisticated adult pairing with luxurious textures.
Dessert Drink Harmony: Brew a rich, dark roast coffee with hints of chocolate to enhance the cookie bars' complex sweetness and bring out the nutty oat undertones.
Flavor-Boosting Sidekick: Pour a glass of cold milk to cut through the richness, offering a classic, refreshing counterpoint that cleanses the palate between each indulgent bite.

Gluten-Free Cookie Bars: Replace all-purpose flour with almond flour or gluten-free flour blend to create a celiac-friendly version that maintains the original recipe's rich flavor and texture.
Vegan Caramel Alternative: Substitute dairy ingredients with coconut cream, plant-based butter, and use maple syrup or coconut sugar instead of granulated sugar to craft a dairy-free and vegan-friendly caramel sauce.
Reduced Sugar Option: Use monk fruit sweetener or stevia in place of granulated sugar, and select dark chocolate chips with lower sugar content to create a more diabetes-friendly dessert that still delivers amazing taste.
Nut-Infused Caramel Bars: Incorporate chopped pecans or almonds into the oat base and sprinkle toasted nuts on top of the caramel layer to add extra crunch and nutty depth to the classic recipe.

FAQs

How do I prevent my caramel from burning?

Use a heavy-bottomed pan and watch the sugar closely. Do not stir once it starts cooking. Move the pan gently to distribute heat evenly. Remove from heat immediately when it reaches a deep amber color to prevent burning.

Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

Yes, substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend. Use a cup-for-cup replacement to maintain the recipe’s texture and consistency. Ensure all other ingredients are gluten-free.

Why is room temperature cream important?

Room temperature cream prevents the caramel from seizing or forming hard sugar crystals when added. Cold cream can cause sudden temperature drops, leading to uneven caramel texture or potential splattering when added to hot sugar.

What if my caramel crystallizes?

If sugar starts to crystallize, stop cooking and start over. Avoid stirring while sugar is heating. Use a clean pastry brush with water to wash down sugar crystals from the pan’s sides during initial heating.

Olivia Bennett

Recipe Developer & Culinary Educator

Expertise

Showcasing ingredients in plant-forward vegetarian dishes.
Creating adaptable weeklong menu templates centered on seasonal produce.

Education

Schoolcraft College

Program: Culinary Arts Associate Degree
Focus: Comprehensive training in culinary techniques, menu planning, and food safety.

With an Associate Degree in Culinary Arts from Schoolcraft College and a natural knack for teaching, Olivia Bennett’s all about making home cooking feel possible, even on your busiest day.
Her thing? Recipes that are budget-friendly, season-forward, and full of Southern warmth. Whether it’s a roasted veggie bowl or a five-ingredient skillet bake, Olivia makes sure it’s simple, satisfying, and something you’ll want to make again tomorrow.
When she’s not shooting step-by-step videos or testing spice blends, she’s out foraging, flipping through old cookbooks, or throwing laid-back dinner parties with a BYO-mason-jar theme.

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