Indulgent and chewy, these Caramel Oatmeal Bars feature a buttery oatmeal base topped with a gooey, velvety caramel layer—perfect for satisfying sweet cravings.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Chewy texture with rich caramel flavor — oats give a pleasant bite while caramel adds sweet decadence.
- Simple and crowd-pleasing — makes a great snack, dessert, or treat for gatherings.
- Easily customizable — add nuts, chocolate chips, or sea salt to suit your taste.
ingredients
(Tip: You can find the complete list of ingredients and their measurements in the recipe card below.)
- Rolled oats
- All-purpose flour
- Brown sugar
- Salt
- Unsalted butter, melted
- Sweetened condensed milk or caramel sauce
- Sweetened condensed milk (if using separate caramel-making)
- Vanilla extract
directions
- Prepare base: Preheat oven to 350 °F (175 °C). Line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment. In a bowl, combine oats, flour, brown sugar, and salt. Stir in melted butter to form a crumbly mixture; press two-thirds of it firmly into the pan.
- Make caramel layer: In a saucepan, gently heat sweetened condensed milk over medium-low heat, stirring constantly until it thickens and turns golden (about 8–10 minutes). Stir in vanilla extract.
- Assemble bars: Pour caramel evenly over the oat base. Sprinkle the remaining oat mixture on top.
- Bake: Bake 20–25 minutes, until top is lightly golden. Allow to cool completely in pan to firm up.
- Slice and serve: Lift out using parchment, and cut into squares.
Servings and timing
- Yield: About 16 bars
- Prep time: 15 minutes
- Bake time: 25 minutes
- Cooling time: At least 1 hour
- Total time: Approximately 1 hour 40 minutes
storage/reheating
- Room temperature: Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Refrigerate: Keeps up to 1 week; caramel remains firm.
- Freeze: Wrap bars individually and freeze up to 3 months; thaw before serving.
- Reheat tip: Warm gently in a 300 °F oven for 5 minutes to refresh chewiness.
FAQs
How do I prevent the caramel from being too runny?
Ensure caramel cools and thickens in saucepan before baking. Proper cooling in pan helps it set completely.
Can I use store-bought caramel sauce?
Yes. Just ensure it is thick enough—heat it gently, if needed, to reach a spreadable consistency.
Are these gluten-free?
Use certified gluten‑free oats and flour blend to make them suitable for gluten-free diets.
Can I add nuts or chocolate chips?
Absolutely. Fold in ½ cup chopped nuts (e.g., pecans, walnuts) into the base or sprinkle chocolate chips on top.
What can I substitute for sweetened condensed milk?
You can use homemade caramel or dulce de leche, but adjust sugar amounts accordingly.
Can I halve the recipe?
Yes. Use a smaller (6×6-inch) pan and reduce baking time to about 18–20 minutes.
How do I cut clean squares?
Chill bars fully, then cut with a sharp, warm knife (dip in hot water and wipe clean between cuts).
Can I make them vegan?
Use plant-based butter and sweetened condensed milk alternative; texture may be slightly softer but still delicious.
How do I store if I’m layering nuts?
Add nuts just before serving to avoid them becoming soggy over time.
Can I sprinkle sea salt on top?
Yes—lightly sprinkle coarse sea salt immediately after baking for a delightful sweet‑savory contrast.
Conclusion
These Caramel Oatmeal Bars combine the comforting chew of oats with rich, luscious caramel in each bite. They’re easy to make, portable, and utterly scrumptious—ideal for a midday treat or a fabulous homemade dessert. Enjoy the irresistible harmony of textures and flavors!
PrintCaramel Oatmeal Bars
Indulgent and chewy, these Caramel Oatmeal Bars feature a buttery oatmeal base topped with a gooey, velvety caramel layer—perfect for satisfying sweet cravings.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: Approximately 1 hour 40 minutes
- Yield: About 16 bars
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- Rolled oats
- All-purpose flour
- Brown sugar
- Salt
- Unsalted butter, melted
- Sweetened condensed milk or caramel sauce
- Sweetened condensed milk (if using separate caramel-making)
- Vanilla extract
Instructions
- Prepare base: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment. In a bowl, combine oats, flour, brown sugar, and salt. Stir in melted butter to form a crumbly mixture; press two-thirds of it firmly into the pan.
- Make caramel layer: In a saucepan, gently heat sweetened condensed milk over medium-low heat, stirring constantly until it thickens and turns golden (about 8–10 minutes). Stir in vanilla extract.
- Assemble bars: Pour caramel evenly over the oat base. Sprinkle the remaining oat mixture on top.
- Bake: Bake 20–25 minutes, until top is lightly golden. Allow to cool completely in the pan to firm up.
- Slice and serve: Lift out using parchment, and cut into squares.
Notes
- Ensure the caramel cools and thickens in the saucepan before baking to prevent it from being too runny.
- If using store-bought caramel sauce, ensure it is thick enough. Heat gently to achieve a spreadable consistency.
- For a gluten-free version, use certified gluten-free oats and a suitable flour blend.
- Add-ins such as chopped nuts or chocolate chips are a great way to customize this recipe. Add them directly to the base or sprinkle on top.
- For clean cuts, chill the bars fully before slicing with a sharp, warm knife. Dip the knife in hot water and wipe clean between cuts.
- If you’re making these vegan, use plant-based butter and sweetened condensed milk alternatives. The texture may be slightly softer, but still delicious.
- Sprinkle a little sea salt on top immediately after baking for a sweet-savory contrast.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 90mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 25mg