Name: Caramel Oatmeal Bars
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 1 h 10 min
Yield: 24
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 cups (198g) old-fashioned rolled oats; 2 cups (240g) all-purpose flour; 1 cup (200g) packed light brown sugar; 3/4 teaspoon baking soda; 1 teaspoon salt; 1 & 1/4 cups (282g) unsalted butter, cold and cut into small pieces; 48 soft caramels (such as Werther's or Kraft caramels); 1/2 cup (118ml) heavy cream; 1 cup (170g) semisweet chocolate chips

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These caramel oatmeal bars combine gooey, rich caramel with sweet, buttery oat layers for a truly irresistible treat!

If you love a sweet and simple treat, these caramel oatmeal bars are sure to hit the spot! With layers of buttery oatmeal crumble, rich caramel, and melty chocolate, every bite is a perfect mix of chewy, crunchy, gooey goodness. Whether you’re making them for a crowd or just craving something sweet, these bars are quick to make and hard to resist!

Why You’ll Love This Caramel Oatmeal Bars Recipe

Easy to make. With just a few simple steps, these bars come together quickly, making them perfect for any skill level.
Irresistible layers. A buttery, crumbly oatmeal crust and topping sandwich a gooey caramel and chocolate filling for the ultimate sweet treat.
Great for sharing. These bars are perfect for potlucks, parties, or gifting – they’re sure to be a crowd favorite!

overhead view of labeled ingredients for caramel oatmeal bars

What You’ll Need

Scroll down to the recipe card below for ingredient quantities and full instructions.

Oats – I like old-fashioned rolled oats here for their chewy texture. Learn more: Rolled Oats vs Quick Oats
All-purpose flour – Measure by weight or use the spoon and sweep method for accuracy. Learn more: How to Measure Flour
Brown sugar – I prefer light brown sugar in this recipe, as dark brown sugar can be overpowering.
Baking soda
Salt
Unsalted butter – Make sure your butter is cold for mixing. I recommend cutting it into cubes and returning it to the refrigerator until it’s time to mix it into the dough.
Soft caramels – Common brands are Kraft and Werther’s.
Heavy cream – Don’t substitute here—you want heavy cream or heavy whipping cream for the best flavor and texture.
Semisweet chocolate chips

How to Make Caramel Oatmeal Bars

overhead view of oats, flour, brown sugar, baking powder, and salt in a glass mixing bowl — Combine dry ingredients.

overhead view of butter added to crust mixture for caramel oatmeal bars — Combine dry ingredients.

Prepare for baking. Heat the oven to 350°F. Grease and line a 9″ x 13″ x 2″ baking pan.
Make the crust and topping. Combine the oats, flour, brown sugar, baking soda, and salt. Mix in the butter until a coarse crumbly mixture forms.

overhead view of caramel oatmeal bars crust in a baking pan ready to go into the oven — Press into pan and bake.

overhead view of soft caramels and cream in a saucepan — Press into pan and bake.

Bake the crust. Press half of the crust mixture into the bottom of the pan, and bake 20 minutes.
Make the filling. Heat the caramels and cream over medium heat until smooth.

overhead view of chocolate chips on top of caramel oatmeal bars crust — Sprinkle chocolate chips over partially baked crust.

overhead view of caramel layer added to caramel oatmeal bars crust — Sprinkle chocolate chips over partially baked crust.

Assemble. Sprinkle the chocolate chips over the partially baked crust, drizzle the caramel mixture on top, and then top with remaining crust mixture.
Finish baking. Return the pan to the oven, and bake 20 to 25 minutes.
Cool. Let the bars cool completely in the pan before cutting and serving.

overhead view of caramel oatmeal bars cut into squares on a wooden cutting board

Tips for Success

Use cold butter. Cold butter helps create a crisp, crumbly crust and topping. Be sure to cut it into small pieces to make mixing easier. When prepping your ingredients, cut the butter and return it to the refrigerator until it’s needed.
Even layering. When pressing the crust mixture into the pan, use the bottom of a measuring cup, a spatula, or your hands to ensure an even layer for the best texture.
Melt the caramels slowly. When melting the caramels, stir frequently and keep the heat on medium to avoid burning. If the caramel starts to harden while assembling, briefly warm it up again.
Let cool completely. For cleaner slices, make sure to let the bars cool fully before cutting. Chilling them in the refrigerator can help firm up the caramel for easier cutting.

Variations

Sweet and salty. Add a few pinches of coarse sea salt on top of the bars before baking.
Dark chocolate. Swap darker chocolate chips for the semisweet.
Nutty twist. Add 1/2 to 1 cup of chopped nuts, like pecans or walnuts, to the crumb mixture for extra crunch and flavor.
Add some peanut butter. Swap out some of the chocolate chips for peanut butter chips.

caramel oatmeal bars on a wooden cutting board

How to Store

Once your caramel oatmeal bars have cooled completely, place them in an airtight container. If you need to layer them, place a sheet of parchment paper or waxed paper between layers. Store at room temperature up to 3 days. For longer storage or if your kitchen is particularly warm, place the container in the refrigerator up to a week. Bring to room temperature for serving.

Can These Caramel Bars Be Frozen?

These bars freeze well! Place the cut bars in a single layer on a baking sheet to freeze individually. Once frozen (about 2-3 hours), transfer them to an airtight container or freezer-safe bag, separating layers with parchment paper. They’ll keep for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator or at room temperature before serving.

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