Introduction

Nutella Stuffed Oatmeal Cookie Bars are a delightful treat combining chewy oats with a rich, chocolate hazelnut center. These bars are perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth with a gooey and comforting twist. They are easy to make and wonderful for sharing.

A close-up view of several square cookie bars arranged on a white marbled surface, each with a golden brown top layer that looks soft and crumbly. The cookie bars have a thick layer of melted dark chocolate peeking out from the edges and center, with some chocolate chips embedded on the top. The texture of the cookie layer appears slightly cracked and coarse, showing a fresh, homemade look. The rich, glossy chocolate contrasts with the matte, crumbly cookie dough, making the dessert look warm and gooey. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

10 tablespoons (141g) unsalted butter (softened)
¾ cup (170g) light brown sugar (packed)
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1 large egg
1⅓ cup (165g) all purpose flour
1 cup (80g) old fashioned rolled oats
½ teaspoon baking soda
¼ teaspoon salt
⅔ cup Nutella (chocolate hazelnut spread)
½ cup semisweet chocolate chips

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F. Line an 8×8 inch square pan with foil or parchment paper and spray it with nonstick spray. Set aside.
Step 2: In a mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and brown sugar together using a hand or stand mixer until fully combined. Add the vanilla extract and egg, mixing well and scraping the bowl as needed.
Step 3: Add the flour, rolled oats, baking soda, and salt to the wet ingredients. Mix until just combined to form the cookie dough.
Step 4: Place a little more than half of the dough into the prepared pan. Using moistened fingertips, press it evenly into a flat layer. Bake this base for 12 minutes.
Step 5: Remove the pan from the oven and immediately dollop the Nutella over the warm base. Use an offset spatula to gently spread it into an even layer; the warmth will help it spread easily.
Step 6: Sprinkle the Nutella layer with chocolate chips. Take the remaining dough from the refrigerator, press it into flat, irregular pieces, and place them evenly over the chocolate layer.
Step 7: Return the pan to the oven and bake for 18-22 minutes, until the top is golden brown and cooked through.
Step 8: Once baked, feel free to add a few extra chocolate chips on top. Let the bars cool completely on a wire rack before cutting to allow the filling to set slightly. Serve slightly warm for a soft, melty center.

Tips & Variations

Use moistened fingers to press the dough for an even crust without sticking.
For extra texture, add chopped nuts to the dough or sprinkle on top before baking.
Substitute Nutella with any chocolate hazelnut spread or your favorite creamy chocolate spread.
Store leftover bars in an airtight container at room temperature for a couple of days or refrigerate for longer freshness.

Storage

Store the cookie bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. They can also be refrigerated for up to a week. Reheat gently in the microwave for 10-15 seconds to enjoy the gooey Nutella center warmed up. Avoid cutting the bars while hot to prevent the filling from oozing out.

How to Serve

A close-up view of two square cookie bars stacked, showing three layers: a golden-brown crumbly top cookie layer with some melted chocolate chips dotting the surface, a thick middle layer of rich, glossy, melted dark brown chocolate, and a denser golden-brown cookie base layer. The texture of the cookie layers looks soft and chewy with visible small chunks, while the chocolate layer appears smooth and creamy, oozing slightly from the edges. More cookie bars with similar golden-brown tops and visible chocolate chips are in the blurred background on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use quick oats instead of rolled oats?

Yes, but rolled oats provide better texture and chewiness for these bars. Quick oats may result in a softer, less textured cookie.

Is it possible to make these bars gluten-free?

Yes, substitute the all purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend that can be used 1:1 in baking. Make sure your oats are certified gluten-free as well.