Description
Easy Nutella Oatmeal Bars with a crumbly oat base and rich Nutella layer. Optional hazelnut topping.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 ½ cups rolled oats (not instant)
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- ½ cup packed light brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup (1 ½ sticks) cold unsalted butter, cut into cubes
- ½ cup Nutella, divided
- ¼ cup milk chocolate chips (optional)
- ¼ cup chopped hazelnuts (optional, for topping)
Instructions
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the rolled oats, all-purpose flour, light brown sugar, baking soda, and salt.
- Cut in the Butter: Add the cold, cubed butter to the dry ingredients. Use a pastry blender or your fingertips to cut the butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Form the Dough: Use your hands to gently press the mixture together until it starts to form a dough. Don’t overmix.
- Divide the Dough: Press about two-thirds of the oatmeal mixture into the bottom of an 8×8 inch baking pan that has been lined with parchment paper. Press firmly and evenly.
- Pre-bake the Base: Place the pan in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) and bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden brown.
- Melt the Nutella (Optional): If your Nutella is stiff, microwave it for 15-20 seconds to soften it.
- Spread the Nutella: Once the base is pre-baked, remove it from the oven and immediately spread the Nutella evenly over the warm base.
- Add Chocolate Chips (Optional): If you’re using chocolate chips, sprinkle them evenly over the Nutella layer.
- Crumble the Remaining Dough: Take the remaining one-third of the oatmeal mixture and crumble it evenly over the Nutella layer.
- Add Hazelnuts (Optional): If you’re using chopped hazelnuts, sprinkle them over the crumb topping.
- Bake the Bars: Return the pan to the oven and bake for another 18-22 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the Nutella is bubbly around the edges.
- Cool Completely: Once the bars are baked, remove them from the oven and let them cool completely in the pan before cutting.
- Lift from Pan: Once the bars are completely cool, use the parchment paper to lift them out of the pan.
- Cut into Squares: Cut the bars into squares.
- Serve and Enjoy: Serve the Nutella Oatmeal Bars and enjoy!
Notes
- Use cold butter for the best crumbly texture.
- Line the baking pan with parchment paper for easy removal.
- Pre-baking the base prevents it from becoming soggy.
- Cool the bars completely before cutting for cleaner slices.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes