M&M Oatmeal Cookie Bars

Chewy oatmeal with sweetened condensed milk and chocolate makes a baked oatmeal bar that is perfect for dessert, a snack or a breakfast bar.  If I had an amazing metabolism I would eat these M&M Oatmeal Cookie Bars for breakfast every morning!

Oatmeal and Chocolate Bars

Oats add a hearty flavor and chewiness to cookies and desserts that is almost irresistible!  When I saw this Amish recipe for M&M and chocolate cookie bars with oatmeal I had to try it!  Much like our delicious Loaded White Chocolate Cranberry Oatmeal Cookies, these bar cookies are packed with flavor but don’t overwhelm you with sweetness.

These cookie bars offer a nice spin on Monster Cookies by adding a layer of sweetened condensed milk and peanut butter.  The oats keep the sugar from being overpowering and too sweet.  The blend is just right and very enjoyable!

My mom is so good at making treats for the grandkids and she often made a nice after school snack for my brother and I.  My middle schooler might eat these both after school and for breakfast from time to time.  He loves carbs, so this is an easy way to help fill him up.

Another adult benefit of these cookies is that they take some effort to eat, it’s tough to be sneaky.  Do you ever have cookies sitting around the kitchen and every time you walk by the cookie jar feel tempted to grab one?  Well, the crumb topping makes too much of a mess to snitch a cookie bar.  If you don’t get a plate there will be a mess, so that helps with self-control!

How to Make Chocolate & M&M Bars

1. Mix oatmeal, brown sugar, baking soda, flour, salt, coconut.
2. Use a fork or pastry blender to cut butter into the dry mixture until crumbly.
3. Reserve 1 1/2 cups of crumb mixture and press what’s left into a greased 9 x 13-inch baking dish.
4. Bake at 350°F for 10 minutes.
5. Combine sweetened condensed milk and peanut butter.
6. Spread over baked crust.
7. Sprinkle chocolate chips and M&Ms evenly over top of oatmeal bars.
8. Sprinkle reserved crumbs.
9. Bake additional 20 minutes until golden brown.

Tips for Making M&M Bars

• Be sure that butter is softened, NOT melted
• A pastry blender isn’t required, a regular mixer can be used, just take time to get butter evenly distributed throughout the dry mixture
• If using a pastry cutter be sure that it is sturdy on top and has a good handle or it may not be a helpful tool
• I like to use my fingers to pat the crust into a flat layer in baking pan
• Regular or mini M&Ms can be used, I prefer mini because it spreads the flavor out more evenly
• If you’re on the fence about coconut give it a try, it’s delicious!
• These M&M Bars really taste great at any meal during the day

Other Delicious Cookies with Oatmeal

• Loaded White Chocolate Cranberry Oatmeal Cookies
• Oatmeal Cocoa Chippers
• The Best Dark Chocolate & Oatmeal Cookies
• Old Fashioned Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
• Caramel Apple Bars
• Easy Cowboy Cookie Bars

Printable Recipe for M&M Cookie Bars with Oatmeal

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M&M Oatmeal Cookie Bars

Chewy oatmeal with sweetened condensed milk and chocolate makes a baked oatmeal bar that is perfect for dessert, a snack or a breakfast bar.  If I had an amazing metabolism I would eat these M&M Oatmeal Cookie Bars for breakfast every morning!

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Keyword M&M Oatmeal Cookie Bars

Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 30 minutes

Servings 20 bars

Ingredients

• 2 cups quick oatmeal
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 1/2 cups flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup coconut optional
• 1 cup butter softened, but NOT melted

Filling

• 1 can sweetened condensed milk
• 1/3 cup peanut butter I prefer creamy

Topping

• 1 cup chocolate chips
• 1 cup M&Ms I prefer mini M&Ms

Instructions

1. Grease a 9x13 baking pan and preheat oven to 350°F.

2. Mix oatmeal, brown sugar, baking soda, flour, salt, coconut.

3. Use a fork or pastry blender to cut butter into the dry mixture until crumbly. Reserve 1 1/2 cups of crumb mixture.

4. Press crumb mixture into baking dish and bake for 10 minutes.

5. Combine sweetened condensed milk and peanut butter. Spread over baked crust.

6. Sprinkle chocolate chips and M&Ms evenly over top of oatmeal bars.

7. Sprinkle reserved crumbs and bake 20 minutes or until golden brown.