Gluten-Free Oatmeal M&M Cookie Bars

These Gluten-Free Oatmeal M&M Cookie Bars are everything a good cookie bar should be- thick, chewy, soft in the centre, and packed with oats, melty chocolate chips, and colourful M&Ms. It’s like your favourite soft oatmeal cookie, but even better… and baked in one easy tray!

This is the kind of quick-bake treat you’ll find yourself coming back to again and again. It’s faster than making cookies (no scooping, no chilling!), and it’s perfect for sharing with kids, packing in lunchboxes, or bringing along to parties or bake sales. Grab a cold glass of milk and enjoy a big square of this chocolate-studded goodness!

💡 Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• No chilling, no scooping, no fuss. Just mix, press into a tray, and bake.
• Perfectly chewy and thick thanks to the oats and brown sugar.
• Loaded with texture, soft centre, chewy oats, crunchy M&Ms.
• Easy to customise with extra chocolate chips, chopped nuts, or even mini marshmallows!
• Great for parties, potlucks, or when you want cookies without the hassle.

🌾 Are Oats Gluten Free?

Yes, oats are naturally gluten free, but they’re often processed in facilities that also handle wheat, barley, and rye, which means cross-contamination is common. That’s why it’s essential to look for oats that are certified gluten free.

For these bars, I always use the Free From oats from Tesco, and they work perfectly every time. They give that hearty chew without compromising the texture of the cookie bar.

If you’ve ever wondered whether you can make thick, chewy cookie bars gluten free without missing out on flavour or texture, this recipe proves you absolutely can!

Tried this recipe? I’d love to see your delicious creations! Tag me on Instagram @laurasglutenfreekitchenblog – I might even share your post!

Gluten-Free Oatmeal M&M Cookie Bars

These gluten free oatmeal M&M cookie bars are soft, chewy, and packed with oats, chocolate chips, and M&Ms. No chilling or scooping required!

Author: Lauras Gluten Free Kitchen Cooking Method: Baked Cuisine: American Courses: Desserts Recipe Keys: Brownies & Bars Christmas Cookies & Biscuits Dessert

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe Brownies & Bars

Prep Time 10 mins Cook Time 30 mins Total Time 40 mins Difficulty: Beginner

Ingredients

Servings

• 125 grams Gluten Fee Plain Flour
• ¼ tsp Baking Powder
• ¼ tsp Ground Cinnamon
• ¼ tsp Salt
• 8 tbsp Butter, melted and cooled
• 200 grams lightly packed Brown Sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp Vanilla Extract
• 125 grams Gluten Free Rolled Oats
• 200 grams milk Chocolate Chips
• 100 grams M&Ms

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F/180°C/Gas 4.
2. Line an 9x9'' baking pan lined with parchment paper.
3. In a mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, ground cinnamon, and salt. Set aside.
4. In a larger mixing bowl, whisk together melted butter and brown sugar until evenly combined. Whisk in the egg and vanilla.
5. Pour dry ingredients over wet and stir with a spatula or wooden spoon just until no dry spots remain.
6. Gently stir in oats, chocolate chips, and M&Ms.
7. Pour batter into prepared pan, scattering any reserved mix-ins over top.
8. Bake 25 - 30 minutes, until the edges are lightly browned.
9. Let cool in the pan until the bars can be easily removed. Once cool, slice and serve.
10. The bars can be stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

Notes

Use certified gluten free oats, I recommend Free From oats from Tesco.

You can customise these bars with different mix-ins like white chocolate chips, peanut M&Ms, or chopped pecans.

No need to chill the dough, just press into the tin and bake.

Allow bars to cool fully before slicing for the cleanest edges.

These bars store well in an airtight container for up to 5 days or can be frozen for up to 2 months.

Great for lunchboxes, bake sales, birthdays, or after-school treats.