Healthy Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Bars Recipe
These Healthy Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Bars are a wholesome and delicious snack or breakfast option, packed with oats, almond flour, and natural sweeteners like honey and maple syrup. Enhanced with almond butter, applesauce, and a touch of cinnamon, these bars include dark chocolate chips, dried fruit, and nuts for added texture and flavor. Easy to prepare and baked to a golden perfection, they are perfect for a nutritious treat any time of the day.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20-25 minutes
- Total Time: 30-35 minutes
- Yield: 9-12 bars 1x
- Category: Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups rolled oats
- 1/2 cup almond flour (or whole wheat flour)
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1/4 cup honey or maple syrup (or a mix of both)
- 1/4 cup almond butter (or peanut butter)
- 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Mix-ins (Optional)
- 1/3 cup dark chocolate chips (or mini chocolate chips for less sweetness)
- 1/4 cup dried fruit (such as raisins or cranberries)
- 1/4 cup chopped nuts (such as walnuts or almonds)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8-inch baking dish with parchment paper or lightly grease it to ensure easy removal of the bars after baking.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the rolled oats, almond flour, baking soda, ground cinnamon, and salt. Stir well to distribute all ingredients evenly.
- Mix wet ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the honey or maple syrup, almond butter, unsweetened applesauce, egg, and vanilla extract until smooth and thoroughly combined.
- Combine wet and dry ingredients: Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients bowl and stir until all components are well incorporated into a cohesive batter.
- Add mix-ins: Gently fold in the dark chocolate chips, dried fruit, and chopped nuts if using. This adds texture and bursts of flavor throughout the bars.
- Bake: Transfer the batter evenly into the prepared baking dish. Bake in the preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool and cut: Allow the baked bars to cool in the dish for approximately 10 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. Once cooled, cut into squares or bars of desired size.
- Serve and enjoy: These oatmeal bars are perfect for a quick snack or a wholesome breakfast on the go. Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to a week.
Notes
- You can substitute almond flour with whole wheat flour for a slightly different texture.
- Use mini chocolate chips if you prefer less sweetness and smaller chocolate pockets.
- Adding dried fruit and nuts is optional, but they enrich flavor and nutrition.
- For a vegan version, replace the egg with a flax egg (1 tbsp ground flaxseed mixed with 3 tbsp water).
- Store bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or refrigerate for up to a week.
Keywords: healthy oatmeal bars, chocolate chip oatmeal bars, easy snack bars, gluten free snack, healthy breakfast bars
