Make a healthier sweet treat or a delicious energy bar. These Healthy No-Bake Oatmeal Chocolate Bars take only 10 minutes and 2 bowls to make!
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These new Healthy No-Bake Oatmeal Chocolate Bars are my new have-to-always-have-it-on-hand treat/snack/dessert, etc.
I know, have to always have it on hand is probably a strong phrase to use, but it's true. I like to always have a healthier version of a sweet treat on hand for those times that I'm craving something sweet but want to make it easier to choose a healthier option.
'Cause sweet treats are about balance, but having healthier sweet treats on hand helps to keep the wheels from falling off from a cycle perpetual sweet-treating it.
And because these gluten-free oatmeal bars are super low in processed sugar, high in fiber, Omega 3's, and plant-based protein, I can feel good about having them as part of an afternoon snack or as a dessert while also getting my sweet tooth fix.
A bit about these easy oatmeal bars:
Not only is this chewy oatmeal bar recipe healthy, but it's also super easy to whip up. Combine your tahini, maple syrup, and other liquids in one bowl and then add the dry ingredients straight to them. After a quick run in the microwave (you won't need your oven at all for this recipe), your chocolate sauce will be ready to spread on your bars and all the hard work will be done.
The result of this quick dash in the kitchen? Nutty and chewy no-bake oat bars that have just the right amount of a rich and satisfying chocolate layer on them. Do like I do and eat them for dessert at lunch, alongside a piece of fruit for your mid-afternoon snack, or even pack them along for your next hike, kayaking trip, or other adventure.
7 Reasons to Make These Chewy Oatmeal Bars:
They ...
- Take less than 10 minutes to make
- Have minimal processed sugar
- Are full of whole grains and Omega 3's
- Taste much more indulgent than they actually are
- Are rich in gut-healthy fiber
- Supply up to 8 grams of plant-based protein per serving
- Make the perfect dessert or mid-afternoon snack
It's not very common that I find a sweet treat that's healthy, quick, and easy to make. So, I hope you run for the hills as I have with a new recipe that makes like more nutritious and delicious.
How to Make Healthy No-Bake Oatmeal Chocolate Bars:
Step One:
Combine the tahini, maple syrup, vanilla, and flaxseed meal in a medium-sized mixing bowl and stir together until the flax is thoroughly mixed into the liquids.
Step Two:
Add all the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix them in until all the dry ingredients are mixed thoroughly together and evenly covered with the wet ingredients.
Step Three:
Dump the oat mixture into an 8 x 8 cooking pan sprayed with non-stick cooking spray and then gently press the mixture into the pan so it's an even thickness throughout the pan. You can make this easier and less sticky by covering your hand with a sandwich bag or plastic wrap as you press down.
Step Four:
In a small mixing bowl or glass measuring cup, combine the chocolate chips and a tablespoon of tahini. Cook in a microwave on 30% or medium-low heat for 2 minutes, stirring every 30 seconds, or until the chocolate is nice and melted, but not overcooked or burnt.
Step Five:
Pour the chocolate sauce over top the oat mixture and spread it out evenly. Move to the refrigerator and chill for 45 minutes- 1 hour, or until the chocolate topping is set. Cut into squares and serve!
Can you make these oatmeal bars vegan?
Yes! It's super simple. Just use vegan or non-dairy chocolate chips in place of the standard semi-sweet chocolate chips. I particularly like Enjoy Life Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips.
How do you store no-bake oatmeal chocolate bars?
Pretty easy! Just either stretch plastic wrap over the baking pan and store it in the fridge or put them in an air-tight and freezer safe container (like a Ziploc bag) in the freezer for up to 2 months.
Tools You'll Need to Make Healthy Oatmeal Chocolate Bars:
Healthy No-Bake Oatmeal Chocolate Bars
Ingredients
Oat Bar
- ½ cup tahini or nut butter cashew butter, peanut butter, almond butter
- ⅓ cup maple syrup or honey or agave syrup
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons flax seed meal
- 2 cups old fashioned oats
- ½ cup almond flour super fin
- 2 tablespoons oat flour
- large pinch salt
- non-stick cooking spray
Chocolate Topping
- ¾ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 ½ tablespoon tahini or nut butter
Instructions
- In a medium-sized mixing bowl, whisk together the tahini or nut butter, maple syrup, vanilla extract, and flax seed meal until combined.
- Add the oats, almonds meal, and salt to the tahini mixture liquids and fold in until combined.
- Spray an 8 x 8-inch baking pan with non-stick cooking spray and pour the oat mixture into the pan. Press down firmly on the oat mixture to create an even layer. I like to place a sheet of parchment paper on top of the mixture and press down with my hand, though you can also spray your hand with non-stick spray before pushing down as well.
- Melt the chocolate chips and 1 ½ tablespoon of tahini or nut butter in a microwave-safe dish in the microwave on 30-40% heat for 2 minutes, stirring the chocolate every 30 seconds, or until the chocolate is smooth and melted. Note: you want to use low heat while melting so the chocolate doesn't burn.
- Pour chocolate over the oats and spread out evenly. Move to the refrigerator and let chill for 45 minutes - 1 hour, or until the chocolate is firm and set. Slice into bars and enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
This recipe was inspired by Joy Food Sunshine's Healthy No-Bake Oatmeal Bars.
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