Description
These Healthy Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Bars are a delicious and wholesome snack perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth while keeping things nutritious. Made with quick-cooking oats, natural nut butter, and sweetened with pure maple syrup or honey, they provide a great balance of fiber, protein, and healthy fats. Topped with rich dark chocolate chips and a sprinkle of flaky salt, these bars are sure to become a favorite treat for any time of day.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups quick-cooking oats
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
Wet Ingredients
- 1 egg
- 3/4 cup nut butter (almond, peanut, or cashew)
- 3/4 cup pure maple syrup or honey
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Add-ins & Toppings
- 3/4 cup dark or semi-sweet chocolate chips
- Flaky salt for topping (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8-inch baking dish with parchment paper to ensure easy removal and clean-up.
- Combine dry ingredients: In a large bowl, mix together the quick-cooking oats and baking powder to evenly distribute the leavening agent with the oats.
- Mix wet ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk the egg until smooth, then add the nut butter, pure maple syrup or honey, and vanilla extract. Stir well to combine all wet components into a uniform mixture.
- Combine wet and dry mixtures: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients bowl and stir until thoroughly combined. Then gently fold in half (1/2 cup) of the chocolate chips for an even chocolate flavor throughout.
- Prepare for baking: Spread the mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle the remaining 1/4 cup of chocolate chips on top and gently press them into the surface to help them adhere while baking.
- Bake: Place the baking dish in the oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the bars appear golden brown on top and are set firmly when touched.
- Cool and finish: Remove the bars from the oven and, while still warm, sprinkle flaky salt over the top to enhance the flavors. Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan before slicing into nine squares for serving.
Notes
- You can substitute the nut butter with your preferred variety, such as almond, peanut, or cashew butter.
- For a vegan version, replace the egg with a flax or chia egg (1 tablespoon ground flax/chia seeds mixed with 3 tablespoons water).
- Using pure maple syrup instead of honey keeps the bars vegan-friendly.
- Ensure the bars are fully cooled to allow them to set properly for easy cutting.
- Feel free to add nuts or dried fruit for added texture and flavor.
