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    Home » Recipes » Desserts

    Published: Nov 3, 2020 · Modified: Jun 14, 2022 by Melanie McDonald · This post contains affiliate links · As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. · 3 Comments

    Chocolate Oat Bars

    JUMP TO RECIPE PIN
    5 from 5 votes
    Chocolate Oat Bars

    Fudgy, thick and chewy Chocolate Oat Bars made without nuts or dairy! These dark chocolate oatmeal dessert bars are hearty, delicious and super easy to make!

    chocolate oat bars laid down on a blue background

    My Chocolate Oat Bars are a quick and easy cookie-like dessert bar that you can make when you don’t feel like baking a batch of cookies.

    These oatmeal dessert bars have an oaty cookie base, thick fudgy dark chocolate middle, and a crumbly cookie top. They are a sweet treat that you can enjoy after dinner or for snacks at any time of the day.

    With just nine simple and flexible ingredients they’re ready to eat in less than an hour with very little hands-on time. They can easily be made gluten-free with a few quick adjustments too.

    Jump to:
    • Ingredients & equipment
    • Can these oatmeal dessert bars be made gluten-free?
    • How to make chocolate oat bars
    • Success Tips
    • Ways to adapt this dessert bar recipe
    • Storing chocolate oat bars
    • Hungry for more?
    • Recipe
    • Comments & Reviews
    chocolate oat bars in a pan before cutting up

    Ingredients & equipment

    The simple ingredients in this chocolate oatmeal bars recipe are easy to find, plus you can customize them to fit your cravings. 

    Here's what you need:

    photograph of the ingredients as per the ingredients list
    • Dairy-free milk - Any kind will do but unsweetened is recommended.
    • Dairy-free chocolate chips - These are going to be melted, so no need to be picky over which brand or size to use. Enjoy Life chocolate chips are vegan and delicious, but you could also use a dairy-free dark chocolate bar instead.
    • Flour - You can use all-purpose (plain flour in the UK), spelt or oat flour in this recipe.
    • Rolled oats - For hearty texture and oaty flavour.
    • Sugar - They are dessert bars after all!
    • Baking powder - For a little lightness
    • Coconut oil - Some fat is essential for good cookie texture. You could use vegan butter instead though.
    • Salt and vanilla - Flavour!

    The only equipment you need to make these vegan oatmeal bars are a loaf pan and some parchment paper.

    Can these oatmeal dessert bars be made gluten-free?

    Of course! Make these gluten-free by using certified gluten-free rolled oats and oat flour.

    How to make chocolate oat bars

    Make these dark chocolate oatmeal bars in only a few easy steps. Here’s how it’s done:

    Step 1 - Heat the milk and pour it over the chocolate.

    chocolate chips and milk in a bowl

    Step 2 - Stir until it melts and creates a thick, smooth, melted chocolate sauce.

    melted chocolate in a bowl

    Step 2 - Mix up the oaty cookie dough in a bowl.

    cookie dough in a bowl

    Step 3 - Pack some of the dough into the bottom of a lined loaf pan.

    cookie dough packed into bottom of loaf pan

    Step 4 - Pour the dark chocolate sauce on top of the dough to form the chocolate layer.

    chocolate sauce poured over oat-base in a loaf pan

    Step 7 - Crumble the rest of the cookie dough over top of the chocolate then bake. 

    a loaf pan with unbaked  chocolate oaty mixture in it

    Step 8 - Allow to cool in the pan then carefully remove and slice into bars with a sharp knife.

    Success Tips

    • Leave the dark chocolate oatmeal bars to cool completely in the loaf pan before cutting them. The chocolate layer needs to set.
    • Press the cookie dough to the pan using the bottom of a mug or glass or your hands. The tighter it’s packed, the more your bars will hold together.
    • Use a sharp knife to safely and easily cut the bars. Run the blade under hot water for a few seconds for a smooth slice.
    • This recipe makes big and filling bars. Feel free to cut each slice in half if you want smaller portions.

    Ways to adapt this dessert bar recipe

    • Use jam, apple butter, or pumpkin butter instead of the chocolate layer.
    • Add some shredded coconut, chocolate chips, raisins or chopped nuts to the cookie dough mixture.
    a hand taking a chocolate oat bar

    Storing chocolate oat bars

    Store leftover chocolate oat bars in an airtight container. They keep best in the refrigerator and will last for up to 7 days. 

    They are also freezer-friendly! Keep them in an airtight container and freeze for up to 2 months.

    Hungry for more?

    I love bar recipes. They are a quick and easy grab-and-go snack you can eat at any time of day. Here are some more you might like:

    • Pumpkin Oatmeal Bars
    • Healthy No Bake Bars
    • No Bake Oatmeal Peanut Butter Bars
    • Healthy Breakfast Bars

    Recipe

    oaty bars laid on blue background

    Chocolate Oat Bars

    Author: Melanie McDonald
    5 from 5 votes
    Fudgy, thick and chewy Chocolate Oat Bars made without nuts or dairy! These dark chocolate oatmeal dessert bars are hearty, delicious and super easy to make!
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe SaveSaved!
    PREP TIME: 10 minutes
    COOK TIME: 30 minutes
    TOTAL TIME: 40 minutes
    Servings: 10

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 cup / 240 mls dairy-free milk , divided
    • 1 cup / 170 grams dairy-free chocolate chips , or chocolate from a bar
    • 2 cups / 250 grams flour , all purpose, spelt, oat or plain flour
    • 1⅓ cup / 120 grams rolled oats , or old fashioned oats (certified gluten-free if necessary)
    • 1 cup / 200 grams sugar
    • ½ teaspoon fine salt
    • 1½ teaspoons baking powder
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    • ½ cup / 108 grams melted coconut oil , or vegan butter

    RECOMMENDED EQUIPMENT

    • USA Pan Loaf Pan
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    INSTRUCTIONS
     

    • Heat ½ cup / 120 mls of the milk, either in a pan on the stove or in the microwave until hot but not boiling. Remove from the heat.
    • Put the chocolate in a medium bowl and pour over the hot milk. Stir to melt the chocolate and create a thick, smooth chocolatey sauce. Set aside.
    • Grease and line a loaf pan with parchment paper and preheat oven to 350°F (175°C)
    • To a large bowl add the flour, oats, sugar, salt and baking powder. Mix them together to combine.
    • Add the vanilla and melted coconut oil to the oat mixture and stir together.
    • Gradually add enough milk to bring the dough together. The amount you need will vary but will likely be about 5 or 6 tablespoons. Keep mixing as you add it and when you can squeeze it together in your hand and it stays together in a lump, stop.
    • Pack about ⅔ of the dough into the bottom of the loaf pan really tightly and flatten it out.
    • Pour over the chocolate mixture and give the pan a gentle shake to level it out.
    • Crumble the rest of the dough evenly over the top of the chocolate layer.
    • Bake for 30 minutes then remove from the oven and allow to cool in the pan.
    • Once at room temperature, carefully remove from the pan using the parchment paper as handles, and slice into portions with a sharp knife.

    NOTES

    Success Tips
    • Leave the bars to cool completely in the loaf pan before cutting them. The chocolate layer needs to set.
    • Press the cookie dough to the pan using the bottom of a mug or glass or your hands. The tighter it’s packed, the more your bars will hold together.
    • Use a sharp knife to safely and easily cut the bars. Run the blade under hot water for a few seconds for a smooth slice.

    Storage - These are best stored in the refrigerator and will keep well for up to 7 days. Can also be frozen for up to 2 months.

    Gluten-Free? To make gluten-free use gluten-free certified oats and certified gluten-free oat flour.

    This recipe makes big and filling bars. Feel free to cut each slice in half if you want smaller portions.

    NUTRITION

    Serving: 1barCalories: 405kcalCarbohydrates: 59gProtein: 6gFat: 18gSaturated Fat: 13gSodium: 363mgPotassium: 165mgFiber: 3gSugar: 29gVitamin A: 94IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 92mgIron: 3mg

    Nutritional information is provided for convenience. The data is a computer generated estimate and should be used as a guide only.

    Tried this recipe?Rate it & leave your feedback in the comments section below, or tag @avirtualvegan on Instagram and hashtag it #avirtualvegan

    Hungry For More?

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    • Raspberry Oat Bars
    • How To Make Tahini
    • Vegan Hamburger Helper
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      Recipe Rating




    1. Rochelle says

      November 07, 2020 at 8:13 pm

      5 stars
      Wow are these ever good! I used weight measurements and they turned out perfectly. The filling is amazing, like a decadent chocolate pudding. I have eaten way too many and only kind of regret it. I'll try making them in an 8x8 pan next time as the crust was pretty thick, and it will allow me to cut smaller pieces more easily. Also thinking peppermint in the chocolate might make a nice Christmas version. Thanks for the great recipe!

      Reply
      • A Virtual Vegan says

        November 08, 2020 at 12:05 pm

        Peppermint in the chocolate would be a great addition! I'm really pleased you enjoyed them!

        Reply
      • Emma says

        April 19, 2021 at 10:01 am

        5 stars
        Turned out great! I made mine in an 8 X 8 tin so that the base was a bit thinner.
        Also added a sprinkle of extra oats and flour to the topping to give it a bit of extra crunch. :)

        Reply

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