Healthy Chocolate Chip Oat Bars
Craving a sweet treat that’s both delicious and nutritious? Look no further than these mouthwatering chocolate chip oat bars. They’re the perfect blend of indulgence and wholesomeness, sure to satisfy your sweet tooth while providing a healthy boost.
These bars are a breeze to whip up, making them ideal for busy days or when you need a quick snack. Packed with wholesome oats and gooey chocolate chips, they offer a delightful mix of textures and flavours. Whether you fancy them as a dessert, a midday pick-me-up, or even a quick breakfast, these versatile bars are sure to become a new favourite in your household.
What You Need for Tasty and Nutritious Choccy Oat Bars
Get ready to make some yummy chocolate chip oatmeal bars that are good for you too! Here’s what you’ll need:
READY TO ENTER YOUR PATH TO STRESS-FREE MEALS?
FEATURED PRODUCT – flash sale
£12.97 £35.47
From Pantry to Plate: Plan, Prep, and Prosper Your All-in-One Meal Planning Solution
- Quick oats: These are smaller and softer than regular oats, making your bars extra chewy.
- Baking powder: This helps your bars rise and get fluffy.
- One egg: It keeps your bars moist and holds everything together.
- Nut butter: I used crunchy peanut butter. Almond, or cashew butter all work great.
- Maple syrup or honey: These natural sweeteners are better than regular sugar.
- Vanilla: Just a tiny bit adds loads of flavour.
- Dark or semi-sweet chocolate chips: Choose whichever you like best (dark is healthier).
- Flaky salt: A sprinkle on top makes the flavours pop.
To make your bars extra special, you can add some fun extras:
- Cinnamon: For a warm, cosy taste
- Raisins or dried fruit: For extra sweetness and chewiness
- Shredded coconut: For a tropical twist
- Chopped walnuts: For a nice crunch
Making these bars is super easy. Mix your dry bits in a big bowl. Then add your wet stuff (the egg, nut butter, syrup or honey, and vanilla). Stir in most of the chocolate chips, saving some for the top.
Spread your mix in a baking tin lined with paper. Press the leftover chocolate chips on top. Pop it in the oven, and when it’s done, sprinkle with the flaky salt.
These bars are perfect for a quick brekkie or a yummy snack. They’re full of good stuff like whole grains from the oats and protein from the nut butter. Plus, they’re not too sweet, so you can feel good about eating them.
You can make these bars your own by swapping ingredients. Try almond milk instead of regular milk, or use oat flour for even more oaty goodness. The possibilities are endless!
Can You Swap Quick Oats for Rolled Oats?
Quick oats and rolled oats aren’t always interchangeable in recipes. For these bars, quick oats work best. They’re smaller and softer, so they blend nicely with the nut butter. This gives you a chewy texture that’s just right.
Rolled oats are bigger and tougher. If you use them, your bars might end up too crunchy. They don’t mix as well with the other ingredients.
For the best results, stick to quick oats in this recipe. They’ll give you the perfect soft, chewy bars you’re after.
Real Maple Syrup vs Pancake Syrup
You might wonder about the difference between real maple syrup and pancake syrup. Real maple syrup comes straight from maple trees. It’s made by boiling down the sap until it thickens. Pancake syrup, on the other hand, is a mix of things like corn syrup, sugar, and artificial flavours.
Real maple syrup has a unique taste. You can use it in baking to add a nice sweetness without overpowering other flavours. It’s also quite simple – just one ingredient!
- Real maple syrup:
- 100% maple sap
- Natural process
- Pancake syrup:
- Mix of ingredients
- Artificial flavours
Natural Sweeteners: Maple Syrup or Honey?
When you’re looking for a natural sweetener, pure maple syrup and honey are two tasty options. Both can add a lovely touch to your bakes, savoury dishes, and drinks.
Pure maple syrup has a slight edge in nutrition. It’s got fewer calories and sugar than honey. You’ll also find more micronutrients like calcium and zinc in maple syrup. It’s packed with antioxidants too.
Honey isn’t far behind, though. It’s lower in fat and sodium than maple syrup. Many people believe honey has antibacterial powers as well.
Both sweeteners can help fight inflammation in your body. They’re also kinder to your blood sugar levels than regular sugar.
Here’s a quick comparison:
| Feature | Pure Maple Syrup | Honey |
|---|---|---|
| Calories per tbsp | 52 | 64 |
| Fat | Higher | Lower |
| Sodium | Higher | Lower |
| Micronutrients | More | Less |
| Antioxidants | High | Present |
Remember, it’s best to use any sweetener in small amounts. Whether you choose maple syrup or honey, you’re picking a yummy natural option for your sweet treats.
How to keep your oat bars fresh and tasty
You’ll want to store these yummy oat bars properly to keep them at their best. Pop them in an airtight container and stick them in the fridge. They’ll stay fresh and chewy for up to a week this way. It’s best not to leave them out at room temperature.
If you’ve made a big batch, you can freeze them too. Let the bars cool completely first. Then cut them into squares and put them in a freezer-safe container. They’ll keep well in the freezer for up to two months. Just take them out to thaw when you fancy a treat.
Want to make sure your bars stay in top shape? Here are some quick tips:
- Use parchment paper to line your container
- Keep them away from strong smells in the fridge
- Label the container with the date you made them
These oat bars are packed with good stuff. They’ve got oats, nut butter, and a bit of dark chocolate. That means they’re full of fibre, protein, and even some antioxidants. Here’s a quick look at what’s in one bar:
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 356 |
| Carbs | 43g |
| Fat | 18g |
| Protein | 9g |
Remember, these bars are a treat. They’re tasty, but they do have sugar from the maple syrup or honey. Enjoy them as part of a balanced diet.
When you’re ready to eat one, you might want to warm it up a bit. A few seconds in the microwave can make the chocolate gooey again. Yum!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you create chocolate chip oat bars without extra sugar?
Yes, you can make tasty chocolate chip oat bars without adding sugar. Try using mashed ripe bananas or unsweetened applesauce to provide natural sweetness. You could also use sugar-free chocolate chips or cacao nibs for a chocolatey flavour without the added sugar.
What’s a good banana-free option for healthy chocolate chip oat bars?
If you’re looking to avoid bananas, try using mashed sweet potato or pumpkin puree instead. These options add moisture and natural sweetness to your bars. You could also use unsweetened applesauce or Greek yoghurt as banana substitutes in your recipe.
How do you make no-bake chocolate chip oat bars?
To make no-bake bars:
- Mix oats, nut butter, and honey in a bowl
- Stir in chocolate chips
- Press mixture into a lined baking tin
- Chill in the fridge for 2-3 hours
- Cut into bars and enjoy
No oven needed!
What are some ways to cut calories in chocolate chip oat bars?
Try these tips to reduce calories:
- Use less honey or maple syrup
- Swap regular chocolate chips for dark chocolate or cacao nibs
- Add more fibre with chia seeds or ground flaxseed
- Use low-fat Greek yoghurt instead of oil
- Make smaller portions
How can you make flour-free chocolate chip oat bars?
It’s easy to make flour-free bars:
- Use rolled oats as your base
- Blend some oats into a fine powder to act like flour
- Add nut butter and honey to bind ingredients
- Mix in chocolate chips
- Press into a tin and bake
No flour needed!
Can you find healthy chocolate chips for oat bars?
Yes, you can find healthier chocolate chip options:
- Dark chocolate chips (70% cocoa or higher)
- Sugar-free chocolate chips
- Cacao nibs (unsweetened chocolate bits)
- Carob chips (caffeine-free chocolate alternative)
Look for options with less sugar and more cocoa for a healthier choice.
Healthy Chocolate Chip Oat Bars
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 cups Quick cooking oats
- 1 teaspoon Baking powder
- 1 Egg
- ¾ cup Nut butter (Almond, peanut, or cashew butter.)
- ¾ cup Pure maple syrup (or honey)
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
- ¾ cup Dark chocolate chips
- Flakes of salt (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 180℃/350℉ degrees.
- Line an 8 x 8 baking dish with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl stir together the oats and baking powder.
- In a separate bowl whisk the egg. Then stir in the nut butter, pure maple syrup or honey, and vanilla.
- Add wet ingredients to the bowl with the dry ingredients and stir until well combined. Stir in ½ cup of the chocolate chips.
- Spread the mixture in the lined baking dish. Press the remaining ¼ cup chocolate chips into the top of the bars.
- Bake for 30 min. Remove from the oven and top with flaky salt immediately. Allow to cool completely before slicing into 9 squares. Enjoy or refrigerate to serve later!