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Home » Soft Baked Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Bars

Soft Baked Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Bars

By Kristina LaRue, RDN 32 Comments

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These Soft Baked Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Bars are soooooft and oooh so gooooewy. Healthy enough for a breakfast bar or enjoy as snack or dessert any time of day. Love the chocolate chunks in every bite! Vegan and Gluten Free.

 

These Soft Baked Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Bars are soooooft and oooh so gooooewy. Healthy enough for a breakfast bar or enjoy as snack or dessert any time of day. Love the chocolate chunks in every bite! Vegan and Gluten Free.

Oh my, it’s been one of those days where you just want to plant your face into the pillow and not have to answer to no body.

The baby isn’t letting up. It’s a good thing he is cute and my little sweet man. This guy is full throttle and always on the go, and when he’s tired he get’s mad. It’s like kid, why can’t you just close your eyes and go to sleep? Why do you feel the need to SCREAMMMMM yourself there? Too bad you can’t reason with a baby.

These Soft Baked Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Bars are soooooft and oooh so gooooewy. Healthy enough for a breakfast bar or enjoy as snack or dessert any time of day. Love the chocolate chunks in every bite! Vegan and Gluten Free

Today was going to be super productive. I had my planner ready and to do list and everything together. I felt like I rocked the morning, cleaned every speck of the house, well sorta– dusted, vacuumed, mopped the floors so things smell nice. Parker was pleasant, and took a 1.5 hour nap. As soon as he woke up, it was errand time (read: Target run).

These Soft Baked Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Bars are soooooft and oooh so gooooewy. Healthy enough for a breakfast bar or enjoy as snack or dessert any time of day. Love the chocolate chunks in every bite!

And then splat.

My iPhone was face down in the Target parking lot. Cracked screen… check. Let’s chalk it up to doing too many things at once. Talking on the phone, caring a big diaper bag, and trying to range a squirmy 5 month old. We think we can do all the things but seriously can’t. So my afternoon was spent at AT&T store.

These Soft Baked Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Bars are soooooft and oooh so gooooewy. Healthy enough for a breakfast bar or enjoy as snack or dessert any time of day. Love the chocolate chunks in every bite!

Yes, so that face in the pillow is real. really real. and just saying my prayers that baby will decide it’s time to sleep too. #momlife

These Soft Baked Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Bars are soooooft and oooh so gooooewy. Healthy enough for a breakfast bar or enjoy as snack or dessert any time of day. Love the chocolate chunks in every bite!

I adapted these Soft Baked Oatmeal Chocolate Chips Bars from my Almond Butter Blondies. I’ve really been into almond butter lately. You’ve got to make these bars– they are so good!

Print
These Soft Baked Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Bars are soooooft and oooh so gooooewy. Healthy enough for a breakfast bar or enjoy as snack or dessert any time of day. Love the chocolate chunks in every bite!

Soft Baked Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Bars


★★★★★

4.2 from 6 reviews

  • Author: Kristina LaRue
  • Prep Time: 15 mins
  • Cook Time: 25 mins
  • Total Time: 40 mins
  • Yield: 16 bars 1x
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Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup coconut oil
  • 3/4 cup natural almond butter
  • 3 tablespoons ground flaxseed
  • 1 banana, ripened and smashed
  • 1/4 cup honey
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 cup old fashioned oats, ground
  • 1/2 cup semi-sweetened chocolate chips, divided
  • 1/4 cup chopped pecan
  • 1/4 cup dried tart cherries
  • 1/4 cup shredded unsweetened coconut flakes

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Coat 8 inch square pan with small amount of coconut oil or cooking spray.
  2. In large bowl, mix together coconut oil, almond butter, flaxseed, banana, and honey.
  3. Stir in baking powder, salt, oats, and 1/4 cup chocolate chips.
  4. Pour batter into pan and spread evenly.
  5. Top with 1/4 cup chocolate chips, pecans, tart cherries, and coconut flakes.
  6. Bake for 25 minutes and allow to cool for 45 minutes before slicing. Slice into 16 bars

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 bar (1/16 recipe)
  • Calories: 191
  • Sugar: 8g
  • Sodium: 46mg
  • Fat: 13g
  • Saturated Fat: 5
  • Unsaturated Fat: 7
  • Carbohydrates: 17g
  • Fiber: 3g
  • Protein: 4g

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Tag @loveandzest on Instagram and hashtag it #loveandzest

 

These Soft Baked Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Bars are soooooft and oooh so gooooewy. Healthy enough for a breakfast bar or enjoy as snack or dessert any time of day. Love the chocolate chunks in every bite! Vegan and Gluten Free

Kristina LaRue, RDN

Hi I’m Kristina LaRue, RD (registered dietitian nutritionist), Peloton addict and mama to two active and hungry boys. On Love & Zest, you’ll find healthy-ish recipes that fuel the whole family. I’m all about veggie-filled breakfast, meal prep recipes, healthier sweets, and easy weeknight dinners made in the Instant Pot or sheet pan.

Did you make one of my recipes?? Leave a review in the comments and tag @loveandzest #loveandzest on Instagram!

If you’re a modern mama– I’d love for you to join my Facebook group A Modern Motherhood Collective!

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Filed Under: bakery, breakfast, chocolate, snacks, sweets Tagged With: almond butter, chocolate chip, coconut flakes, oatmeal, pecans, raw, tart cherries, vegan

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Comments

  1. Valerie says

    March 19, 2019 at 7:39 pm

    SO, I made this almost exactly – I made two substitutions: 1. I used creamy peanut butter instead of almond butter because I’m allergic to almonds, but I made sure that I use a thinner peanut butter that matched the consistency of every almond butter I’ve ever used. 2. I reduced the honey to 2 tablespoons and added 2 tablespoons of grade a maple syrup since honey tends to have an overwhelming flavor and sweetness for me.

    And they came out SO moist, that it’s a pain in the butt to eat them! They just mush down every time you try to take it from the pan. And LORD ALMIGHTY they are tooth-achingly sweet. I think if I ever tried these again, I’d substitute an egg for the banana, to give these more substance as well as reduce the overwhelming sweetness. I’d probably omit the honey altogether as well, and just sweeten it with the 2 tbsp of maple syrup, and add another 1/4 cup of oats, to give these more of a cake-like texture instead of a pudding-like texture.

    Reply
    • Kristina LaRue, RD, CSSD says

      March 29, 2019 at 1:15 pm

      Hey Valerie– thanks for your review!! Quick question for you. Did you allow them to cool? Vegan and gluten free desserts do a lot better when they’ve had time to cool first. I do have a lower sugar version of these on my site that sound like what you’d be looking for– it’s made with bananas and maple syrup, and of course you can sub PB or cashew instead of AB! The Soft Baked Almond Butter Banana Oat Bars can be found here: https://www.loveandzest.com/soft-baked-almond-butter-banana-oat-bars/

      Reply
  2. Linda says

    October 9, 2018 at 7:19 pm

    Hi. These look really good. I do have a question though. Is there a substitute for the bananas? I’m allergic to bananas. Would applesauce work?

    Thanks

    Reply
    • Kristina LaRue, RD, CSSD says

      October 9, 2018 at 8:43 pm

      Oh that’s a good question. I haven’t tested this recipe with apple sauce but it might work? I think mashed sweet potato would actually be a better substitute because it’s thicker like a banana.

      Reply
  3. Lynn Palmer says

    January 8, 2017 at 5:55 pm

    These are my family’s go-to oatmeal bar. They are delicious! We sub Enjoy Chips for a dairy-free version of these! Amazing!! Great recipe!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
  4. Dora Bailey says

    December 1, 2016 at 5:45 pm

    Can I use egg in place of the flax seed? Thanks 🙂 these look amazing!

    ★★★★

    Reply
    • Kristina LaRue, RD, CSSD says

      December 5, 2016 at 10:03 am

      That could work… but if it’s too moist you may need to add a little more oats!

      Reply
  5. Brooke Sullivan says

    September 2, 2016 at 2:37 pm

    These are flippin AHHHH-MAAAAAAY-ZIN!!! My hubby devoured them, asking, “but what’s the yummy cake part inside?!” I laughed sinisterly. I’ve made this heaven or hell-sent marvel 4 times in last 2 months, & am warming the oven again now. However, a majorly important tweak to the recipe– YOU MUST ADD the cherries AFTER removing from oven!!!!! VERY VERY VERY VERY IMPORTANT!! I’ve had to pick off & toss out cherries burnt black to a crisp twice. 1st time, following directions to a tee, 2nd time, adding cherries @ 15 min point. The recipe photo used is what it looks like PRIOR to baking. I recommend to add all the toppings sans chips (coconut, pecans & cherries) immediately after removing from oven, too avoid over browning/burning. The 25 minutes cook time is too much for them, but will give you a nice brown crust around edge, anything less will be too mushy. Also, the firmness will be highly dependent on the firmness of your almond butter. Use a firmer almond nut butter for best results. The last batch was least firm & hung around the longest. I like Maranatha nut butters.

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Kristina LaRue, RD, CSSD says

      September 3, 2016 at 12:53 pm

      Thanks for your comment Brooke! I’m thrilled your fam is enjoying the recipe… makes me so happy!! 🙂

      Reply
      • Brooke Sullivan says

        May 10, 2017 at 2:53 pm

        Just recently made this again & discovered the previous issue was my oven! I now add toppings (except chocolate chips which I’ve been subbing dark chocolate chips sweetened with stevia) at last 10 minutes.

        Reply
  6. Burnie says

    July 5, 2016 at 9:24 am

    How do I get these; is there a shop or an online store. I may have a bit of challenge making them

    ★★★★

    Reply
  7. Kimki says

    May 11, 2016 at 3:56 pm

    These were delicious! Love this easy, healthy and yummy recipe. Thanks Kristina!

    ★★★★

    Reply
  8. Traci says

    April 5, 2016 at 8:54 am

    What can I substitute the coconut oil for? I despise coconut in all shapes and forms? Can I use canola oil?

    ★★★

    Reply
    • Kristina LaRue says

      April 5, 2016 at 1:16 pm

      You can definitely use butter! 🙂 Not sure how other oils would do because they aren’t solid at room temp like coconut oil.

      Reply
      • Traci says

        April 8, 2016 at 4:09 pm

        Thank you so much!!

        Reply
  9. Bethany @ athletic avocado says

    April 2, 2016 at 1:18 pm

    HOLY YUM! You might as well call these “turn your day around for the better” bars!

    Reply
    • Kristina LaRue says

      April 5, 2016 at 1:17 pm

      lol! yes mam!

      Reply
  10. Natalie says

    March 31, 2016 at 2:19 pm

    These look super delicious! I can’t seem to find the directions though, are they on another page?

    Reply
    • Kristina LaRue says

      April 5, 2016 at 1:17 pm

      Sorry! Made that update to the directions, mom brain is a real thing.

      Reply
  11. Amy says

    March 31, 2016 at 10:26 am

    Both of my boys were scream their self to sleep babies. I know the feeling. It does get easier now they both go to sleep no problems now! It’s all just a phase!

    Reply
    • Kristina LaRue says

      April 5, 2016 at 1:18 pm

      Just pray this phase passes quickly.

      Reply
  12. Megan Ware says

    March 31, 2016 at 9:31 am

    These look like the perfect way to turn around a not-so-awesome day!

    Reply
    • Kristina LaRue says

      April 5, 2016 at 1:18 pm

      Thanks Megan!

      Reply

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Thanks for stopping by Love & Zest. I’m Kristina LaRue, RDN (registered dietitian nutritionist), Peloton addict and mama to two active and hungry boys. Here on L&Z, I share healthy-ish recipes that fuel the whole family. I'm a fan of adding veggies to everything and recipes that make mom life easier.
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