Chocolate Oatmeal Bars

Perfect for dessert or a quick snack, these  melt-in-your-mouth chocolate oatmeal bars are popular for a very good reason – they are impossible to stop eating! Loaded with fiber, protein and healthy fats they are uber-chocolaty and incredibly satisfying.

Course Dessert, Snack

Ingredients

Oat Layer

• 2 3/4 cups quick oats
• 1/2 cup coconut oil
• 1/4 cup honey or maple syrup
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Chocolate Layer

• 1 cup peanut (or any other nut or seed) butter
• 1 cup chocolate chips

Instructions

Oat Layer

• In a medium saucepan over medium-low heat, combine coconut oil, honey, and vanilla extract. Stir until well combined.

  Add the oats, and stir to combine.

  Line an 8 X 8 inch square pan with parchment paper that’s been cut so that two sides fit inside the baking pan and two sides overhang the edges to make it easy to get the bars out.

  Pour half of the oat mixture into the 8 inch pan and press the mixture firmly into the pan.

Chocolate Layer

• In a medium saucepan over low heat, combine the peanut butter with the chocolate chips. Stir constantly to melt chocolate chips with the peanut butter. This should take only about a minute or so. Remove from heat when you only see a few signs of chocolate chips left, keep stirring until you have a smooth mixture.
• Pour the chocolate mixture on top of the first layer, and use a spatula to evenly smooth it out. Optional: reserve a small amount for a chocolate drizzle on top.

  Sprinkle the remaining oat mixture on top of the chocolate layer and gently press it into the chocolate with your hands.

  Put the pan in the refrigerator for 2-3 hours or the freezer for 1-2 hours for the bars to firm.

  Pull on the parchment paper to remove the bars from the pan and cut into 16 bars. They may be stored at room temperature in an airtight container

Print Recipe

For more delicious, healthy dessert and snack recipes, check out my collection here: Blended Bites