Homemade Chewy Oat Bars Recipe: Sweet & Simple Joy

Mornings call for a wholesome breakfast treat that packs serious chewy oat bars goodness into every delightful bite.

Sweet and satisfying, these bars blend hearty ingredients with rich flavors.

Rolled oats create a robust foundation for this scrumptious snack.

Nuts and dried fruits add delectable texture and natural sweetness.

Each bar delivers a perfect balance of comfort and nutrition.

The recipe promises a simple yet delicious experience that energizes your day.

Bake a batch and savor the homemade goodness that’s sure to become a family favorite.

How to Make Oat Bars That Hold and Taste Great

• Prepare Baking Surface

Line a pan with parchment paper, ensuring complete coverage for easy removal.

• Create Creamy Base

Blend almond butter, honey, melted coconut oil, and vanilla extract until silky smooth in a large mixing bowl.

• Combine Dry Ingredients

Gently fold oats and salt into the liquid mixture, stirring until thoroughly integrated.

• Add Delicious Extras

Sprinkle in chocolate chips or preferred mix-ins, distributing evenly throughout the batter.

• Shape and Compress

Press the entire mixture firmly into the prepared pan, using a spatula to create an even, compact surface.

• Chill and Set

Refrigerate for minimum two hours, allowing bars to firm up and develop a perfect texture.

• Cut and Serve

Remove from refrigerator, lift out parchment, and slice into individual bars using a sharp knife.

• Store Smartly

Keep bars in a sealed container inside the refrigerator, maintaining freshness for up to one week.

Mix-Ins and Sweeteners to Vary Your Oat Bars

• Press the mixture firmly and evenly to ensure compact, well-structured bars that hold together beautifully when sliced.
• Replace almond butter with sunflower seed butter for a nut-free alternative, perfect for school lunches or those with nut allergies.
• Add a scoop of your favorite protein powder to increase nutritional value and create a post-workout snack that supports muscle recovery.
• Experiment with mix-ins like dried cranberries, chopped nuts, coconut flakes, or different types of chocolate chips to create unique flavor combinations that keep the recipe exciting.
• Make these bars vegan by using maple syrup instead of honey and ensuring chocolate chips are dairy-free, making them suitable for plant-based diets.

Serving Oat Bars at Breakfast or Snack Time

• Sweet Morning Kickstart: Pack these oat bars in your breakfast bag for a quick, energizing start to your day with coffee or tea.
• Afternoon Snack Delight: Enjoy these bars as a satisfying mid-afternoon pick-me-up that provides sustained energy and curbs hunger between meals.
• Hiking and Travel Companion: Wrap individual bars for a portable, nutrient-dense snack perfect for outdoor adventures, road trips, or work breaks.
• Kids' Lunchbox Treat: Cut bars into fun shapes or smaller sizes to make a wholesome, homemade lunch addition that children will love.

Tips for Keeping Oat Bars Fresh and Chewy

• Seal bars in an airtight glass or plastic container to maintain freshness and prevent moisture absorption.
• Stack bars between parchment paper layers in a freezer-safe container, lasting up to 3 months for extended enjoyment.
• Cut bars into individual servings before storing, making grab-and-go snacking easier and reducing repeated handling.
• Keep bars chilled below 40°F to prevent ingredient separation and maintain optimal texture and flavor consistency.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 2 hours

Total Time: 2 hours 10 minutes

Calories: 150 kcal

Servings: 13

Ingredient Rundown for Wholesome Oat Bars

• Almond Butter: Creamy foundation that provides rich nutty flavor and helps hold ingredients together.
• Honey: Natural sweetener that adds moisture and helps ingredients stick.
• Maple Syrup: Alternative sweetener with deep caramel undertones for complex flavor profile.
• Coconut Oil: Helps ingredients bind and creates smooth, silky texture when melted.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall flavor with warm, aromatic notes.

• Rolled Oats: Hearty whole grain that provides substantial base and chewy consistency.
• Salt: Balances sweetness and amplifies other ingredients' flavors.

• Chocolate Chips: Adds delightful bursts of sweetness and creates indulgent contrast.
• Optional Mix-Ins: Allows personalization with nuts, dried fruits, or seeds for added nutrition and crunch.

Tools That Help You Cut, Mix, and Set Oat Bars

• 8×8-inch Baking Pan: Essential for shaping and setting the oat bars.
• Parchment Paper: Crucial for easy removal and preventing sticking.
• Large Mixing Bowl: Perfect for combining ingredients smoothly.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Helps ensure accurate ingredient proportions.
• Spatula or Spoon: Great for mixing, pressing, and flattening the mixture.
• Sharp Knife: Needed for cutting bars into clean, even pieces.

Chewy Oat Bars Recipe

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4.5 from 19 reviews

• Total Time: 2 hours 10 minutes
• Yield: 13 1x

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Description

Homemade Oat Bars deliver a perfect balance of sweet and hearty goodness, blending classic comfort with wholesome ingredients. Delightful snacks make perfect companions for afternoon breaks, promising satisfaction with each delectable bite you’ll savor.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 cups (480 ml) rolled oats
• ½ cup (120 ml or 4 fl oz) almond butter (or peanut butter)
• ⅓ cup (80 ml) honey or maple syrup
• ¼ cup (60 ml or 2 fl oz) coconut oil, melted
• ½ tbsps vanilla extract
• ¼ tsp salt
• ½ cup (120 ml or 4 fl oz) mini chocolate chips (optional)
• ¼ cup (60 ml or 2 fl oz) chopped nuts or dried fruit (optional)

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Instructions

1. Prepare Pan: Line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, ensuring complete coverage for easy removal.
2. Create Base Mixture: Whisk almond butter, honey, melted coconut oil, and vanilla extract in a large bowl until achieving a silky, uniform consistency.
3. Incorporate Dry Ingredients: Gently fold oats and salt into the liquid mixture, stirring until thoroughly integrated and creating a cohesive texture.
4. Add Enhancements: Delicately mix chocolate chips and optional mix-ins throughout the batter, distributing evenly for balanced flavor in each bite.
5. Shape and Compress: Transfer the mixture into the prepared pan, using a spatula or the back of a spoon to firmly pack and smooth the surface, creating an even layer.
6. Chill and Set: Refrigerate the pan for a minimum of 2 hours, allowing the bars to solidify and develop a robust, compact structure.
7. Portion and Store: Remove the chilled mixture from the pan using parchment paper, slice into individual bars, and preserve in an airtight container within the refrigerator for up to one week.

Notes

• Use parchment paper with overhang to easily lift bars out of pan and ensure clean, smooth removal without breaking.
• Press mixture firmly and evenly with back of spoon to create compact, well-structured bars that hold together nicely.
• Experiment with nuts, dried fruits, or different chocolate types to personalize flavor profile and add nutritional variety.
• Keep bars refrigerated to maintain firmness and extend shelf life, preventing them from becoming too soft or crumbly.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 2 hours
• Category: Snacks, Breakfast
• Method: None
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 13
• Calories: 150
• Sugar: 8 g
• Sodium: 50 mg
• Fat: 7 g
• Saturated Fat: 2 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 20 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg