There’s something delightfully nostalgic about a chewy, chocolate-studded oat bar — and these Healthy Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Bars easily rank among my favorite treats to bake and share. Packed with hearty oats, a whisper of cinnamon, and just the right touch of sweetness from honey or maple syrup, they strike that lovely balance between wholesome and indulgent. Best of all, they’re easy enough for busy weekdays but special enough to feel like a true treat any day. Whether you snack on them with your morning coffee or slip them into lunchboxes, these bars deliver big on taste, texture, and feel-good ingredients.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Here’s the magic: you only need a handful of straightforward, nourishing ingredients to whip up these bars, but each one plays a unique role in flavor, chewiness, and all-around snackability. Let’s break down why they matter:
- Old-fashioned rolled oats: The heart and soul of Healthy Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Bars, they give structure, texture, and a classic flavor.
- Whole wheat flour: Adds fiber and a gentle nutty flavor that makes the bars taste wholesome and satisfying.
- Baking soda: Offers just a bit of lift, ensuring the bars aren’t too dense.
- Cinnamon: Lends warmth and depth, elevating the overall taste without overpowering.
- Salt: Brightens all the flavors and highlights the chocolate chips.
- Unsweetened applesauce: Brings natural moisture and subtle sweetness without extra fat or sugar.
- Honey or maple syrup: Naturally sweetens while contributing to the bars’ chewy, tender crumb.
- Melted coconut oil: Provides healthy fat and keeps everything nice and soft; plus, just the faintest hint of coconut.
- Large egg: Binds the ingredients and gives the bars delicate structure.
- Vanilla extract: A must for well-rounded flavor and a hint of bakery-style aroma.
- Mini chocolate chips (plus more for topping): The irresistible pops of chocolate scattered throughout every bite — don’t be shy with the extra sprinkle on top!
How to Make Healthy Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Bars
Step 1: Prep Your Pan and Oven
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, letting the edges hang over the sides for easy lifting later. This makes cleanup a breeze and helps your Healthy Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Bars come out perfectly intact every single time.
Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients
Grab a large mixing bowl and stir together the rolled oats, whole wheat flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt. Make sure everything is well combined — this step ensures even flavor and texture throughout every bar.
Step 3: Whisk the Wet Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the applesauce, honey or maple syrup, melted coconut oil, egg, and vanilla extract. You’re looking for a smooth, cohesive mixture. The delightful thing about the applesauce and honey is how they infuse moistness and sweetness without weighing the bars down.
Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry
Pour the wet ingredients into the bowl with the dry mixture. Gently stir just until combined — don’t overmix, or you might lose that tender, chewy crumb that makes Healthy Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Bars so satisfying. The batter will be dense, but that’s exactly what you want here!
Step 5: Fold in the Chocolate Chips
Add the mini chocolate chips to the batter and fold them in so they’re evenly distributed. These tiny morsels ensure you get a bit of melty chocolate in every mouthful. If you love a burst of extra chocolate on top, save a handful for sprinkling over the batter right before baking.
Step 6: Spread and Bake
Scrape the batter into your prepared pan, using a spatula to spread it into an even layer. Sprinkle over those extra chocolate chips, then pop the pan in the oven. Bake for 20–25 minutes, or until the top is lightly golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Step 7: Cool and Slice
Let the bars cool completely in the pan — this is the toughest part, but it helps the bars set and makes them easier to slice. Once cooled, use the parchment edges to lift everything out, then cut into 12 square bars. Congratulations, you’ve got a pan full of irresistible Healthy Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Bars ready to enjoy!
How to Serve Healthy Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Bars
Garnishes
While these bars are plenty tasty on their own, a little garnish can kick things up. Try a light dusting of cinnamon, a drizzle of melted dark chocolate, or a sprinkle of flaky sea salt for adult-level decadence. Each accent highlights different flavors, making your Healthy Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Bars all the more irresistible.
Side Dishes
Pair your bars with a dollop of Greek yogurt and a handful of fresh berries for a balanced breakfast or snack. They also go beautifully with a frothy cappuccino, a glass of cold milk, or a mug of your favorite herbal tea — the oats and chocolate are comforting alongside both warm and cool drinks.
Creative Ways to Present
Get playful and transform these bars into lunchbox power snacks by cutting them into bite-size squares or layering them in a parfait with yogurt and sliced bananas. Serve them at brunch or as an after-school treat, or wrap bars in parchment with a cute tie for gifting. Healthy Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Bars make thoughtful, mess-free potluck additions, too!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store leftover bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days, or in the refrigerator for up to a week. Keeping them chilled helps maintain their delicious chew and prevents any stickiness, especially in warmer weather.
Freezing
Healthy Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Bars freeze like a dream! Layer them between pieces of parchment in a freezer-safe container and you’ll have sweet, wholesome bars at the ready for months. To thaw, just leave on the counter or pop into your lunchbox and let them soften by lunchtime.
Reheating
If you love a gooey, just-baked feel, try warming a bar for about 10 seconds in the microwave. The chocolate melts ever so slightly and the whole bar turns blissfully soft — perfect for those moments when only something extra-cozy will do.
FAQs
Can I use quick oats instead of rolled oats?
Quick oats will work in a pinch, but they’ll change the texture. Rolled oats provide that hearty chew, while quick oats make the bars a bit softer and denser. If that’s your style, go for it!
Are there ways to make these bars vegan?
Absolutely! Simply swap in a flax egg (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed mixed with 3 tablespoons water) for the regular egg, and use maple syrup instead of honey. Opt for dairy-free chocolate chips and you’re good to go.
Can I add nuts or dried fruit?
Definitely. Chopped walnuts, pecans, or almonds add great crunch and flavor, while dried cranberries or cherries offer a sweet-tart bite. About a half cup of add-ins is perfect — just stir them in with the chocolate chips.
How do I keep the bars from crumbling?
Letting them cool completely is key! Cutting while warm can lead to crumbling, so be patient. Also, measuring flour carefully and not overbaking will help the bars hold together beautifully.
Are these Healthy Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Bars gluten free?
With the listed ingredients, they’re not gluten free since they use whole wheat flour. To make them gluten free, simply swap in a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend and ensure your oats are certified gluten free.
Final Thoughts
There’s just something special about a batch of homemade Healthy Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Bars — the kind of snack that lifts your spirits and fuels your day, all from your own kitchen. I hope you give them a try and find yourself reaching for one again and again. Happy baking!
Print
Healthy Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Bars Recipe
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 12 bars 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Healthy Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Bars are a delicious and nutritious snack or dessert option. Made with wholesome ingredients like oats, whole wheat flour, and applesauce, these bars are perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth without the guilt.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients:
- 2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
- 3/4 cup whole wheat flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
- 1/3 cup honey or maple syrup
- 1/4 cup coconut oil (melted)
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips (plus more for topping)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a large bowl, mix the oats, whole wheat flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt.
- Combine wet ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the applesauce, honey or maple syrup, melted coconut oil, egg, and vanilla extract until smooth.
- Combine wet and dry: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry and stir until just combined. Fold in the mini chocolate chips.
- Bake: Spread the batter evenly into the prepared pan, sprinkle with extra chocolate chips, and bake for 20–25 minutes.
- Cool and slice: Allow to cool completely before slicing into bars.
Notes
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature for 3 days or in the fridge for up to a week.
- Add chopped nuts or dried fruit for extra texture and flavor.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 170
- Sugar: 9g
- Sodium: 90mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
