Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Bars | With A Secret Ingredient!

Name: Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Bars
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 8
Ingredients: One 15 oz can chickpeas (rinsed and drained (270 g)); 1/2 cup plant-based milk (I used coconut milk (120 ml)); 1 tbsp lime juice (or lemon juice); 1/3 cup nut butter or seed butter of choice (I used cashew butter (80 g)); 1 tsp vanilla extract; 1/2 cup Erythritol (or sugar of choice (100 g)); 2 cups instant oats (gluten-free if needed (180 g)); 1 tsp baking powder; 1/4 tsp baking soda; 1/4 tsp sea salt; 1/2 cup dairy-free chocolate chips (+ more for the top (120 g in total))

By Ela on June 2, 2019 | Last updated June 2, 2019 39 Comments This post may contain affiliate links.

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe Jump to Video

Read in:
Deutsch

These are the Best Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Bars which contain a secret healthy ingredient. They are moist, soft, and satisfying. The recipe contains only simple ingredients, is furthermore vegan, gluten-free, and easy to make. It might become your new favorite dessert or even breakfast!

Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Bars

Are you tired of eating oatmeal for breakfast and want to try something which is more exciting? What about a healthy-ish dessert which is not only vegan, but also gluten-free, protein-rich, and super easy to make?! You came to the right place because these oatmeal chocolate chip bars are just that! I love them because they are mixed together really quickly and are a great breakfast alternative.

Gluten-Free Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Bars

The recipe is 100% plant-based, and also gluten-free. If you are a celiac, you will need to use certified gluten-free oats. I use regular oats because I don’t have a gluten allergy. Oats are naturally gluten-free, however, they are often processed in facilities that also process flours which contain gluten.

If you don’t want to use oats, you could try buckwheat flour which would even make the recipe grain-free. I haven’t tried it out but if you are going to experiment, please don’t forget to report back and let me know how the grain-free version turned out.

What’s The Secret Ingredient?!

Ok, now it’s time to reveal the secret ingredient. Well, it’s not really very secret because I used it before in two other recipes already. It’s…..

CHICKPEAS!

Yes, cooked chickpeas (either canned or cooked from dry). Why chickpeas? Because they add a nice texture, they act as an egg replacer, and they also add healthy plant-based protein. I used chickpeas in my Flourless Brownies and in my Vegan Blondies recipe.

To be honest, I was going to use white beans for these oatmeal chocolate chip bars, however, then I noticed that there were none in my pantry lol. I was too lazy to go shopping, that’s why I used chickpeas again! Feel free to experiment with white beans (e.g. Cannellini beans).

Healthy Oatmeal Bars?

After I made the first batch of these chickpea breakfast bars I offered my boyfriend one. He is my “taste tester” (even though he prefers my savory dishes, haha).

Well, I removed some of the dairy-free chocolate chips on top and said: “Here you have healthy oatmeal bars! He looked at me and asked why I removed most of the chocolate chips. I replied: “I know you prefer clean and healthy desserts without refined sugar”. He said: “Yes, I do, however, I still love chocolate” (I felt bad for a moment because I removed the chocolate chips lol).

He also asked me if it would be possible to “replace” the chocolate chips if I make these bars again. My answer was: “There are three healthier options“:

Leave out the chocolate chips entirely.
Make your own “healthy” chocolate without refined sugar.
Use chopped dates or figs instead of chocolate for a healthier alternative.

What do you guys think about these 3 options? Please let me know your opinion in the comments below! 🙂

Can I Freeze These Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Bars?

Yes, you can! Put them in an airtight container or freezer bags and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw and then warm them up in the oven for a couple of minutes as soon as you want to eat them!

These Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Bars Are:

Vegan (dairy-free, egg-free)
Gluten-free
Healthier than most oatmeal chocolate bars
Moist
Soft
Protein-rich
Easy to make with simple ingredients
Great for breakfast or dessert

Useful Tips For These Oatmeal Breakfast Bars:

Double the batch and keep some breakfast bars in the freezer.
For a grain-free version, you could experiment with buckwheat flour.
Keep leftover bars covered in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Replace the chocolate chips with chopped dates or figs for a healthier alternative.

Should you recreate these oatmeal breakfast bars, please leave a comment below and don’t forget to tag me in your Instagram or Facebook post with @elavegan and #elavegan because I would love to see how they turned out! Definitely also check out my Oat Breakfast Bars and some of my other vegan chocolate chip recipes:

Print Recipe

4.89 from 9 votes