We’re all about healthy snacks here. Especially the ones that get away with including some chocolate.
While we may occasionally have our hands down a greasy bag of potato chips watching reality television, or we’re munching on some sort of chewy, sugary, nougat-filled milk chocolate candies that are begging to burrow deep into a new cavity, it’s not what we like to eat all the time.
Eating smart requires a well-balanced diet – which can be a little difficult when you work in the food industry, a constant source of temptation.
For me, as a cheesemonger, food writer, and pastry cook, I’m waist-deep in fatty, salty cheeses or the latest cakes and pies I’m testing.
How could it not be tempting to take a few more, perhaps unnecessary, bites of these delicious foods?
For good reason, of course. Work related, of course.
You know, just to make sure that the cheese is acceptable for the customers. Just to make sure I have the recipe written down perfectly for our readers.
Those extra tastes are for you.
See? Purely selfless intentions.
In order for me to balance all of the tantalizing treats I eat for a living, it’s a relief that Foodal has an impressively large collection of healthy recipes to choose.
Our fresh salads are vibrant and flavorful. Our veggie recipes make a standout accompaniment to the main course. And many of our snack foods have exactly what you need for any sort of sweet or salty cravings, or both!
Granola bars are definitely a specialty of ours – we love handheld snacks that are packed with nutritious ingredients for eating at any time of day, anywhere.
Here’s a recipe that is a little different from your average snack, for when you are really craving sweets like cookies.
These whole wheat oat bars with a chocolate drizzle are simple and much healthier than any candy, with wholesome ingredients like whole wheat flour and very little sugar.
You simply drop all the ingredients into a food processor or blender and give it a few whirls. Spread the mixture in a baking dish, and in just a few minutes you’ll have guilt-free sweet snacks you and the family can enjoy for the whole week.
The finishing touch of chocolate is the real winner here. You don’t need to go overboard with covering them – just a small drizzle is all you need for a delicate touch of sweetness and depth of flavor.
Look at how luscious the chocolate is when drizzled over the top! I totally licked the bowl clean after I finished garnishing.
Judgment-free zone. You know you’d do the same.
Print
Whole Wheat Oat Bars with Chocolate Drizzle
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 12 bars 1x
Description
These oat bars with a chocolate drizzle are healthier than any candy bar, with wholesome ingredients and the perfect touch of sweetness.
Ingredients
- Nonstick cooking oil spray
- 2 1/2 cups rolled oats
- 1 cup white whole wheat flour
- 2/3 cup honey
- 1/2 cup ground flaxseed
- 1/2 cup coconut oil
- 1 large egg
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
- 1 3-ounce bar dark chocolate
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Cover the bottom of a square baking pan with parchment paper, leaving a few inches of overhang on two opposite sides. Lightly spray with nonstick cooking spray.
- Place all ingredients except the melted chocolate into the bowl of a food processor or blender. Pulse for 20-30 seconds, or until the mixture comes together and begins to form a ball.
- Transfer the dough to the prepared pan. Use your fingers to press the mixture evenly into the pan.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the edges begin to brown.
- Allow to cool completely on a cooling rack before cutting into 12 bars or squares.
- Melt the chocolate in a microwave or double boiler on the stovetop. Use a spoon to drizzle it evenly over the cooled granola bars. Let sit about 30 minutes until the chocolate sets completely.
- Store room temperature in an airtight container with parchment between each layer.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15-20 minutes
- Category: Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Baked Goods
Keywords: oats, chocolate, whole wheat flour, ground flax seed, snack, breakfast
Cooking by the Numbers…
Step 1 – Prep
Preheat your oven to 350°F.
Cover the bottom of a square baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on two opposite sides. Lightly spray with nonstick cooking spray.
Measure and place all of the ingredients, except the chocolate, in a blender or a food processor.
Step 2 – Blend Ingredients
Pulse for 20-30 seconds, or until the mixture comes together and begins to form a firm, uniform dough.
Don’t want to use your food processor or blender? You can easily use your stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment or a hand mixer instead. The mixture will be a little chunkier, more similar to the texture of a granola snack or an oatmeal cookie, and will still bake perfectly.
Step 3 – Press into Pan
Transfer the dough to the prepared pan.
Use your fingers or a large spoon to press the mixture evenly into the prepared pan. Make sure to spread all the way to the corners.
Step 4 – Bake
Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the edges begin to brown and the top feels dry when touched.
Let cool slightly in the pan before removing via the sling, and transferring to a cooling rack to cool completely.
Step 5 – Cut
Once cooled, cut into 12 rectangles or small squares using a sharp chef’s knife and a sturdy cutting board.
Step 6 – Apply Garnish
Melt the chocolate in the microwave, or over a double boiler. Once completely melted, evenly drizzle over each square.
Let sit until hardened, about 30 minutes. Can’t wait that long? Place them in the refrigerator to quicken the hardening process.
Oh no! Did your chocolate just seize?! Learn how you can save seized chocolate, and how to prevent this from happening in the future.
Place them in a an airtight container, with parchment paper between each layer to protect the chocolate coating. Store at room temperature.
The Best Kind of Afternoon Boost
That time in between lunch and dinner can be a hungry struggle, with the potential to make some regrettable eating choices!
Rather than reaching for the chips or candies, grab one of these simple, wholesome snacks instead.
You’ll be snacking on a healthy and filling mix of ingredients like grains, flax seed, and whole wheat flour. And to satiate that sweet tooth, you’ll achieve complete satisfaction every time you taste the dark chocolate drizzled on top.
Wicked temptation eliminated. Healthy happiness restored.
How do you eat healthfully in between meals? What are your favorite healthy snacks? If you have any great recipes you’d like to share, post in the comment section below!
For more oat-packed recipes for snacking, you’ll want to munch on some of these:
- Fruit and Chocolate Granola Bars
- Gluten-Free Blueberry Pecan Bars
- Vegan Breakfast Bites
- Peanut Butter and Jelly Balls
- Pumpkin Granola Bars
Photos by Nikki Cervone, © Ask the Experts, LLC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. See our TOS for more details. Originally published on February 27, 2015. Last updated: April 21, 2023 at 13:24 pm.
Nutritional information derived from a database of known generic and branded foods and ingredients and was not compiled by a registered dietitian or submitted for lab testing. It should be viewed as an approximation.
About Nikki Cervone
Nikki Cervone is an ACS Certified Cheese Professional and cheesemonger living in Pittsburgh. Nikki holds an AAS in baking/pastry from Westmoreland County Community College, a BA in Communications from Duquesne University, and an MLA in Gastronomy from Boston University. When she's not nibbling on her favorite cheeses or testing a batch of cupcakes, Nikki enjoys a healthy dose of yoga, wine, hiking, singing in the shower, and chocolate. Lots of chocolate.
