These Healthy Almond Butter Oat Bars are made with only seven ingredients. Topped with a layer of chocolate, oat crumble, and sea salt, these bars are suitable for breakfast, snack, or dessert! Gluten-free and vegan.
I wanted to make something sweet. And a little salty. With chocolate. But also kind of healthy.
Too much to ask?
Plus, bonus points because this almond butter bars recipe is also no-bake!
Gluten-Free Almond Butter Oat Bars Ingredients
These easy oatmeal bars are pretty pantry friendly. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Gluten-free oats
- Maple syrup
- Almond butter
- Unsweetened cocoa powder
- Coconut oil
- Vanilla extract
Gluten-Free Oats
Oats make up the base of this recipe. If you are gluten-free or need to adhere to a gluten-free diet, you’ll want to make sure you are using certified gluten-free oats.
Luckily, they are easy to find these days. The Kitchn has a summary here about oats in gluten-free baking.
Maple Syrup
Along with the almond butter used in this recipe, maple syrup acts as the glue. It naturally sweetens these bars so that they are sweet but not too sweet. If you are not vegan, honey should work here as a substitute if needed.
Almond Butter
Working as a binder, lending flavor, and adding a good amount of protein, almond butter is most definitely the muscles of this gluten-free oat bar recipe.
Don’t have almond butter? Peanut butter would make a delicious substitute, as well as other nut butters or sunbutter.
Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
In conjunction with coconut oil, unsweetened cocoa powder makes for a dreamy ganache-like chocolate layer. Cocoa powder is a staple in my pantry. Using it to create this luscious chocolate middle also allows for controlling the sugar content.
Coconut Oil
While coconut oil is often interchangeable for butter or vegan butter when necessary, its ability to slightly harden once chilled is needed here. Don’t like the slightly coconut-y flavor? Use refined coconut oil for a flavorless application.
More Gluten-Free Oats Recipes
Gluten-Free Caramel Apple Skillet Crisp
Healthy Almond Butter Oat Bars
These no bake Healthy Almond Butter Oat Bars are made with only seven ingredients. Topped with a layer of chocolate, oat crumble, and sea salt, these bars are suitable for breakfast, snack, or dessert! Gluten-free and vegan.
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup almond butter
- 1/2 cup + 3 tablespoons maple syrup, divided room temperature
- 3 cups (625g) gluten-free oats
- heaping 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/4 cup coconut oil melted and cooled
- sea salt, for sprinkling
Instructions
Line an 8x8 baking pan with parchment paper.
In a small saucepan, combine almond butter and 1/2 cup of the maple syrup over low heat. Stir occasionally until almond butter has melted and mixture has evenly incorporated, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in salt and vanilla extract.
Place oats in a large bowl. Pour almond butter mixture over oats and stir until oats have been evenly coated. Transfer 3/4 of the oat mixture to prepared pan. Using an extra piece of parchment paper, press mixture down firmly into an even layer.
In a small bowl, combine cocoa powder, melted coconut oil, and remaining 3 tablespoons of maple syrup. Whisk until combined. Pour cocoa mixture over oats in baking pan. Use a spatula to spread into an even layer.
Take remaining oat mixture and drop crumbled pieces on top. Sprinkle with sea salt. Place in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours to set.
Store almond butter oat bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 4-5 days.
Waverly Coyne says
thank you!!! this recipe was terrific in both taste and look!
Tessa says
That is awesome!! Thanks so much!
Laura says
Making these tomorrow!
Tessa says
Hope you love them!
Jana says
Yum! These are so good. They definitely aren’t going to last long.
Tessa says
Thank you!! I’m so glad!
Ann High says
I wish that you had put the nutritonal contents for this recipe. I have health problems and need that information. It looks good but I need the nutrional info.
Tessa says
Thanks, Ann. I hope to have nutritional content here soon.
Sharon Krueger says
I just made them, and they are so good! I’m getting my healthy chocolate fix right now!
Tessa says
I’m so glad! Thank you, Sharon!
Katie says
What kind of oats would you recommend? Thank you!
Tessa says
Hi Katie – I’d recommend using gluten-free old fashioned rolled oats. Bob’s Red Mill brand is my go-to!
Nancy says
I made the almond butter bars yesterday and they are fabulous! The recipe was simple and the flavors blend so well.
Tessa says
Thanks, Nancy! It’s quickly become one of my favorites.
Oscar Martinez says
I thought I followed your instructions to a T but my chocolate mixture looked nothing like what your pics suggest. I cooled the coconut oil as was recommended but, my mixture was more liquid than thick and definitely not enough to look like it could be spread over the oats. Otherwise a good recipe.