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.
This recipe was inspired by a serious staring contest with my pantry.
I wanted to make something sweet. And a little salty. With chocolate. But also kind of healthy.
Too much to ask?
The answer to that question was, thankfully, no.
Plus, bonus points because this almond butter bars recipe is also no-bake!
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
Chocolate Peanut Butter Overnight Oats
Healthy Almond Butter Oat Bars
Ingredients
- ¾ cup almond butter
- ½ cup + 3 tablespoons maple syrup, divided room temperature
- 3 cups (625g) gluten-free oats
- heaping ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- ¼ 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 ½ 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 ¾ 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.
Madeline
This is absolutely one of the best no-bake recipes I've ever made! Soo easy and so delicious. I will be making these on rotation for sure! I used half tahini and half almond butter instead of all almond butter, and reduced the maple syrup just slightly as I like things a little less sweet. I also sprinkled maldon flaked sea salt on top at the end. AMAZING results. Thanks for this recipe!
Tessa
Thanks so much, Madeline!
Sarah L.
These were delicious and I couldn't keep my hands off them!
Tessa
So glad you liked them!! :)
Joe LeRoy
My 3 and 5 year old love helping make these!
Tessa
That's awesome!!
Oscar Martinez
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.
Nancy
I made the almond butter bars yesterday and they are fabulous! The recipe was simple and the flavors blend so well.
Tessa
Thanks, Nancy! It's quickly become one of my favorites.
Katie
What kind of oats would you recommend? Thank you!
Tessa
Hi Katie - I'd recommend using gluten-free old fashioned rolled oats. Bob's Red Mill brand is my go-to!
Sharon Krueger
I just made them, and they are so good! I'm getting my healthy chocolate fix right now!
Tessa
I'm so glad! Thank you, Sharon!
Ann High
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
Thanks, Ann. I hope to have nutritional content here soon.
kayla
Calories
4466.16kcal
223%
Total Fat
201.76g
288%
Carbs
577.08g
222%
Sugars
114.09g
127%
Protein
125.45g
251%
Sodium
1743.98mg
87%
Fiber
88.84g
317%
Saturated Fat
67.34g
337%
Trans Fat
0g
-
Monounsaturated Fat
77.39g
-
Polyunsaturated Fat
40.92g
-
Cholesterol
0mg
0%
Calcium
1162.21mg
145%
Magnesium
1522.36mg
406%
Potassium
4545.57mg
130%
Iron
36.71mg
262%
Zinc
32.61mg
326%
Phosphorus
3675.09mg
525%
Vitamin A
0.56mkg
0%
Vitamin C
0mg
0%
Thiamin B1
3.08mg
280%
Riboflavin B2
4.83mg
345%
Niacin B3
13.61mg
85%
Vitamin B6
0.85mg
61%
Folic Acid B9
306.28mkg
153%
Vitamin B12
0mkg
0%
Vitamin D
0mkg
0%
Vitamin E
48.1mg
401%
Vitamin K
13.29mkg
18%
Jana
Yum! These are so good. They definitely aren't going to last long.
Tessa
Thank you!! I'm so glad!
Laura
Making these tomorrow!
Tessa
Hope you love them!
Waverly Coyne
thank you!!! this recipe was terrific in both taste and look!
Tessa
That is awesome!! Thanks so much!