Chewy Vegan Oat Bars (Printable Version)

Chewy oat bars packed with nuts, coconut, and dried fruit. Naturally sweetened, vegan, and ready in 35 minutes.

# What You'll Need:

→ Dry Ingredients

01 - 2 cups rolled oats
02 - 1/2 cup chopped almonds or walnuts
03 - 1/2 cup shredded unsweetened coconut
04 - 1/2 cup dried cranberries or raisins
05 - 1/4 cup chia seeds, optional
06 - 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
07 - 1/4 teaspoon sea salt

→ Wet Ingredients

08 - 1/2 cup pure maple syrup or agave nectar
09 - 1/3 cup coconut oil, melted
10 - 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

# How To Make:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Line an 8x8-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
02 - In a large bowl, combine oats, chopped nuts, shredded coconut, dried fruit, chia seeds if using, cinnamon, and salt.
03 - In a separate bowl, whisk together maple syrup, melted coconut oil, and vanilla extract.
04 - Pour wet ingredients over dry mixture. Stir thoroughly until all oats are evenly coated and mixture begins to clump together.
05 - Transfer mixture to prepared pan. Press firmly down with a spatula or hands to ensure bars hold together.
06 - Bake for 22 to 25 minutes, or until top is lightly golden.
07 - Allow to cool completely in pan before lifting out and slicing into bars.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • These bars hold together perfectly without any eggs or dairy, a breakthrough I discovered after countless crumbly failures with other recipes.
  • The texture hits that perfect balance between chewy and crisp, making them substantial enough for breakfast but still light enough for an afternoon pick-me-up.
02 -
  • Pressing the mixture very firmly into the pan is non-negotiable, otherwise you'll end up with a delicious pan of granola instead of bars.
  • Letting the bars cool completely before cutting is critical, I once rushed this step and ended up with a crumbly mess that, while delicious, required a spoon to eat.
03 -
  • Toasting the oats and nuts in a dry pan for 5 minutes before mixing them with other ingredients adds an incredible depth of flavor that elevates the entire recipe.
  • For bars that slice cleanly without crumbling, run your knife under hot water and wipe dry between cuts.

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