Description
These Healthier Dark Chocolate Chunk Oatmeal Cookie Bars are a deliciously wholesome treat combining hearty oats, whole wheat flours, and rich dark chocolate chunks. Sweetened with a balanced mix of light brown and granulated sugar and moistened with melted coconut oil, these bars offer a perfect combination of chewy texture and chocolatey indulgence with a healthier twist.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups old fashioned oats
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup white whole wheat or whole wheat pastry flour
- 1/2 - 3/4 cup light brown sugar (use more for a sweeter cookie; 1/2 cup recommended)
- 1/4 - 1/2 cup granulated sugar (use more for a sweeter cookie; 1/4 cup recommended)
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp kosher salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup melted coconut oil
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tbsp vanilla extract
Add-ins
- 1 1/2 cups dark chocolate chunks
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish with butter or line it with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure easy removal of the bars.
- Mix Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the old fashioned oats, all-purpose flour, whole wheat flour, light brown sugar, granulated sugar, baking soda, and kosher salt. Add the melted coconut oil, eggs, and vanilla extract. Beat or stir the mixture until the dough is moist and all ingredients are fully combined. The dough will be crumbly in texture.
- Add Chocolate Chunks: Gently fold in the dark chocolate chunks ensuring they are evenly distributed throughout the dough.
- Press Dough into Pan: Transfer the crumbly dough into the prepared baking dish. Press it firmly and evenly across the bottom so it forms a uniform layer.
- Bake the Bars: Place the baking dish in the oven and bake for 18 to 20 minutes or until the edges are set and the bars turn golden brown.
- Cool and Cut: Remove from the oven and, if desired, sprinkle with flaky salt for an extra flavor touch. Allow the bars to cool completely before slicing into 24 bars for serving.
Notes
- You can adjust the amount of brown and granulated sugar to your preferred sweetness level, using up to ¾ cup brown sugar and ½ cup granulated sugar.
- Melted coconut oil is used in place of butter to make these bars a bit healthier and add a subtle coconut flavor.
- Using a mix of all-purpose and whole wheat pastry flour provides a lighter texture while adding nutritional benefits.
- Sprinkling flaky salt after baking enhances the chocolate’s flavor and adds a pleasant salty contrast.
- Store bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days or refrigerate for longer freshness.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 90mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 4.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 19g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
