Jump to Recipe·★★★★★4.8 from 4 reviews

These vegan chocolate baked oatmeal bars are made with just 5 ingredients: banana, oats, cocoa, protein powder and chocolate chips!

Stack of 3 baked double chocolate chip oatmeal bars on a plate.
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Features

  • dietary features: vegan, gluten-free, nut-free, oil-free
  • healthier snacking: well-balanced for a healthier, low-sugar snack and dessert option
  • quick and easy: you’ll need just 5 ingredients and 20 minutes

Ingredients Notes

  • protein powder – works best with a pea protein-based vegan protein powder such as Vega, NuZest, Orgain or Bob’s Red Mill
  • oats – rolled oats, quick oats and old fashioned oats all work, be sure to use gluten-free certified if needed
  • cocoa powder – regular baking cocoa powder or raw cacao powder both work here
  • chocolate chips – use dairy-free chocolate chips to keep them vegan, I like Camino and Enjoy Life
  • banana – lightly spotty banana works great, over so ripe it’s mushy and definitely not under ripe

Step by Step Instructions

Before You Start: Preheat the oven to 350 F.

Step 1. Mash the banana into a smooth paste. I like to use an immersion blender for this but a fork will do trick too.

Mashed banana in a mixing bowl.

Step 2. Add the rest of the ingredients and mix into a thick dough.

Protein powder, cocoa powder, chocolate chips and oats in a mixing bowl.
Chocolate batter with chocolate chips in a mixing bowl.

Step 3. Spread the dough evenly into a square baking pan and bake for 15.

Raw chocolate chip dough pressed into a baking pan. Wooden spoon rests on top.

Let cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then slice into bars and enjoy!

Baked chocolate oat bars in a baking pan. Knife rests on edge of pan.
Front view of plate of chocolate oats bars with chocolate chips.

Notes and Tips

  • Cooling: Don’t skip letting them cool in the pan for 10 minutes. It helps them hold together well.
  • For Best Results: Use a kitchen scale to measure ingredients.
  • Whey: These have not been tested with whey protein powder and I don’t recommend using it as it has a different texture and acts differently in baking.
  • Sweetening: These are on the healthy side and not super sweet or decadent. For additional sweetness, add up to 2 tbsp maple syrup, coconut sugar or agave, or sweeten to taste with a sugar-free sweetener such as stevia or monk fruit.
3 chocolate oatmeal bars with chocolate chips topped with almond butter on a plate.

Storing

  • Fridge: Let cool then store in a sealed container for up to 5 days.
  • Freezer: Let cool then store in a sealed container or freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months.
  • Reheating & Thawing: If frozen, thaw at room temperature or in the fridge. Reheat in the oven or microwave if desired. They’re yummy warmed up and topped with almond or peanut butter!

For an easy and delicious stovetop oatmeal, you’ll love this simple banana oatmeal recipe. To switch things up, try these quinoa breakfast bars.

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3 chocolate oatmeal bars with chocolate chips topped with almond butter on a plate.

Chocolate Baked Oatmeal Bars

★★★★★ 4.8 from 4 reviews
  • Author: Deryn Macey
  • Prep Time: 5 mins
  • Cook Time: 15 mins
  • Total Time: 20 minutes
  • Yield: 16
  • Category: Snack
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Vegan
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Description

These yummy vegan chocolate baked oat bars make the perfect sweet but healthier snack or dessert. Easy to make with just 5 simple ingredients, these will become snacking staple!

Ingredients

  • 1 3/4 cups (410 g) ripe mashed banana (approx. 4 small))
  • 2 cups (200 g) quick or rolled oats
  • 2 servings (60 g) chocolate or vanilla vegan protein powder
  • 2 tbsp (15 g) unsweetened cocoa powder or raw cacao powder
  • 1/2 cup (85 g) dairy-free chocolate chips

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350 F.
  2. Place the banana in a mixing bowl and use an immersion blender or fork to mash into a paste.
  3. Add the rest of the ingredients and mix everything up into a thick, doughy batter.
  4. Prepare a 7-8 inch square baking pan with a light coating of non-stick cooking spray or line with parchment paper.
  5. Evenly spread the mixture into the pan.
  6. Bake for 15 minutes.
  7. Remove from oven and let cool in the pan for 10 minutes before slicing into 16 bars.

Notes

Taste: These are not super sweet or decadent and are definitely more of a healthy snack bar. For a sweeter bar, you can add up to 3 tbsp maple syrup, coconut sugar or agave. For sugar-free sweetening, use a pinch of stevia or a few drops of liquid stevia or monk fruit.

Storage: Let cool then store in a container in the fridge for up to 5 days or freezer for up to 3 months. If frozen, thaw at room temperature or in the fridge or microwave. Enjoy cold or warm in the microwave or oven.

Serving: Try them warm with a spread of almond or peanut butter.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 bar
  • Calories: 114
  • Sugar: 4.8 g
  • Sodium: 46 mg
  • Fat: 3 g
  • Carbohydrates: 18 g
  • Fiber: 3 g
  • Protein: 6 g

Keywords: chocolate baked oatmeal, baked oatmeal protein bars

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Originally published on February 11, 2017. Updated with new photos and text on September 12, 2020.