Caramel Chocolate Oat Bars

Perfect Breakfast, Snack, or Dessert

These caramel chocolate oat bars have quickly become my favorite treat to make. I love how everything is thrown into the blender, so you don’t have to worry about a million dishes. They are also on the healthier side which is perfect for anyone looking to incorporate healthier snacks or treats.

If you have never had dates, they have a very caramel like taste. That is why I called these caramel chocolate oat bars. While it isn’t real caramel it tastes close in my opinion. It also is a healthier version.

Dates are naturally super sweet, and the only sweetener used in this recipe. If you omit the chocolate, there is no added sugar in these bars. You could also use sugar-free chocolate as well. If you aren’t a chocolate fan at all you could top these with vegan yogurt or some type of frosting.

These bars are perfect for meal prep and store very well in the refrigerator or freezer. I love prepping a big batch at the beginning of the week and storing them in the freezer whenever I want something sweet. If you store them in the freezer just allow them to thaw for about 15-20 minutes before eating.

I love switching up the variations of bars I make. You can easily throw in any fruits, nuts, or seeds into this recipe. Just fold them into the mix at the end.

Almond butter: you can substitute the almond butter with any nut or seed butter (cashew, peanut, sunflower, etc.)

Oats: you can use quick oats or rolled oats. I used rolled oats in mine.

Chocolate: any chocolate of your preference works. You can also mix different chocolates.

Applesauce: I always used unsweetened applesauce. I wouldn’t necessarily recommend substituting the applesauce. However, banana, pumpkin puree, or oil should work.

Ingredients:

• Dates

• Water

• Almond butter

• Applesauce

• Oats

• Almond flour

• Baking powder

• Chocolate

Recipe:

• About 20 dates

• 1/3 cup almond butter

• ¼ cup water

• 1/3 cup applesauce

• 1 cup oats

• ½ cup almond flour

• 1 teaspoon baking powder

• 1 cup chocolate

Directions:

1.    Start by soaking your dates in boiling water for about 30 minutes.

2.    Once they are about done soaking, preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

3.    Line a baking tray with parchment paper or spray with cooking spray.

4.    To a blender add the dates, almond butter, water, and applesauce.

5.    Blend until completely smooth.

6.    Take the blade OUT and then add the almond flour, oats, and baking powder.

7.    Stir with a rubber spatula to combine.

8.    Transfer to baking pan and bake for 20 minutes.

9.    Once completely cooled coat each piece in melted chocolate.

Be sure to store these in the refrigerator or freezer.

If you try this recipe, please let me know what you think. Also, pressing the “Like” button at the bottom of this page really helps me out!

If you ever have any questions about a recipe, feel free to reach out to me.