Healthy Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars
Ingredients:
Dry Ingredients:
- 1 cup oat flour (ensure it’s very finely ground if homemade)
- 1 ½ cups rolled oats
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients:
- ½ cup melted coconut oil
- ½ cup + 2 tablespoons coconut sugar
- 1 flax egg (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed mixed with 3 tablespoons water, let sit for 15 minutes)
- 1 ½ teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
Add-ins:
- 1 cup sugar-free chocolate chips (vegan or stevia-sweetened recommended)
Optional Topping:
- 4 tablespoons sugar-free chocolate chips
Instructions:
- Preparation: Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C). Line an 8-inch square baking pan with parchment paper or greased foil.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, combine all dry ingredients thoroughly.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a larger bowl, whisk all wet ingredients until well blended.
- Combine: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring with a rubber spatula until completely mixed. Fold in the chocolate chips.
- Bake: Pour the batter into the prepared pan, smoothing it into an even layer. If desired, sprinkle the top with additional chocolate chips. Bake for 26-30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown. A baking time of 28 minutes is usually just right.
- Cool: Allow the pan to cool on a rack for 30 minutes. Then lift the bars out using the parchment or foil and let them cool completely on the rack for another 1-2 hours. Cut into 16 bars.