Chocolate Oatmeal No Bake Bars (Gluten-Free, Nut-Free)

There are a few chocolate oatmeal no bake bars piled over each other and placed on a wooden board.

Chocolate Oatmeal No Bake Bars (Gluten-Free, Nut-Free)

Everyone will love these chocolate oatmeal no bake bars! They are loaded with delicious dark chocolate flavor and chewy dried cherries, plus they make for a filling snack or healthy dessert. Also, gluten-free and nut-free.

Prep Time15

Chilling time1

Total Time1 15

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Vegan

Servings: bars

Calories: 449kcal

Author: Jessica Laroche

Equipment

Food processor

Ingredients

12 large medjool dates (about 1 packed cup) pitted
1 cup fine oat flour
⅓ cup raw cacao powder
2-3 tbsp water
½ cup rolled oats
⅓ cup dried cherries chopped if necessary
¼ cup vegan dark chocolate chips
2 tbsp cacao nibs optional

For the chocolate topping

⅓ cup vegan dark chocolate chips
1 tbsp plant-based milk

Instructions

Line a loaf pan with parchment paper.
Soak the pitted dates in boiling water for 10 minutes, then drain using a fine mesh colander and remove excess of water by gently pressing with a spoon.
Add the softened dates, oat flour and cacao powder to a food process and process until uniform. You should have a dryish crumbly mixture at this point. Add 2-3 tablespoons of water (depending on how much water the dates retained) and process. You are looking for a thick sticky paste that holds well when pressed in between your fingers.
Add the rolled oats and pulse a few times until incorporated and the oats mostly broken down, but still visible. Transfer to a bowl and add the chocolate chips, dried cherries and cacao nibs. Use your hands to incorporate the ingredients into the sticky dough.
Transfer to the prepared dish and use your fingers to even out the surface. You want to press firmly and ensure it is compact all the way to the edges and corners so it holds well after sliced.
In a small bowl, combine the chocolate topping ingredients and warm up in the microwave for 30 seconds. Then, let sit for 2 minutes and stir until all melted and uniform. Pour the thick chocolate sauce over the dish and use a spoon/spatula to even out the surface. Let the bars set in the fridge for at least an hour. Then, unmold by pulling on the parchment paper and slice in bars. Enjoy!

Video

Notes

Store the bars in an air-tight container in the fridge. They can also be frozen.
I recommend making these chocolate oatmeal bars the day before you need them so they have enough time to set.
You will have to visually estimate how much water to add to the food processor. I usually have to add 2 tablespoons, but you might need a little more if you squeezed more water out of the dates after soaking them. You simply need to create a mixture that sticks and holds well when pressed together.
If you don't have a loaf pan, then use whatever dish you have! A square dish would work too as you could slice in squares. A circular cake pan would works too. This is a no-bake recipe, so there is more freedom in the way you shape your treats.
When the melted chocolate is still soft, you can top with flaky salt to enhance the sweet chocolate flavors. Also try sprinkling shredded coconut or even chopped nuts if you are not looking for a nut-free recipe.
Nutrition: please note that the nutritional information is an estimate per serving provided for informational purposes only (calculated by software) and accuracy is not guaranteed. Consult with your healthcare provider or a registered dietitian if you need precise nutrition calculations for health reasons.

Nutrition