These little bites of heaven only require 5 main ingredients.
They are so simple and SO delicious. I’m officially addicted- and I promise you will be too. A new staple in my kitchen!
They’re vegan + gluten free, and you would seriously never know! I think they taste like a bakery style cookie- but they are SO easy to make and a bit healthier ;). You can load them up with chocolate chips, or you can spread them with melty chocolate like I did here. Both ways are absolutely delicious!
I love having something sweet around made with staple ingredients. The oats combined with the nutty walnuts just gives these little squares the best flavor.
Enjoy! xx
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Walnut Oat Cookie Bars
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 11 minutes
- Total Time: 21 minutes
- Yield: 12 squares 1x
- Category: Dessert, Snacks
Description
Soft, gooey, nutty walnut oat cookie bars. The best gluten free and vegan treat!
Ingredients
- 1 cup gluten free old fashioned oats
- 1 cup raw walnuts
- 1/4 cup pure maple syrup
- 2 tbsp avocado oil
- 1/2 tsp sea salt
- 1/4–1/3 cup mini chocolate chips (or for a melty chocolate topping seen in the photos- use 1/3 cup chocolate chips and 1/2 tsp coconut oil melted in the microwave or stovetop)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Add oats, walnuts, and sea salt to a food processor. Pulse for 15-20 seconds, until a meal forms.
- While processor is still on, pour in maple syrup and avocado oil. Process until a dough forms. This should take 1 minute or less.
- Spread dough onto an 8×8 square baking dish lined with parchment paper. Be patient- it will take a minute to spread the dough evenly. Tip: make sure to keep an inch or 2 of the baking dish unfilled on all 4 sides so that the bars are not spread too thin. I use a small spatula to shape the dough into a square about 1/2 inch thick.
- Sprinkle chocolate chips over the top (or if you want the melty chocolate topping, save that for after the bars are baked and cooled) . Bake for 11-12 minutes, then immediately lift parchment paper up to remove bars from the baking dish. Allow to completely cool, then slice into 12 squares. Note: if you don’t allow the bars to cool before slicing, they will be very fragile!
Notes
I do not reccommend substituting a different nut here, or using aluminum foil in place of parchment paper!
Madeline
This was the first thing I ever made from Mia’s recipes and they 100% sold me. They’re incredibly easy for an easily aggravated baker such as myself.
★★★★★
Mia Zarlengo
So happy you love these Madeline! Love hearing they are easy to make 🙂
Katie
EASIEST dessert recipe. Took me less than a half hour. I didn’t have a food processor, but it worked relatively well with a blender. I brought it in for work and they were gone within minutes. I will definitely be making this again perfect for last minute treat to when going to a friends house.
★★★★★
Colleen
So good! Made these over thanksgiving and everyone couldn’t believe how easy and clean they were. Listen to Mia’s tip and let them cool awhile before cutting. I used a vitamix and consistency worked well.
★★★★★
Mia Zarlengo
Thank you Colleen! xoxo
Katrina
These are bonkers! Our family loves them! My husband and I eat the batter right out of the food processor. It’s wicked! Thanks for another wonderful recipe!! ❤️🙏🏻
★★★★★
Jordyn Fantuzzi
These are my #1 dessert!!! Quickly have become a go-to for a fast, healthy and satisfying option.
★★★★★
Gabby
I make these every. single. week. and bring them to work. They’re the best. Have gotten me through so many afternoons of hunger at work. I have became infamous for them and my snack drawer was getting so raided that my boss had me start keeping them in her office so people wouldn’t eat our stash. The best snack ever.
Also, I am allergic to nuts, so I just make with a double serving of oats. Also, don’t let the chocolate top intimidate you, I make these with just chocolate chips and not that full coat of chocolate on the top. I also put the chocolate chips in my food processor while mixing up the oats/syrup/oil and then add more on top at the end. Also, using pure maple syrup makes a BIG difference. Yes, it’s more expensive but tastes way better.
★★★★★
Amy Applegate
Amazing!!
★★★★★
Victoria
I’ve made these a couple of times and got so many compliments! Such a nice change using walnuts instead of bananas or lots of flours for bars.
★★★★★
Savannah Stuermer
Quick to make, good for you ingredients and very delicious!! Awesome recipe!
★★★★★
Katie
Since we’re stuck in the house for a while I’ve been finding myself wanting to cook and bake more. I saw these bars and had all ingredients in my pantry so I gave it a go and WOW do those 5 little ingredients pack a PUNCH. Can’t wait to bring these to my next girls night. Thanks Mia!
★★★★★
Cheryl
My go-to sweet tooth snack 😍
★★★★★
Ali
Our go-to quick and easy dessert. We keep them in the freezer! Subbed hazelnuts when I didn’t have walnuts- they still turned out great.
★★★★★