Description
These Chocolate Granola Bars are a quick and easy homemade snack packed with protein and fiber, free from refined sugar. Made with quick oats, cocoa, peanut butter, and maple syrup, they come together in under 20 minutes and can be customized with dark chocolate and roasted almonds for an extra treat.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups Quick Oats
- ¼ cup Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
- ⅓ cup Maple Syrup
- ½ cup Peanut Butter
- 2-3 tablespoons Water
- 2 teaspoons Vanilla Extract (optional)
Optional Toppings
- ½ cup Roasted Almonds
- ½ cup Dark Chocolate Chips
- 1 teaspoon Olive Oil
Instructions
- Prepare the Pan: Line an 8-inch square pan with parchment paper and lightly oil the paper and pan using cooking oil spray. Set aside.
- Preheat Oven: Heat the oven to 350°F (180°C).
- Mix Ingredients: In a mixing bowl, combine quick oats, unsweetened cocoa powder, peanut butter, maple syrup, 2 tablespoons water, and vanilla extract. Stir with a rubber spatula until mixed well.
- Form Dough: Lightly oil your hands and squeeze the batter to bring it together into a dough. It should be firm and slightly dry but not crumbly. If crumbly, add an extra tablespoon of water or olive oil and knead until it forms a ball that holds together.
- Press Dough in Pan: Place the dough in the center of the pan and press with oiled fingers to spread evenly. Use a flat object like a jam jar lid to smooth a thin, even layer.
- Bake: Bake for 12 minutes on the center rack of the preheated oven.
- Cool: Let the bars cool in the pan for 10 minutes at room temperature. Then lift the parchment to transfer the bars to a chopping board.
- Cut Bars: Using a long, sharp knife, cut the lukewarm bar into 12 pieces carefully to minimize crumbling.
- Melt Chocolate (Optional): If decorating, melt the dark chocolate chips with olive oil in a glass bowl in 30-second microwave bursts, stirring until smooth.
- Decorate and Set: Drizzle the melted chocolate over the bars and sprinkle roasted almonds on top. Place bars in the freezer for 12 minutes to set the chocolate and harden.
Notes
- Using fresh, drippy peanut butter helps the dough bind better.
- If the dough is crumbly, adding a bit more water or oil helps achieve the right consistency.
- Pressing the dough evenly ensures uniform baking and texture.
- Cut the bars while warm to reduce crumbling on the edges.
- Freezing after adding chocolate helps solidify the toppings for easier handling.
- Maple syrup is used as a natural sweetener without refined sugars.
