Triple Almond Oat Bars – Whole grain oats and almonds come together to create a delicious chewy snack bar. Coat it in a layer of chocolate for an even more indulgent treat.
I am an almond lover. Raw almonds, roasted almonds, almond butter, almond extract, almond milk. Yum! I often swap out vanilla extract for almond extract in cookie and cake recipes. Today I’m bringing an almond triple threat with almond butter, almond extract, and almond milk. And if you count the optional slivered almonds on top, that’s four kind of almond deliciousness in one little bar. These Triple Almond Oat Bars make great snacks. Or even breakfast – because a little chocolate for breakfast never hurt anyone…
Where Do Almond Grow?
Almonds are technically not nuts at all. They are the seeds of fruits that grow on almond trees. Similar to peaches and apricots, the fruits of the almond tree have pits. Inside those pits are seeds and that’s the almond that we eat. Unlike, peaches and many other stone fruits, we don’t eat the fruit from almond trees. Although, almonds aren’t technically nuts, they are classified as tree nuts to which many people have allergies. So, if you have an allergy to tree nuts, almonds are definitely not for you.
Healthy Almonds
Almonds are very good for you and have a lots of health benefits. They are high in healthy fats, vitamin E, magnesium, potassium, calcium, protein, and lots of antioxidants. They are one of the lowest calorie nuts. Consuming almonds could reduce your risk of heart disease and diabetes and lower your risk for weight gain.
Kid Approved
My kids love these little bars with or without the chocolate. If I leave off the chocolate, I like to make them in a smaller pan – a loaf pan works great – so they are a bit thicker. I cut them into long rectangular bars and they’re just like granola bars. Perfectly acceptable for breakfast or lunchbox treats and great for on-the-go. Adding the optional (and highly recommended) chocolate topping takes them right into dessert category.
Triple Almond Oat Bars
I hope you love these Triple Almond Oat Bars as much as we do. If you try them, please come back and leave me a comment below with your feedback. You can also find me on social media. Be sure to tag @veggie_inspired and #veggieinspired so I’m sure to see it. Enjoy!
- 1 1/2 cups old fashioned oats (divided) (use certified gluten free oats to keep this recipe gluten free)
- 1/2 cup crispy brown rice cereal* (or another 1/2 cup oats)
- 1/4 cup raw almond butter** (I like Trader Joe's brand because it's quite runny)
- 1/4 cup pure maple syrup
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp almond extract
- 1/8 tsp salt
- 1 cup dark or semi-sweet vegan chocolate chips (Trader Joe's brand is vegan)
- 2 tbsp almond milk
- sprinkle of slivered almonds
In a food processor or coffee grinder, pulse 1/2 cup oats until flour-like consistency.
In a large mixing bowl, combine almond butter, maple syrup, almond extract, cinnamon, and salt.
Stir in oats, oat flour, and crispy brown rice cereal until mixture is moistened consistently throughout.
- Press mixture into an 8x8 baking dish and set aside.
- In a small saucepan, combine chocolate chips and almond milk over low heat until melted.
Pour chocolate mixture immediately over oat mixture in the baking dish and spread evenly. Sprinkle slivered almonds over the top of the warm chocolate.
- Freeze for 1-2 hours until chocolate is set.
- Cut into bars and enjoy!
*I like the little bit of crunchy texture the crispy brown rice cereal brings. These bars work just fine with all oats too if you don't have or don't want the crispy brown rice cereal.
**I like Trader Joe's brand Raw Almond Butter because it's runny. If your almond butter is thick, you may need to gently heat it in a saucepan with the maple syrup to thin it out. A tbsp or two of non-dairy milk might help to thin it out as well.
Store in fridge or freezer for best texture.
*This post was originally published September 2014. Photos, content, and recipe updated July 2017.
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I love almond too – esp as my little girl is allergic to peanuts and they wanted to test her for almonds but by then she had already eaten some and was fine so I am always grateful she can eat them – so yummy in so many ways – love your slice
Awww, I feel for you with the peanut allergy, but yay for almonds! We eat a ton of peanut butter around here too. Have you checked out My Plant Based Family? Her youngest son has a few food allergies (peanuts being one of them) and she posts healthy plant based allergy free meals. You should definitely check out her blog too!
Mmmm! these sound easy to make and also like they would be really delicious. I scored some sale almond butter recently, so I have 3 jars!!
Oh, I love a good deal! Score, that you found almond butter on sale…that almost never happens.
Those look super. I love an oat base.
Thanks! Let me know if you try them!
Wow! Didn’t know Trader Joe’s chocolate chips were vegan. Going to give these a try!
Yup! Whole Foods Brand is vegan too. Let me know if you try them!
Hmmm these look yummy 🙂 gotta try them.
Thanks! Let me know how you like them if you give them a try.