It’s the first Friday of the new year, and some things never change – we’re again talking all things chocolate! I could have shared a handful of other recipes today, but I couldn’t let the first week of the new year pass without sharing something on the sweeter side. These are the perfect chocolate bars to indulge on this year. They still satisfy your sweet tooth, but instead of being packed with white flour and processed sugars, like our beloved December cookies, these bars are made with nutrient-rich ingredients: ground flax, sesame seeds, oats, and dark chocolate!
Ingredients
Old-fashioned oats Sesame seeds Brown rice krispies cereal Almond flour Ground flax seeds (3 tablespoon ground flax) Baking soda Honey Melted coconut oil (2 tablespoons coconut oil) Vanilla extract Dark chocolate Toasted sesame seeds
Kitchen Supplies
8×8 inch square pan or baking sheet Parchment paper Medium bowl sealed container
After a couple of months of sharing nothing but sugar-filled cookie recipes, I’m excited to embrace less sugar. January allows me to be super creative with the sweets – sometimes even healthier desserts can be our favorites! Recipe favorites like my maple banana bread, these peanut butter “Twix” bars, and these tahini oatmeal chocolate chip cookies are LOVED year-round. Today, we have a new kind of bar, one with a bit more crunch. I already know I’ll be making these often this winter. Those toasted sesames on top are the secret to a delicious, healthier chocolate bar!
Here are details
Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and line a square 8×8 inch pan with parchment paper. Then mix the dry ingredients. A combination of old-fashioned oats, sesame seeds, almond flour, and ground-up flax seeds, brown rice crisps and baking soda. The sesame seeds are not your usual dessert ingredient, but just like peanuts, they’re delish when used in sweet chocolate recipes. Step 2: mix the honey Take the honey, warm it together with coconut oil, and then add vanilla. Now, pour this sweet mixture over the oats and stir everything together until all the oats and seeds are coated. Step 3: bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until golden brown Just two steps in and we’re already baking. Woohoo! Press the cookie dough into a square brownie pan. Be sure to pack the dough into the pan firmly. I like to use a measuring cup to firmly pack the dough into the pan. Now bake until you smell the bars getting toasted, about 20 minutes. Let the bars cool in the pan for 10 to 15 minutes. Then, I like to cut these while they’re still soft. I think it’s easier this way. Step 4: dip/dunk/cover in chocolate Once the bars are fully cool, you can dip, dunk, drizzle, or even cover them in chocolate. White chocolate, semi-sweet or dark chocolate… It’s totally up to you! Freeze for ten minutes to set the chocolate. Add a teaspoon of sea salt. Immediately serve or store in the fridge in an airtight sealed container. Personally, I like to mix and match. I dip some, drizzle others, and then completely cover some in chocolate for the people who really love a chocolatey chocolate bar. Before you let the bars set, sprinkle the melted chocolate with toasted sesame seeds on your granola bars. These are what make the bars feel indulgent and taste so delicious! Looking for other winter dessert recipes? Here are my favorites: Homemade Twix Bars 5 Ingredient Chocolate Dipped Peanut Butter Cookies Healthier Homemade Nutter Butter Cookies Healthy…ish Homemade Samoas Cookies Tahini Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies Salted Tahini Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies Lastly, if you make these Chocolate Dipped Sesame Oatmeal Bars be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And, of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
