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Healthy Zucchini Oat Bars Recipe Easy Homemade Dark Chocolate Snack Bars

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These Healthy Zucchini Oat Bars with Dark Chocolate Chunks are easy, wholesome, and just the right hint of indulgence without tipping into guilt. Moist and tender with a subtle freshness, they make a perfect snack for any time.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cups (180g) rolled oats
  • 1 cup (120g) whole wheat flour (can substitute with almond flour for gluten-free)
  • 1 cup (about 120g) shredded zucchini, fresh and grated
  • 3/4 cup (130g) dark chocolate chunks (70% cocoa or higher)
  • 1/3 cup (80ml) maple syrup
  • 1/4 cup (60ml) unsweetened applesauce
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×9-inch baking pan with parchment paper, letting the edges hang over for easy removal.
  2. Shred the zucchini using a box grater and stir briefly to distribute moisture evenly; no need to squeeze out moisture.
  3. In a large bowl, mix rolled oats, whole wheat flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt until combined.
  4. In another bowl, whisk eggs, maple syrup, applesauce, and vanilla extract until smooth and slightly frothy.
  5. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir gently with a spatula until just combined; avoid overmixing.
  6. Fold in shredded zucchini and dark chocolate chunks evenly into the batter.
  7. Transfer the batter to the prepared pan and spread evenly with a spatula, smoothing the top gently.
  8. Bake for 25–30 minutes, until edges are golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out mostly clean with a few moist crumbs.
  9. Cool completely on a wire rack before slicing into bars.

Notes

Do not squeeze out zucchini moisture; it keeps bars moist and tender. Avoid overmixing batter to prevent toughness. Cool bars completely before slicing to prevent crumbling. For extra chocolatey crust, sprinkle additional chocolate chunks on top before baking. Frozen zucchini can be used if thawed and drained well. Substitute whole wheat flour with almond or oat flour for gluten-free version. Vegan adaptation possible by replacing eggs with flax eggs and using dairy-free chocolate.

Nutrition

Keywords: zucchini oat bars, healthy snack bars, dark chocolate oat bars, homemade snack bars, easy oat bars, gluten-free oat bars, vegan oat bars

Find it online: https://milacook.com/healthy-zucchini-oat-bars-recipe-easy-homemade-dark-chocolate-snack-bars/