The Ultimate Guide to Easy Vegan Oatmeal Cookie Bars: Chewy, Chunky, and Wholesome

Welcome to the world of truly irresistible snacking! These easy vegan oatmeal cookie bars are more than just a treat; they’re a wholesome, satisfying, and utterly delicious experience. Packed with rich chocolate chunks and crunchy walnuts, these oat-filled snack bars offer the perfect blend of texture and flavor, making them an ideal pick-me-up any time of day.

What makes them even better? They’re incredibly simple to whip up, requiring just one bowl and a handful of basic pantry ingredients. Say goodbye to complicated recipes and hello to these wonderfully moreish bars that will quickly become a household favorite. Whether you’re a seasoned vegan baker or new to plant-based treats, this recipe promises delightful results with minimal fuss.

These homemade vegan oatmeal cookie bars are genuinely an ideal snack for countless reasons. Beyond their fantastic taste, the combination of hearty oats and protein-rich walnuts transforms them into a truly filling and energizing bite. They’re perfectly designed to keep you going, whether you’re tackling a busy afternoon or embarking on an outdoor adventure.

I personally find them to be the perfect companion for long hikes, providing sustained energy, or as a delightful fuel-up before an outdoor bouldering session. Yet, their versatility extends far beyond active pursuits; they are equally wonderful enjoyed in the quiet comfort of your home, perhaps alongside a freshly brewed cup of tea or coffee, making them a superb option for an afternoon indulgence or a quick breakfast on the go.

The beauty of these chunky vegan oat bars also lies in their sheer simplicity. Forget about multiple mixing bowls and endless cleanup; this recipe is specifically designed to be baked with minimal effort, utilizing just one bowl. This not only streamlines the preparation process but also makes them a fantastic choice for beginner bakers or anyone looking for a quick and rewarding baking project. Crafted with simple, readily available ingredients, you’ll be amazed at how easily such delicious results can be achieved.

Essential Ingredients for Your Perfect Vegan Oatmeal Cookie Bars:

Crafting these delectable vegan oatmeal cookie bars requires a selection of simple, yet essential, ingredients. Each component plays a crucial role in achieving the ideal chewy texture, rich flavor, and satisfying heartiness that makes these bars so popular. Here’s a closer look at what you’ll need and why:

• Porridge Oats: For the best results, stick to regular rolled porridge oats. These provide the perfect chewy texture and wholesome bulk for your bars. Avoid jumbo oats, which can make the bars too dense, and instant oats, which might turn mushy. Standard supermarket own-brand rolled oats are usually perfect, offering plenty of fiber and a fantastic base for these snack bars.
• Plain Flour: Also known as all-purpose flour, this is your standard baking flour. It provides structure to the bars without making them too tough. While I haven’t personally tried making these vegan oatmeal cookie bars gluten-free, I believe a good quality gluten-free flour blend would work well. If using a GF blend, I recommend adding about ¼ teaspoon of xanthan gum to help with elasticity and binding, as GF flours can sometimes lack this. You might also need to adjust the plant milk slightly, potentially adding a drop more if the mixture seems too dry.
• Bicarbonate of Soda (Baking Soda): This is a key leavening agent that reacts with the acidic components in the recipe (like brown sugar or even the plant milk) to create carbon dioxide, resulting in a slightly lighter, more tender crumb. A small amount of baking soda helps ensure the bars aren’t too dense, contributing to that desirable soft-chewy texture.
• Vegan Block Butter: This ingredient is critical for the proper texture and richness of your oatmeal cookie bars. You absolutely must use a firm, block-style vegan butter substitute, not the spreadable kind that comes in a tub. Spreadable margarines often have a much higher water content, which can negatively impact the texture of baked goods, leading to soggy or crumbly bars. Brands like Naturli Vegan Block or Flora Plant Butter are excellent choices as they behave very similarly to dairy butter in baking, providing the necessary fat for flavor and structure.
• Light Brown Sugar: Light brown soft sugar is preferred here for its unique qualities. It not only provides sweetness but also contributes significant moisture, which is essential for creating chewy vegan oatmeal bars. Its subtle molasses notes add a wonderful depth of flavor, giving the bars a slightly caramel-like taste. While muscovado sugar or dark brown soft sugar can also be used for a richer, deeper flavor, I do not recommend substituting with white sugar or liquid sweeteners like maple syrup, as these will alter the moisture balance and significantly affect the final texture of the bars, making them drier or less stable.
• Vanilla Extract: A staple in almost all baked goods, vanilla extract is absolutely essential here. It enhances all the other flavors, adding a warm, aromatic note that elevates the overall taste profile and brings out the classic cookie essence in your bars.
• Plant Milk: Any unsweetened non-dairy milk will work in this recipe, but I personally favor soy milk for baking. Soy milk has a higher protein content compared to other plant milks, which can contribute to a slightly better structure and richer flavor in baked goods. However, feel free to use unsweetened almond, oat, or cashew milk; just be aware that subtle differences in flavor and texture might occur. Always opt for unsweetened varieties to control the overall sweetness of your bars.
• Chocolate: For a delightful burst of flavor and texture, I use roughly chopped dark chocolate. The slightly bitter notes of dark chocolate beautifully complement the sweetness of the oats and brown sugar. If you prefer, vegan chocolate chips are also a convenient and equally delicious alternative. Ensure your chosen chocolate is certified vegan for a truly plant-based treat.
• Walnuts: I absolutely adore the earthy, slightly bitter flavor and satisfying crunch that walnuts bring to these bars. They pair wonderfully with chocolate and oats, adding both taste and nutritional benefits (hello, Omega-3s!). However, these bars are very adaptable. If walnuts aren’t your preference, feel free to substitute them with an equal weight of any other chopped nuts like pecans or almonds, or even seeds like pumpkin or sunflower seeds. Dried fruit such as raisins, cranberries, or chopped apricots can also make an excellent addition, offering a different kind of sweetness and chewiness.

Step-by-Step Guide: Crafting Your Delicious Vegan Oatmeal Cookie Bars:

(For precise measurements and detailed instructions, please refer to the comprehensive recipe card located at the bottom of this page.)

1. Prepare Your Pan and Oven: Begin by preheating your oven to 180°C/160°C fan/350°F/gas mark 4. This ensures your oven is at the correct temperature for even baking. Next, grease a 20cm / 8-inch square cake tin thoroughly, then line it with baking parchment. Make sure to leave some parchment overhanging on two opposite sides; these ‘handles’ will make it incredibly easy to lift the baked bars out of the tin later, preventing any sticking or breakage.
2. Cream Butter and Sugar: In your designated mixing bowl, combine the softened vegan block butter and the light brown soft sugar. Using an electric mixer (or a sturdy whisk and some elbow grease), beat these two ingredients together until the mixture is beautifully smooth and creamy. This step is crucial for incorporating air, which helps achieve a tender texture, and for dissolving the sugar crystals.




3. Incorporate Wet Ingredients and Leavening: Once your butter and sugar are perfectly creamed, whisk in the vanilla extract and your chosen non-dairy milk. Follow this by adding the bicarbonate of soda and a pinch of salt. Continue whisking until all these ingredients are thoroughly combined and evenly distributed throughout the mixture. The baking soda will react to give the bars their slight lift.




4. Add Dry Ingredients and Mix-Ins: Now, add the plain flour and rolled porridge oats to the wet mixture. Using a spatula, gently stir these ingredients until they are just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can develop the gluten in the flour too much, leading to tough bars. Once the dry ingredients are mostly incorporated, fold in the chopped dark chocolate and roughly chopped walnuts. To make your bars extra appealing, remember to reserve a small handful of the chocolate to sprinkle on top just before baking. This ensures a beautiful, melty chocolate topping.




5. Transfer and Bake: Transfer the thick, delicious mixture into your prepared tin. Using the back of the spatula or your hands, spread it out evenly, pressing it gently to form a flat, compact layer. Scatter the reserved chocolate pieces over the top and gently press them into the surface of the mixture. Bake for approximately 25-28 minutes. The bars are ready when they turn a lovely golden brown around the edges and are set in the center. They might still feel a little soft when gently pressed in the middle but should not jiggle, indicating they are almost done.




6. Cool Completely Before Slicing: This step is non-negotiable for perfectly formed bars! Leave the vegan oatmeal cookie bars to cool completely in the tin on a wire rack. Cooling allows them to firm up and prevents them from crumbling when sliced. For exceptionally neat and clean slices, I highly recommend refrigerating the cooled bars for at least a couple of hours before cutting them. This firms up the chocolate and the oats, making for a much smoother cut.

Pro Tips for Perfect Vegan Oatmeal Cookie Bars:

Achieving baking perfection often comes down to a few key details. Keep these professional tips in mind to ensure your vegan oatmeal cookie bars turn out flawlessly every single time:

• Embrace Metric Measurements: As with all my baking recipes, I cannot stress enough the importance of using metric measurements with a digital scale rather than relying on cup conversions. Cups are notoriously inaccurate and inconsistent, leading to varying results. A digital scale, on the other hand, provides precise measurements, ensuring better, more consistent outcomes for your baked goods. Plus, it’s often far easier and less messy than scooping and leveling with cups!
• Spice It Up: While delicious on their own, these bars are a fantastic canvas for warm spices. Try adding a teaspoon of ground cinnamon or ginger to the dry ingredients for an extra layer of cozy flavor. A combination of both, or even a pinch of nutmeg or allspice, can create a wonderful depth that will make these bars even more irresistible, especially during colder months.
• Get Creative with Mix-Ins: The chocolate and walnuts are a classic combination, but don’t limit yourself! Feel free to swap them for an equal weight of your favorite additions. Pecans and cranberries make a wonderfully festive and tangy pairing. Shredded coconut can add a tropical twist, while pumpkin seeds or sunflower seeds offer a different kind of nutty crunch. You could even experiment with different types of vegan chocolate, like white chocolate chips (if you can find vegan ones) or a blend of dark and “milk” vegan chocolate.
• For Picture-Perfect Slices: If you desire beautifully neat, clean-cut bars, the secret is simple: patience and chilling. Once your vegan oatmeal cookie bars have completely cooled down to room temperature, transfer the entire tin (or the lifted-out slab) to the refrigerator for at least two hours, or even overnight. This chilling process solidifies the butter and chocolate, making the bars much easier to slice without crumbling or smearing, resulting in crisp edges.
• Optimal Storage for Freshness: To maintain their optimal flavor and texture, store your cooled and sliced vegan oatmeal cookie bars in an airtight container at room temperature. They will remain wonderfully fresh and chewy for 3-4 days. For slightly longer storage, you can keep them in the refrigerator for up to a week, though they might become a bit firmer.

Freezing & Storage: Keeping Your Bars Fresh Longer

These vegan oatmeal cookie bars are not only delightful fresh out of the oven but also excellent for meal prepping and long-term storage. Knowing how to properly store and freeze them means you can always have a wholesome snack on hand.

Can I Freeze Them?

Absolutely, these vegan oatmeal cookie bars freeze exceptionally well, making them perfect for future enjoyment! Here’s how to do it effectively:

• Cool Completely: Before even thinking about freezing, ensure your bars have cooled down entirely to room temperature. Freezing warm bars will create condensation, leading to ice crystals and potentially soggy bars once thawed.
• Slice First: For maximum convenience, slice the cooled bars into individual portions before freezing. This allows you to grab just one or two bars at a time, without needing to thaw the entire batch.
• Wrap Individually (Optional but Recommended): For best results and to prevent freezer burn, wrap each individual bar tightly in plastic wrap or parchment paper. This creates an extra layer of protection against moisture and air.
• Container Storage: Place the individually wrapped (or unwrapped, if not using plastic) bars in a freezer-proof airtight container or a heavy-duty ziplock freezer bag. Make sure to remove as much air as possible from the bag to prevent freezer burn.
• Freezer Life: When stored properly, these vegan oatmeal cookie bars will keep beautifully in the freezer for up to three months.
• Thawing: To enjoy, simply remove a bar from the freezer and let it thaw at room temperature for about 30-60 minutes. For a quick snack, you can also gently warm them in the microwave for a few seconds.

General Storage Tips:

• Room Temperature: Once baked and fully cooled, these bars can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for 3-4 days. This keeps them soft and chewy.
• Refrigerator: If you prefer a firmer bar, or for slightly extended freshness (up to a week), store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Just note they will be a bit chewier when cold.

More Vegan Bar Recipes to Satisfy Your Cravings:

If you’ve fallen in love with these vegan oatmeal cookie bars, you’re in luck! There’s a whole world of delicious plant-based bar recipes waiting to be discovered. Here are some more of my favorite vegan bar recipes that are sure to delight:

• Vegan lemon bars
• Vegan stollen bars
• Vegan banana blondies
• Pumpkin chocolate chip bars
• Berry crumble bars
• Vegan fruit and nut flapjacks
• Vegan peanut butter chocolate chip pecan bars

If you tried this incredible recipe, I’d love to hear how it went for you! Please take a moment to rate it, leave a comment below, or share your delicious creations by tagging @domestic_gothess on Instagram and using the hashtag #domesticgothess. Your feedback helps me and other bakers in our community!

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