These Chocolate Chip Zucchini Oatmeal Bars are sweet, filling, easy to make, and kid friendly! This is a simple and delicious way to get some vegetables in for breakfast. This recipe only requires 5 minutes of hands-on time, so you can have it ready for the whole family in no time! This is the perfect dish to make in advance so that you have them on hand for your busy week ahead.
These are a great way to get additional vegetables into your daily diet. The zucchini doesn’t have a strong flavor so you don’t even realize that it is in the bars. The chocolate chips, maple syrup, and ripe bananas are what gives these bars the sweetness. If you have a bunch of zucchini leftover from this recipe, check out my Gluten Free Zucchini Bread recipe and Gluten Free Zucchini Muffin Recipe! Another one of my seasonal favorites is watermelon. Be sure to check out my Cucumber Watermelon Salad Recipe too!
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Why You Will Love This Recipe
- It only requires 5 minutes of prep-time!
- Zucchini oatmeal is sweet and filling. It’s perfect for a quick breakfast or afternoon snack!
- They are easy to heat up and can be served with any fruit, of your choice.
- This recipe is naturally gluten free, dairy free, nut free, and refined sugar free.
- Kids will love this recipe! They won’t even realize they are eating vegetables.
- This recipe is inspired by the other homemade oatmeal bars on my website.
- We also have oatmeal bars listed on my weekly meal prep menu. Right now, we deliver all over Pittsburgh, but will soon be shipping nationwide!
Ingredients
- Sprouted gluten free oats–sprouted oats undergo a germination process that activates fiber. This makes them easier to digest, for people like me. I got a large bag from Costco!
- Banana –make sure it is ripe! The riper it is, the sweeter the oatmeal bars will be. This is a great way to use up ripe bananas that were previously frozen.
- Zucchini –Grated. I like using this cheese grater. You will want to make sure to squeeze some of the additional liquid out before mixing it into the batter.
- Chocolate chips –I like the enjoy life brand. You can use regular chocolate chips if you are not dairy free.
- Maple syrup–As the sweetener. Make sure it is pure maple syrup! You can also swap for honey.
- Coconut milk–You can also use almond milk! You will just want to make sure that your diary free milk of choice is unsweetened and is not flavored.
- Cinnamon–To give a nice kick!
- Egg–Binds everything together.
See the recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.
Substitutions and Variations
- If you want to add additional vegetables to the oat bars, you could add grated cauliflower or thawed frozen cauliflower rice to the batter. Cauliflower does not have much flavor so it is great to add to recipes!
- To add additional nutrients and an added crunch, you could add flax seed, chia seed, or fresh nuts such as almond slices.
This recipe has not been tested with other substitutions or variations. If you replace or add any ingredients, please let us know how it turns out in the comments below!
Step by Step Instructions
Equipment Needed
Expert Tips
- Tip # 1: Make sure you pat the grated zucchini with a paper towl in order to get all of the liquid out. You could also place all of the zucchini into a cheese cloth and twist to squeeze the liquid out.
- Tip # 2: If you double the recipe, watch the bars closely while cooking to be sure that they are cooking evenly.
- Tip # 3: Allow the oatmeal bars to fully cool before moving and cutting into them. This will help to prevent the bars from falling apart.
Recipe FAQ’s
I love eating these oatmeal bars nice and warm, with fresh berries or banana slices on top! To reheat, you can place it in the microwave for 20 seconds or in the oven at 350 degrees F for 5-10 minutes.
Technically, no. Grains are avoided on the paleo protocol, however, some people find that once their gut heals, they can tolerate them! I can tolerate them and enjoy eating them as a treat. It took me years to get to this point, though. I was strictly grain-free for 4 years prior.
I like to check to see if they are golden in the center and if they have a “dry” appearance to them. You could also stick a toothpick in the center as well.
Storage Instructions
- This recipe can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days in an air tight container.
Other Oatmeal Bar Recipes You Will Love
Want a free guide of my go to healthy alternatives?
Zucchini Oatmeal
Equipment
- Large baking dish
Ingredients
- 2 1/4 cup oats Make sure they are gluten free! I like sprouted oats.
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1 whole banana Sliced. Make sure it is ripe.
- 3/4 cup coconut milk Or almond milk
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
- 1 cup zucchini grated.
- 1/2 cup chocolate chips dairy free
- 1 egg
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Place all ingredients in a bowl and mix together.
- Spray a 9×15 with avocado oil and spread out the oat mixture.
- Bake for 35 minutes. Let sit for 10 minutes prior to cutting and serving.
Christine says
I think I’m missing how many eggs and how much baking powder? It’s not listed in the ingredients list. Thank you!
The eggs are in there! There is no baking powder in the recipe.
Gayle says
Can’t wait to try! For myself. Is there any way to skip the dairy( egg & Vic. Milk?
Allianna Moximchalk says
I am not sure how it would work! I have not tested it!
Lori says
Perfect recipe to use up all of my home grown zucchini! So good!