Thick, chewy and loaded with chocolate and caramel, these Chocolate Caramel Almond Butter Oat Bars are super easy to make and hard to stop eating at just one!
Some days just call for dessert. Believe it or not, we rarely have dessert around here. If I haven’t made a recipe for the blog, then we most likely don’t have dessert in the house. But sometimes we want dessert, and we’ll quick throw something super easy together.
Usually those desserts don’t make it to the blog, but not this time. After a bite of these chocolate caramel almond butter oat bars, I knew that I had to make them for the blog!
The thick, chewy base of these bars is white whole wheat flour, oats, and almond butter. It’s no surprise that I love cookies with oats in them, so it shouldn’t surprise you that these bars have oats in them, as well! I love adding oats to heartier bars for their nutty flavor. The oats combined with the almond butter make these bars hard to resist!
The almond butter oat bars are then stuffed with lots of chocolate and caramel. I went with semi-sweet, but I think next time I may try dark chocolate. Other than the fact that dark chocolate is never a bad option in this house, I think the richness of the dark chocolate would go well with the almond butter.
Chewy caramel bits were added kind of as an afterthought because I wanted something that my husband would like. Since plain chocolate isn’t his thing, I knew that adding in some caramel would be good.
While I’m more about having plain chocolate, I’m glad the caramel bits were added. The sweet, chewiness of them is just what these bars needed. Though, it makes it even harder to walk by the pan without eating one!
- ¾ C almond butter (If there is any separation, make sure that the oil is thoroughly stirred in before using.)
- 3 tbsp coconut oil, melted
- ½ C brown sugar
- ¼ C sugar
- 1 egg
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- ¾ C white whole wheat flour
- ½ C + 2 tbsp oats
- 1 tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ C caramel bits
- ½ C chocolate chips
- Preheat oven to 350. Lightly spray an 8x8 or 9x9 inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray. (Bars shown were made in a 9x9)
- In the bowl of stand mixer, or with an electric mixer, beat together almond butter, coconut oil, brown sugar, and sugar until combined. Add in egg and vanilla extract. Beat until creamy.
- In a small bowl, whisk together flour, oats, baking soda, and salt. Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients and stir to combine. Stir in caramel bits and chocolate chips.
- Press dough into the bottom of prepared baking dish. Bake for 12-15 minutes or until edges just start to turn golden and center is set.
- Remove to a wire rack to cool for 10-15 minutes before cutting into bars and serving.
Kelly @ Kelly Lynns Sweets and Treats says
These sound perfect! I love the addition of caramel bits! Yum!! 🙂 xoxo
Ashley | Spoonful of Flavor says
I’m craving chocolate and these bars are perfect! I love the crunchy topping and oats.
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says
How pretty are these bars?! The chocolate and caramel combo sounds SO good. What a fun breakfast or dessert!
Lindsay @ The Live-In Kitchen says
This is my kind of treat! Seriously, everything in the title caught my eye!
Catherine says
These bars are loaded! So many fabulous flavors and textures…they are fabulous! I’d love one right now. xo
Taylor Kiser says
These bars look so delicious! I can see how they would be totally addictive! So much to love!
Zainab says
Love the sound of tiny caramel bits in the middle of these!! Pinning for later!
Ashley@CookNourishBliss says
We always have an outrageous amount of almond butter in the house so I can definitely spare some to make these bars! haha They sound delicious!
Ashley @ Wishes & Dishes says
Today is one of those days that call for a dessert! I want these!!
Erin @ The Spiffy Cookie says
I dig everything in these bars, especially the caramel 😉
Janet says
Just wondered what type of oats to use – quick cooking or old fashioned (rolled) oats? Thank you!
Jessica@A Kitchen Addiction says
You can use either, but the ones pictured use old fashioned oats. Hope that helps!
Kayle (The Cooking Actress) says
mmmm I love how chewy these bars look-and the caramel bits were a brilliant addition!