I was the mom who tried to keep packaged and processed foods away from my daughter when she was younger. However, due to my love for nuts, Nutella always managed to find its way into our kitchen. She adored spreading Nutella on toast, and I would often bake with it, including making these Chewy Oat Squares. This is an old post ( 2011) for which I re took the photos and uploaded a video.
Packed with Nutella, honey, dates, apricots, pumpkin seeds, flax meal, and coconut slices, these Oat squares hit the spot when you need a simple yet satisfying dessert. Plus, they are not too sweet. This is the recipe I’ve been making for years, and it has never failed me yet!
These chewy Oat Squares are made with old-fashioned oats. If you a need nut-free Oat bars, simply replace the almonds with seeds. As far as the apricots and coconut slices, I recommend the unsweetened dried kind. I couldn’t find the unsweetened cranberries but the one I used in this recipe are sweetened with apple juice.
It’s a great mid-morning snack for all ages. They are also perfect for before or after-school school snack or workouts – the oats, nuts, and dried fruit provide long-lasting energy. I highly suggest you make a batch and have snack ready for your family. They keep well in an airtight container in a cool place for up to 2-3 weeks. When the weather is warm it is best to keep them in the refrigerator.
Ingredients
- 3 cups gluten free rolled oats
- 1/2 cup oat flour
- 2tbsp ground flax seeds
- 1 cup sliced almonds
- 1/2 cup pumpkin seeds
- 3/4 cup unsweetened thick shredded coconut
- 7 medjool dates, chopped
- 3/4 cup chopped apricots,
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries
- 1/2 cup Nutella
- 1/2 cup ( -2 tbsp) honey
- 1/4 cup golden brown sugar
- 6 tbsp butter
- 2 tsp pure vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat the oven at 300 degrees f. Line a baking sheet with foil. Spread the oats, oat flour, sliced almonds, ground flax seeds, pumpkin seeds and shredded coconut onto the cookie sheet. Place in the oven for 15 minutes stirring occasionally.
- Line a 9.5×13" baking pan with a parchment paper. Make sure to leave some overhang to make it easier to lift the baked block out of the pan.
- When the oat mixture bake is going on, combine the honey, brown sugar, butter and vanilla extract in a wok or saucepan and place over medium heat.
- Stir until the brown sugar is completely dissolved. Add Nutella and mix nicely. Turn off the heat.
- Once the oat mixture gets slightly roasted add it to the honey mixture.
- Add the dried fruits as well and stir to combine.
- Spread the mixture in the prepared baking pan and press down evenly distributing the mixture. Press with your hands really well or with a flat bottomed bowl. Bake at 300 degrees F for 20 to 25 minutes or until golden brown. Remove the baking pan from the oven and allow to cool completely.
- After about one hour, holding the parchment paper lift the granola mixture and place it on chopping board. Using a sharp knife cut into squares. Don’t worry if small pieces fall apart. If you want perfect squares chill the pan in the fridge for 30 minutes.
- Wrap every single square in cling wrap or store between parchment paper in an airtight container in a cool place.
Malti
Hi
They look healthy and wonderful. I am sure they would be good for kids with Nutella in it.
Kelly
These look so good and great to have on hand for a nice snack.
kranthi
it is so healthy and delicious too. i will definetely try for my son….
Balvinder ( Neetu)
Hi Kranti,
If your son is like my daughter who can eat nutella and bread everyday in breakfast then you might have to add chocolate chips in place of raisins to substitute for cocoa.
ratna
Hey My girls loved them very much.
easyfoodsmith
Healthy and yummy!! Nice post!
angiesrecipes
They look so tempting with all the seeds and dried fruit.
Marcela
They look so good!!…I can imagine they disappear the same day you make them!!….delicious!!…..Abrazotes, Marcela
Marcela
Hi Balvinder! you have many options for replacing squid. You can use mushrooms, vegetables, and chicken among others. However, proportions and cooking time might be different. There is a youtube channel that is very good and has many options for paella. You enter “paella” in this channel, and it will bring you different alternatives. This is the channel https://www.youtube.com/@SpainonaFork I hope it helps!!
Balvinder
Thank You for the suggestion. I’ll check the link.
Pattie
These look tasty! I love nutty, seedy things like this. I’m not a fan of Nutella, but I do love Crunchie spread, so I think I would substitute that.