Almond Butter Chocolate Chip Zucchini Bars Recipe
These Almond Butter Chocolate Chip Zucchini Bars are a wholesome and delicious treat perfect for snacks, breakfast, or dessert. Packed with rolled oats, almond butter, and fresh zucchini, these bars offer a moist texture and a subtly sweet flavor enhanced by chocolate chips. They are naturally sweetened with maple syrup and medjool dates, providing a nutritious alternative to traditional baked goods.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 9-12 bars (depending on size of cut) 1x
- Category: Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups rolled oats
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- pinch of kosher salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1/4 cup + 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/4 cup almond butter
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
- 8 medjool dates, pitted
- 2 eggs
- 1–2 zucchini, grated and squeezed once (about 2 cups total, divided)
Toppings
- Chocolate chips (optional, for topping)
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Set aside about half of the grated zucchini and chocolate chips to stir in later.
- Blend the batter: In a blender or food processor, combine the oats, olive oil, almond butter, maple syrup, pitted medjool dates, eggs, baking soda, salt, and half of the grated zucchini. Blend everything until a smooth-ish batter forms.
- Combine and pour: Stir in the reserved grated zucchini and chocolate chips into the batter. Pour the mixture into a square baking dish (9×9 inches or similar).
- Bake the bars: Bake in the preheated oven for 30-40 minutes, until the top is golden brown and gently springs back when pressed.
- Cool and serve: For clean cuts, let the bars cool completely. They can be enjoyed warm immediately or stored in the refrigerator to be served cold. These bars make a versatile snack for any time of the day.
Notes
- To prevent sogginess, make sure to squeeze excess moisture from the grated zucchini.
- Medjool dates add natural sweetness and moisture; make sure they are pitted before blending.
- Chocolate chips are optional, and you can adjust the amount to taste or omit for a dairy-free version.
- Store bars in the refrigerator for up to 5 days and reheat gently if preferred warm.
- Use a 9×9 inch baking dish for best results; adjust baking time slightly for different sizes.
Keywords: almond butter, chocolate chip, zucchini bars, healthy snack, oat bars, gluten free alternative, baked bars, natural sweetener
