Vegan Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies and Bars

Vegan Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Walnut Bars

Some people have signature dishes. If I had to choose one from my kitchen, it would have to be Chocolate Chip Cookies. This recipe is a direct descendant of the Nestle Toll House Semi-Sweet package, the non-vegan kind.

Mostly, I make cookies. Sometimes it is nice to make bars instead. They are incredibly easy to make.  They do have a different texture than cookies, yet, they are equally yummy!

Egg Substitutes and a Note About Oatmeal

Any egg substitute will work for these bars. This particular recipe lists applesauce because it works well, and I think it gives them a wonderful chewy texture.  Aquafaba, or chia, hemp, or flax seeds mixed with water can be used when making them into cookies. The chart on this page has more information about making an egg substitute.
The amount of oatmeal can be increased by up to another 1/2 cup if desired, as it will not change the recipe too much if you are using white flour. Use what you like and enjoy your dessert!

Whole Wheat or All-Purpose Flour?

If you are new to using whole wheat in your baked goods, I recommend transitioning to whole wheat by using a combination of All-Purpose and White Whole Wheat or Whole Wheat Pastry flour. If you and your family enjoy the deeper flavor and the bit of nutty-like goodness of whole wheat then use 100% whole wheat from the start. Because this recipe has oatmeal in it, the whole wheat doesn't seem to make abnormally heavy cookies. My kids grew up with whole wheat in their cookies and they prefer them to white flour cookies.  They make you feel fuller, faster, so that you don't eat the whole batch at one time.

Vegan Chocolate Chips

About a year and a half ago we discovered that the gigantic bags of Kirkland brand Chocolate Chips were accidentally vegan.  It was a Major Find for my family because we really like chocolate in our baked goods.  Then they changed the recipe and they now have milkfat in them. This put us back on the search for vegan chocolate chips. As of October 2019, here are some other vegan options that were easily found in large supermarkets.

Vegan Chocolate Chips from Nestle

Vegan Chocolate Chips 

Vegan Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Bars

Set your oven to 365 degrees (adjust the temperature according to how your oven bakes).

Ingredients

1 cup plant-based butter - softened

¾ cup granulated sugar

¾ cup brown sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

½ cup applesauce

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon baking soda

2 ¼ cups flour (whole wheat pastry, white whole wheat (soft wheat,) and/or all-purpose flour)

1 1/2 cups oatmeal

1 package of dairy-free chocolate chips (11-12 ounces)

1 cup chopped walnuts (for extra flavor, toast them at 350 degrees for 5 minutes)

Cream butter and sugars together to make a smooth, soft paste.  Add vanilla and applesauce. Stir to thoroughly combine. Add salt, baking soda, and flour. Mix until dry items are no longer visible. Stir in oatmeal, chocolate chips, and walnuts.  If you don't like walnuts, use pecans. Bake for 20-28 minutes - until a medium golden brown on top and a toothpick comes out not super gooey. For thicker bars, use a 7 x 11-inch pan. For thinner bars use a 9 x 13-inch or a standard bar pan which is 15 x 10 inches. Reduce the baking time when cooking in a larger pan.

It should be a little bit gooey coming out of the oven

Enjoy!
Beverly

20 Quick Vegan Snacks

Apples with crunchy peanut butter

Some people can get through the day without a snack. I am not one of those people!  There are times that I would rather eat snacks than a meal.  Yes, that isn't healthy. But it doesn't have to be very unhealthy if you choose snacks that are good for you.  This list, below, includes some of my family's favorites.  The asterisked items will have plant-based recipes to follow very shortly. Please check back soon!

Click to enlarge

You might be wondering about the inclusion of some of the items on a 'healthy' list.  Some studies show dark chocolate, in moderation, is not a bad thing. If you pile on the salsa (the healthy part of the snack) onto a baked or low sodium tortilla chip, then it isn't an unhealthy snack. And once again, moderation.  Lastly, Chocolate Chip Oatmeal bars are made with some whole wheat flour and walnuts.  This doesn't make them magically healthy. However, they are a healthier alternative to traditional Chocolate Chip cookies made with butter, eggs, white flour, and no added nuts.  With all things, please do what is best for your own health and dietary goals.

From my kitchen,

Beverly

Waiting for my Pampered Chef kit to arrive...

I am working on some graphics to compare various food products, such as flours, beans, and oils, to share with you soon. However, in the meantime let this little Pampered Chef video entertain you. If you have thoughts of starting a side hustle or to work as your main gig, let me know! This special is good through October 2019.

Why Pampered Vegan?

My goal is to help new cooks learn the basics of cooking and to share delicious recipes with everyone.

On the Hood River County Fruit Loop Oct. 2019

My youngest daughter eats a plant-based diet. She is my 'pampered vegan'. I spend a lot of time researching and developing or modifying recipes so that the whole family (both vegan and carnivore) will enjoy them. Food waste is also a concern of mine so I try to use up everything we buy.

This Apple Wedger is at least 15 years old!

Cooking economically, plant-based, and easy to prepare foods has been a way of life for a long time. Having the right tools makes it easy and enjoyable! I have been using Pampered Chef products for almost 20 years. Because I know how well they hold up in my busy kitchen, I thought it would be fun to share my experience with others. And, I wanted some new products to share, too!

Welcome to my kitchen and please stop back for more content very soon!

Beverly