Here’s a sweet treat for yourself filled with natural sweetness. This Chocolate & Date Baked Oats recipe is very similar to the Protein Chocolate Brownie recipe I created some time ago. The main difference would be, this recipe is even easier as you don’t need to use a blender at all.
It’s a healthy snack recipe with no added oil, butter, or sugar. These are the best bites with your afternoon coffee to recharge your day.
Protein and calories
These Chocolate & Date Baked Oats are naturally sweetened with dates to lower the sugar content and keep them healthy.
One serve of these baked oats gives you about a good 10g of protein and 330 calories.
Ingredient notes
Rolled oats
We’re gonna use just the regular rolled oats here. Use them whole without grinding. Thanks to the low GI nature of the oats, they help to make these tasty snacks digest slow and release of consistent energy.
Dates
Dates are the natural sweetener in this recipe. Get the pitted dates, these are the dates with seeds removed.
You’ll need to mash the dates using a masher. If you don’t have a masher, you can also use a regular fork. You may microwave them for a few seconds to soften them to make the mashing easier.
Milk
I am using oat milk in this recipe. Oat milk adds a nice creamy flavour to the snacks, plus it’s vegan friendly. Feel free to use a regular milk as well if you don’t have oat milk.
Cocoa powder and chocolate chips
Please use the sugar free cocoa powder. You may adjust the amount to suit the flavour for you. Use half the amount if you want to make the chocolate flavour lighter.
If you don’t have chocolate chips or don’t want to add them, you can replace them with raisins as well.
Nuts
I would say nuts are essential to make these protein rich snacks. I am using walnuts as they really match with the chocolate flavour. If you don’t have walnuts, the second best thing to use would be the almonds.
I usually get the raw almonds and roast them myself to get the freshness. You can also get the roasted ones from the supermarket but let me tell you, freshly roasting them makes a big difference.
Protein powder
Protein powder is absolutely optional but it’s good for boosting the total protein amount in these baked oats. I’m adding a small amount of it though. I recommend using casein protein powder.
Alternatives
- Don’t like chocolate flavour? Make Apple & Oats Bake
- Don’t want to bake in the oven? Check out No-bake Peanut Butter Oat Bars
Recipe
Chocolate & Date baked oats
Ingredients
- 200 g rolled oats
- 200 g pitted dates
- ¼ cup cocoa powder
- 100 g walnut
- 500 ml oat milk
- ¼ cup protein powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ¼ cup dark chocolate chips
Instructions
- Roast the walnuts if not already roasted and crush them on a board using a knife.
- Preheat the oven to 180°C /350°F and line a baking tray with parchment paper.In a large microwave-safe bowl, add the dates and pour in the milk. Microwave the mixture for about 2-3 minutes.200 g pitted dates, 500 ml oat milk
- Using a potato masher, mash the dates until you achieve a smooth mixture.
- Add the dry ingredients to the bowl and mix well.¼ cup cocoa powder, ¼ cup protein powder, 1 tsp salt, 1 tsp baking powder
- Next, add the rolled oats, half of the walnuts.200 g rolled oats, 100 g walnut
- And add half of the dark chocolate chips. Combine all the ingredients thoroughly.¼ cup dark chocolate chips
- Transfer the mixture into the prepared baking tray and use a spatula to spread it evenly and smooth out the surface.
- For a fun part, sprinkle the remaining walnuts and chocolate chips on top. Gently press them down with the spatula.Your Date baked oats are now ready to bake.100 g walnut, ¼ cup dark chocolate chips
- Bake at 180 °C / 350 °F for 20-25 minutes or check by inserting a toothpick—if it comes out clean, the baked oats are ready. If not, bake for a few more minutes.
- Once done, remove the baked oats from the oven and let them cool for a few minutes.
- Slice them into your desired size and enjoy with your coffee!
