The question before me was what dessert recipe could I make that was vegan and also suitable for a picnic. I had already recently made my vegan banana bread recipe, so I wanted to go with something different. Instead, I decided to make this Oatmeal No Bake Cookies recipe, but with a twist.
Now, the original recipe calls for butter and milk. To veganize it, I used canola oil and almond milk instead. Plus, this healthy dessert recipe is perfect for a summer picnic. It requires no baking, so you don’t heat up the house when making these. Also, because it has no eggs, butter, or milk in it, you don’t have to worry as much if these get left outside of a refrigerator for a while. Even if you are not vegan, these No Bake Chocolate Oatmeal Bars are simply delectable!
Recipe: No Bake Chocolate Oatmeal Bars
Ingredients:
1-cup canola oil
1/2 cup almond milk
2 cups oats (go with gluten free oats if needed)
1/2-cup sugar or sugar substitute
3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
Instructions:
In a saucepan over medium heat, combine the oil, almond milk, sugar, and cocoa powder. Stir to combine thoroughly.
Once the mixture is boiling, let it continue boiling for about two minutes. Then, combine the mixture with the oats and pour into a greased baking pan.
Cover, then let the pan cool, preferably in the freezer for a few hours or overnight in the refrigerator.
Once everything has settled and cooled, cut into bars, and enjoy!
Quick Notes:
Be sure to keep these cool, as the chocolate can melt. Also, the original recipe calls for quick oats. I used old-fashioned oats and was still very happy with the result. Also, be sure to individually wrap everything before taking these with you on a picnic.
Variations:
Of course, feel free to use an equivalent amount of melted butter and milk in this recipe should you choose. Also, I think soymilk or coconut milk would have also been excellent choices for this recipe, as would have peanut oil.
Diet type: Vegan
Diet (other): Low calorie, Reduced fat, Gluten free
Meal type: Dessert
I am not a huge dessert person, but I absolutely loved these vegan treats. The oats help to add some heft to these bars, and I’m positive no one would guess that they were vegan. No bake recipes like this one are perfect if you are not a big baker. Outside of that banana bread, I don’t bake much so this recipe worked splendidly for me.
Your turn: Have you ever made a no bake dessert? What did you make?
