Vegan Oat and Yogurt Bars with Berries and Chocolate

Many years ago (18 to be exact), while traveling in India, I experienced an epiphany.

I didn't think I was a hedgehog or the Buddha.

I didn't think I needed to get rid of all my money (not that I had much left after a six-month trip to the Far East anyway).

But I realized that to become a better person, I had to stop eating animal products.

I don't even want to start telling you what a culinary wasteland the vegan scene was back then in Israel.

Aside from falafel, tahini, and some vegetables, there wasn't much to eat outside the house. Certainly not many vegan products in the supermarket.

Today, 18 years later, look at the wonderful vegan abundance all around us.

Strauss recently launched a vegan treat called Only, which grew out of "The Kitchen" technological incubator with their support.

It's a wonderful initiative worthy of support and recognition.

The treat is based on oats, legumes, seeds, and fruit. And that's pretty much it. No additives like stabilizers, food coloring, or artificial flavors and aromas.

I really have to take my hat off to such an important project.

Isn't it perfect for an Oat and Yogurt Bar?

Oh my goodness!

A bit about the recipe

I thought long and hard about what recipe to create with this wonderful probiotic treat.

I didn't want to bake a cake or muffins, so as not to destroy the probiotic bacterial cultures this treat contains (even though it can be a perfect egg substitute in baking).

Therefore, I decided to make a no-bake Oat and Yogurt Bar featuring chocolate, berries, and of course, the Only treat.

I used coconut oil in the recipe; if you don't like the taste (I promise it's very subtle), you can replace it with any vegetable oil you prefer.

To make the middle layer of the bar surprising, I added relatively small frozen berries (like cranberries and raspberries). I removed the strawberries to avoid bumps that would interfere with the top chocolate layer.

I used thick-rolled oats to give it a good bite—you can also substitute with quick oats. It will still be delicious.

How to eat it?

One bar can serve as an energy snack before a tough workout (just make sure you don't eat it too close to the session, or you might feel some stomach discomfort during exercise).

Nutritional values by fitness coach and clinical dietitian Noam Bachar:

One 50g bar contains:

200 calories

4g protein

25g carbohydrates

6.5g fat

Want another layered chocolate snack? Click here

Print

Oat and Yogurt Bar

Prep Time 20 minutes

Servings 10 bars

Calories 200 kcal

Ingredients

For the base

• 50 g dark chocolate
• 1/2 cup thick-rolled oats 80g
• 3 tbsp coconut oil liquefied

For the middle layer

• 1 unit Only berry treat 125g
• 1 cup thick-rolled oats 160g

For the top layer

• 100 g dark chocolate
• 3 tbsp coconut oil

Instructions

Base

1. Melt the chocolate in the microwave in 30-second pulses. 

2. Add the oil and mix well until the chocolate is smooth and liquid.

3. Add the oats and mix until the oats are thoroughly coated in chocolate.  

   

4. Line an English cake tin (loaf pan) with parchment paper, making sure it covers the sides so the bars can be easily removed later. 

5. Flatten the oat mixture into the bottom of the tin using the back of a spoon. 

   

Middle Layer

1. In a deep bowl, mix the oats with the Only treat and berries until a uniform mixture is formed. 

2. Ensure there are no very large fruit pieces in the mixture - aim for consistency. 

3. Spread the mixture over the base layer and flatten it using the back of a spoon. 

   

Top Layer

1. Melt the chocolate in the microwave in 30-second pulses. 

2. Add the oil and mix until the chocolate is smooth and liquid.

3. Pour the chocolate over the middle layer. 

   

4. Ensure the chocolate evenly coats the entire tin. 

5. Refrigerate for at least one hour before serving. 

6. Cut into bars and enjoy!