Vegan Oat and Yogurt Bars with Berries and Chocolate

Many years ago—18, to be exact—I had an awakening while traveling in India.

No, I didn't suddenly think I was a hedgehog. Or Buddha.

And I didn't decide I needed to give away all my money. After six months of traveling around Asia, there wasn't much left to give away anyway.

But I did realize that, for me, becoming a better person meant no longer eating animal products.

Don't even get me started on how bleak the vegan food scene was in Israel back then.

Outside your own kitchen, the options were pretty much falafel, tahini, and a few vegetables. Vegan products at the supermarket? Forget it.

Now, 18 years later, look at all the wonderful vegan food around us.

Strauss (a major Israeli food company) recently launched a vegan yogurt-style snack called only. It grew out of The Kitchen (an Israeli food-tech incubator), which Strauss supports.

It's a wonderful initiative that deserves both recognition and support.

The product is made from oats, legumes, seeds, and fruit. That's pretty much it. No added stabilizers, food coloring, or flavorings.

I've got to tip my hat to a project like this. It matters.

And isn't it just perfect for oat and yogurt bars?

Oh, help me.

A Little About the Recipe

I spent a good while thinking about what to make with this lovely probiotic yogurt alternative.

I didn't want to bake a cake or muffins, because I wanted to keep its live probiotic cultures alive. That said, it could make a great egg substitute in baking.

So I decided on no-bake oat and yogurt bars with chocolate, berries, and, of course, only.

I used coconut oil here. If you're not a fan of the flavor—it's very subtle, I promise—you can swap in any vegetable oil you like.

For a little surprise in the middle layer, I added relatively small frozen berries, such as cranberries and raspberries. I picked out the strawberries so they wouldn't create big bumps under the chocolate topping.

I used thick rolled oats for a satisfying chew – but quick oats work, too. They'll still taste great.

When Should You Eat One?

One bar can serve as an energy snack before a tough workout. Just don't eat it right before you start, or your stomach may have a few complaints once you're moving.

Nutrition Information from Noam Bachar (an Israeli Fitness Coach and Clinical Dietitian)

One 50 g (1.8 oz) bar contains:

200 calories

4 g protein

25 g carbohydrates

6.5 g fat

Want another layered chocolate bar? Click here

Vegan Oat and Yogurt Bars

Prep Time 20 minutes

Yield 10 bars

Calories 200 kcal

Ingredients

For the Base

• 50 g (1.8 oz) dark chocolate
• 1/2 cup thick rolled oats 80 g (2.8 oz)
• 3 tablespoons coconut oil melted

For the Middle Layer

• 1 container only berry yogurt alternative 125 g (4.4 oz)
• 1 cup thick rolled oats 160 g (5.6 oz)

For the Topping

• 100 g (3.5 oz) dark chocolate
• 3 tablespoons coconut oil

Instructions

Base

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

2. Add the oil and stir well until the chocolate is smooth and fluid.

3. Add the oats and stir until they're thoroughly coated in chocolate.  

   

4. Line a baking pan, such as a loaf pan, with parchment paper. Make sure the paper covers the sides, too, so you can easily lift the bars out later. 

5. Use the back of a spoon to press the oat mixture into an even layer in the pan. 

   

Middle Layer

1. In a deep bowl, mix the oats with the only yogurt alternative  and berries until evenly combined. 

2. Make sure there aren't any large pieces of fruit in the mixture—you want an even texture. 

3. Spread the mixture over the base and smooth it with the back of a spoon. 

   

Topping

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

2. Add the oil and stir until the chocolate is smooth and fluid.

3. Pour the chocolate over the middle layer. 

   

4. Make sure the chocolate covers the entire surface evenly. 

5. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving. 

6. Cut into finger-size bars and dig in.