Easy Chocolate Pretzel Bars
These 9-ingredient, gluten-free, Chocolate Pretzel Bars are so easy to make. Throw all the ingredients in a blender, spoon them into a baking tray, and boom ~ deliciousness delivered! And, what’s more, these bars are made with dates and coconut oil, which kind of makes them on the healthyish side ~ at least that is what I like to think.
**This post made it’s appearance on the blog in March 2017. It has since been updated with new content and is being republished on here today.**
These easy chocolate pretzel bars are simply heavenly. I am not sure what it is about the blend of the oats, coconut oil, dates, eggs, and milk – but they just jive so well together. Especially when they are baked up studded with pretzels and chocolate chips.
Over the past few years, I have made these bars more times than I can count. They have served as an afterschool snack when my daughter was younger. They have been our go-to snack for long road trips. And, these days, they serve me well as a tasty everyday breakfast or snack.
And these bars are so easy to make.
What are the ingredients needed to make these easy chocolate pretzel bars?
The 9 ingredients needed to make these bars are:
1) Gluten-free Rolled oats,
2) Dates,
3) Coconut oil,
4) Eggs,
5) Almond milk,
6) Vanilla Extract,
7) Salt,
8) Chocolate chips, and
9) Gluten-free pretzels.
You probably already have these ingredients in your kitchen, so making these bars are as easy as gathering and measuring out the ingredients. Adding them to a blender, and then pouring the mixture into a baking tray and setting it to bake for 30-35 minutes. And these bars are ready to enjoy!
The first time I shared the recipe for these bars on here (back in March, 2017), my daughter and I were heading on a road trip to Greenville, South Carolina.
I adore cake! So, when my friend and fellow blogger, Allie (from Through Her Looking Glass), mentioned how wonderful the chocolate cake at Brick Street Cafe was, well, there was only one thing to do.
And…that was to take a road trip to taste and see for myself!
I managed to talk my daughter into joining me on a drive up to Greenville, South Carolina, to enjoy some of that Brick Street Chocolate Cake! Yes, a lot of the trips my daughter and I venture out on are governed by food ~ but, can you blame us? Look at this cake!
And, y’all, that chocolate cake didn’t disappoint!
It was good! Great, even!
But, so was the coconut cake, the sweet potato cake and the German chocolate cake.
Yes, we had cake for lunch AND for dessert.
We hadn’t packed anything else to munch on so figured why not!
After getting totally caked, the thought of jumping back in our car and sitting still for 2+ hours on the drive back was almost unbearable
Besides, I knew that when that sugar high wore off, I’d be super sleepy! And, for some weird reason, when I get sleepy when I’m driving, I need to guzzle water. Loading up on h20 somehow manages to keep me awake. But, as luck may have it (total sarcasm here) we hadn’t packed any water to bring along!
No water and no snacks!
Ayyyyyeeeee!!!!
But, live and learn – right?
Now when we travel, we have an assortment of beverages on hand and healthy treats like these Chocolate Pretzel Bars as well!
Adaptations to making these Chocolate Pretzel Bars:
Recently, I made two batches of these Chocolate Pretzel Bars.
I sweetened one batch with medjool dates instead of sugar and employed coconut oil in it in-place of butter. So, other than the chocolate chips, this first batch was refined sugar free. If you are watching your sugar intake, you can use sugar-free chocolate chips instead.
I made another batch with brown sugar instead of dates and half butter and half coconut oil. I didn’t get to taste the second batch as I took it to my daughter’s school and ended up bringing home an empty tray – so, I guess it’s safe to say my daughter’s classmates enjoyed them.
I can attest to the fact that that first batch is so ridiculously good – and easy to make, similar to these Peanut butter oat bars.
If you have some oats, eggs, coconut oil, dates, chocolate chips, and pretzels in your pantry, you can easily whip up a batch of these with the help of your blender and oven!
Slightly crunchy and less crumbly than the second batch – this easy chocolate pretzel bars are not only wonderful road trip food, but are just as delightful with a cup of tea or coffee for breakfast or dessert.
Thanks so much for stopping by. If you make this recipe, please let me know in the comments below what you think of it, or tag your creation on social media with @savoryspin or #savoryspin. For more fusion, spice-filled, recipe ideas, please subscribe and follow me on Facebook, Instagram, and/or Pinterest!
Ingredients
- 2 cups rolled oats
- 1 cup mejdool dates or you can substitute 1 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup coconut oil melted, or, you can use 1/4 cup butter and 1/4 cup coconut oil
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 2 eggs at room temperature
- 1/2 cup almond milk at room temperature
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 1/2 cup chocolate chips I used a mix of milk and semi sweet
- 1/2 cup roughly broken pretzels
Instructions
- Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees.
- Melt the coconut oil by placing it in a microwave safe dish and microwaving for 30 seconds.
- Prep a 8×8 or 9×9 inch baking tray but spraying with oil and then placing parchment into it.
- Add the dates to a bowl of warm water and let soak a few minutes till soft (if water is hot it takes about 3-5 minutes, unless dates are super dry, then might take 10 minutes).
- Place the rolled outs in a blender and pulse till oats resemble oat flour.
- Add the softened dates, melted coconut oil, eggs, salt, and vanilla to the blender and pulse till well incorporated.
- Add in the pretzels and chocolate chips and, using a spatula, mix till evenly distributed.
- Pour mix into parchment lined baking tray and bake for 30-35 minutes.
- Let cool and, if so desired, melt 2 ounces of good quality chocolate and drizzle on top and enjoy!
Refined sugar free and good fat…wonderful!
Love all of these road trip ideas….and these bars, oh my word! They look so delicious!
I want to travel with you!! I just get in the car and drive, no treats, no stops unless essential. I’m going to have to start travelling like you do – much more fun. GG
So I definitely have had some late-night road trips in my day…granted that day was a long time ago, but still. I get it! These tips are great…and I do love to keep a bottle of water handy while driving on a long trip. But now I’m going to have to keep a bottle of water AND some of these chocolate pretzel bars handy. I love chocolate-covered pretzels, so I know these bars are right up my alley. Salty + sweet is how I like to roll when it comes to desserts! And these are in bar form, so they’re easy to eat, too! Make sure to make a double batch for your roadtrip when you move up here. 😉
Shashi, you are making me want to go on a road trip just so I can eat!!!! For reals! I drink water like it’s going out of style. So much water, all the time. It is alwaaaaays with me. I have to be careful not to drink too much while on the road, though…..cause pee breaks 😉 There’s this little mom and pop shop restaurant not far from where I grew up, but a little ways away from where I live now and they have the BEST fries…well fries with dressing (aka stuffing) and gravy as we like to have around here. I would make a special trip to pick some of that up. Love it smothered in vinegar, but you know we can’t eat that kind of thing every day! Imagine if calories didn’t count? A girl can dream, right?? Now these bars? Aaaaamazing! Totally pinning. Digging all the sweet/salty flavours you have going on here and can’t wait to try. I wouldn’t even need to go on a road trip to enjoy these 😉 Have a wonderful upcoming weekend, my friend! xo
These look delicious! When I was younger and driving a long distance by myself, especially at night, I would stop and indulge in one of those crazy sugar-filled “lattes” you get at 7-11s. Insane, but it did the trick! These look like a much healthier option – far better suited to me now as a mama. 🙂
So yeah. BOOKMARKING to my “Maybe Mr. Picky Pants Will Like This Recipe” pinterest board… HAHAHAH! 😉
My husband and I have a favorite restaurant 2 hours from our house. We drive up every other year for our anniversary. #client
I’m always looking for new travel snacks and these look perfect. Thank you for sharing.
Wow it is so hard to believe that these are actually “healthy”. They sound divine…and totally addictive for sure. I love using my blender too. Makes things easier and faster in the kitchen.
these bars look absolutely amazing, but I also LOVE your packing tipss!
Salty pretzels marry perfectly with chocolate, don’t they? Love that flavor combo! These look great — thanks.
ohhhhhhh my goodness! Chocolate covered pretzels are one of my favorite desserts ever and these look INCREDIBLE! Just pinned to make soon!
The combinations of pretzels and chocolate always warms my little heart. You and your daughter know how to live. Cake for lunch and dessert, yes please 😉 I’m loving your road trip essentials list. Great Post 🙂 Thanks for sharing
You drove to SC for cake?! You SHOULD have kept the car ride going (after getting your fill of cake of course) and visited me in NC! I would have fed you! <3 So how far have I gone for my love of food? Hmmm. I don't know to be honest. I've never driven HOURS for food. Although I have contemplating flying back home to Orlando JUST to eat at my favorite sushi restaurant. I've never done it though! Oh, one of boy and I's favorite restaurants here is about 50 minutes away, and we will make that drive! Does that count?!? 😉 Anyways, speaking of the Boy, he LOOOVES chocolate covered pretzels, so I KNOW he will love these! Plus I will love that they are actually HEALTHY for him!! Love that you sweetened them with dates! And only 8 ingredients?! I GOT THIS! Cheers, dear! xo
These look so ahhmazing and totally addicting! Wishing I could reach through this screen and grab a couple! Yum!
These healthy chocolate pretzel bars are just awesome. I am definitely going to make these pretzels when I will plan for the road trip. Loved the Road Trip Essentials tips also. Thanks 🙂
They look so addictive yet I wouldn’t feel guilty eating them! I love how healthy this recipe is
Hey my friend – so now you got me thinking about that Brick Street Chocolate Cake again!!! And the sweet potato one too. GAH!!!! For me it would be about a twenty hour drive for a slice, and then I’d need to have a few panfuls of these amazing chocolate pretzel bars for the drive home…and lots of Nestle bottled water to boot!!! Love that you sweetened these bars with dates. That drizzled chocolate!!! You and your daughter know how to love, that’s for sure. XOXO
I meant to say you know now to live. But perhaps that was a little Freudian slip? 🙂
I’m addicted to Pretzels Shash.
That’s one snack that I Lynne knows if she buys a packet I’ll be finishing it within the hour!
But I think baking these delicious and healthy chocolate pretzel bars could mean I would eat less of the Pretzels, as they would be needed for this recipe!
Oh, and for long trips, like you I’m a water guzzler too! 🙂
Haha, your “getting totally caked” made me laugh, Shashi! This should be in all idiomatic dictionaries:) We’re not that easy-going to travel just looking for a specific food, but when we’re planning a trip, we always check what kind of local deliciousness this place is famous for. And you’re totally right about these snacks when it comes to a trip – we always have some fruit or nuts. I don’t know why, but road trips make us crave for something dangerously unhealthy like donuts (And it’s normally not one or two donuts – it’s a packed box!). That’s why it’s a good idea to have some homemade stuff like these bars. Made with oats and figs, there’s my huge YES! Perfect treats!
Ah, I love the addition of dates here to sweeten these bars. I mean chocolate-covered pretzels are a favorite of mine, so of course I’m going to love bars that feature those flavors! A batch of these would NOT be safe around here. 🙂
We often travel to visit family early in the morning so these will be perfect as part of our picnic breakfast!