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👉 Click here to view the full recipe: Fresh-Milled Gluten Free DF Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Bars

I recently had a hankering for something sweet—but I’m also trying to limit added sugars, manage gluten and wheat restrictions in our home, and stay committed to making healthier choices. Brownies have always been one of my favorite comfort treats, but we’ve run into issues with gluten-free boxed mixes that contain canola oil, or high-starch gluten-free flour blends loaded with sugar, which send my blood sugar on a rollercoaster.

So, I did a little research and some experimenting in the kitchen. The result? These oatmeal chocolate chip bars—gluten-free, made with fresh-milled oat flour and flaxseed for extra nutrition, sweetened naturally with maple syrup and applesauce, and boosted with almond butter for a little extra protein. With just ½ cup of chocolate chips, they satisfied my chocolate craving without spiking my blood sugar!

They’re also soft, chewy, customizable, and incredibly simple to make.

If you love recipes like these that are gluten-free and made with fresh-milled flours, join our Facebook group to discover more recipes, share your own, ask questions, and learn together on this gluten-free journey. Fresh Milled Flour | Gluten Free Grains

Ingredients

• 2 cups gluten-free rolled oats (I get mine from Azure Standard)
• ¾ cup gluten-free oat flour (mill oats fresh)
• 1 tbsp ground flaxseed
• ½ tsp baking soda
• ½ tbsp cinnamon
• ¼ tsp sea salt
• 1 cup unsweetened applesauce
• ½ cup natural almond butter
• ¼ cup pure maple syrup
• ½ cup avocado oil
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Optional add-ins:

• ½ cup dark chocolate chips, cranberries, or raisins (extra sweetness)
• ¼ cup chopped nuts or seeds (extra protein)
• 1 tbsp chia seeds for (extra nutrition)

My favorite places to get high quality, gluten-free ingredients are Azure Standard and Thrive Market. You can get 40% off your first Thrive order with this link. Purchases made through our links help support this blog, thanks!

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C). Line an 8×8″ baking pan with parchment paper.
2. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the applesauce, almond butter, maple syrup, avocado oil, and vanilla until smooth.
3. Add in the rolled oats, oat flour, ground flaxseed, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt. Stir until well combined.
4. Fold in any optional add-ins like chocolate chips or nuts.
5. Spread the mixture evenly into the prepared pan and press down firmly.
6. Bake for 25 minutes, or until the edges are golden and the center is set.
7. Let cool completely in the pan before slicing into bars (this helps them firm up and hold together).
8. Store in the refrigerator for about a week, if they last that long!