Choc Chip Oat Bars

I’ve been experimenting with a homemade version of the Koja brand bars and after a few test runs, I think I’ve finally nailed the texture.

These Choc Chip Oat Bars are soft, slightly chewy, and sweetened naturally with honey. They're perfect for lunchboxes, after-school snacks, or a quick bite with a cup of tea.

This version is simple, but you can easily customise it - try adding hemp seeds, collagen powder, or dried fruit. They're dairy-free, egg-free, and nut-free, which makes them a great option for school lunchboxes.

A quick note on oats & gluten: Oats are naturally free from gluten, but in Australia they cannot be labelled gluten-free due to the way they're processed — even certified oats carry a risk of cross-contamination with wheat. If you're coeliac or strictly avoiding gluten, please check with your healthcare provider before including oats in your diet. For those who tolerate oats, choosing a brand that uses dedicated GF facilities will minimise the risk.

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Choc Chip Oat Bars

Gluten free, dairy free, nut free, egg free

Makes 12-16 bars (depending on the size you cut them)

Ingredients:

(Feel free to halve it for a smaller batch)

• 4 cups rolled oats

• ¼ tsp fine sea salt

• ⅔ cup honey

• ⅔ cup coconut oil

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

• ½ cup dark chocolate chips

Instructions:

• Line a 20cm x 20cm tin with baking paper.

• Gently melt honey + coconut oil. Stir in vanilla.

• Add oats + salt to a food processor. Pour in wet mix and pulse until you reach a slightly broken-down texture.

• Fold in choc chips.

• Press firmly into the tin.

• Bake at 160°C for 15–20 mins (or less if halving) until golden on the edges and soft in the centre.

• Cool completely (I leave overnight) before slicing.

• Store in fridge up to 2 weeks or freeze.

  Notes:

• The Koja bars use rice malt syrup which gives them a slightly different flavour so feel free to swap the honey for your preferred sweetener.

I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as I do! If you give it a try, leave a comment below and let me know how it turned out—or tag me over on Instagram @its_scarlett_lee so I can see your creations!

If you need more lunchbox inspiration, my ‘What’s For Lunch’ ebook is full of my favourite gluten free, dairy free and nut free lunchbox recipes. Click here to check it out.