These cookie bars are good enough to eat for dinner. Let me explain…
On Friday, I spent the entire day at Ironman Florida in Panama City Beach doing research for school. You know things could be worse in life when you’re talking to triathletes at the beach. Anyway… by the time I got home, I was exhausted and starving, but Bill Clinton was in town speaking. I won’t discuss politics here, but I think most of us can agree you shouldn’t pass up the opportunity to see a former president of the United States. So I inhaled one of these cookie bars and grabbed 2 more for the road to tide me over.
For the record, I ate a ‘formal’ dinner of ice cream when I got home. 
#nutritionchampion
There really isn’t anything extravagant about these bars. They’re simply my oatmeal raisin cookie recipe in bar form… but I omitted the raisins and added salted sunflower seeds (and a handful of pumpkin seeds, ’tis the season) which makes for the ultimate sweet and savory, on-the-go treat.
In addition to Friday night’s dinner, I’ve been snacking on these for the past week… they’re great on their own, crumbled over a cup of Chobani, etc. You really can’t go wrong.
Soft oatmeal chocolate chip cookie bars with a salty crunch from sunflower seeds. If you’d like, you can add other mix-ins such as pumpkin seeds or dried fruit. Makes about 30 bars Prep time: 15 minutes Cook time: 25 to 30 minutes Heat the oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 13×9-inch baking pan with nonstick cooking spray. In a large mixing bowl, beat the butter and sugar until creamy. Add the yogurt, eggs, and vanilla; beat until smooth. In a separate mixing bowl, stir the baking powder, salt, flour, and oats. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until blended. Stir in the sunflower seeds. Spread the cookie dough into the prepared pan. Spread the chocolate chips over the cookie dough; press lightly into the cookie dough. Bake 25 to 30 minutes, or until the bars are golden brown. Allow the bars to cool completely before cutting.
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Oats, sunflower seeds, chocolate chips and Chob – I can get into these!
Might as well throw in the kitchen sink while I’m at it, right?
sweet and salty – i don’t think i’d be able to STOP eating these. I LOVE oatmeal bars Liz! lots of chob, lots of chocolate. It doesn’t get any better for a monday morning lol.
Monday mornings definitely require a little something extra! Maybe Tuesdays too…
I think I might try this with a flavored Greek yogurt — strawberry, perhaps — to give it a little edge
Yes, try a flavored yogurt! If you do, maybe cut the granulated sugar to 2/3 or 1/2 cup.
These bars look fantastic! I love that they have sunflower seeds.
I’m kind of in love with these – they’re chock full of so many of my favorite things! Can’t wait to give them a try!
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