Healthy Double Chocolate Granola Bar Bites

 
A few weeks ago, my neighbor texted me to see if I needed anything from the specialty health foods grocery store across town. She explained how her three-year-old daughter refused to eat almost anything except chocolate, so she was headed over there to pick up groceries to make a new chocolate snack recipe she found online.  

Later that afternoon, she texted me an update: her daughter liked the first bite! Yet after she saw her parents’ jubilant excitement over her verdict… She immediately turned her smile upside down and refused to eat any more.

Oops.
 

 
So to help my neighbors, I started brainstorming chocolate recipe ideas. According to them, the breakfasts or snacks needed to be pure chocolate… Otherwise, their daughter simply picked out the chocolate chips and left the rest of the plain muffin, scone, or snack cake completely untouched.

Last weekend, I tested out the first idea that popped into my head and walked down the street carrying a paper plate covered with chocolate snack squares. As soon as she saw me, the little girl asked her standard question. “Do you have chocolate?”

I laughed and showed her the plate. “I want to try one!” she exclaimed while reaching for a piece. As she chewed, her mom asked if she liked the snack… And she nodded and finished the next few bites too!
 

 
Her mom carried the plate inside, and I promised to send along the recipe. I continued to chat with her parents for another 15 or 20 minutes as they kept a watchful eye on their daughter riding her little scooter and bicycle up and down our deserted street.

At that point, the little girl insisted on going inside. We assumed she needed to use the restroom, so I helped her unbuckle her bicycle helmet and waved good-bye. A few minutes later, my phone buzzed with another text from her mom…

They had walked inside to find her seated on the couch, the plate of chocolate snacks on her lap, each little square disappearing into her mouth faster than you could say, “Chocolate!”
 

 
The snack on that plate I delivered? These healthy double chocolate granola bar bites! They taste as chocolaty as brownies, yet they’re super simple to make. You just need a handful of ingredients and 10 minutes of prep time!

And judging by my little neighbor’s reaction… These soft-baked granola bar bites are definitely kid and adult approved!
 

HOW TO MAKE HEALTHY DOUBLE CHOCOLATE GRANOLA BAR BITES

Let’s talk about how to make these healthy double chocolate granola bar bites!

You’ll actually start with egg whites. No oil or butter in these healthy granola bars! The egg whites bind the granola bars together, and they add a protein boost, too. You’ll also mix in Greek yogurt, which keeps these healthy chocolate granola bar bites soft and moist while also increasing the protein content.

Low calorie granola bars + lots of protein + soft and chewy texture = my favorite combination!

Next, you’ll stir in pure maple syrup to sweeten your healthy double chocolate granola bars, along with a pinch of salt. You want the kind of maple syrup that comes directly from maple trees! The only ingredient on the label should be “pure maple syrup.” It’s typically sold in this glass bottles or squat plastic jugs (like this!).
 

 
Time for the first chocolate component: unsweetened cocoa powder! I use this one the most. Because you’re adding an entire ½ cup, these healthy chocolate granola bars taste extra chocolaty, really similar to brownies!

Tip: Leave the Dutched cocoa powder and special dark cocoa powder on your shelf! These have a different acidity level, which affects the flavor and texture of baked goods. They also taste much more muted in this recipe. Regular unsweetened cocoa powder yields a stronger, richer, and much better chocolate flavor in these granola bar bites!

I briefly considered using just ¼ cup of cocoa powder… But when I remembered that this little girl adores chocolate as much as I do, I added ½ cup instead to be safe. Based on how much she loved them — and how quickly they disappeared — that was definitely a good decision!
 

 
You’ll use both old-fashioned rolled oats and crisp brown rice cereal (I like this kind) in these healthy chocolate granola bars. The oats provide that classic hearty texture, while the rice cereal adds a more chewy texture. I love pairing them together in my granola bar recipes and regular granola recipes!

Tip: If you’d like to make your healthy chocolate granola bars gluten-free, then used certified gluten-free old-fashioned rolled oats, and make sure your crisp brown rice cereal is certified gluten-free too. (This brand, this brand, and this brand all are!)

And for the second chocolate component, you’ll use mini chocolate chips! These are my current favorite because they taste so rich and melt really well while baking. You want to use mini chocolate chips because regular-sized ones are too big and make your granola bars fall apart. The mini chips also ensure every bite contains a morsel of chocolate — the best part!

Then after a quick trip in the oven…
 

 
Try not to be tempted to eat the whole pan like my cute little neighbor! 😉 And when you make your own, remember to snap a picture and share it on Instagram using #amyshealthybaking and tagging @amyshealthybaking IN the photo itself! (That guarantees I’ll see your picture! 🙂 ) I’d love to see your healthy double chocolate granola bar bites!

Healthy Double Chocolate Granola Bar Bites

© Amy's Healthy Baking

Yields: 25 granola bar bites

These granola bars are perfect for anyone who loves chocolate! They’re soft and chewy, and they have a really rich flavor — yet not too sweet — and similar to 72% dark chocolate. These granola bar bites are perfect for breakfasts, snacks, or any time you’re craving chocolate! They’ll keep for at least four days (if not closer to a week!) if stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

3 from 3 votes

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Ingredients 

• 2 large egg whites, room temperature
• ¼ cup (60g) plain nonfat Greek yogurt, room temperature
• 3 tbsp (45mL) pure maple syrup
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ cup (40g) unsweetened cocoa powder (measured like this)
• 1 ½ cups (45g) crisp brown rice cereal
• 1 cup (100g) old-fashioned rolled oats (measured like this and gluten-free if necessary)
• 2 tbsp (28g) miniature chocolate chips (divided – and see Notes!)

Instructions

• Preheat the oven to 300°F, and coat an 8”-square pan with nonstick cooking spray.
• In a medium bowl, whisk the egg whites. Stir in the Greek yogurt, maple syrup, and salt, mixing until thoroughly combined. Stir in the cocoa powder, smearing our any lumps along the side of the bowl. Stir in the rice cereal and oats. Gently fold in 1 ½ tablespoons of miniature chocolate chips.
• Gently press the mixture into the prepared pan using a spatula, and gently press the remaining chocolate chips into the top. Bake at 300°F for 11-14 minutes or until the center feels firm to the touch. Cool completely to room temperature in the pan before slicing into squares.

Notes

IMPORTANT MEASURING NOTE – READ BEFORE BEGINNING: It's extremely important to measure the cocoa powder and oats correctly, using this method or a kitchen scale. (← That’s the one I own!) Too much of either ingredient will dry out the mixture, and the ingredients won’t fully incorporate. Too much cocoa powder will also make your granola bar bites taste bitter. If this happens to you, then add 1-2 tablespoons of milk (any type will work!) until all of the ingredients can be fully incorporated.

 

IMPORTANT MINIATURE CHOCOLATE CHIP NOTE – READ BEFORE BEGINNING: I do not recommend substituting regular-sized chocolate chips. Their bigger size causes the granola bar bites to fall apart. If you only have regular-sized chocolate chips, then chop them with a knife first!

 

IMPORTANT PAN SIZE NOTE –READ BEFORE BEGINNING: Measure your square baking pan before you begin! It should be 8" across the top rim of the pan. If it's 9" across the top of the pan but only 8" or 8 ½" across the bottom of the pan, that's still a 9"-square pan and too big for this recipe. (If you use a 9"-square pan,  the mixture will barely cover the bottom when you press it into the pan!)

 

SWEETENER ALTERNATIVES: Honey or agave may be substituted for the pure maple syrup.

 

COCOA POWDER NOTES: I highly recommend using regular unsweetened cocoa powder. Dutched cocoa powder and special dark cocoa powder have a more muted flavor and don't taste as chocolaty or rich in this recipe. They also have a different acidity level, which can affect the taste and texture of baked goods.

 

BROWN RICE CEREAL NOTES + ALTERNATIVES: This is the brown rice cereal that I originally used. It's no longer sold in stores, but this one and this one are similar! Regular crisp rice cereal (like Rice Krispies) may be substituted for the brown rice cereal. In a pinch, another option would be rice pocket cereal (like Rice Chex) that you’ve lightly crushed so it’s about ¼ of its original size.

 

OATS ALTERNATIVE: Instant oats (also called "quick cooking" and "one-minute" oats) may be substituted for the old-fashioned rolled oats. Do not substitute steel-cut oats; they don't soften properly.

 

GLUTEN-FREE OPTION: Use certified gluten-free old-fashioned rolled oats (or certified gluten-free instant oats) and certified gluten-free brown rice cereal. (This brand, this brand, and this brand are all certified gluten-free!)

 

HOW TO STORE: Store leftover granola bar bites in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They should keep for at least four days (if not closer to a week!).

 

{gluten-free, clean eating, low fat}

DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE?I'd love to hear what you think of it in a comment below! If you take a picture, tag @amys.healthy.baking on Instagram or use the hashtag #amyshealthybaking.

View Nutrition Information + Weight Watchers Points
 
 
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♡  Healthy Chocolate Chip Granola Bar Bites
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♡  Healthy Strawberry Banana Granola Bars
♡  Healthy Raspberry Apple Granola Bars
♡  …and the rest of Amy’s healthy snack recipes!