Description
This easy Carmelitas recipe combines chewy oats, luscious plant-based caramel, and rich plant-based chocolate chips to create delicious bars perfect for dessert, snacks, or gatherings. Made with simple pantry staples, these bars offer a perfect texture balance and are customizable to suit your preferences.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups old-fashioned oats
- 1 cup all-purpose flour or gluten-free flour blend
- 3/4 cup natural brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Wet and Flavor Ingredients
- 1/2 cup plant-based butter, melted
- 1 cup plant-based caramel
- 3/4 cup plant-based chocolate chips
- 1 teaspoon vegetarian Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon natural apple cider vinegar
Instructions
- Prepare the oat crust and topping: In a large bowl, mix oats, flour, brown sugar, baking powder, and salt. Add melted plant-based butter and stir until the mixture is crumbly but holds together when pressed. Divide mixture in half for base and topping.
- Press the crust: Lightly grease or line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper. Press half of the oat mixture firmly into the bottom to create an even crust layer.
- Spread the plant-based caramel layer: Pour and spread the plant-based caramel evenly over the crust layer for a gooey middle.
- Add the chocolate chips: Sprinkle the plant-based chocolate chips evenly over the caramel layer.
- Top with remaining oat mixture: Crumble and evenly spread the rest of the oat mixture on top of the chocolate chips, gently pressing to adhere while keeping a crumbly texture.
- Bake to perfection: Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 25-30 minutes, until the top is golden and caramel bubbles gently around the edges.
- Cool and slice: Let the bars cool completely in the pan before slicing into squares or bars for serving.
Notes
- Use quality plant-based caramel for rich flavor.
- Press crust firmly for good structure and distribute caramel and chocolate evenly.
- Allow bars to cool fully to avoid messy cutting and maintain shape.
- Line pan with parchment paper for easy removal.
- Customize with chopped nuts, dried fruits, or different plant-based chocolate chip types.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 120mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: Carmelitas, oat bars, plant-based caramel, sweet bars, chocolate oat bars, vegan dessert, chewy oat bars
