These Montmorency tart cherry oat bars are super chewy with an optional chocolate drizzle. Perfect for snacking or fueling up for a workout!
*This post is sponsored by the Cherry Marketing Institute
There are two kinds of people in this world: those that prefer their chocolate chip cookies with crispy edges and a crunch to each bite (I’ll never understand you people) and those who are all about the soft batch, chewy cookie love.
This division holds true for brownies as well (cake vs. fudge – I’ll let you guess which camp I’m in there) and I’m gonna go out on a limb and say we can add granola bars to this list as well.
I won’t name names, but that certain brand that shoves two hockey puck-like bars into a little green package and you feel like you might lose a tooth when trying to bite into one, they’re everything wrong with the granola bar game as far as I’m concerned.
Beyond the fact that nothing edible should be that hard, let’s discuss the mess a granola bar like that makes.
Since these are usually an on-the-go/eat-in-your-car kind of thing, if you’re anywhere near as crazy about the interior cleanliness of your vehicle as I am, a crunchy granola bar that leaves more crumbs in the abyss between the driver seat and center console where all rogue food particles go to die is just not ok.
So, I set out to create my own granola bar, a chewy tart cherry oat bar in fact. One where all (or at least most) pieces end up in your mouth, where they belong.
Given the amount of people flocking to the gym this time of year and looking for ways to eat a bit healthier, these tart cherry oat bars are the perfect snack to throw in your gym bag.
Whether you eat one before your workout to fuel up or after for recovery, they’re a healthy balance of carbs, protein and fat all in one delicious, semi-sweet, chewy (chocolate-optional) bite.
They’re also delicious slathered with some nut butter on top or crumbled into Greek yogurt for even more protein. I’ve eaten them every which way.
The dried Montmorency tart cherries in these aren’t just there because they taste good (although they do!).
Their tangy, sweet bite is not only a great binding agent for the bars but they bring a whole host of potential health benefits to the table too.
With their anti-inflammatory properties that may help to alleviate muscle soreness after workouts to their natural melatonin for a better night’s sleep, these little guys pack a nutrient punch.
Instead of reaching for that box on the store shelves, give these chewy tart cherry oat bars a try, wrap them up individually for easy eating on the go and I’m betting you’ll never look back!
Love this Chewy Montmorency Tart Cherry Oat Bars recipe?
Also check out these cherry power cookies or this tart cherry fruit leather – two other great snack options!
These Montmorency tart cherry oat bars are super chewy with an optional chocolate drizzle. Perfect for snacking or fueling up for a workout! -Make your own oat flour by placing 1 cup of rolled oats in a food processor and processing until a fine flour consistency results. -For vegan option use a flax egg: 1 tablespoon ground flax seed + 3 tablespoons water - stir and let sit for 5 minutes to thickenChewy Montmorency Tart Cherry Oat Bars
Ingredients
For optional chocolate drizzle
Instructions
Notes
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
10 Serving Size:
1
Amount Per Serving:Calories: 279 Total Fat: 17g Saturated Fat: 3g Trans Fat: 0g Unsaturated Fat: 13g Cholesterol: 19mg Sodium: 50mg Carbohydrates: 26g Net Carbohydrates: 0g Fiber: 5g Sugar: 10g Sugar Alcohols: 0g Protein: 8g
I am always looking for new ways to use oatmeal. Love the cherries in there. Would love to have you join my meatless Monday linkup today
Chewy granola bars are the ONLY ones worth eating! I love cherries, so I MUST try these!
I’ve been seeing so many recipes of that lately! I have to give it a try x
Jessica — NinetyCo
I love the combination of cherries and chocolate!! This looks awesome!
Wow these granola bars look amazing! Tart cherries + sweet chocolate drizzle is a combo I could eat on the daily! This post makes me laugh because I used to eat those hard nature valley granola bars on the way to gymnastics practice and end up getting crumbs all over my mom’s car! Needless to say, she always got mad at me ;)
I LOVE tart cherries! They are such a wonderful anti-inflammatory, I add them to my smoothies! I need to make these bars ASAP!
I’m also all about those chewy, gooey cookies. I always seem to be in the minority – more for us, I guess!
These look so good. My favorite ice cream growing up was Ben & Jerry’s Cherry Garcia, so obviously these are a must-make.
That ice cream is the best, my favorite too!
These look fantastic! Need!!
My gym was packed today Gina! UGH!! These would be the perfect little snack after working out! Maybe even one before!!
I’m a HUGE snacker, so I need these in my life!
These sound so good! I love a chewy bar! Snacks for the win!
These look so crazy good! Bring on the chewy-ness!