Ingredients
The Base:
\frac{1}{2} cup rolled oats (or quick oats)
1 cup raw walnuts (divided: \frac{3}{4} cup for the dough, \frac{1}{4} cup chopped for texture)
The Fudge Flavor:
2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder (plus a little extra for dusting the top!)
1 tbsp honey (or maple syrup/agave for a vegan option)
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
Optional: A tiny pinch of sea salt (to balance the sweetness)
Optional: 1 to 2 tsp of warm water (only if needed to help the dough bind)
š„£ Directions
Step 1: Prep Your Dish
Line a small container (like a mini loaf pan or a small rectangular food storage container) with parchment paper. This will make it super easy to lift the bars out once they are set.
Step 2: Grind the Oats and Walnuts
Add the \frac{1}{2} cup of oats to a food processor or high-powered blender. Pulse a few times until they turn into a coarse, flour-like consistency. Add \frac{3}{4} cup of the walnuts to the processor and pulse again until they are finely ground with the oats.
Step 3: Mix the Fudge Dough
Add the 2 tablespoons of cocoa powder, 1 tablespoon of honey, 1 teaspoon of vanilla, and a tiny pinch of salt to the food processor. Pulse continuously until a sticky, chocolatey dough forms and clumps together.
Note: If the mixture feels a little too dry or crumbly to hold its shape, add a teaspoon of warm water (or extra honey) and pulse again.
Step 4: Fold in the Crunch
Roughly chop the remaining \frac{1}{4} cup of walnuts. Transfer the chocolate dough to a bowl and gently fold in the chopped walnuts with your hands or a spatula, reserving a few pieces to press onto the very top.
Step 5: Press and Dust
Press the dough firmly and evenly into your prepared container. Press down hard using the back of a spoon or a flat measuring cup to pack it as tightly as possibleāthis is what gives them that satisfyingly chewy, compact texture! Press the reserved walnut pieces into the top.
To get that gorgeous, rustic finish shown in the photo, dust the top of the bars with a light sprinkle of extra cocoa powder.
Step 6: Chill and Slice
Pop the container into the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to let the bars firm up. Once set, lift the parchment paper out, place it on a cutting board, and slice into clean squares or bars. Store them in an airtight container in the fridge for a quick, energizing grab-and-go snack!