Chewy Apricot Chocolate Oat Slice (Easy Recipe)

Are you on a constant quest for that perfect homemade snack? You know the one—it’s chewy, a little bit gooey, satisfyingly sweet, and easy enough to whip up whenever a craving strikes. It needs to be special enough for a dessert, but wholesome enough to tuck into a lunchbox. It sounds like a tall order, but I’m here to tell you that the search is over.

This Oat, Apricot & Chocolate Slice is the answer to all your snacking dreams. It’s a wonderfully simple, one-pan wonder that delivers on every front. Imagine a buttery, brown sugar and oat base, layered with pockets of jammy dried apricots and pools of melted dark chocolate, all topped with a golden, crumbly oat topping. This is the ultimate oat slice recipe, a guaranteed family favourite that you’ll find yourself making again and again.

What You’ll Need: Ingredients

This recipe uses simple, accessible pantry staples to create a wonderfully complex and satisfying treat. The combination of chewy oats, sweet fruit, and rich chocolate is simply divine.

Ingredient	Amount/Quantity
Unsalted butter	190g
Brown sugar, packed	190g
Golden syrup	3 Tbsp
Vanilla bean paste or extract	2 tsp
Shredded coconut (unsweetened recommended)	60g
Rolled oats	220g
Plain (all-purpose) flour	150g
Baking powder	1 tsp
Dried apricots, roughly chopped	100g
50% Cocoa Dark Chocolate, roughly chopped	250g

Timing

This delicious oat slice comes together in a flash, with most of the time spent waiting for it to bake and cool to perfection.

• Preparation Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 22 minutes
• Cooling Time: 30 minutes (minimum)
• Total Time: Approximately 1 hour, 7 minutes

Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these simple steps to create a perfectly chewy and gooey oat slice. The magic is in the layering!

Step 1: Preheat Oven and Prepare Your Tin

First, get your oven ready for baking. Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F) on a regular bake setting. Next, prepare your pan. Line a 20-22cm (8-9 inch) square tin with baking paper, leaving some overhang on the sides. This will create “handles” that make it incredibly easy to lift the entire slice out of the tin once it has cooled.

Step 2: Create the Buttery Oat Base

In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt together the butter, brown sugar, and golden syrup, stirring until the sugar has dissolved and the mixture is smooth. Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the vanilla bean paste. In a large bowl, whisk together the shredded coconut, rolled oats, plain flour, and baking powder. Pour the warm butter mixture into the dry ingredients and stir until everything is thoroughly combined.

Step 3: Assemble the Layers

This is where the delicious textures come together. Press two-thirds of the oat mixture firmly into the base of your prepared tin, creating an even, compact layer. Next, scatter most of the chopped dark chocolate and dried apricots over the base. Be sure to reserve a small handful of each to sprinkle on top at the end.

Step 4: Add the Crumble Topping and Bake

Take the remaining one-third of the oat mixture and crumble it loosely over the chocolate and apricot layer. Sprinkle the reserved chocolate and apricots over the top. Bake for 18-22 minutes, or until the top is a beautiful golden brown and the edges are slightly firm.

Pro Tip: If you notice the apricots on top are browning too quickly, loosely cover the tin with a sheet of foil for the remainder of the baking time.

Step 5: Cool Completely Before Slicing

This is the most important—and most difficult—step! Once baked, place the tin on a wire rack and let the slice cool completely in the tin. Slicing it while it’s still warm will cause it to crumble into a delicious mess. For extra-clean cuts, you can even pop it in the fridge for 30 minutes before slicing. Once cooled, use the baking paper handles to lift the slice out and use a sharp knife to cut it into 16 or 25 pieces.

Nutritional Information

Here is an estimated nutritional breakdown per slice, assuming the recipe is cut into 16 squares.

• Calories: 280 kcal
• Protein: 3 g
• Carbohydrates: 35 g (Sugar: 22 g)
• Fat: 15 g (Saturated Fat: 9 g)

This is a wonderful, energy-boosting treat, perfect for an active day.

Healthier Alternatives

While this recipe is a perfect treat as is, here are a few simple swaps you can make:

• Add Whole Grains: For a nuttier flavour and more fiber, substitute the plain flour with whole wheat or spelt flour.
• Reduce Sugar: You can slightly reduce the brown sugar to 150g without a major impact on the texture. Choosing a darker chocolate (70% cocoa or higher) will also lower the sugar content.
• Vegan Option: To make this slice vegan, simply use a high-quality dairy-free butter or a solid coconut oil. Ensure your golden syrup and chocolate are also certified vegan.

Serving Suggestions

This versatile oat slice is delicious in so many ways, fitting for any time of day.

• Lunchbox Hero: Cut into small squares, it’s the perfect homemade treat to brighten up a school or work lunchbox.
• Afternoon Tea: A slice of this alongside a hot cup of tea or coffee is the ultimate afternoon pick-me-up.
• Simple Dessert: For a truly decadent dessert, gently warm a slice and serve it with a generous scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or a dollop of creamy Greek yogurt. The contrast of warm and cold is simply heavenly.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Follow these tips to ensure your oat slice is perfectly chewy and delicious every time.

• Slicing While Warm: The number one mistake is being too impatient. The melted butter, sugar, and chocolate need time to set as they cool.
  • Solution: Let the slice cool completely in the tin on a wire rack. Don’t touch it! This guarantees clean, firm squares that hold their shape.
• Overbaking the Slice: If you bake it for too long, the slice can become dry and hard instead of soft and chewy.
  • Solution: Keep a close eye on it. As soon as the edges are golden brown and the center is set, it’s ready. It will continue to firm up as it cools.
• Packing the Topping: Pressing the top crumble layer down will make it dense rather than light and crumbly.
  • Solution: Simply sprinkle the remaining oat mixture loosely over the filling before baking.

Storing and Make-Ahead Tips

This oat slice stores wonderfully, making it a great recipe to have on hand for busy weeks.

• Storing: Once cooled and sliced, store the pieces in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
• Freezing: This slice freezes beautifully! You can freeze the entire slab (unsliced) or individual slices. Wrap them well in plastic wrap and then foil, and they will keep in the freezer for up to 3 months. Let them thaw at room temperature.

Conclusion

This Chewy Apricot Chocolate Oat Slice is a true kitchen staple. It’s ridiculously easy to make, uses simple pantry ingredients, and delivers a wonderfully satisfying treat that everyone will love. The perfect harmony of the buttery oat base, the sweet and tangy apricots, and the rich dark chocolate creates a snack that is both comforting and completely irresistible. This is more than just a recipe; it’s a solution for snacks, lunchboxes, and simple desserts for years to come.

We are so excited for you to bake a batch of this delicious oat slice. Give it a try and let us know what you think in the comments below! We love hearing from you. Don’t forget to rate the recipe and subscribe for more easy and delicious baking ideas.

FAQs

Q1. What is Golden Syrup, and is there a substitute?

Golden syrup is a thick, amber-coloured inverted sugar syrup that is a common ingredient in British, Australian, and New Zealand baking. It has a unique buttery, caramel flavour. If you can’t find it, the best substitute would be light corn syrup, though honey or maple syrup could also work in a pinch (they will alter the flavour).

Q2. Can I use different fruits or add nuts?

Absolutely! This recipe is incredibly versatile. Swap the dried apricots for dried cranberries, cherries, or dates. For some extra crunch, feel free to add about 100g of roughly chopped walnuts, pecans, or almonds to the filling.

Q3. How can I make this recipe gluten-free?

To make this oat slice gluten-free, simply use a certified gluten-free all-purpose flour blend in place of the plain flour, and make sure your rolled oats are also certified gluten-free to avoid any cross-contamination.