Oatmeal cookie meets granola bar in these traditional South African Crunchies that combine oatmeal, coconut, almonds, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
They're super quick and easy to make and make the perfect edible gift for Christmas.

These simple, South African oatmeal cookie bars -crunchies with an earthy, nutty flavor resembles the vast, dry land of Africa but don't let the homely look fool you. They are astonishingly delicious!
๐ Why it Works
The crunchies, aka Hawermoutkoekies, as the name suggests, are crunchy, but there's no risk of chipping a tooth.
These cookie bars are quick and easy to prepare - done in only 30 minutes!
Crunchies are traditional South African cookies, by popularity equivalent to chocolate chip cookies in the US.
They are perfect for:
- Christmas cookie exchange party
- Hostess gift
- Breakfast
- To dip in your hot coffee or tea
- Dessert
- On-the-go snack
The nutmeg - usually the bridesmaid, rarely the bride - really shines here and reminds me of wheat pudding that also has a hint of nutmeg.
I was surprised not to taste the coconut, but the mix of all the ingredients makes the flavor special. Otherwise, it would be just another coconut treat.
Need another time-saver sweet treat this busy season? Try this chocolate salami or edible Christmas candles.
๐ Ingredients and Notes
- oatmeal flakes
- all-purpose flour
- dry desiccated coconut - moist coconut flakes won't work.
- slivered or sliced almonds
- ground cinnamon
- ground nutmeg
- butter
- golden syrup - you can substitute with molasses, corn or maple syrup, Agave, or honey.
- sugar - you can use coconut sugar, sugar replacements, and sweeteners such as Swerve.
- brown sugar
- salt
- baking soda
๐ช Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit.
- In a large bowl, combine the flour, oatmeal, coconut, almonds, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Mix well.
- In a small saucepan, heat the butter, molasses, sugars, and salt until completely melted. Stir in baking soda.
- Pour the butter mixture over the oatmeal mixture. Mix until thoroughly combined.
- Press the mixture tightly into a greased 8x8-inch baking pan.
- Bake for 15 minutes, lower the oven temperature to 300 degrees Fahrenheit and bake for 10 minutes longer or until golden brown.
- Cut into bars or diamonds while still warm. Let cool completely before removing from the pan. Store in an airtight container for up to a week.
๐ช๐ป Healthy Options
For a healthier version, replace all but ¼ cup brown sugar with 2-3 mashed bananas and use only 1 stick of butter.
- Chocolate Coconut Covered Fig Balls
- No-Bake Potato Chocolate Rum Bars
- Polish Kiflies
- German Gingerbread Cookies
Liked this recipe? Leave a โญโญโญโญโญ rating and/or a review in the comments section. Your feedback is always appreciated! Stay in touch through Pinterest, Instagram, and Facebook! Don't forget to sign up for my email list below too!
South African Oatmeal Cookie Bars - Crunchies
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups oatmeal flakes
- 1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup dry desiccated coconut
- โ cup slivered or sliced almonds
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 6 oz. butter, 1 ½ sticks
- 1 tablespoon golden syrup
- ½ cup sugar
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit.
- In a large bowl, combine the flour, oatmeal, coconut, almonds, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Mix well.
- In a small saucepan, heat the butter, molasses, sugars, and salt until completely melted. Stir in baking soda.
- Pour the butter mixture over the oatmeal mixture. Mix until thoroughly combined.
- Press the mixture tightly into a greased 8x8-inch baking pan.
- Bake for 15 minutes, then lower the oven temperature to 300 degrees Fahrenheit and bake for 10 minutes longer or until golden brown.
- Cut into bars or diamonds while still warm. Let cool completely before removing from the pan. Store in an airtight container for up to a week.
Notes
- *If you don't have golden syrup available, try these sweeteners as an alternative: molasses, corn or maple syrup, Agave, or honey.
- For the crunchier and thinner crunchies, bake in a 9x13 pan.
- For a healthier version, replace all but ยผ cup brown sugar with 2-3 mashed bananas and use only 1 stick of butter.
Em says
Can you clarify the type of oatmeal, please.? In my pantry I have steel cut, quick and old fashioned oats and I am at a loss as to which to use. Thank you
Jas says
Hi Em, sorry for the confusion. Oatmeal flakes are old fashioned oats. Quick rolled oats will also work.
Michelle Leslie says
Her books hasn't been translated into English yet unfortunately, but I did find a small English write up in one of our local newspapers and the wikipedia article on bobotie refers to her original thesis on the origins of South African food
Jas says
I could spend days discovering about each cuisine origins. It's right up with my ancestry interest. If I were given one superpower, I'd choose traveling back in time ๐
Nina Lewis says
Oh my! How do you pronounce Hawermoutkoekies? I'll have to give them a try! Thanks for participating in our Party in Your PJs!
Jas says
LOL, no clue. Just say crunchies, ha! Thanks for stopping in! ๐
Maisy says
Congratulations! I have featured you at the Friday Favorites linky party this week. Come check it out!
Jas says
Thank you, Maisy! I'm thrilled ๐
April J Harris says
I have never been to South Africa either, Jas, but I would love to try these squares. They look absolutely delicious. Pinning! Thank you so much for being a part of the Hearth and Soul Link Party. I hope you are having a wonderful holiday season.
Jas says
Thank you for your kindness, April! Happy holidays! ๐
Michelle Leslie says
Yay Jas, you've just made my day. A South African recipe from the master baker. We always have hawermoutkoekies in our biscuit tin and they are delicious. I can't wait for my daughter to get back from her Canadian holiday so she make some using your recipe. If Cape Town is on your bucket list my friend (you'll love it BTW) perhaps you can add our traditional bobotie to your repertoire of international cuisine. It's my all time favorite South African dish
Jas says
Yay! I love bringing happiness to people, especially friends! I have promised myself to add more African dishes to my blog in 2018. I have seen many bobotie recipes but have never tried it myself. Do you have a true and tried one that you love? If so, will you share it with me, please? Then I can trust that it's authentic (you can message it [and any other recipes you like] to me and I'll give you the credit). ๐
Amy (Savory Moments) says
These sound super delicious! Thanks for linking up to the Friday Frenzy!
Jas says
Thank you, Amy!
Michelle Leslie says
LOL my friend, if I had to send you a recipe it would be very dangerous. But Iโll get my Mom in law to send me her favorite recipe though. She actually published a book about the History of South African Food which caused quite a bit of a stir and debunked a whole bunch of myths about our style of cooking.
Jas says
Oh, that sounds amazing. What is her book title and where can I find it? I hope your 2018 is off to a great start, my friend! XOXO
Jann Olson says
They look super yummy! Thanks for sharing with SYC.
hugs,
Jann
Jas says
Thank you, Jann! Happy holidays!
Linda S says
My kids eat granola bars for snack often and I've been looking for homemade options -- have to try this! Thanks for sharing the recipe and recommendation, Jas
Jas says
Hi, Linda! Glad you like them. You can also leave the nuts out or use a different kind. ๐
Kelly @ Kelly Lynns Sweets and Treats says
These look so yummy! I have never heard of these before and was so intrigued! Awesome recipe.
Jas says
Thanks, Kelly! It's so nice to taste travel without leaving your kitchen. ๐
Leanna says
These look really good and I bet the texture is fantastic. Pinning.
Jas says
Hi, Leanna! I love the crunchy but not too crunchy texture. Thanks for stopping in! Happy holidays!
Mrs Shoes says
Pinned it!
Jas says
YASSSS! Glad you liked it. Thanks for the review and pinning ๐
Mrs Shoes says
They are in the oven RIGHT NOW. If they are a hit with my Homeboys, I'll be back to pin it.
p.s. Rarely am I inspired to jump up in the middle of my allotted computer time to make a recipe IMMEDIATELY.
p.p.s. It may be because I am a little bit day drunk.
p.p.p.s. You know you wish you were me right now...
p.p.p.p.s. Luv ya Jas
Jas says
Yay! I hope you like it.
p.s. I'm honored!
p.p.s. I do wish I were you, I could use something to take the edge off.
p.p.p.s. Right back at ya!