Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Prepare 9 x 9 pan with cooking spray.

In a large mixing bowl, add together all dry ingredients – oats, brown sugar, cocoa powder, chia seeds, and salt – stirring until well mixed.

Add to oat mixture, all other ingredients – applesauce, canola oil, egg, milk, vanilla, and semi-sweet chocolate or carob chips.

Add mixture to prepared pan and spread evenly.

Cover with foil and bake for 15 minutes.

After 15 minutes, remove foil and continue baking an additional 15 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. If you like, sprinkle a few additional semi-sweet chocolate or carob chips on top to garnish while brownies are fresh out of the oven and still warm. Cool completely on a wire rack.

Dust with powdered sugar if desired.