Baked Oatmeal Breakfast Bars Recipe
Baked oatmeal breakfast bars are a healthy, make-ahead breakfast or snack that is easy to customize and perfect for busy mornings. Packed with nutritious oats, natural sweeteners, and your favorite mix-ins, these bars are soft, chewy, and just the right amount of sweet.
Ingredients (Makes 12 bars)
Base Ingredients:
- 2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup honey or maple syrup (adjust to taste)
- 1/3 cup peanut butter, almond butter, or sunflower seed butter
- 1/3 cup unsweetened applesauce (or mashed banana)
- 1 egg (or flax egg for vegan: 1 tablespoon ground flaxseed + 3 tablespoons water)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2/3 cup milk (dairy or plant-based like almond, oat, or soy)
Optional Mix-ins (Choose 1-2 or mix and match):
- 1/3 cup chocolate chips or chopped chocolate
- 1/3 cup chopped nuts (walnuts, almonds, pecans, etc.)
- 1/3 cup dried fruit (raisins, cranberries, or chopped apricots)
- 1/3 cup shredded coconut
- 2 tablespoons chia seeds, ground flaxseeds, or hemp hearts
Instructions
- Preheat your oven:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8-inch baking dish with parchment paper or grease it lightly.
2. Mix the dry ingredients:
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the rolled oats, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt. Stir well.
3. Mix the wet ingredients:
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the honey (or maple syrup), peanut butter, applesauce, egg, vanilla extract, and milk until smooth.
4. Combine wet and dry ingredients:
- Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir until fully combined. The mixture should be thick but spreadable.
5. Add mix-ins:
- Fold in your desired mix-ins, like chocolate chips, nuts, or dried fruit.
6. Bake:
- Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish and spread it out evenly with a spatula. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the edges are golden and the center is set.
7. Cool and slice:
- Let the baked oatmeal cool completely in the pan before slicing into 12 bars.
8. Serve or store:
- Serve immediately or store in an airtight container. These bars will keep for up to 5 days in the fridge or up to 3 months in the freezer.
Tips for Perfect Oatmeal Bars
- Keep them moist:
- Avoid overbaking, as that can make the bars dry. Check for doneness around 25 minutes.
2. Make them vegan:
- Use a flax egg (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed + 3 tablespoons water) and plant-based milk.
- For a less sweet version, reduce the honey or maple syrup slightly and add a pinch of extra cinnamon for natural warmth.
4. Add a topping:
- Sprinkle extra chocolate chips, nuts, or shredded coconut on top before baking for a decorative touch.
Flavor Variations
- Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Bars:
- Use peanut butter, chocolate chips, and a sprinkle of sea salt for a classic combo.
2. Berry Almond Bars:
- Add dried cranberries or chopped dried apricots, slivered almonds, and a pinch of almond extract.
3. Banana Nut Bars:
- Replace the applesauce with mashed banana and mix in chopped walnuts or pecans.
4. Apple Cinnamon Bars:
- Add 1/2 cup of finely diced apples and a dash of nutmeg for a warming fall-inspired flavor.
5.Tropical Bars:
- Use shredded coconut, dried pineapple, and macadamia nuts for a tropical twist.
These Baked Oatmeal Breakfast Bars are healthy, versatile, and perfect for meal prep. Enjoy them as a grab-and-go breakfast or an afternoon snack! 🥣🍫🍌
