Healthy Oatmeal Breakfast Bars Recipe

Introduction

These healthy oatmeal breakfast bars are a delicious and nutritious way to start your day. Packed with wholesome ingredients and subtle warm spices, they offer a soft, chewy texture that makes for a perfect grab-and-go breakfast or snack.

Ingredients

• 1 cup (100g) instant oats (gluten-free if necessary)
• ¾ cup (90g) whole wheat flour or gluten-free* flour
• 1 ½ tsp baking powder
• 1 ½ tsp ground cinnamon
• ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
• ¼ tsp salt
• 1 tbsp (14g) unsalted butter or coconut oil, melted and cooled slightly
• 1 large egg white (room temperature)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ¼ cup (60mL) pure maple syrup (room temperature)
• 6 tbsp (90mL) unsweetened vanilla almond milk (room temperature)
• Optional: mix-ins (see Tips & Variations!)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat the oven to 300°F and coat an 8-inch square pan with nonstick cooking spray.
2. Step 2: In a medium bowl, whisk together the oats, flour, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
3. Step 3: In a separate bowl, whisk the melted butter or coconut oil with the egg white and vanilla extract. Stir in the maple syrup until fully combined, then add the almond milk.
4. Step 4: Add the oat mixture to the wet ingredients and stir until just incorporated. If using any optional mix-ins, gently fold them in now.
5. Step 5: Spread the batter evenly into the prepared pan and bake for 9 to 12 minutes.
6. Step 6: Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan to room temperature, then let them rest for at least 6 hours to achieve the best soft and chewy texture before slicing into squares.

Tips & Variations

• Try adding chopped nuts, dried fruit, or dark chocolate chips as mix-ins for added flavor and texture.
• For a nut-free version, use oat or rice milk instead of almond milk.
• If you want a sweeter bar, increase the maple syrup by a tablespoon or two.
• Make sure the wet ingredients are at room temperature to help the batter blend more smoothly.

Storage

Store the bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to a week. To keep them soft, you can also freeze the bars for up to 2 months—just thaw overnight in the fridge before enjoying. Reheat briefly in the microwave if desired.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use rolled oats instead of instant oats?

Yes, rolled oats can be used but the texture will be a bit heartier and chewier. You may want to pulse them slightly in a food processor to break them down for a softer bar.

Can I make these bars vegan?

To make the bars vegan, substitute the egg white with a flax egg (1 tbsp ground flaxseed mixed with 3 tbsp water) and use coconut oil instead of butter. Make sure all other ingredients are vegan-friendly.

Healthy Oatmeal Breakfast Bars Recipe

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4.6 from 241 reviews

These Healthy Oatmeal Breakfast Bars are a wholesome, soft, and chewy morning treat packed with gluten-free oats and whole wheat flour. Lightly sweetened with pure maple syrup and flavored with cinnamon and nutmeg, they are perfect for a nutritious breakfast or snack. Simple to make and customizable with optional mix-ins like nuts or dried fruits, these bars offer a balanced blend of fiber and protein without being overly sweet.

• Author: Leo
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Total Time: 7 hours 20 minutes
• Yield: 9 bars (3×3 grid from 8-inch pan) 1x
• Category: Breakfast
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Gluten Free

Ingredients

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Dry Ingredients

• 1 cup (100g) instant oats (gluten-free if necessary)
• ¾ cup (90g) whole wheat flour or gluten-free flour
• 1 ½ tsp baking powder
• 1 ½ tsp ground cinnamon
• ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
• ¼ tsp salt

Wet Ingredients

• 1 tbsp (14g) unsalted butter or coconut oil, melted and cooled slightly
• 1 large egg white (room temperature)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ¼ cup (60mL) pure maple syrup (room temperature)
• 6 tbsp (90mL) unsweetened vanilla almond milk (room temperature)

Optional Mix-ins

• Chopped nuts, dried fruit, or chocolate chips (optional)

Instructions

1. Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 300°F (150°C) and coat an 8-inch square baking pan with nonstick cooking spray to prevent sticking.
2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the instant oats, whole wheat or gluten-free flour, baking powder, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and salt until evenly combined.
3. Combine Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk the melted and slightly cooled butter or coconut oil with the room temperature egg white and vanilla extract until smooth. Stir in the pure maple syrup until fully incorporated, followed by the unsweetened vanilla almond milk.
4. Combine Mixtures: Gradually add the dry oat mixture to the wet ingredients and stir just until combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the texture tender.
5. Add Optional Mix-ins: If using, gently fold in any optional mix-ins like chopped nuts, dried fruits, or chocolate chips.
6. Bake: Spread the batter evenly into the prepared baking pan. Bake at 300°F (150°C) for 9-12 minutes until the bars are set but still soft.
7. Cool and Rest: Allow the bars to cool completely to room temperature inside the pan. For best texture, let them rest uncovered at room temperature for at least 6 hours before slicing into squares and serving.

Notes

• Use gluten-free oats and flour to make the recipe gluten-free.
• Adjust cinnamon to taste; it adds a warm, fragrant flavor.
• Optional mix-ins like nuts, dried fruits, or chocolate chips add texture and flavor variations.
• Resting the bars after baking improves their soft and chewy texture significantly.
• Ensure all wet ingredients are at room temperature for better mixing and texture.

Keywords: healthy oatmeal bars, breakfast bars, gluten-free breakfast, soft oatmeal bars, maple syrup bars, cinnamon oatmeal bars