Healthy Oatmeal Bars
Posted: 02/19/26
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
These Healthy Oatmeal Bars are packed with old-fashioned oats, mashed banana, nut butter and your choice of add-ins for the perfect make-ahead breakfast treat! Chopped nuts, dried fruit, and chocolate chips will take these bars to the next level, or you can simply keep them plain for a healthy breakfast or snack on the go.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- The simple base recipe for these healthy oatmeal bars is super flexible (applesauce or almond milk, maple syrup or honey, peanut or almond butter) so it works with whatever you have in your pantry.
- You can control what goes into these oatmeal breakfast bars with your choice of add-ins, and because they’re made from all natural ingredients they’re so much better than anything you could get at the store.
- These banana oatmeal bars are naturally gluten-free, just just make sure you’re using proper old-fashioned oats and that your baking powder is suitable for a gluten-free diet.
Chef’s Tips
- Use ripe bananas: the sweeter they are, the more moisture and flavor they bring to your oatmeal bars!
- Don’t overbake: pull them when the center still jiggles slightly as they’ll set while they are cooling. Over-baking will result in dry, tough oatmeal bars.
- Choose any or all of our listed mix ins, or add your own: nuts, seeds, coconut, or peanut butter chips are all delicious.
- If you want a softer baked oatmeal vibe, add a splash more applesauce or almond milk to up the moisture content.
More Healthy Oat Recipes
- Healthy Blueberry Oatmeal Bake
- Peanut Butter Overnight Oats Recipe with Chia Seeds
- How To Cook Oatmeal in the Instant Pot
- Easy Homemade Oat Milk
- Vegan Oatmeal Cookie Recipe with Raisins
- Gluten Free Oatmeal Cranberry Cookies
If you loved this recipe as much as we did, don’t forget to leave us a review below. ★ Follow Easy Healthy Recipes on Pinterest, Facebook, and Instagram, too!
For more delicious recipes, visit our sister sites, 40 Aprons and Easy Cheap Recipes.
Healthy Oatmeal Breakfast Bars
Naturally gluten-free, these easy oatmeal bars are the perfect make-ahead breakfast or snack to keep you going through the day!
Ingredients
Dry ingredients
- 2 ½ cups rolled oats old-fashioned
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- pinch salt
Wet + Binding
- ⅓ cup pure maple syrup or honey
- ½ cup creamy nut butter peanut or almond
- 2 ripe bananas mashed
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup unsweetened applesauce or ¼ cup almond milk
Add-ins (mix & match!)
- ½ cup dark chocolate chips or chunks, or chopped dark chocolate
- ¼ cup chopped nuts walnuts, peanuts, or almonds
- ¼ cup dried cranberries or raisins
- flaky sea salt
Equipment
- 8×8 baking pan
- baking parchment
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8 baking pan with parchment paper and lightly grease it.
- In a large bowl, stir together oats, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt.
- In another bowl, mash the bananas. Add nut butter, maple syrup or honey, eggs, vanilla, and applesauce (or almond milk). Stir until smooth.
- Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients and stir gently until everything is moistened.
- Fold in half of your chocolate chips, nuts, and dried fruit.
- Press the mixture firmly into the prepared pan so the bars bind well. Sprinkle the remaining add-ins on top (and flaky sea salt if desired) and press them in gently.
- Bake for 25–30 minutes, until the edges are lightly golden and the center feels set but still soft.
- Let the bars cool completely in the pan (1 hour is best). Once cooled, lift out with the parchment and cut into bars.
Notes
Storage: Keep in an airtight container in the fridge up to a week or freeze portions for later.
Choose any or all of our listed mix ins, or add your own: nuts, seeds, coconut, or peanut butter chips are all delicious.
Nutrition Information
Calories: 334kcal | Protein: 9g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 0.003g | Total Carbs: 37g | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 16g | Net Carbs: 33g | Vitamin C: 0.2mg | Cholesterol: 36mg | Sodium: 136mg | Potassium: 293mg | Calcium: 99mg | Iron: 2mg
Number of total servings shown is approximate. Actual number of servings will depend on your preferred portion sizes.
Nutritional values shown are general guidelines and reflect information for 1 serving using the ingredients listed, not including any optional ingredients. Actual macros may vary slightly depending on specific brands and types of ingredients used.
To determine the weight of one serving, prepare the recipe as instructed. Weigh the finished recipe, then divide the weight of the finished recipe (not including the weight of the container the food is in) by the desired number of servings. Result will be the weight of one serving.
Leave a Comment