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–+ servings
Close up of cut oatmeal bars with chocolate chips.

Healthy Oatmeal Breakfast Bars

easyhealthyrecipes.com/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!
Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 30 minutes
Cooling Time: 1 hour
Total: 1 hour 45 minutes
Recipe makes approximately 9

Equipment Needed

  • 8x8 baking pan
  • baking parchment

Ingredients Needed

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

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.

Recipe 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 Info (Approximate)

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