Recipes with oats are a healthy choice and satisfying snack because they’re packed of protein and fibre to keep you full. In this collection of 25+ dietitian-approved snack recipes with oats you’ll find lots of easy oat bars ideas, muffins with rolled oats, wholesome cookies, and crunchy homemade granola. Each recipes uses simple ingredients that pack in terrific flavor and nutrition benefits.
Honestly, what can't oats do? Never have I ever met an ingredient so versatile. Let's dig into the oat facts and snack recipes!
Health benefits of eating oats
Yes, oats are super good for you! As a nutrition professional, I'm all about easy, healthy ideas for breakfast. I like to pair oatmeal with a source of protein and fat like eggs or nut butter to help balance blood sugar and provide staying power!
Oats are...
- a complex carbohydrate packed with filling fiber and energizing B vitamins
- packed with micronutrients like manganese (190% of daily value in ½ cup), iron (20%), phosphorus (41%), magnesium (34%) and zinc (20%)
- associated with prevention of heart disease, digestive disease and diabetes
- packed with beta-glucan soluble fiber which improves the diversity of the gut, aids in constipation, and increases satiety
- associated with lowering LDL and total cholesterol
- packed with 6g plant protein in ½ cup
- a good source of disease-fighting phenolic compounds
Different types of oats
There are three main varieties of oats you find in stores, which all come from the oat groat. Harvesting oats involves removing the inedible outer hull. What's left is the oat groat!
Each type is further processed to make it cook faster. While oats don't vary in their nutrition profile, instant oats are digested more quickly and therefore have a higher glycemic index and impact on blood sugar than rolled or steel cut.
- Oat groats are the whole oat kernel with the hull removed.
- Steel cut (or Irish) oats are the oat groats chopped into pieces using steel blades. They take the longest to cook and have a chewy, dense texture. They take longer to digest and may keep you fuller longer. This type is great for breakfast in overnight steel cut oats but not ideal for cookies, bars and muffins.
- Rolled (or old-fashioned) oats have been steamed and flattened into flake-like pieces. These are ideal for healthy snacks like muffins, cookies, granola, and grinding into oat flour.
- Quick oats are steamed for even longer to absorb more liquid and reduce cooking times. They work well in some muffin and cookie recipes.
- Instant oats are further steamed for the shortest cooking times. They're the thinnest and most processed oat variety. Lots of instant oats come in microwave-ready packets with flavors and sugars added.
Are whole grain oats gluten free?
Oats are naturally 100% whole grain. While oats don't inherently contain gluten, they're often cross-contaminated with gluten and therefore are not certified gluten free.
If you have Celiac or a gluten intolerance, consider using certified gluten free oats.
Recipes with oats
Chocolate Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cups
These easy Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cups with chocolate are the perfect healthy breakfast or whole grain snack on the go! Low in sugar and packed with 6g protein each.
Healthy Blueberry Oatmeal Snack Bars
These 100% whole grain Blueberry Oatmeal Snack Bars make the perfect grab-and-go breakfast or snack. Vegan and gluten-free!
Chocolate Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bites
These amazing Chocolate Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bites are a healthy, satisfying snack that doubles as a dessert packed with whole grain goodness and plenty of chocolate!
Banana Zucchini Baked Oatmeal Cups
Lightly sweetened whole-grain Baked Oatmeal Cups with banana and zucchini make the perfect healthy breakfast or afternoon snack on-the-go!
Carrot Cake Baked Oatmeal
Easy, moist Carrot Cake Baked Oatmeal studded with walnuts and topped with healthy cream cheese frosting. Perfect for breakfast but good enough for dessert!
Healthy Chocolate Banana Muffins (no added sugar!)
Healthy Chocolate Banana Muffins sweetened with dates and banana for a tasty, satisfying snack with no added sugar! Free of eggs, dairy, and gluten.
Cookie Dough Protein Bars
The best homemade Cookie Dough Protein Bars packed with cookie flavor! Made with whole grain oat flour, cashew butter, and vanilla plant protein with a silky smooth chocolate coating.
The Best Gluten Free Banana Bread
My favorite healthy banana bread that happens to be gluten free! Super moist, lightly sweetened, and easily made in one bowl. Your new go-to recipe! Check out the recipe notes for a vegan option.
Fluffy Banana Chickpea Muffins (kid-friendly!)
Fluffy Banana Chickpea Muffins that are super moist, flourless and protein-packed! A fun kid-friendly healthy snack that's low in sugar and gluten free.
Banana Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
The easiest recipe for Healthy Banana Oatmeal Raisin Cookies with 7 ingredients and no added sugar. These have a soft, cakey texture. Vegan and gluten free!
Applesauce Oatmeal Muffins
Easy Applesauce Oatmeal Muffins are a tasty, healthy on-the-go breakfast! Made with oats, applesauce, peanut butter, maple syrup and cinnamon. Make a batch for busy mornings!
Healthy Morning Glory Muffins
Made with almond and oat flour and packed with fresh orange juice, banana, carrots, these super moist Healthy Morning Glory Muffins are an amazing snack or breakfast! Vegan and gluten free.
Healthy Chocolate Banana Bread (gluten free!)
Deliciously moist and rich Healthy Chocolate Banana Bread! This easy gluten-free and dairy free treat made with almond and oat flour will become your new favorite snack or breakfast.
Healthy Sweet Potato Muffins (no added sugar!)
Incredible Healthy Sweet Potato Muffins with no added sugar made in 1 bowl! Fluffy, moist, and irresistible. Gluten free and toddler approved!
Tart Cherry Pie Smoothie
A refreshing, creamy, and flavorful Tart Cherry Pie Smoothie perfect for breakfast or a nourishing pick me up!
Ultimate Gluten Free Banana Muffins
Super moist and tasty Healthy Banana Muffins with walnuts that happen to be gluten free! Lightly sweetened with maple syrup, these muffins are the ultimate easy snack.
No Bake Pumpkin Cookies (kid-friendly!)
Easy healthy No Bake Pumpkin Cookies made with oats, nut butter, maple syrup and spices. No bake and kid-friendly for snacking all week long!
Peanut Butter Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies
Thick, melt-in-your-mouth Peanut Butter Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies packed with all the goods! Sweet, salty, soft, and chewy. The perfect cookie!
Banana Protein Bars
Easy homemade Banana Protein Bars naturally sweetened with banana make the perfect nourishing snack to fuel you all all week!
Vegan Raspberry Oatmeal Bars (Kid-Friendly!)
These Vegan Raspberry Oatmeal Bars are packed with whole grains, raspberries, and chia seeds for the perfect healthy snack or treat! Gluten-free and kid-friendly.
Tart Cherry Orange Bread
Amazing gluten free Cherry Orange Bread bursting with bright citrus flavor! Naturally sweetened, made with wholesome ingredients and perfect with coffee.
Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies
Thick, chewy and soft Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies loaded with amazing almond flavor and oatmeal for an irresistible treat!
Baby Banana Oat Muffins (Nut Free + Iron-Rich!)
Super moist Baby Banana Oat Muffins with no added sugar! Perfect for baby led weaning and a great source of iron for little ones. Gluten, dairy, egg, and nut free.
Cherry Almond Baked Oatmeal Cups
Lightly sweetened whole-grain Cherry Almond Baked Oatmeal Cups are full of flavor and make the perfect afternoon snack or easy breakfast on-the-go.
Chocolate Chip Zucchini Oatmeal Bake
Naturally-sweetened Chocolate Chip Zucchini Oatmeal Bake! Packed with zucchini and peanut butter, it's the perfect healthy breakfast.
Blueberry Banana Baked Oatmeal
Start your morning with easy, satisfying Blueberry Banana Baked Oatmeal! Lightly sweetened and studded with blueberries for a healthy breakfast of champs.
Pumpkin Baked Oatmeal
Easy Pumpkin Baked Oatmeal makes the best portable healthy breakfast! Made in 1 bowl, I can't get enough of this scrumptious fall baked oatmeal recipe.
Cherry Almond Granola
Snack smarter with this delicious Cherry Almond Granola! Sweetened with a touch of pure maple syrup and dried cherries, it makes the perfect healthy breakfast or snack.
No-Bake Carrot Cake Protein Bars
Easy homemade Carrot Cake Protein Bars! A healthy, high-protein snack bar free of oil, flour, and refined sugar that tastes just like carrot cake. Portable, vegan, gluten free, and kid friendly.
No-Bake Matcha Protein Bars
Healthy homemade No-Bake Matcha Protein Bars made with whole grain oat flour and cashew butter plus a smooth chocolate topping. Vegan + gluten-free!
No-Bake Chocolate Almond Butter Oatmeal Bars
Delicious and easy No-Bake Chocolate Almond Butter Oatmeal Bars perfect for snacking or an afternoon treat! (Prep time does not include freezing time.)
No-Bake Peanut Butter Granola Bars
Delicious No Bake Peanut Butter Granola Bars packed with nourishing ingredients like dates, flax, chia seeds, and rolled oats. An easy, filling snack great for on-the-go! Vegan and gluten free.
Healthy Snack Ideas with Oats: Banana Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 16 cookies 1x
- Category: Snacks
- Method: Oven
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
The easiest recipe for Healthy Banana Oatmeal Raisin Cookies with 7 ingredients and no added sugar. These have a soft, cakey texture. Done in 25 minutes, they're are a great healthy snack for toddlers, kids and adults. Super easy to make and freezer-friendly. Vegan and gluten free!
Ingredients
- 2 large overripe bananas
- 1 ½ cups old fashioned oats (certified gluten free if needed)
- 1 cup almond flour
- 1 ½ tsp cinnamon
- 1 tsp baking soda
- ¼ tsp fine sea salt
- ½ cup raisins
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a Silipat.
- Mash bananas in a medium mixing bowl. Add remaining ingredients and mix with a wooden spoon until combined.
- Form dough in 16 round balls and place evenly on baking sheet. Gently flatten with your palm as they won't spread while baking.
- Bake for 20 minutes. These cookies taste even better the next day!
Notes
Adapted from my Morning Glory Breakfast Cookies.
STORAGE: Store in an air tight container on the counter for up to two days, then store any remaining cookies in the refrigerator.
Janet says
I've made so many of these. I love how easy the oatmeal cookies are!
★★★★★
Natalie says
These are amazing! So easy. Sometimes we add chocolate chips. My whole family them, thanks!
★★★★★
Jeya says
Such an easy recipe that my toddler loves! Delish!
★★★★★
Saguren Redyrs says
The oatmeal fig bars look like a real treat, simply because I haven't had figs in a while and I like to make sure that I spoil my body with a range of good foods to increase micro nutrient diversity. The muffins will always be a regular favorite of mine.
Kori says
Long live the versatile and delicious oat!
Alexis Joseph says
Right? Such a super ingredient!