Super easy Oatmeal Breakfast Bars made in 1 bowl with pantry staples! With no oil, eggs, or refined sugar, these make the perfect healthy breakfast on the go. Make them your own with your favorite add-ins. Kid friendly and they freeze great!
You know those times when you need a totally foolproof, prepped-in-5-minutes kind of breakfast bar? We've all been there.
I go through so many Morning Glory Baked Oatmeal Bars and Homemade Peanut Butter Granola Bars with my toddler Max. Let's be honest...they're a food group.
So when I have time to make homemade breakfast bars the whole fam will love, it's a win. These have a soft and fluffy granola bar texture similar to baked oatmeal. They aren't chewy, but don't fret--they have a delightful texture and crave-worthy flavor!
The low down on key ingredients
- Old fashioned (or rolled) oats: The 100% whole grain base of this recipe like so many of my healthy and wholesome breakfast ideas. Unfortunately instant, quick cook or steel cut oats won't work here.
- Applesauce: I developed this recipe with applesauce to add natural sweetness, a bit of a flavor punch, and moisture in lieu of oil.
- Almond butter: The dietitian in me loves the addition of healthy fats here to make these bars more satiating.
- Raisins and pecans: It was clear in testing that the natural pop of sweetness and nutty crunch of pecans are a must for much-needed textural intrigue.
Substitutions and dietary swaps
- For the applesauce: You can try mashed banana instead (they'll be sweeter).
- Nut-free: use sunflower seed butter and oat milk instead.
- No added sugar: Omit the maple syrup and consider increasing the raisins for more natural sweetness!
Let's make 'em!
How to store
Store bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
They freeze beautifully, too. You can wrap them in plastic wrap for single serving and then defrost overnight in the fridge. They'll stay good in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Don't forget to leave a star rating and comment letting me know you made these! I'm so grateful for your feedback always.
Print
Healthy Oatmeal Breakfast Bars with Nut Butter
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 9 bars 1x
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Oven
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegan
Description
Super easy Oatmeal Breakfast Bars made in 1 bowl with pantry staples! With no oil, eggs, or refined sugar, these make the perfect healthy breakfast on the go. These have the texture of baked oatmeal and are soft, not chewy. Make them your own with your favorite add-ins. Kid friendly and they freeze great!
Ingredients
- 2 cups old-fashioned oats
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- ¼ tsp fine sea salt
- 1 cup milk (I like soy milk)
- ½ cup unsweetened applesauce
- ¼ cup almond butter (or peanut butter)
- ¼ cup pure maple syrup or honey
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- recommended add-ins: ¼ cup each raisins and pecans*
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375F. Spray an 8x8 inch baking dish with cooking spray. (I like to line with parchment paper both ways for easy clean-up.
- Add oats, cinnamon, and salt to a medium mixing bowl. Whisk to combine.
- Add milk, applesauce, nut butter, maple syrup, and vanilla. Whisk to combine. Fold in add ins of choice.
- Pour into prepared baking dish. Bake for 40 minutes, or until bars are set and a knife comes out clean. Let cool before slicing into 9 bars. Devour!
Notes
Add-ins: These are great with chocolate chips, walnuts + dried cherries, or coconut. You could also add a chopped banana or ½ cup fresh or frozen blueberries!
Nut free: To make these lunchbox friendly, use sunflower seed butter and add omit the pecans.
Higher protein: Add 1-2 scoops of collagen peptides or protein powder (they may bake more quickly). You can also add ¼ cup hemp seeds.
Kathy says
Looking forward to trying these so that I have healthy breakfast snacks for an upcoming trip! Would it work to use frozen blueberries instead of raisins? I’m trying to cut out added sugars anytime I can. Also, do you think adding chia seeds would work?
Alexis Joseph, MS, RD says
Yes, frozen blueberries would work great! You could cut down the maple syrup if you want to reduce added sugar. And yes, you could add 2 tbsp chia, hemp, flax, etc. Enjoy!
Michelle Worley says
Can you recommend a substitute for the maple syrup/honey? Thanks!
Alexis Joseph, MS, RD says
Like a dry sweetener? I've only tested as written but you could try brown sugar, coconut sugar, whatever sweetener you like.
Jamie says
I followed the measurements for this exactly but put bananas instead of apple sauce since it said this was an acceptable substitution and would be sweeter. I used honey but less than the called for amount and it was sweet enough for me. The flavor was wonderful but the bars ended up less soft/fluffy and more gelatinous. The description said like baked oatmeal and it was, just like baked oatmeal and less like a bar. I would make it again but with different expectations on the texture. I love that it's oil free, egg free and refined sugar free.
Jennie says
Great recipe, was a huge hit in the family. I did make some changes using what I had on hand: I doubled it, used 3 very tired bananas in place of apple sauce and used a combo of regular milk and yogurt since that's what I had available, plus also used peanut butter. Huge hit!! Thanks for a great recipe!
Alexis Joseph, MS, RD says
Wow your version sounds sooo good, thanks for letting me know Jennie!
kate says
Great recipe...this is a keeper! I've quit sugar so skipped the syrup and doubled the cinnamon. While they baked, the kitchen smelled divine. No need to refrigerate, they disappear fast.
Alexis Joseph, MS, RD says
This is awesome, I’m thrilled they were able to winner Kate!
Candi says
I just made these and was pleasantly surprised! I subbed peanut butter for almond butter, banana for applesauce, and added a small amount of unsweetened coconut, and I used chocolate almond milk. Next time I will add nuts.
I don’t understand why these would need to be refrigerated. What is the reason for this?
Thank you!!!
Alexis Joseph, MS, RD says
So glad you liked them with those swaps! You can definitely leave them on the counter for 2-3 days but after that I suggest refrigerating since these are moist from the applesauce and that prevents any bacterial growth.
Candi says
Thank you so much!! These are definitely a new favorite for me, and I loved the idea that you mention alternatives to sub out to match what one already has in the pantry. Can’t wait to try out some of your other recipes!
Alexis Joseph, MS, RD says
Wahoooo!
Aimee says
Do they have to be refrigerated?
Alexis Joseph, MS, RD says
Yep check out the Storage section about the recipe card! Store bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. They freeze beautifully, too. You can wrap them in plastic wrap for single serving and then defrost overnight in the fridge. They'll stay good in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Jen L says
These are absolutely delicious and align with my desired eating habits!!! I double the recipe, individually wrap them, and freeze them. Thank you for the healthy snack option!
Alexis Joseph, MS, RD says
Yayyy so glad to hear this, Jen!
Pip says
I didn’t like this at all. The applesauce made the texture off. I took one bite and threw the whole thing out.
Alexis Joseph, MS, RD says
Hey Pip, sorry to hear. What did you not like about the texture? Were you expecting something different? It should have the soft texture of baked oatmeal.
Finn the cat says
I’m actually trying something new and I found this and it turned out pretty good thank you!
Erin says
loved these as a mix up to a regular bowl of oatmeal and/or snacks - added walnuts and raisins and then added milk and peanut butter on top too. it comes together really quickly too in just one bowl. i'll definitely make again. love all of your recipes!
Alexis Joseph says
Ohh that sounds so good, thank you Erin!
Georgette Howell says
Made this today with almond milk, almond butter and pecans. Delicious!
Alexis Joseph says
Perfection, thanks for letting me know it was a winner Georgette!
Cynthia Sue Christmon says
I made them with Bananas instead of apple sauce and added chocolate chips! So good!!
Alexis Joseph says
That sounds incredible!!
MacleanN says
These bars are such a nice change to my usual morning muffin!
In addition to the raisins, I added pumpkin seeds, and hemp seeds!
So filling and satisfying! I topped it with banana and extra peanut butter.
Thank you for another great recipe!
Alexis Joseph says
Ohhh love the sound of hemp seeds and pumpkin seeds, thanks so much Maclean!!
Andrea says
These are the perfect portable breakfast.
I love how quick they are to make and I can grab one on the go knowing I’m having a wholesome start to the day, protein included! I didn’t have applesauce on hand so I subbed with mashed banana and reduced the maple syrup. Delicious. Thanks for yet another excellent recipe Alexis!
Alexis Joseph says
I’m so glad you loved them with banana, thanks so much for the kind review Andrea!
Alexis Joseph says
That combo sounds delish, thanks Janet!