These wholesome breakfast bars are a healthful method to begin your day! Made with loads of oats and spices, these soft-baked oatmeal bars style completely cozy. They’re fast and straightforward to make too — lower than 20 minutes of prep!
For my final two journeys to Kauai and the Huge Island, I booked the one nonstop flight supplied by considered one of my common airways from my native airport. Surprisingly sufficient, it price the identical as different choices with connections, and at any time when attainable, I strongly choose avoiding the stress of dashing by unknown terminals whereas hauling an sometimes unruly wheeled bag in the hunt for departure displays, the women’ room, and my subsequent gate.
Earlier than these Hawaiian holidays, I excitedly packed my suitcase with the entire necessities for paradise. Shorts, tank tops, sundresses, swimsuits, coverups, sun shades, sunscreen, sandals… Together with pajamas, toiletries, and spare chargers. I knew I may simply buy something I forgot, however I nonetheless triple and quadruple checked my record. I wished to maximise each second of my rest time by the pool and seaside!
The evening earlier than every flight, I climbed into mattress, turned out the sunshine, and set my alarm…
For 4:45 am. Apparently, the explanation every nonstop flight was so reasonably priced was due to its early departure time from the mainland!
So within the pitch-black darkness, I threw off the covers, hurriedly dressed, and ready to depart my home earlier than the remainder of the world even stirred. With so few individuals awake and in line, I shortly handed by the safety checkpoint on the airport and located my gate with loads of time to spare for a restroom cease and reorganizing my carryon gadgets.
the drill… Seize a charging wire from one pocket, telephone from one other, books and magazines in a distinct slot, and a spare jacket or one other additional layer by accident shoved beneath all the things else in the direction of the underside. (No? Simply me?)
In my haste to reach on the airport on time — but nonetheless squeeze in somewhat additional sleep — I skipped breakfast earlier than leaving the home. I knew the terminal supplied loads of choices various from heat bagels and contemporary fruit to egg sandwiches and breakfast burritos to jumbo muffins and gooey cinnamon rolls…
However these wholesome oatmeal breakfast bars would’ve been the proper choice to tuck into my purse! They’re nice for busy mornings and moveable on-the-go meals. (Snacks too!)
And since I’m hoping to schedule one other Kauai trip with my household quickly, I’m already writing down reminders and notes to myself about what to pack… For garments and snacks!
QUICK OVERVIEW – HEALTHY OATMEAL BREAKFAST BARS
Issue: Primarily straightforward, together with for a lot of newbie bakers.
Style: Very frivolously sweetened with plenty of cozy oats set amongst a backdrop of heat spices.
Texture: Supremely moist and chewy, with a consistency someplace between fudge-like brownies and soft-baked oatmeal cookies.
KEY INGREDIENTS TO MAKE HEALTHY OATMEAL BREAKFAST BARS
Let’s go over what you’ll must make these wholesome oatmeal breakfast bars! A lot of this stuff are widespread baking staples, so there’s a superb likelihood you have already got all the things in your kitchen. I’m assuming your cabinets at present maintain issues like vanilla, baking powder, and salt, so we’ll persist with the extra fascinating elements proper now.
Oats. A really conventional breakfast bar ingredient! For this recipe, you’ll want instantaneous oats. They’re additionally referred to as “fast cooking” and “one-minute” oats. As a result of somebody at all times asks… They’re not the type bought in particular person packets with flavors like maple brown sugar or apple cinnamon!
Similar to old style rolled oats, instantaneous oats solely include one ingredient: oats! The primary distinction is their dimension. Immediate oats are smaller and thinner than old style rolled oats, and which means they soften quicker… Which provides your wholesome oatmeal breakfast bars one of the best texture: moist, chewy, and even somewhat fudgy like brownies!
Tip: For those who’d prefer to make your wholesome oatmeal breakfast bars gluten-free, then use licensed gluten-free instantaneous oats. They work completely!
Flour. To make these breakfast bars more healthy, I opted for complete wheat flour. It has extra fiber and micronutrients in comparison with all-purpose flour, which I actually recognize… Particularly at breakfast time! You’ll add loads of spices (extra on them momentarily!), so even with 100% complete wheat flour, these bars nonetheless style deliciously cozy and comforting.
Tip: For those who’d prefer to make your wholesome oatmeal breakfast bars gluten-free, that’s straightforward to do! I’ve shared my favourite options within the Notes part of the recipe, so test there.
Spices. That’s proper — plural! You’ll stir in each cinnamon and nutmeg. Cinnamon gives that iconic additional cozy taste, whereas the nutmeg provides a richness and depth that makes these wholesome breakfast bars style much more comforting.
Tip: I extremely advocate Saigon cinnamon! It tastes a bit stronger, richer, and sweeter in comparison with common cinnamon. As an enormous spice fan, it’s mainly the one variety I exploit in my baking recipes now! I typically purchase mine on-line right here — it’s additionally actually reasonably priced!
Unsalted butter or coconut oil. In contrast to many conventional recipes, you solely want a small quantity to make these. That helps preserve your wholesome breakfast bars low calorie and low fats! Each work equally effectively, together with stick-style vegan butter (I like this one and this one!), so be happy to make use of whichever you have already got available. No want for a particular journey to the grocery retailer!
Egg white. Similar to in your favourite oatmeal cookie recipe, the egg white helps bind collectively the elements. As a result of the white accommodates the vast majority of an egg’s protein, it additionally provides your wholesome breakfast bars somewhat protein increase!
Sweetener. I reached for pure maple syrup to make these wholesome breakfast bars. It’s the type that comes instantly from maple timber and solely consists of one ingredient: maple syrup! It’s usually bought in skinny glass bottles or squat plastic jugs (like this), and you’ll typically discover it on the breakfast cereal aisle.
Tip: Skip the pancake syrup and sugar-free syrup! These include different elements, which have an effect on the best way they behave in baking recipes. That is significantly true of sugar-free syrup! It’s typically water-based, and that may make your breakfast bars bready or dry, slightly than moist and chewy.
Milk. To make sure these bars qualify as a breakfast merchandise, you’ll solely use half the quantity of sweetener sometimes present in oatmeal cookies or dessert bars. To compensate for that “lacking” different half and obtain the right dough consistency, you’ll add milk.
Nearly any sort will work, so that you’re welcome to make use of no matter variety is already in your fridge! I purchase unsweetened vanilla almond milk, unsweetened cashew milk, and nonfat milk essentially the most. Each works completely!
Trace: For those who use coconut oil (or vegan butter!) and dairy-free milk, then your wholesome oatmeal breakfast bars might be completely dairy-free. A few of my relations are lactose-intolerant… In order that dairy-free possibility positively is useful!
Combine-ins (non-obligatory). I believe these wholesome breakfast bars style scrumptious when basic and plain, however it’s also possible to jazz up your batch, when you’d like! Nuts, raisins, coconut, chocolate chips… I’ve added plenty of tasty twists for you within the Notes part of the recipe!
HOW TO MAKE HEALTHY OATMEAL BREAKFAST BARS
Let’s shortly cowl the way to make one of the best wholesome breakfast bars! As I promised earlier, this recipe is straightforward and simple. I even have some ideas to make sure your batch seems superbly!
Measure appropriately. I do know, I do know… You’ve most likely heard this as typically because the reminder to look each methods earlier than you cross the road or lock your own home earlier than you permit — nevertheless it’s extremely vital. Be sure you correctly measure the entire elements! An excessive amount of or too little can enormously have an effect on the style, texture, and consistency of your breakfast bars.
For the flour and oats, use this technique or a kitchen scale. (← That’s the one I personal!) Do not scoop both one instantly from the container. This can lead to including 1 ½ occasions as a lot, and people additional dry elements will make your bars bready, cakey, and, effectively, dry. It’ll additionally make them style bland. So for smooth, chewy, heat, and further cozy breakfast bars, use a type of two measuring choices!
For the pure maple syrup and milk, use measuring cups or spoons, not a kitchen scale. I do know many kitchen scales include an “ounces” possibility, however that solely works for liquids whose density is strictly 1.0g/mL, like water. Until you’re ready to analysis the density of the precise milk and maple syrup that you just use, after which convert from mL to grams, measuring cups and spoons are extra correct — and far simpler!
Stir gently. To make the dough, you’ll combine collectively the dry elements in a single bowl, the moist in one other, and fold the previous into the latter. Once you do that final bit, stir gently — and solely till the dry combination is barely included! For those who overmix or combine too vigorously, it creates a tricky, rubbery, or gummy texture. However when you use a mild hand, you’ll find yourself with completely smooth and moist breakfast bars.
Though it surprises some individuals, I like to recommend a fork to do that! The empty area between the fork’s tines permits elements to move by and blend extra effectively, in comparison with the large and flat floor of a spatula or spoon. Extra environment friendly mixing means much less stirring, which additionally helps guard in opposition to overmixing and due to this fact yields one of the best texture!
Use the right pan dimension. You want an 8”-square pan to make these wholesome oatmeal breakfast bars. Earlier than you unfold the combination inside, measure your pan! It needs to be 8” throughout the highest edge.
In case your pan is 9” throughout the highest rim, however nearer to eight” throughout the underside, it’s nonetheless a 9”-square pan and too massive for this recipe. (There isn’t sufficient uncooked dough to comfortably cowl the underside, so your bars would find yourself extremely skinny.) Stick that pan again on the shelf and attain for a real 8”-square one as a substitute!
Trace: Many round and rectangular pans have sloped sides, so it may be somewhat complicated… However pan sizes are measured throughout the highest edges, not the underside ones!
Bake. These wholesome breakfast bars end baking comparatively shortly, so don’t stray too removed from the kitchen! They’re prepared to return out of the oven when the perimeters look pretty agency however the heart nonetheless seems smooth and somewhat underdone. The residual warmth from the pan will proceed to prepare dinner the middle all through when you allow them to relaxation on the counter, with out overbaking the perimeters or drying out the bars. This straightforward baking trick helps give your bars one of the best moist and chewy texture!
Cool utterly + relaxation. That’s proper — utterly. Completely. Totally. All the best way to room temperature… After which wait some extra.
These breakfast bars flip softer and chewier the longer they relaxation. For those who reduce into them sooner, like proper after they attain room temperature or — gasp! — after they’re nonetheless heat, they’ll be extra cakey and bread-like. I do know it feels just about not possible to attend, particularly with their cozy aroma wafting all through the home, however I promise they’ll have a significantly better texture when you do!
Furthermore… They style higher the longer they sit too! That offers the spices an opportunity to meld and marry, so that they style hotter, richer, and extra comforting the following day.
Tip: For those who’re feeling impatient, you’ll be able to pop your pan within the fridge for a few hours as soon as it’s cool sufficient to the touch along with your naked arms. That’ll velocity up the resting and setting course of!
FAQS ABOUT HEALTHY OATMEAL BREAKFAST BARS
Are these wholesome oatmeal breakfast bars low calorie, low fats, gluten-free, dairy-free, or clear consuming?
Sure — to the entire above! When made as written, these breakfast bars are naturally clear consuming, dairy-free, low fats, and low calorie (in comparison with many conventional recipes!). I included a gluten-free possibility within the Notes part of the recipe, in addition to an egg-free and vegan possibility, so test there!
Can I exploit old style rolled oats?
In a pinch — however blitz them in a blender or meals processor first! This makes them nearer in dimension to instantaneous oats, so your breakfast bars will nonetheless have an identical smooth and chewy texture.
What a few completely different flour?
Sure! White complete wheat flour, complete wheat pastry flour, and all-purpose flour carry out simply in addition to common complete wheat flour. Oat flour (gluten-free, if wanted!) additionally works, however be additional cautious when measuring it as a result of it tends to be extra absorbent than wheat-based flours.
Can I substitute one other sweetener?
You certain can! Honey and agave each work rather well.
What about one other form of milk?
Positively! Nearly any sort will work, so be happy to substitute no matter you have already got in your fridge.
Can I add something to them, like chocolate chips?
You guess! Chocolate chips, coconut, and chopped nuts (peanuts, cashews, walnuts, pistachios, pecans — you get the concept!) are likely to work finest as a result of they don’t change the consistency when folded into the dough. Blueberries and dried fruit, like raisins and craisins, additionally end up effectively! Simply watch out with different contemporary fruits (like strawberries, raspberries, peaches, pineapple, grated apples, and many others) since they typically launch plenty of moisture as they bake, which may have an effect on each the baking time and completed texture of your bars.
Mine turned out cakey, bready, or form of dry. Why is that?
There are just a few widespread culprits. The primary is including an excessive amount of flour or too many oats. Not sufficient milk or pure maple syrup will even try this, so be sure to’re measuring all of those elements appropriately. (See the “Measure appropriately” header within the “Methods to Make Wholesome Oatmeal Breakfast Bars” part above for extra particulars!)
The second is substituting sugar-free maple syrup. See the “Sweetener” header within the “Key Substances to Make Wholesome Oatmeal Breakfast Bars” part for more information about this!
The third is utilizing the unsuitable pan dimension. Double test its measurements earlier than you unfold the dough inside! (See the “Use the right pan dimension” header within the “Methods to Make Wholesome Oatmeal Breakfast Bars” part above for particulars about the way to correctly measure baking pans.)
The fourth is overbaking them. Don’t depart them within the oven till the middle feels agency! That utterly dries them out. Try the “Bake” header within the “Methods to Make Wholesome Oatmeal Breakfast Bars” part for more information!
And at last… Consuming the bars earlier than they’ve cooled and totally rested. It nonetheless surprises me how completely different their texture could be after only a few extra hours of sitting within the pan, however that additional time actually does make an enormous distinction! (See the “Cool utterly + relaxation” header within the “Methods to Make Wholesome Oatmeal Breakfast Bars” part for extra particulars.)
I’d like mine to style sweeter. Is there a means to try this?
Completely! Substitute an equal quantity of pure maple syrup for the milk. (For instance, use an additional 2 tablespoons of pure maple syrup, and scale back the milk by 2 tablespoons to compensate.)
What’s the easiest way to retailer these wholesome breakfast bars? How lengthy do they final?
Retailer them in an hermetic container within the fridge. They need to preserve for not less than 4 days, if not nearer to every week or extra!
Can I freeze these wholesome breakfast bars?
Sure once more! They freeze and thaw rather well. I prefer to thaw particular person breakfast bars within the microwave on 30% energy till they’re warmed all through. They nearly style such as you simply pulled them out of the oven when thawed like that!
Time for breakfast! And perhaps even time for an additional tropical trip?…
Then once you make your individual, bear in mind to snap an image and share it on Instagram utilizing #amyshealthybaking and tagging @amyshealthybaking IN the picture itself! (That ensures I’ll see your image! 🙂 ) I’d like to see your wholesome oatmeal breakfast bars!
Wholesome Oatmeal Breakfast Bars
These wholesome breakfast bars are a healthful method to begin your day! Made with loads of oats and spices, these soft-baked bars style completely cozy and comforting. They’re fast and straightforward to make too! Leftovers will preserve for not less than 4 days (if not nearer to every week!) if saved in an hermetic container within the fridge.
Substances
- 1 cup (100g) instantaneous oats (gluten-free if crucial and measured like this)
- ¾ cup (90g) complete wheat flour or gluten-free* flour (measured like this)
- 1 ½ tsp baking powder
- 1 ½ tsp floor cinnamon (see Notes!)
- ¼ tsp floor nutmeg
- ¼ tsp salt
- 1 tbsp (14g) unsalted butter or coconut oil, melted and cooled barely
- 1 giant 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)
- non-obligatory: mix-ins (see Notes!)
Directions
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Preheat the oven to 300°F, and coat an 8”-square pan with nonstick cooking spray.
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In a medium bowl, whisk collectively the oats, flour, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. In a separate bowl, whisk collectively the butter or coconut oil, egg white, and vanilla. Stir within the maple syrup till utterly included. Stir within the milk. Add within the oat combination, and stir till simply included. If utilizing any non-obligatory mix-ins, gently fold them in.
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Unfold the combination into the ready pan. Bake at 300°F for 9-12 minutes. Cool utterly to room temperature within the pan. Enable them to relaxation for a further 6+ hours as soon as at room temperature for one of the best smooth and chewy texture earlier than slicing into squares.
Notes
For a stronger spice taste, improve the cinnamon by a further ¼ to ½ teaspoon. (← I like sturdy spice flavors, so that is what I often do!)
IMPORTANT MEASURING NOTE – READ BEFORE BEGINNING: It’s extraordinarily vital to measure each the oats and flour appropriately utilizing this technique or a kitchen scale. (← That’s the one I personal!) An excessive amount of of both will dry out the bars and depart them cakey, bready, or dry, as a substitute of soppy and chewy. That is very true of the oats; they act like little sponges and absorb plenty of moisture.
IMPORTANT PAN SIZE NOTE – READ BEFORE BEGINNING: Pan dimensions are measured alongside their high rims, not their backside sides. Some sq. baking dishes have sloped sides, so that they’re 9” throughout the highest and nearer to eight” throughout the underside. If that’s true on your baking dish, it’s really a 9”-square pan and too massive for this recipe. As a result of it has a bigger floor space (81 in2), your bars would end up actually skinny, barely maintain collectively, and be susceptible to overbaking.
IMPORTANT BAKING NOTES – READ BEFORE BEGINNING: Do not over-bake these bars! They’re prepared to return out of the oven when the perimeters really feel agency however the heart nonetheless look barely shiny and underdone. The warmth from the pan will proceed to prepare dinner the middle all through when you let the bars cool to room temperature and set.
OATS NOTES + ALTERNATIVE: Immediate oats are also referred to as “fast cooking” or “one-minute” oats. They arrive in giant canisters, identical to old style oats. They’re not those within the small flavored packets of oatmeal.
In a pinch, to make your individual, add the identical quantity of old style rolled oats to a meals processor, and pulse 10-12 occasions or till the oats are about ¼ to ⅛ of their authentic dimension.
FLOUR ALTERNATIVES: White complete wheat flour, complete wheat pastry flour, or all-purpose flour could also be substituted for the entire wheat flour. Oat flour (gluten-free if wanted) might also be substituted, however be very cautious when measuring it as a result of it tends to be extra absorbent than wheat-based flours.
BUTTER + COCONUT OIL ALTERNATIVES: Stick-style vegan butter (I like this one and this one) could also be substituted for the unsalted butter or coconut oil. Many neutral-tasting oils will even work.
EGG WHITE ALTERNATIVE: For those who choose to make use of the entire egg, then use 1 giant egg AND scale back the milk by ½ tablespoon to compensate for the added quantity from the yolk.
SWEETENER ALTERNATIVES: Honey or agave could also be substituted for the pure maple syrup. Alternatively, substitute ¼ cup (48g) coconut sugar or gentle brown sugar AND 2 ½ tablespoons (38mL) milk (any sort!) for the pure maple syrup.
I do not advocate substituting sugar-free maple syrup. It’s typically water-based, and that tends to make these oatmeal bars end up cakey, bready, or dry.
MILK ALTERNATIVES: Any milk could also be substituted for the unsweetened vanilla almond milk.
OPTIONAL MIX-INS NOTES: Add in as much as ¼ cup of any of the next: miniature chocolate chips, shredded unsweetened coconut, chopped peanuts, chopped pecans, chopped cashews, chopped walnuts, chopped or sliced almonds, contemporary blueberries, raisins, dried cranberries, dried blueberries, or different chopped dried fruit. The baking time and temperature will stay the identical. (You’re welcome to attempt including extra; I simply can’t personally vouch for the outcomes!)
If utilizing dried fruit, I extremely advocate hydrating it first! To take action, add the dried fruit to a microwave-safe bowl, and canopy it with water. Place a lid or plastic wrap on high. Microwave on HIGH for 1 minute, and let the dried fruit sit for 15+ minutes (or whereas measuring the opposite elements and making the dough). Totally drain any remaining liquid earlier than folding within the hydrated dried fruit.
See the “Can I add something to them?” query within the “FAQS About Wholesome Oatmeal Breakfast Bars” part in my weblog submit above for extra data!
DAIRY-FREE VERSION: Use the coconut oil possibility or stick-style vegan butter (I like this one and this one).
EGG-FREE + VEGAN VERSION: Substitute ¼ cup (56g) unsweetened applesauce for the massive egg white. Alternatively, substitute 1 ½ teaspoons Ener-G + 2 tablespoons (30mL) heat water.
GLUTEN-FREE VERSION: Use licensed gluten-free instantaneous oats. For the gluten-free flour, use the next: ½ cup (60g) millet flour, 2 tablespoons (15g) tapioca flour, 2 tablespoons (15g) brown rice flour, and ½ teaspoon xanthan gum. Licensed gluten-free oat flour and lots of store-bought gluten free flour blends (I like this one from Bob’s Crimson Mill) will even work, if measured like this.
HOW TO STORE: Retailer leftover oatmeal bars in an hermetic container. If refrigerated, they’ll preserve for not less than 4 days (if not longer!). These oatmeal bars additionally freeze rather well!
{gluten-free, dairy-free, clear consuming, low fats, decrease sugar, vegan possibility, egg-free possibility}
View Diet Info + Weight Watchers Factors
You may additionally like Amy’s different recipes…
♡ Wholesome Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars
♡ Wholesome Almond Butter Oatmeal Bars
♡ The Final Wholesome Oatmeal Muffins
♡ Wholesome Oatmeal Raisin Breakfast Cookies
♡ Wholesome Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Scones
♡ Wholesome Oatmeal Raisin Snack Cake
♡ …and the remainder of Amy’s wholesome breakfast recipes!
