There is nothing quite as comforting and energizing as starting your day with a wholesome, delicious homemade treat. This Oatmeal Breakfast Bars Recipe is the perfect way to fuel your mornings with a delightful combination of hearty oats, warming cinnamon, and bursts of sweet cranberries balanced with the crunch of walnuts. Each bite is a wonderful harmony of textures and flavors that will keep you satisfied until lunch while making breakfast feel like a special occasion. Whether you’re meal prepping for a busy week or simply craving a nourishing snack, these bars are sure to become your new favorite go-to.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Simple, wholesome, and thoughtfully chosen, these ingredients are the foundation to achieving the perfect blend of taste, texture, and natural sweetness in your oatmeal breakfast bars.
- 2 cups rolled oats: The hearty base that provides fiber and a satisfying chew.
- ½ cup granulated sugar: Adds sweetness without overpowering the natural flavors.
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder: Helps the bars rise slightly for a tender crumb.
- ½ teaspoon salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances all the flavors.
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon: Offers warm spice that complements the oats beautifully.
- 2 large eggs: Bind everything together with richness and structure.
- ½ cup almond milk: Keeps the bars moist and adds a subtle nutty note.
- ¼ cup unsweetened applesauce: Natural sweetness and moisture without extra fat.
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: Deepens the overall flavor with a sweet aromatic essence.
- ¼ cup walnuts (finely chopped): Adds crunch and healthy fats for texture contrast.
- ¼ cup dried cranberries: Bright bursts of tart sweetness to balance the oats and nuts.
How to Make Oatmeal Breakfast Bars Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Pan
Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F. Meanwhile, line an 8-inch square baking pan with parchment paper, leaving some overhang on the sides — this will make lifting the bars out once baked so much easier and keep your edges perfectly intact.
Step 2: Combine the Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together the rolled oats, granulated sugar, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon. This dry mixture bundles all the flavors and leaveners in one place to ensure your bars have that lovely balance between sweet, spice, and lift.
Step 3: Mix the Wet Ingredients
In a separate large bowl, beat the eggs together with almond milk, unsweetened applesauce, and vanilla extract until smooth and fragrant. This wet blend will infuse moisture and flavor into your bars, making them delightfully tender without any heaviness.
Step 4: Bring Wet and Dry Together
Pour the dry ingredients into the wet bowl and gently fold them together until everything is just combined. Then, cover the mixture and let it rest for about 20 minutes. This resting period allows the oats to absorb the liquids and the flavors to meld, resulting in a beautifully textured bar.
Step 5: Add the Crunch and Fruit
After the mixture has rested, fold in the finely chopped walnuts and tangy dried cranberries. These additions bring wonderful textural contrast and little pops of flavor that make each bite exciting and satisfying.
Step 6: Bake to Perfection
Spread the mixture evenly into your prepared baking pan. Bake in the preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the edges turn golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let the bars cool on a wire rack for around 5 minutes before slicing them into 16 perfect portions.
How to Serve Oatmeal Breakfast Bars Recipe
Garnishes
To make these bars even more inviting, consider sprinkling a light dusting of cinnamon or a few extra chopped walnuts on top before serving. For a touch of indulgence, a smear of almond butter or Greek yogurt on the side pairs beautifully.
Side Dishes
Complement your oatmeal breakfast bars with fresh fruit like berries or sliced apples for a refreshing contrast. A warm cup of tea or coffee perfectly balances the wholesome flavors and kicks off the morning with cozy comfort.
Creative Ways to Present
Try arranging these bars in a layered breakfast parfait with yogurt and fresh fruit for an eye-catching breakfast treat. Alternatively, wrap individual bars in parchment paper tied with twine for an adorable grab-and-go gift or lunchbox addition.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once cooled completely, keep your oatmeal breakfast bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. If you prefer them a little firmer, refrigerating will extend their freshness for about a week without sacrificing taste or texture.
Freezing
These bars freeze wonderfully. Individually wrap each bar in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe container or bag. Frozen bars can be stored for up to 3 months, making them a fantastic option for meal prepping.
Reheating
To enjoy your breakfast bars warm, simply unwrap and microwave for 20-30 seconds or heat gently in a toaster oven. Warmed bars release their lovely aromas and become even more inviting on chilly mornings.
FAQs
Can I substitute the almond milk with another type of milk?
Absolutely! You can use dairy milk, soy milk, oat milk, or any other milk alternative you prefer. The flavor may shift slightly, but the bars will still turn out moist and delicious.
Are these bars suitable for gluten-free diets?
They can be, as long as you use certified gluten-free rolled oats and make sure any added ingredients, like baking powder, are gluten-free. This way, everyone can enjoy the Oatmeal Breakfast Bars Recipe safely.
Can I swap out walnuts for another nut or seed?
Yes, feel free to substitute walnuts with pecans, almonds, or even pumpkin seeds. Each will add its own unique crunch and flavor, so it’s a fun way to customize the bars to your liking.
Is the applesauce necessary in the recipe?
Applesauce adds natural moisture and a touch of sweetness while keeping the bars tender. If you don’t have it on hand, you could try mashed banana or yogurt, but applesauce offers the lightest texture.
How long do the bars stay fresh after baking?
At room temperature in an airtight container, they stay fresh for about 3 days. Refrigerated, they can last up to a week. For longer storage, freezing is your best bet.
Final Thoughts
There is something truly wonderful about a homemade treat that feels both nourishing and indulgent, and this Oatmeal Breakfast Bars Recipe delivers just that. It’s a recipe that invites experimentation while remaining beautifully simple to prepare. Whether you’re feeding a crowd or just want tasty breakfasts ready to grab all week, these bars have you covered with warmth, texture, and wholesome goodness baked in every bite.
Print
Oatmeal Breakfast Bars Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 16 bars 1x
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Oatmeal Breakfast Bars are a wholesome and delicious way to start your day. Made with rolled oats, a hint of cinnamon, and naturally sweetened with dried cranberries and applesauce, they offer a perfect balance of flavor and nutrition. Easy to prepare and bake, these bars are ideal for a grab-and-go breakfast or a healthy snack option.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups rolled oats
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
Wet Ingredients
- 2 large eggs
- ½ cup almond milk
- ¼ cup unsweetened applesauce
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Add-ins
- ¼ cup walnuts (finely chopped)
- ¼ cup dried cranberries
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8-inch square baking pan with parchment paper, letting the edges hang over for easy removal of the bars.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, combine rolled oats, granulated sugar, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon. Stir well to ensure even distribution of the leavening and spices.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, almond milk, unsweetened applesauce, and vanilla extract until smooth. Pour the dry ingredient mixture over the wet ingredients and stir until combined. Let the mixture rest for about 20 minutes to allow the oats to absorb moisture and flavors to meld.
- Add Nuts and Fruit: Fold in the finely chopped walnuts and dried cranberries evenly into the batter. Spread the mixture evenly into the prepared baking pan, smoothing the top with a spatula.
- Bake: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the edges turn golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool and Slice: Remove the pan from the oven and let the bars cool on a wire rack for 5 minutes. Using the parchment paper edges, lift the baked mixture out of the pan and place on a cutting board. Slice into 16 bars and serve.
Notes
- For a nut-free version, omit walnuts or substitute with sunflower seeds.
- You can swap dried cranberries with raisins or chopped dried apricots.
- Store bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or refrigerate for up to one week.
- These bars can be frozen individually wrapped for up to 3 months. Thaw before eating.
- Use gluten-free oats if you want these bars to be gluten-free.
