These wholesome breakfast bars are a healthful option 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 Large Island, I booked the one nonstop flight provided by considered one of my common airways from my native airport. Surprisingly sufficient, it value the identical as different choices with connections, and each time potential, I strongly choose avoiding the stress of dashing via unknown terminals whereas hauling an often unruly wheeled bag searching for departure displays, the women’ room, and my subsequent gate.
Earlier than these Hawaiian holidays, I excitedly packed my suitcase with all the 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 checklist. I wished to maximise each second of my rest time by the pool and seashore!
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 inexpensive 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 go away my home earlier than the remainder of the world even stirred. With so few folks awake and in line, I shortly handed via the safety checkpoint on the airport and located my gate with loads of time to spare for a restroom cease and reorganizing my carryon objects.
You recognize 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 further layer by chance shoved beneath all the pieces else in the direction of the underside. (No? Simply me?)
In my haste to reach on the airport on time — but nonetheless squeeze in slightly further sleep — I skipped breakfast earlier than leaving the home. I knew the terminal provided 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
Problem: Primarily simple, together with for a lot of newbie bakers.
Style: Very calmly sweetened with a lot 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 have to make these wholesome oatmeal breakfast bars! Lots of this stuff are frequent baking staples, so there’s probability you have already got all the pieces in your kitchen. I’m assuming your cabinets presently maintain issues like vanilla, baking powder, and salt, so we’ll follow the extra attention-grabbing substances proper now.
Oats. A really conventional breakfast bar ingredient! For this recipe, you’ll want on the spot oats. They’re additionally known as “fast cooking” and “one-minute” oats. As a result of somebody all the time asks… They’re not the sort offered in particular person packets with flavors like maple brown sugar or apple cinnamon!
Identical to old style rolled oats, on the spot oats solely comprise one ingredient: oats! The principle distinction is their measurement. On the spot oats are smaller and thinner than old style rolled oats, and which means they soften quicker… Which supplies your wholesome oatmeal breakfast bars the perfect texture: moist, chewy, and even slightly fudgy like brownies!
Tip: For those who’d prefer to make your wholesome oatmeal breakfast bars gluten-free, then use licensed gluten-free on the spot 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 simple to do! I’ve shared my favourite alternate options within the Notes part of the recipe, so examine there.
Spices. That’s proper — plural! You’ll stir in each cinnamon and nutmeg. Cinnamon offers that iconic further cozy taste, whereas the nutmeg provides a richness and depth that makes these wholesome breakfast bars style much more comforting.
Tip: I extremely suggest 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 form I exploit in my baking recipes now! I typically purchase mine on-line right here — it’s additionally actually inexpensive!
Unsalted butter or coconut oil. In contrast to many conventional recipes, you solely want a small quantity to make these. That helps hold your wholesome breakfast bars low calorie and low fats! Each work equally nicely, 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. Identical to in your favourite oatmeal cookie recipe, the egg white helps bind collectively the substances. As a result of the white accommodates the vast majority of an egg’s protein, it additionally offers your wholesome breakfast bars slightly protein increase!
Sweetener. I reached for pure maple syrup to make these wholesome breakfast bars. It’s the sort that comes straight from maple timber and solely consists of one ingredient: maple syrup! It’s usually offered in skinny glass bottles or squat plastic jugs (like this), and you may typically discover it on the breakfast cereal aisle.
Tip: Skip the pancake syrup and sugar-free syrup! These comprise different substances, which have an effect on the way in which they behave in baking recipes. That is significantly true of sugar-free syrup! It’s typically water-based, and that can make your breakfast bars bready or dry, reasonably 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.
Virtually any sort will work, so that you’re welcome to make use of no matter form is already in your fridge! I purchase unsweetened vanilla almond milk, unsweetened cashew milk, and nonfat milk probably 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 solely dairy-free. A few of my relations are lactose-intolerant… In order that dairy-free choice undoubtedly is useful!
Combine-ins (non-compulsory). I feel these wholesome breakfast bars style scrumptious when basic and plain, however you too can jazz up your batch, for those who’d like! Nuts, raisins, coconut, chocolate chips… I’ve added a lot of tasty twists for you within the Notes part of the recipe!
HOW TO MAKE HEALTHY OATMEAL BREAKFAST BARS
Let’s shortly cowl how you can make the perfect wholesome breakfast bars! As I promised earlier, this recipe is straightforward and simple. I even have some ideas to make sure your batch seems fantastically!
Measure accurately. I do know, I do know… You’ve in all probability 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 — but it surely’s extremely essential. Ensure you correctly measure all the substances! An excessive amount of or too little can tremendously have an effect on the style, texture, and consistency of your breakfast bars.
For the flour and oats, use this methodology or a kitchen scale. (← That’s the one I personal!) Do not scoop both one straight from the container. This can lead to including 1 ½ instances as a lot, and people further dry substances will make your bars bready, cakey, and, nicely, dry. It’ll additionally make them style bland. So for delicate, chewy, heat, and additional 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” choice, however that solely works for liquids whose density is precisely 1.0g/mL, like water. Except you’re ready to analysis the density of the precise milk and maple syrup that you simply 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 substances in a single bowl, the moist in one other, and fold the previous into the latter. If 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 troublesome, rubbery, or gummy texture. However for those who use a delicate hand, you’ll find yourself with completely delicate and moist breakfast bars.
Though it surprises some folks, I like to recommend a fork to do that! The empty house between the fork’s tines permits substances to move via and blend extra effectively, in comparison with the huge 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 subsequently yields the perfect texture!
Use the right pan measurement. You want an 8”-square pan to make these wholesome oatmeal breakfast bars. Earlier than you unfold the combination inside, measure your pan! It ought 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 large 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 slightly 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 sides look pretty agency however the middle nonetheless seems to be delicate and slightly underdone. The residual warmth from the pan will proceed to cook dinner the middle during whilst you allow them to relaxation on the counter, with out overbaking the sides or drying out the bars. This simple baking trick helps give your bars the perfect moist and chewy texture!
Cool utterly + relaxation. That’s proper — utterly. Completely. Completely. All the way in which to room temperature… After which wait some extra.
These breakfast bars flip softer and chewier the longer they relaxation. For those who minimize 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 nearly unattainable to attend, particularly with their cozy aroma wafting all through the home, however I promise they’ll have a a lot better texture for those who do!
Furthermore… They style higher the longer they sit too! That provides 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 possibly can pop your pan within the fridge for a few hours as soon as it’s cool sufficient to the touch together with your naked palms. 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 all the 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 choice within the Notes part of the recipe, in addition to an egg-free and vegan choice, so examine 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 measurement to on the spot oats, so your breakfast bars will nonetheless have an analogous delicate and chewy texture.
What a couple of totally 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 further 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 positive can! Honey and agave each work rather well.
What about one other sort of milk?
Positively! Virtually 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 wager! 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 prove nicely! Simply watch out with different contemporary fruits (like strawberries, raspberries, peaches, pineapple, grated apples, and many others) since they typically launch a lot 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 sort of dry. Why is that?
There are a couple of frequent culprits. The primary is including an excessive amount of flour or too many oats. Not sufficient milk or pure maple syrup may also do this, so be sure to’re measuring all of those substances accurately. (See the “Measure accurately” header within the “How one can 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 Components to Make Wholesome Oatmeal Breakfast Bars” part for more information about this!
The third is utilizing the improper pan measurement. Double examine its measurements earlier than you unfold the dough inside! (See the “Use the right pan measurement” header within the “How one can Make Wholesome Oatmeal Breakfast Bars” part above for particulars about how you can 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. Take a look at the “Bake” header within the “How one can Make Wholesome Oatmeal Breakfast Bars” part for more information!
And eventually… Consuming the bars earlier than they’ve cooled and absolutely rested. It nonetheless surprises me how totally different their texture will be after just some extra hours of sitting within the pan, however that further time really does make an enormous distinction! (See the “Cool utterly + relaxation” header within the “How one can Make Wholesome Oatmeal Breakfast Bars” part for extra particulars.)
I’d like mine to style sweeter. Is there a means to do 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 cut back the milk by 2 tablespoons to compensate.)
What’s one of the best ways to retailer these wholesome breakfast bars? How lengthy do they final?
Retailer them in an hermetic container within the fridge. They need to hold for no less than 4 days, if not nearer to per 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 during. They nearly style such as you simply pulled them out of the oven when thawed like that!
Time for breakfast! And possibly even time for an additional tropical trip?…
Then if you make your individual, keep 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 option 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 hold for no less than 4 days (if not nearer to per week!) if saved in an hermetic container within the fridge.
Components
- 1 cup (100g) on the spot oats (gluten-free if mandatory 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 massive 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-compulsory: 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-compulsory 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 an extra 6+ hours as soon as at room temperature for the perfect delicate and chewy texture earlier than slicing into squares.
Notes
For a stronger spice taste, enhance the cinnamon by an extra ¼ to ½ teaspoon. (← I like sturdy spice flavors, so that is what I normally do!)
IMPORTANT MEASURING NOTE – READ BEFORE BEGINNING: It’s extraordinarily essential to measure each the oats and flour accurately utilizing this methodology 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 sentimental and chewy. That is very true of the oats; they act like little sponges and take in a lot 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 truly a 9”-square pan and too large for this recipe. As a result of it has a bigger floor space (81 in2), your bars would prove actually skinny, barely maintain collectively, and be vulnerable 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 sides really feel agency however the middle nonetheless look barely shiny and underdone. The warmth from the pan will proceed to cook dinner the middle during whilst you let the bars cool to room temperature and set.
OATS NOTES + ALTERNATIVE: On the spot oats are also called “fast cooking” or “one-minute” oats. They arrive in massive 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 instances or till the oats are about ¼ to ⅛ of their authentic measurement.
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) may 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 may also work.
EGG WHITE ALTERNATIVE: For those who choose to make use of the entire egg, then use 1 massive egg AND cut 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 mild brown sugar AND 2 ½ tablespoons (38mL) milk (any sort!) for the pure maple syrup.
I do not suggest substituting sugar-free maple syrup. It’s typically water-based, and that tends to make these oatmeal bars prove 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 strive including extra; I simply can’t personally vouch for the outcomes!)
If utilizing dried fruit, I extremely suggest 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 substances 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 put up above for extra info!
DAIRY-FREE VERSION: Use the coconut oil choice or stick-style vegan butter (I like this one and this one).
EGG-FREE + VEGAN VERSION: Substitute ¼ cup (56g) unsweetened applesauce for the big egg white. Alternatively, substitute 1 ½ teaspoons Ener-G + 2 tablespoons (30mL) heat water.
GLUTEN-FREE VERSION: Use licensed gluten-free on the spot 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 Purple Mill) may also work, if measured like this.
HOW TO STORE: Retailer leftover oatmeal bars in an hermetic container. If refrigerated, they’ll hold for no 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 choice, egg-free choice}
View Vitamin Data + 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!
