These wholesome almond butter oatmeal bars are straightforward to whip up any day of the week! Gentle-baked and frivolously sweetened, they’re filled with cozy oats and a touch of heat cinnamon, and almond butter offers them a fantastically moist and chewy texture. The batter comes collectively shortly too, with solely quarter-hour of prep. These healthful bars are great for breakfasts and snacks — for teenagers and adults!
In December, my mother and I snagged tickets to Disneyland. On the day of our reservation, we arrived vivid and early, shortly after the gates opened, and armed with our telephones and small Mickey Mouse backpacks, we instantly set off down Most important Avenue in direction of the again left nook of the theme park.
Effectively… After momentarily pausing for just a few fast photos in entrance of the towering Christmas tree subsequent to Metropolis Corridor and the Emporium. It was completely gorgeous — and lots of the glittery ornaments have been larger than my head!
We adopted the acquainted paths till we crossed beneath a rock archway and entered the Star Wars part. As our first time in that space, we marveled on the sheer measurement and element of the rugged buildings, rocky panorama, and themed retailers, then joined the queue to hop on Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run.
For the subsequent twelve hours, we wove throughout the park. House Mountain, Thunder Mountain Railroad, the Matterhorn… The Mad Tea Celebration’s tea cups, Storybrook Land Canal Boats, Casey Jr Circus Practice, the common practice throughout Disneyland’s perimeter… It’s A Small World and the nighttime reveal of its twinkling vacation lights, the Haunted Mansion dressed up as “The Nightmare Earlier than Christmas…” Together with window buying, memento buying, and performances by the Disneyland marching band and Christmas-themed Dickens band. We squeezed in all of our favorites — plus extra!
We additionally paused for a lot of snack and meal breaks. We walked nearly 9 miles by the point the day ended, so we positively wanted some gasoline to maintain us going…
And if I had deliberate farther forward, these wholesome almond butter oatmeal bars would’ve been the right factor to slide into our backpacks. They’re nice for fast on-the-go breakfasts and snacks — for each children and adults!
Perhaps we’ll simply have to return and ensure whether or not my idea is appropriate… Something for an additional excuse to go to Disneyland! 😉
QUICK OVERVIEW – HEALTHY ALMOND BUTTER OATMEAL BARS
Problem: Primarily straightforward, together with for a lot of newbie bakers.
Style: Evenly sweetened with loads of cozy oats and a touch of heat cinnamon.
Texture: Actually gentle, moist, and chewy — like a cross between soft-baked oatmeal cookies and fudgy brownies.
KEY INGREDIENTS TO MAKE HEALTHY ALMOND BUTTER OATMEAL BARS
Let’s speak about what you’ll must make these wholesome almond butter oatmeal bars! I’ve a sense that your pantry already homes widespread staples like baking powder and salt, so we’ll keep on with the extra fascinating and vital substances proper now.
Oats. No surprises right here — no less than not with a recipe title like “almond butter oatmeal bars!” To make these, you’ll want on the spot oats. They’re additionally referred to as “fast cooking” and “one minute” oats. They’re not those that are available in single-serving packets with flavors like maple brown sugar and apple cinnamon!
Similar to conventional old school rolled oats, on the spot oats solely comprise one ingredient: oats. Nonetheless, they differ in a single key manner. On the spot oats are smaller and thinner than old school rolled oats. This measurement distinction means they soften sooner, which provides your almond butter oatmeal bars the greatest gentle and chewy texture!
Tip: Should you’d wish to make these wholesome almond butter oatmeal bars gluten-free, then substitute licensed gluten-free on the spot oats. They work completely!
Flour. To make these bars more healthy, I opted for complete wheat flour. It has extra fiber and micronutrients in comparison with all-purpose flour, and I discovered it additionally yielded a cozier style that fantastically complemented the comforting oats. I name {that a} win-win!
Tip: I’ve included my prime gluten-free suggestions within the Notes part of the recipe, if you happen to’d wish to make your batch of those wholesome almond butter oatmeal bars gluten-free as a substitute!
Cinnamon. Cinnamon and oats go collectively like peanut butter and jelly… Or cereal and milk… Or frosting and cake. Really — it feels bizarre to make an oatmeal baked deal with with out any spices!
My present favourite is Saigon cinnamon. It has a barely sweeter, richer, and stronger taste in comparison with common cinnamon. I really like how that makes baked items style much more comforting and comfy! Many shops have began stocking it, however I usually purchase mine on-line right here. (It’s nearly the one type of cinnamon I now use in my baking!)
Creamy almond butter. I used my tremendous straightforward home made almond butter. It really replaces the butter or oil usually present in cookies or bars! The almond butter offers your wholesome oatmeal bars a fantastically moist and chewy texture. Subsequently, for the greatest consistency…
You should use creamy almond butter. Not crunchy.
I do know. This requirement would possibly sound slightly excessive upkeep, however there’s a scientific motive behind it!
These crunchy almond bits take up house that the creamy almond butter might be occupying in your measuring cup. This implies you find yourself including much less of the creamy half to the batter… And because the creamy almond butter contributes to the entire “liquid” quantity, you find yourself throwing off the ratio of moist and dry substances — which then finally ends up making your bars cakey, bready, or dry.
So for the very best gentle and moist texture, keep on with creamy almond butter!
As a result of almond butter has a very gentle taste, you may’t really style it. Belief me… I attempted utilizing varied portions, however I might barely detect even the subtlest almond aftertaste within the bars with the best quantity! So if you happen to’d wish to style the nuttiness of almonds in these oatmeal bars, I’ve included an non-compulsory modification for you. (Extra on that momentarily!)
Egg white. This helps bind collectively the remainder of the substances. The egg white additionally offers your wholesome almond butter oatmeal bars a protein enhance!
Sweetener. I used pure maple syrup to sweeten these bars. Bear in mind, that’s the type that comes straight from maple bushes! It solely contains one ingredient (maple syrup), and it’s usually bought in skinny glass bottles or squat plastic jugs (like this).
Tip: I don’t suggest substituting pancake syrup or sugar-free maple syrup. These comprise different substances, which have an effect on the best way they behave in baking recipes. That is notably true of sugar-free maple syrup! It’s usually water-based, and that makes your baked treats extra bready and dry.
As a result of these wholesome almond butter oatmeal bars are supposed to be eaten for breakfasts and snacks, they’re solely frivolously sweetened. Their sweetness degree is nearer to that of muffins or breakfast scones, fairly than true “dessert” cookies or bars. (You’ll be able to simply make them sweeter if you happen to’d desire although — simply examine the Notes part for a way to try this!)
Milk. Nearly any sort will work, so be happy to succeed in for what’s already in your fridge! I usually use nonfat milk, unsweetened almond milk, and unsweetened cashew milk essentially the most.
Tip: Should you use dairy-free milk, then your wholesome almond butter oatmeal bars will even be dairy-free!
Almonds (non-compulsory). Right here’s that little modification I hinted at above! As a result of almond butter has such a light and delicate taste, you may simply stir chopped or sliced almonds into the batter to present your oatmeal bars a noticeably nutty taste.
Though I really like snacking on nuts and tossing them into salads, I’m not the most important fan of including them into baked items… Apart from pecan pie! Even now as an grownup, I nonetheless do the very same factor I did as slightly child and meticulously choose them out of nearly each cookie, brownie, bar, muffin, scone, or cake, nearly like a health care provider performing surgical procedure or a canine digging up bones within the yard, and eat them individually.
I do know, I do know… I’m slightly nutty (and 100% okay with that!), so that you in all probability received’t discover any additional chopped almonds in my batches — however I do know lots of my nut-loving style testers actually loved the additional taste and crunch they supplied!
HOW TO MAKE HEALTHY ALMOND BUTTER OATMEAL BARS
Have you ever gathered your substances? Then let’s go over the way to make the very best wholesome almond butter oatmeal bars! This recipe is fairly easy and simple, however I even have some tricks to share with you.
Determine how nutty you are feeling. As I discussed mere moments in the past, you may’t style the almond butter in these oatmeal bars. It has a very delicate taste, so it’s included to yield a fantastically gentle and chewy texture. Should you’d like to truly style almonds (not simply cozy oats and cinnamon!), you then’ll want so as to add chopped or sliced ones to your batch for a nutty taste enhance.
Use the proper pan. This recipe requires an 8”-square pan. Earlier than you start, double examine your pan matches that description!
The scale of sq. pans are measured in keeping with their prime edge, not the underside. Many sq. pans have sloped sides, so their backside edge is shorter than the highest rim. If the highest of your sq. pan is 9”, however the backside is lower than that, it’s nonetheless a 9”-square pan and too large for this recipe. You want a sq. pan that’s 8” throughout the highest!
Measure accurately. I might in all probability say (or sort!) this subsequent bit in my sleep… I’ve repeated it that many instances — and sure, I’m going to do it once more.
It’s extraordinarily vital to measure the substances accurately, utilizing this methodology or a kitchen scale. (← That’s the one I personal!) That is notably vital for the flour and oats! An excessive amount of of both one will make your batter dry, and it’ll yield a cakey, bready, or crumbly texture in your absolutely baked bars. That is very true of the oats! They act like little sponges and absorb a number of moisture from the batter.
Nonetheless, for liquid substances, keep on with measuring cups! As a result of many liquids have completely different densities, the identical quantity will weigh a special quantity relying on the precise ingredient. (I was a chemist earlier than I turned a baking blogger, so I really like nerdy kitchen matters like this!) So until you’d wish to convert each’s quantity to weight… Measuring cups might be rather more correct for liquid substances — and simpler too!
Be affected person with the batter. It’s very easy to whip up. I promise! Dry substances in a single bowl, moist substances in one other, then stir them collectively. Nonetheless, that second bowl of moist substances requires some endurance!
It takes slightly effort and time to completely dissolve the almond butter (nicely, technically dissociate, however that sounds extra like one thing Amy the OChem TA would say!) to create a very easy combination when you’ve added the sweetener and milk. It’s going to look slightly funky at first, such as you’ve thrown pebbles right into a lake or made almond blob soup, however with sufficient stirring, it ought to ultimately even out into one fluid combination.
Bake — briefly. Unfold the batter into your pan, pop it into the oven, and set a timer. Don’t stray very removed from the kitchen although! These wholesome almond butter oatmeal bars bake actually shortly. They’re prepared to return out of the oven when the edges look agency however the middle nonetheless seems slightly shiny and underdone. The residual warmth from the pan will proceed to cook dinner them during whilst you allow them to…
Cool + relaxation. Depart the pan on the counter to chill all the best way to room temperature, after which allow them to set for an additional 4 extra hours earlier than slicing and serving. Sure, it feels nearly unimaginable to attend that lengthy, particularly with their tempting aroma wafting via the kitchen! But their texture turns even softer, moister, and fudgier the longer you allow them to relaxation. Should you lower into them sooner, they’ll style extra cakey… However I promise their fantastically chewy, nearly brownie-like consistency is definitely worth the wait!
Tip: Should you’re impatient or working quick on time, you may pop the pan within the fridge for two+ hours as soon as they’ve reached room temperature to hurry up the setting course of!
FAQS ABOUT HEALTHY ALMOND BUTTER OATMEAL BARS
Are these wholesome almond butter oatmeal bars gluten-free, dairy-free, low calorie, low fats, or clear consuming?
Sure — to all the pieces! These oatmeal bars are naturally dairy-free, clear consuming, low fats, and low calorie (in comparison with extra conventional recipes!). I’ve additionally included the way to make them gluten-free within the Notes part of the recipe.
Can I exploit old school rolled oats?
Type of! Measure out the identical quantity of old school rolled oats, after which pulse them in a meals processor or blender till they’re ⅛ to ¼ of their authentic measurement. This makes them nearer in measurement to on the spot oats, so your bars can have a softer and chewier texture.
What a few completely different flour?
Yup! White complete wheat flour, complete wheat pastry flour, and all-purpose flour work completely. You may also substitute oat flour (gluten-free, if crucial!), however be extraordinarily cautious when measuring it as a result of it tends to be extra absorbent than wheat-based flours.
I solely have crunchy almond butter. Can I exploit that?
I don’t suggest it. Crunchy almond butter yields bars which are extra cakey, bready, or dry. (See the “Creamy almond butter” header within the “Key Elements to Make Wholesome Almond Butter Oatmeal Bars” part above for more information!)
Can I substitute store-bought almond butter? I don’t have time to make my very own…
If it’s the pure drippy-style type! The one substances must be almonds or almonds and salt. (A bit of oil is often okay too.) If there’s a layer of oil on the prime of your jar, completely stir that into the almond butter beneath earlier than utilizing it to make these bars!
Can I exploit a special sweetener?
Sure once more! Honey and agave each work fantastically.
What about one other sort of milk?
Positively! Nearly any sort will work.
My bars turned out cakey, bready, or dry. Why is that?
There are just a few widespread culprits! First, be sure you’re measuring the flour, oats, and liquid substances accurately. (That is the most typical one!) Second, don’t overbake your bars! They’re prepared to return out of the oven when the middle nonetheless seems slightly shiny and underdone. Third, allow them to absolutely cool and relaxation earlier than slicing and serving. Lastly, use the proper substances! Don’t substitute crunchy almond butter, sugar-free maple syrup, or pancake syrup.
See the “Measure accurately,” “Bake — briefly,” and “Cool + relaxation” headers within the “Easy methods to Make Wholesome Almond Butter Bars” part above for more information concerning the first three. See the “Creamy almond butter” and “Sweetener” headers within the “Key Elements to Make Wholesome Almond Butter Oatmeal Bars” part above for extra concerning the fourth.
I’d like my bars to style sweeter. Is there a manner to try this?
There certain is! Substitute an equal quantity of pure maple syrup for a number of the milk. (For instance, use an extra 2 tablespoons of maple syrup, and reduce the milk by 2 tablespoons.) This ensures the feel and baking time stays the identical.
What’s the easiest way to retailer these wholesome almond butter oatmeal bars? And the way lengthy do they final?
Retailer your bars in an hermetic container. When left at room temperature, they need to maintain for a day or two, possibly longer. If refrigerated, they’ll final no less than 4 days — if not nearer to every week or extra. They freeze very well too!
Time for breakfast and snacks… And possibly even one other journey to Disneyland too! 😉 And 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 almond butter oatmeal bars!
Wholesome Almond Butter Oatmeal Bars
These wholesome oatmeal bars are straightforward to whip up and great for breakfasts or snacks! Gentle-baked and frivolously sweetened, they’re filled with cozy oats and a touch of heat cinnamon, and almond butter offers them a fantastically moist and chewy texture. Leftovers will maintain for no less than 4 days if saved in an hermetic container within the fridge. They freeze nicely too!
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, and salt. In a separate bowl, whisk collectively the egg white and vanilla. Stir within the almond butter till utterly integrated. Stir within the maple syrup till completely integrated. Stir within the milk. Add within the oat combination, and stir till simply integrated. If utilizing the non-compulsory almonds, gently fold them in.
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Unfold the combination into the ready pan. Bake at 300°F for 10-12 minutes. Cool utterly to room temperature within the pan. Enable them to relaxation for an extra 4+ hours as soon as at room temperature for the very best gentle and chewy texture earlier than slicing into squares.
Notes
These bars aren’t overly candy both! They’ve the sweetness degree of breakfast muffins or scones. Should you’d desire them to be sweeter, the substitute an equal quantity of pure maple syrup for the milk. (For instance, use an extra 2 tablespoons of pure maple syrup, and reduce the milk to three tablespoons.)
IMPORTANT MEASURING NOTE – READ BEFORE BEGINNING: It’s extraordinarily vital to measure each the oats and flour accurately utilizing this methodology or a kitchen scale. (← That’s the one I personal and love!) An excessive amount of of both will dry out the bars and go away them cakey, bready, or dry, as a substitute of sentimental and chewy.
IMPORTANT PAN SIZE NOTE – READ BEFORE BEGINNING: Pan dimensions are measured alongside their prime 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 in your baking dish, it’s really 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 end up actually skinny, barely maintain collectively, and be liable 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 referred to as “fast cooking” or “one-minute” oats. They arrive in massive canisters, similar to old school oats. They’re not those within the small flavored packets of oatmeal.
To make your individual, add the identical quantity of old school 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) 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.
EGG WHITE ALTERNATIVE: Should you desire to make use of the entire egg, then use 1 massive egg and scale back the milk by ½ tablespoon to compensate for the added quantity from the yolk.
ALMOND BUTTER NOTES: This is my home made creamy almond butter recipe. You simply want 10 minutes to make it! If utilizing store-bought creamy almond butter, make certain it solely accommodates almonds and salt. (A bit of oil is ok.) It must be liquidy at room temperature. Do not substitute crunchy almond butter.
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 suggest substituting sugar-free maple syrup. It’s usually 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.
DAIRY-FREE VERSION: No modifications wanted!
GLUTEN-FREE VERSION: Use licensed gluten-free on the spot oats (like these). 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 (like this) and lots of store-bought gluten free flour blends (I like this one from Bob’s Pink Mill) will even work, if measured like this.
HOW TO STORE: Retailer leftover oatmeal bars in an hermetic container. If refrigerated, they’ll maintain for no less than 4 days (if not longer!). These oatmeal bars additionally freeze very well!
{gluten-free, dairy-free, clear consuming, low fats}
View Diet Data + Weight Watchers Factors
You might also like Amy’s different recipes…
♡ Wholesome Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars
♡ Wholesome Almond Butter Oatmeal Breakfast Cookies
♡ Wholesome Almond Butter Granola
♡ Wholesome Almond Butter Cookie Bars
♡ Wholesome Peanut Butter Granola Bars
♡ Wholesome Peanut Butter Oatmeal Breakfast Cookies
♡ …and the remainder of Amy’s wholesome breakfast recipes and wholesome snack recipes!
