Mornings are made all the more delightful when they start with my easy-to-make Baked Oatmeal Bars—a sweet treat that will leave you feeling satisfied all day long.
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Guess what! I’ve been experimenting in the kitchen. My goal? To make Baked Oatmeal Bars that are totally next-level! And I think I have succeeded. They’re a far cry from the basic oat bars you may know. I’ve gone with mashed bananas to sweeten the deal, cinnamon for those cozy notes, honey drizzles to make it upscale, and chocolate chips for a bit of fun in every bite.
And don’t think these bars are just a breakfast thing. Whenever you’re craving granola bars, energy bars or breakfast cookies, reach for these. After all, they’re made with pure, healthy ingredients. Perfect for kick-starting your morning or snacking without the guilt trip.
Do these oatmeal bars Work With My Diet?
These oatmeal bars are packed with fiber, while bananas add a splash of natural sweetness and a nutrient kick from potassium, all without sneaky added sugars. Plus, you’re getting a decent dose of healthy fats from the oil. This recipe is suitable for vegetarian diets. To make it gluten free, be sure your rolled oats contains no gluten. For a vegan version, substitute honey with a plant-based sweetener like maple syrup or agave nectar, and use vegan chocolate chips (dark chocolate is usually vegan friendly). To make it paleo, replace the oats with almond and/or coconut flour, replace the honey with maple syrup or coconut nectar (note: while honey is natural, some on a paleo diet avoid it because of its high sugar content), and ensure your chocolate chips are paleo friendly.
INGREDIENTS
- 2 cups rolled oats
- 1 cup mashed banana
- 5 tbsp water
- pinch of cinnamon
- pinch of salt
- 2 tbsp honey
- 3 tbsp Canola oil
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- handful chocolate chips
INSTRUCTIONS
Prep
Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a pan with parchment paper.
Mash
Peel the banana, place in a bowl, and mash with a fork.
Combine
Add all other ingredients to the bowl. Combine well.
Add
Add the mixture to the pan. Smooth out. Sprinkle chocolate chips on top.
Bake
Bake the mixture for 25 minutes. Turn off the heat and let the baked oatmeal sit in the oven for additional 5 minutes.
Cool
Remove from the oven and let cool on a wire rack. Once cooled, slice the baked oatmeal into bars.
DEVOUR!
Tips & Tricks to Making Perfect Oatmeal Bars
- Use old-fashioned rolled oats as they maintain their texture during baking.
- Utilize overripe bananas as your sweetener.
- Nutmeg, clove, or pumpkin pie spice can add a delightful warmth.
- Add chopped nuts, dried fruits, or even seeds for a delightful crunch or an extra layer of flavor.
- Let the bars cool completely so they don’t crumble when sliced.
FAQs
Totally! You can use unsweetened applesauce or get all autumnal with some mashed pumpkin. Same quantity and everything.
If you’re all about that crunch, just bake for a tad longer (but watch out for any signs of burning). And for a bonus crunch? Toss in some chopped nuts!
Get playful with this recipe – it’s totally customizable. Level it up with some dried fruits like raisins or cranberries, sprinkle some seeds in for a boost of nutrition. Feeling nutty about almonds? Add a dash of almond essence for a twist. And never forget the timeless joy of switching up your choice of chocolate chips.
Sure, though the texture may change slightly.
Moist but not runny. If it feels too dry, add more water. If it’s too runny, add more oats.
The water serves as a binding agent and helps keep the bars moist. You can adjust the amount of water depending on the dough’s consistency (see answer to previous question).
Serving Suggestions
Enjoy these delicious oatmeal bars as a standalone breakfast treat with your morning cup of coffee or tea. They also pair beautifully with a side of fresh fruits for an added vitamin boost. If you’re treating yourself, drizzle them with a little melted peanut butter or almond butter for extra flavor and creaminess.
how to prep and store your oatmeal bars
These Baked Oatmeal Bars can totally be baked up over the weekend, before your crazy week begins. Keep them in an airtight container at room temperature and they’ll stay fresh for up to 5 days. And if you’re thinking long term? Just wrap each bar individually and pop them in the freezer. They’ll stay munch-ready for a few months. When you’d like to eat them again, warm them up in a preheated oven for about 5 minutes at 350°F, or nuke them in the microwave for 10–20 seconds.
Ingredients
- 2 cups rolled oats
- 1 cup mashed banana
- 5 tbsp water
- pinch of cinnamon
- pinch of salt
- 2 tbsp honey
- 3 tbsp Canola oil
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- handful chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a pan with parchment paper. Peel the banana, place in a bowl, and mash with a fork.
- Add all other ingredients to the bowl. Combine well.
- Add the mixture to the pan. Smooth out. Sprinkle chocolate chips on top.
- Bake the mixture for 25 minutes. Turn off the heat and let the baked oatmeal sit in the oven for additional 5 minutes.
- Remove from the oven and let cool on a wire rack. Once cooled, slice the baked oatmeal into bars.
Tips & Notes:
- Use old-fashioned rolled oats as they maintain their texture during baking.
- Utilize overripe bananas as your sweetener.
- Nutmeg, clove, or pumpkin pie spice can add a delightful warmth.
Nutrition Info:
Recipes written and produced on Food Faith Fitness are for informational purposes only.
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