If you are on the lookout for a wholesome, delicious, and energizing start to your day, this Oatmeal Breakfast Bars Recipe is about to become your new best friend. These bars are the perfect marriage of hearty rolled oats, sweet dried cranberries, and crunchy walnuts, all wrapped together with warm hints of cinnamon and vanilla. Whether you’re rushing out the door or settling in for a cozy morning, these bars offer a delightful balance of flavors and textures that feel both comforting and fresh. Plus, they are incredibly versatile, easy to make, and sure to keep you fueled and satisfied throughout your busy morning.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of this Oatmeal Breakfast Bars Recipe lies in its simple, wholesome ingredients. Each component plays a crucial role, from the nutty crunch of walnuts to the natural sweetness of applesauce and cranberries, creating a symphony of flavors and textures you’ll adore.
- 2 cups rolled oats: The hearty base that gives the bars their chewy, satisfying texture and a wholesome flavor.
- ½ cup granulated sugar: Adds just the right amount of sweetness without overpowering the natural ingredients.
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder: Helps the bars rise gently, ensuring they’re soft and fluffy instead of dense.
- ½ teaspoon salt: Enhances all the flavors and balances the sweetness perfectly.
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon: Brings a warm, cozy note that makes these bars feel like a comforting hug in every bite.
- 2 large eggs: Bind everything together and add richness to the bars.
- ½ cup almond milk: Light and dairy-free, it adds moisture while keeping the bars tender.
- ¼ cup unsweetened applesauce: A natural sweetener and moisture-boosting ingredient that keeps the bars soft and chewy.
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: Infuses a lovely, fragrant sweetness that complements every other ingredient.
- ¼ cup walnuts (finely chopped): Adds a satisfying crunch and a subtle, nutty flavor.
- ¼ cup dried cranberries: Provide a burst of tartness and chewy texture that brightens up every bite.
How to Make Oatmeal Breakfast Bars Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Baking Pan and Oven
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F, so it’s ready when your batter is mixed. Then, line an 8-inch square pan with parchment paper, letting the edges hang over the sides. This will make it super easy to lift the bars out once they’ve baked perfectly.
Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, toss together the rolled oats, granulated sugar, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon. This combination ensures your bars have that classic oatmeal flavor with just a hint of warming spice to make each bite inviting.
Step 3: Combine the Wet Ingredients
In a separate larger bowl, whisk together the eggs, almond milk, unsweetened applesauce, and vanilla extract. These add richness, moisture, and a subtle sweetness that will keep every bar tender and flavorful.
Step 4: Bring It All Together
Pour the dry ingredients into the bowl with the wet ingredients. Give it a gentle stir and then let the mixture rest for about 20 minutes. This little pause allows the oats to soak up the moisture nicely, so your bars will be perfectly chewy and soft.
Step 5: Add the Nuts and Cranberries
Fold in the finely chopped walnuts and dried cranberries, distributing them evenly throughout the batter. These ingredients are what bring crunch and bursts of tartness, lifting the overall flavor to something truly special.
Step 6: Bake Your Oatmeal Breakfast Bars
Pour the batter into your lined pan and spread it out evenly. Bake in your preheated oven for about 25 to 30 minutes until the edges are golden brown and the bars feel firm to the touch. Let them cool on a wire rack for about 5 minutes before using the parchment paper to lift them out. Slice into 16 bars for easy, ready-to-go breakfasts.
How to Serve Oatmeal Breakfast Bars Recipe
Garnishes
Sprinkle a little extra cinnamon or a light drizzle of honey or maple syrup on top of each bar for an added touch of sweetness and an inviting aroma. You can also add a dollop of Greek yogurt or nut butter for creamy richness that complements the bars perfectly.
Side Dishes
Pair these bars with a fresh fruit salad or a smoothie for a balanced and colorful breakfast plate that awakens the senses. A hot cup of coffee or herbal tea rounds out the meal beautifully, turning your morning into a cozy, nourishing experience.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, cut the bars into bite-sized squares and serve them buffet-style at brunch or pack them in small containers for kid-friendly lunchbox treats. You could also sandwich a smear of almond butter between two bars for an irresistible breakfast “sandwich” on-the-go.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep your Oatmeal Breakfast Bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. This will help maintain their freshness and chewiness without drying out. For best taste and texture, enjoy them within this time frame.
Freezing
If you want to make a big batch ahead of time, these bars freeze beautifully. Simply wrap individual bars tightly in plastic wrap and store them in a freezer-safe container for up to three months. When you’re ready to eat, thaw at room temperature or warm slightly.
Reheating
A quick zap in the microwave for about 20 seconds will bring these bars back to their warm, soft glory. If you prefer crisp edges, pop them in a toaster oven for a couple of minutes. Either way, they’ll taste just like freshly baked bars.
FAQs
Can I substitute almond milk with regular milk?
Absolutely! Feel free to use any milk you prefer, such as cow’s milk, oat milk, or soy milk. Each will add a slightly different flavor, but the bars will still turn out moist and delicious.
Are these bars gluten-free?
They can be if you use certified gluten-free rolled oats. Most oats are naturally gluten-free, but cross-contamination can happen, so check the packaging if gluten is a concern.
Can I use other nuts or dried fruits?
Yes! Walnuts and cranberries are simply suggestions. Feel free to swap in your favorites like pecans, almonds, raisins, or chopped dates for a personalized twist on this classic recipe.
Is it possible to make these bars vegan?
To make this recipe vegan, replace the eggs with flax eggs (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed mixed with 3 tablespoons water per egg) and use a plant-based milk, which you’re already doing with almond milk. The texture might be slightly different but still equally tasty.
How long do these bars keep their freshness?
Stored properly in an airtight container at room temperature, they stay fresh and chewy for up to three days. For longer storage, freezing is your best option to keep them tasting like they just came out of the oven.
Final Thoughts
There’s something so satisfying about homemade breakfast bars that blend wholesome ingredients with pure comfort, and this Oatmeal Breakfast Bars Recipe nails that balance perfectly. They are easy to make, endlessly adaptable, and genuinely nourishing. I can’t wait for you to try baking a batch and making these bars a staple in your morning routine. Trust me, your busy weekday mornings will thank you!
PrintOatmeal Breakfast Bars Recipe
These wholesome oatmeal breakfast bars are a perfect grab-and-go option for busy mornings. Made with rolled oats, a hint of cinnamon, and studded with crunchy walnuts and sweet dried cranberries, they offer a delicious balance of texture and flavor. With almond milk and applesauce keeping them moist and tender, these bars are a nutritious treat suitable for the whole family.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 16 bars
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
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 the oven: Begin by heating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8-inch square baking pan with parchment paper, ensuring the paper hangs over the edges to make removing the bars easier later.
- Combine dry ingredients: In a medium-sized bowl, mix together the rolled oats, granulated sugar, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon until evenly distributed.
- Mix wet ingredients: In a separate large bowl, whisk the eggs thoroughly. Add the almond milk, unsweetened applesauce, and vanilla extract, mixing well to combine all wet elements evenly.
- Blend wet and dry ingredients: Gradually add the dry oat mixture into the wet ingredients. Stir gently until just combined. Set the mixture aside for about 20 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together and the oats to soften slightly.
- Add nuts and fruit: Fold in the finely chopped walnuts and dried cranberries carefully to evenly distribute them throughout the batter without overmixing.
- Prepare for baking: Pour the complete mixture into the prepared baking pan and spread it evenly to the edges.
- Bake: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until the edges turn golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Cool and slice: Remove the pan from the oven and allow the bars to cool on a wire rack for about 5 minutes. Use the parchment overhang to lift the block from the pan. Slice into 16 equal bars and serve or store as desired.
Notes
- You can substitute dried cranberries with raisins, chopped dates, or dried cherries.
- For a nut-free version, omit walnuts or replace them with sunflower seeds.
- Store bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to a week.
- These bars freeze well; wrap individually and freeze for up to 3 months for a quick breakfast option.
- If you prefer a sweeter bar, increase granulated sugar to ⅔ cup or add a drizzle of honey or maple syrup after baking.
