Description
Delicious and wholesome Oatmeal Bars perfect for a nutritious breakfast or a healthy snack on the go. Made with rolled oats, whole wheat flour, natural sweeteners, and optional dried fruits, nuts, and chocolate chips, these bars combine fiber and protein to keep you energized throughout the day.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
- 1/2 cup whole wheat flour
- 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Wet Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
- 1/4 cup honey or maple syrup
- 1/4 cup coconut oil, melted
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup milk or dairy-free alternative
Add-ins (Optional)
- 1/2 cup raisins or dried cranberries
- 1/2 cup chopped nuts
- 1/4 cup chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a 9×9-inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the rolled oats, whole wheat flour, brown sugar, baking soda, salt, and ground cinnamon. Stir well to evenly distribute all dry elements.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the unsweetened applesauce, honey or maple syrup, melted coconut oil, vanilla extract, and milk until smoothly blended.
- Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, mixing thoroughly until the batter is fully combined and uniform in texture.
- Add Optional Extras: Gently fold in raisins or dried cranberries, chopped nuts, and chocolate chips according to your preference to enhance flavor and texture.
- Spread Mixture in Pan: Evenly spread the oatmeal batter into the prepared baking pan, smoothing the top with a spatula to ensure uniform thickness.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes or until the top turns lightly golden and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the oatmeal bars to cool completely in the pan before cutting them into 12 bars for easy serving.
- Storage: Store the bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, or freeze them to enjoy at a later time.
Notes
- For an extra layer of flavor, add 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg or a pinch of ground cloves to the dry ingredients.
- Feel free to swap out dried fruits and nuts according to your personal preferences or what you have on hand.
- These oatmeal bars are ideal for quick, on-the-go breakfasts or as a wholesome snack throughout the day.
