These Healthy Oatmeal Breakfast Bars are a simple and wholesome way to start your day. Made with oats, warm spices, and a touch of sweetness, these soft-baked bars are a perfect breakfast or snack on the go. With their chewy texture, they’re filling and satisfying while remaining light and low-calorie. You can easily customize them with your favorite mix-ins, such as nuts or dried fruits, making them an ideal option for any diet, including gluten-free and dairy-free.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

• 1 cup instant oats (gluten-free if necessary)

• 3/4 cup whole wheat flour (or gluten-free flour option)

• 1 ½ tsp baking powder

• 1 ½ tsp ground cinnamon

• 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg

• 1/4 tsp salt

• 1 tbsp unsalted butter or coconut oil, melted

• 1 large egg white

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

• 1/4 cup pure maple syrup

• 6 tbsp unsweetened vanilla almond milk (or any milk of choice)

• Optional mix-ins: mini chocolate chips, raisins, nuts, shredded coconut, or dried fruit

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 300°F and coat an 8-inch square pan with nonstick cooking spray.

2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the oats, flour, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.

3. In another bowl, whisk together the melted butter or coconut oil, egg white, vanilla, maple syrup, and milk.

4. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and stir until just incorporated.

5. If using any mix-ins, gently fold them into the dough.

6. Spread the mixture evenly in the prepared pan and bake for 9-12 minutes, until the edges are firm but the center is slightly glossy.

7. Let the bars cool completely to room temperature in the pan, and then allow them to rest for at least 6 hours before cutting into squares for the best texture.

Nutrients

• Calories: 120 per bar

• Carbohydrates: 21g

• Protein: 3g

• Fat: 3g

• Fiber: 3g

• Sugar: 6g

Why Healthy Oatmeal Breakfast Bars Are a Great Choice

There are several reasons why these breakfast bars are a great choice for your morning routine or as a healthy snack:

• Quick and Easy: These bars come together quickly and can be baked in just a short amount of time. With minimal preparation, they’re perfect for busy mornings or when you need a grab-and-go option for your busy schedule.

• Customizable: The base recipe is simple and can be customized with your favorite add-ins. Whether you like raisins, mini chocolate chips, shredded coconut, or a handful of nuts, you can easily make these bars your own to suit your taste preferences.

• Nutrient-Packed: Made with oats, these bars provide a healthy source of fiber that promotes digestive health. They are also a good source of protein and healthy fats, which will keep you full and satisfied until your next meal.

• Low-Calorie and Filling: At only 120 calories per bar, these oatmeal bars are a low-calorie, yet filling, snack option. They offer a balanced mix of carbohydrates, protein, and fat, making them a great choice for a nutritious breakfast or an afternoon pick-me-up.

• Diet-Friendly: These bars can easily be made gluten-free and dairy-free by using gluten-free oats, flour, and a dairy-free milk alternative like almond milk. Whether you’re following a gluten-free, dairy-free, or other specialized diet, these bars are adaptable to meet your needs.

How to Make Healthy Oatmeal Breakfast Bars

Making Healthy Oatmeal Breakfast Bars is quick and simple. Here’s how you can make them step-by-step:

Step 1: Preheat the Oven and Prepare the Pan
Preheat your oven to 300°F (150°C). Coat an 8-inch square pan with nonstick cooking spray to prevent the bars from sticking during baking.

Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together the oats, whole wheat flour (or gluten-free flour if preferred), baking powder, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and salt. This will ensure that all the dry ingredients are well-combined.

Step 3: Mix the Wet Ingredients
In another bowl, whisk together the melted butter or coconut oil, egg white, vanilla extract, pure maple syrup, and unsweetened almond milk (or any milk of your choice). These wet ingredients will create the binding mixture for the bars.

Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and stir until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as that could result in a denser texture.

Step 5: Add the Mix-ins
If you’re using any mix-ins like raisins, nuts, mini chocolate chips, or dried fruit, gently fold them into the mixture. This is the fun part where you can make the bars as unique as you like.

Step 6: Bake the Bars
Spread the mixture evenly in the prepared pan, smoothing the top with a spatula. Bake for 9-12 minutes, or until the edges are firm and golden, and the center remains slightly glossy. The bars will firm up as they cool.

Step 7: Cool and Rest
Let the bars cool completely in the pan before removing them. For the best texture, allow them to rest for at least 6 hours before cutting them into squares. This ensures they set properly and are easy to cut.

Nutritional Benefits of Healthy Oatmeal Breakfast Bars

These bars offer a great mix of nutrients that help fuel your body. Here’s a breakdown of the approximate nutritional content per bar:

The combination of oats, egg whites, and a small amount of fat from coconut oil or butter helps provide a balanced energy source to start your day. The 3g of fiber from the oats also promotes good digestive health. While the sugar content is relatively low, you can adjust the sweetness by adding or omitting the maple syrup or reducing the amount of mix-ins with added sugars.

Serving Suggestions for Healthy Oatmeal Breakfast Bars

These oatmeal bars are delicious on their own, but you can serve them in a variety of ways to make your meal even more enjoyable:

• With a Side of Fresh Fruit: Serve the oatmeal bars with a side of fresh berries or sliced fruit for added vitamins, antioxidants, and natural sweetness.

• Pair with Yogurt: These bars pair beautifully with a dollop of Greek yogurt, adding a creamy contrast to the chewy texture of the bars. The yogurt also boosts the protein content of your meal.

• As a Snack or Post-Workout Fuel: With their balance of protein, carbs, and healthy fats, these oatmeal bars are perfect as a snack or a post-workout refuel. They’ll help replenish your energy and keep you feeling satisfied until your next meal.

• Make It a Breakfast Parfait: Crumble the oatmeal bars into a bowl and layer them with yogurt, fruit, and a drizzle of honey for a wholesome breakfast parfait.

Conclusion

Healthy Oatmeal Breakfast Bars are a simple, delicious, and nutritious way to start your day. With their chewy texture, warm spices, and customizable mix-ins, these bars are perfect for breakfast, a quick snack, or a light post-workout meal. They are low in calories, high in fiber, and packed with protein, making them an ideal option for anyone looking to fuel their day in a healthy way. Easy to prepare, versatile, and filling, these bars will quickly become a staple in your meal prep routine. Try them today and enjoy a wholesome, satisfying treat!