Description
These wholesome Oatmeal Breakfast Bars combine rolled oats, nuts, and dried fruit for a nutritious and delicious morning treat. Easy to prepare and bake, they offer the perfect balance of sweet and hearty flavors with a moist texture enhanced by applesauce and almond milk. Ideal for a grab-and-go breakfast or snack.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups rolled oats
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
Wet Ingredients
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup almond milk
- 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Add-ins
- 1/4 cup walnuts, finely chopped
- 1/4 cup dried cranberries
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line an 8-inch square baking pan with parchment paper, leaving some overhang on the sides for easy removal after baking.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, thoroughly combine rolled oats, granulated sugar, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon to ensure even distribution of flavors.
- Combine wet ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, almond milk, unsweetened applesauce, and vanilla extract until smooth and blended.
- Combine wet and dry mixtures: Pour the dry ingredient mix into the wet ingredients. Stir gently to incorporate all ingredients. Let the batter rest for about 20 minutes to allow the oats to absorb moisture and the flavors to meld.
- Add nuts and fruit: Fold in the finely chopped walnuts and dried cranberries carefully, ensuring they are evenly spread throughout the batter.
- Bake the bars: Spread the mixture evenly into the prepared baking pan. Bake in the preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes or until the edges turn golden brown and a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean.
- Cool and slice: Remove the pan from the oven and let it cool on a wire rack for about 5 minutes. Using the parchment paper overhang, lift the bars out of the pan and place them on a cutting board. Cut into 16 equal bars for serving.
Notes
- For a nut-free version, omit walnuts or substitute with seeds such as pumpkin or sunflower seeds.
- You can swap dried cranberries for other dried fruits like raisins or chopped dates based on preference.
- To reduce sugar content, consider using a natural sweetener or reduce the granulated sugar by half.
- 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 2 months, thawing before serving.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 140
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 90mg
- Fat: 5g
- Saturated Fat: 0.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 35mg
