Try this recipe for easy oatmeal bars your whole family will love! These healthy oatmeal breakfast bars are wholesome and delicious with no processed sugar.
Excellent for an on-the-go breakfast on busy mornings, post-workout, or a great snack idea! Just like our Blueberry Oatmeal Bars!
Everyone who tries this recipe says this is one of the best homemade oatmeal bars EVER! No electric mixer required! If you want a snack or breakfast idea that is healthy and yummy, this Oven Baked Oatmeal Bar recipe is wonderful.
This recipe takes only a few ingredients and is customizable with your preference for yummy add-ins. {Tip - Oatmeal Squares are also good with vanilla ice cream 🙂 }
We're also fans of Strawberry Oatmeal Bars and Raspberry Oatmeal Bars. The fruit makes them taste like a baked crisp but so much healthier! If you're a peanut butter lover, try our Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars!
Why We Love These Oatmeal Bars
We love Healthy Oatmeal Bars around here!!
- They're easy to make and taste incredible!
- They're perfectly baked and soft and chewy.
- They require simple pantry ingredients like whole grains and are a great grab-and-go snack.
Jump to:
Ingredient Notes
- Melted butter - the butter gives these bars a nice rich flavor, but you can also use coconut oil.
- Honey - you use honey in place of processed white sugar. Agave or maple syrup can also be used as a sweetener.
- Eggs - eggs act as a binder in the recipe, and large eggs are best.
- Baking soda
- Salt - we like sea salt or pink Himalayan salt.
- Pure vanilla extract - we always say the better the ingredients, the better the end result 😉
- Old-fashioned oats - traditional rolled oats bake up the best for a chewy texture. Quick oats tend to get too dense.
- Whole wheat flour - you can use all-purpose flour or a combination of regular whole wheat and white flour.
PRO TIP: If you prefer a moist oatmeal breakfast bars recipe, add ½ cup of apple sauce to the wet ingredients.
Variations
VEGAN Oatmeal Bars: Make the bars vegan by replacing the egg with a flax egg, using maple syrup, not honey, and substituting coconut oil for the butter.
GLUTEN-FREE: Make the bars GF by using certified gluten-free oats and using a 1:1 flour substitute.
Add-ins
The possibilities for tasty add-ins for this soft-baked oatmeal breakfast bar recipe are endless!
- Dried Fruit: Try any dried fruit (raisins, cranberries, etc.).
- More Spice: Add up to a teaspoon of cinnamon or nutmeg.
- More Texture: Shredded coconut will do the trick!
- Chocolate: Dark chocolate chips or chocolate chunks. Or you can make our Chocolate Oatmeal Bar recipe.
- Rich Flavor: Try caramel chips.
- Nuts or Seeds: Chia seeds, sunflower seeds, or try nuts like walnuts or pecans.
- Sweetness: Add in M&Ms or Reese's Pieces.
You can also drizzle some pure maple syrup or almond butter over the top for a real treat!
Step-By-Step Instructions
Seriously, you can treat yourself to this wonderful and wholesome Oat Bar Recipe with one bowl and one pan.
1.) LINE YOUR PAN - In the first step, line your 8x8-inch pan with parchment paper. This makes it easy to get your oat bars out when they're done cooking. Now, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (177 degrees C).
2.) COMBINE INGREDIENTS - Combine melted organic butter and honey (or sugar if using) in a large mixing bowl. Add eggs, baking soda, salt, and vanilla, mixing well. Add the oats and flour (dry ingredients) and mix until well combined. (Add any optional mix-ins. See recipe notes for suggestions.)
PRO TIP: spray your measuring cup with non-stick spray before putting your honey in - it will slide right out!
3.) BAKE - Press the easy oat bars into your lined baking dish. Finally, bake your bars in the oven for 20-25 minutes until the center is set and the outside is golden brown.
Your whole house should smell wonderful at this point!
Expert Tips & Tricks
- Oats: This recipe is best if you use old-fashioned oats, not instant oats. It will get too dense otherwise.
- Flour: We like using the healthy option of whole wheat flour, but regular flour or a combination of the two will also work.
- Sweetness: These bars aren't too sweet because you make them with honey, so bake them with brown sugar if you prefer a sweeter recipe.
- Thickness: Some readers prefer these baked oatmeal bars to be thinner. If you do, too, use a 9x9-inch square pan.
- Oil or Butter: Readers like to substitute ½ of the butter with coconut oil and have good results. We use organic butter, which gives the best flavor!
- More Moisture: If you prefer a moist bar, add ½ cup of unsweetened apple sauce to the wet ingredients.
Note: Every oven cooks differently. Your cooking time may vary.
Tips for Storing
To Freeze:
- Bake your bars as directed and allow your healthy oatmeal bars to cool completely.
- Cut into bars, then wrap individually in foil or plastic.
- Place wrapped bars in a freezer bag for later.
Thaw for at least one hour at room temperature before eating.
To Store: Layer the homemade bars between waxed paper in an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Bring back to room temperature before serving. You can wrap individual bars in plastic wrap for lunches.
The Benefits of Oatmeal
Did you know? Oats are among the healthiest grains on earth. Cool, huh! They're a gluten-free whole grain and a great source of essential vitamins, minerals, fiber, antioxidants, and heart-healthy!
Recipe FAQs
Oatmeal Bars are a healthy breakfast because they contain fiber from the oats that fill you up and help reduce cholesterol. You make these bars with no processed sugar and whole wheat flour, so they're wholesome and delicious.
Cook oatmeal bars in a preheated oven for 20-25 minutes until the edges are golden brown and the middle is cooked through.
Yes, you can absolutely substitute coconut oil for butter in this recipe.
More Oatmeal Bar Recipes
If you love oatmeal, try Crockpot Oatmeal. It's hearty and filling and made overnight in your slow cooker. Or make Baked Oatmeal Cups. They're packed with oats and blueberries!
Love this healthy and Easy Oatmeal Bars recipe? Please leave a 5 star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating in the recipe card below ⬇️ and/or a review in the comment section further down.
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Printable Recipe
Easy Oatmeal Bars Recipe
Equipment
- 8x8 pan
- mixing bowl
- parchment paper
Ingredients
- 1 cup organic melted butter (2 sticks)
- ½ cup honey (or ¾ cup brown sugar)
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 2 cups old fashioned oats (not instant)
- 2 cups whole wheat flour (or a combo of white and whole wheat depending on your preference)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and position oven rack to middle position.
- In a large mixing bowl, stir together melted butter and sugar. Add eggs, baking soda, salt, and vanilla, mixing well. Add in oats and flour and mix until well combined. (Add any optional mix-ins. See notes for suggestions)
- Spread mixture in a parchment-lined 8x8 inch baking dish. Bake in a 350° F oven for 20-25 minutes until golden brown. Enjoy!
Video
Notes
Nutrition
I updated the images for this recipe on February 28, 2018.
Kristi
These look great!! I love chocolate and oatmeal combos! Will put on my list to try..thanks for sharing!
Erin
They are easy and delicious, so definitely try them and see what you think! Thanks for stopping by!
DaisLikeThese
These look great! I am constantly spending a fortune buying shop bought cereal bars for my boys after school snacks, but I think I will get them to help me make these instead now! Thanks for sharing.
#yumtum
Erin
I know! The store bought ones are expensive and often have questionable ingredients. The kids would prefer these for sure!
Charlotte
These look so good! Oatmeal is one of our house favourites and as a runner I always love making energy bars with oatmeal! thanks for sharing your recipe they look delish!
Erin
Thanks, Charlotte! I like that I can substitute whole wheat flour and the kids didn't even notice! 🙂
Charlene Asay
MMM these look so yummy. Thanks for sharing your talent.
Erin
Thank you, Charlene! I love to bake and these make a wholesome treat for the family.
Nikki Frank-Hamilton
Erin, I am so pinning this! They look delish and I'm sure hubby knows best! LOL I am planning to sub in gluten free oats and flour, and I'm sure they will be yummy and fit into my gluten-less diet! So excited to try these!!!
Sherry
These looks super delicious! Thanks for sharing your recipe with us at Merry Monday.
Erin
Of course! I appreciate you stopping by and saying hello!
Heidi
These look delish! Would never have thought to use wheat flour. Can't wait to try!
Erin
The kids didn't even notice the wheat flour! Enjoy! Thanks for stopping by!
Jody
Yum, these look amazing! I love making my own cereal bars, will definitely have to put these on the list! Do you think I could use half butter, half coconut oil? Thanks for sharing!
Visiting from the WAYWOW link party
Erin
Yes, I totally think you could substitute coconut oil for some of the butter. I like that idea...think I'll try it too!
SuzD
I substituted half the butter for rape seed oil (canola in the US) and was just as good. However I missed the salt out as the first batch was too salty for me. Thank you! Fabulous recipe!
Erin
I'm so glad you found the recipe, Suzanne! I like your substitutions! Enjoy your bars!
sue
Thanks Erin! I'm always looking for tasty but wholesome recipes and this one fits the bill. Great way to use oatmeal which is so good for us. #Waywow
Erin
Yep! Tasty and wholesome! Thanks for stopping by, Sue.
Maria
I can't wait to make those bars with my grandchild!!! Thank you so much! I enjoy visiting your site! Maria.
Erin
Your grandchild will love them. I couldn't believe how much my kids liked them. Thanks for visiting.
Marie
These look delicious! Can't wait to try them with the kiddos. Thanks for linking up at Merry Monday!
Erin
Thanks for visiting, Marie! They are great...kids love 'em!
gigi
Those look so delicious! I love all oatmeal bars. The bars I normally make only have the oatmeal sprinkled on top,...so this will be different! Thank you!
Carlee
Those look delicious and I love all of the ingredients. I will have to give these a try!
Erin
Wholesome and delicious! My family just loves these!
Diane
Such a simple idea - but it sounds delicious!
Erin
Yes, it's pretty simple and the whole family loves them! Thanks for visiting, Diane.
Grace
I love oatmeal, so I suspect I will also love these oatmeal bars. I have some oatmeal mixes that have dried fruit and nuts in them already. I'm thinking that could be a great addition.
Erin
My husband says they are heavenly, so hopefully you will too 🙂 Any type of fruit/nut would be good in them as well.