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.
Shannon S
Could you make the batter at night, refrigerate and then cook them in the morning?
Erin
Great question, Shannon. I would think it would be fine. It may increase the cooking time slightly unless you bring it to room temperature first. Other than that, I'd say give it a try!
Beth
These sound great and I love that they're so simple and healthy! I'm going to make them today, planning on using half ww flour and half almond meal. 🙂
Erin
That sounds great! You'll have to let me know how it comes out. I've never tried it with almond meal, but that's a healthy alternative to white flour for sure.
Erin
Thanks, Beth. They are so, so good! Love these flavors in one tasty bite.
CGBM
Made two batches yesterday. First one as you described, it was delicious. Second batch made with 1/3 cup of each, raisins, diced cranberries and walnuts, this was fabulous. Very versatile snack/dessert. Thank you for sharing this recipe, it is a hit with my family.
Erin
You're welcome! That's so great! Loved that you tried it twice now and customized the second batch to your liking. It sounds delicious! I agree, it's a very versatile snack or dessert. My husband was just asking for it again yesterday! 🙂
Chellile
I love these! We have made your exact recipe before and we all can't get enough! Thank you for sharing at FTAF!!
Erin
This recipe is a family favorite. They get gobbled up so fast, I usually make a double batch. They take the place of packaged bars really well.
Kate
These look truly amazing! I want to make them, but I would probably have to make a 1/2 batch, because I will want to eat them all at one time!
Erin
Yes, they are dangerously good, so a half batch may be the way to go 🙂 My husband asks for these all the time, so I know they're good...and healthy 🙂
Lianne Felton
I love your simple oatmeal bar recipe! And I also love how there's a good amount of oats! Makes me feel like I'm eating healthier. I add chocolate chips and chopped walnuts and it's a delicious dessert! Thank you!
Erin
Oatmeal bars seem like a simple treat, much can be so much more! Depending on what you put in they can be healthy too! Thanks for coming by Lianne.
Agent Spitback
Looks delicious! I have been looking for recipes to make our own bars. Will be try your recipe!
Erin
Great! Let me know how it goes. They seem to disappear a little too quickly around here!
Our Home of Many Blessings
Im gonna give these a try! I have never made oatmeal bars but they look yummy! I would love for you to share at my Monday of Many Blessings Link Up! http://ourhomeofmanyblessings.com/
Erin
Great! Let me know how they turn out! Thanks for the invite to your party!
Stacy
Do you by chance have the nutritional info on these? We have made two batches so far and just love them...I've been using regular flour though bc I didn't have any whole wheat ?
Beth B
Made it this morning and it was extremely dry. Like, crumbly dry. The only difference from the recipe was I used gluten free flour. Would that have change the recipe that much?
Erin
I have read that purely subbing in gluten-free flour doesn't always work. Because gluten is a structural protein, the products are often very tender and even crumbly if you just replace the flour that’s called for in the recipe with gluten-free flour. Many people use xanthan gum as a binder when baking gluten-free. I don't know much about, but how that helps.
Lynn
Hi Erin, you roped me in with those whoopie pies and then you shut the door with these oatmeal bars. What is it about oatmeal cookies and oatmeal bars...they just say 'home' and 'cozy'...and in this case also 'delicious!'. Thanks for adding to my recipe box...I'm putting them in my tailwind queue for future reference.
Hugs, Lynn
Erin
They do say home and cozy...and just taste good! Thanks for coming by and saving the recipes! They are pretty easy to make too!
Stacy
I just made these and they are great!! How should they be stored?
Erin
Oh, yeah! I'm so glad. To store, layer bars between waxed paper in an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator 3-4 days. Let them come to room temperature before eating.
Irv
Hi I just made these and they are delicious. If I vacuum seal them would they last longer than 3-4 days at room temp? Or should I refrigerated them ?
Erin
I think they will last 3-4 days at room temperature. I've done it before, they they're still good. For longer, I would vacuum seal.
Anne
Hi Erin
Thanks so much for linking up to Thriving on Thursdays last week. These oatmeal bars will go well in my children's lunch box. They just returned back to school for the year. I'll be sure to give your recipe a try. I'm featuring this post at tomorrow's party. Hope to see you again.
Anne
Erin
Thanks for popping by, Anne! Thanks for the feature! I appreciate it. XO
Kati
I love how easy these are and that I always have these ingredients on hand! Thanks. Pinned and sharing!
Erin
Kati - I usually have the ingredients on hand too, so they are easy to whip up when the kids want a snack! Thanks for the love XO
Kathryn
These are perfect for adding whole wheat flour. They look so delicious. I'm wishing I had a pan of them upstairs right now. Pinning this.
Erin
Yes, you don't even taste the whole wheat! Thanks for the pin!