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.
Hungry for more? Follow Suburban Simplicity on Facebook, X, Instagram, and Pinterest to see more DIYs, recipes, and home tips!
Also, don't forget to sign up for email!
I only send one email a week, and it'll include my latest recipes, DIYs, and tips, information about exclusive "email only" giveaways, and more! See form below!
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.
Teresa Halabi
These were so easy to prepare! I'm not a baker, so easy is key. I used brown sugar instead of honey and regular flour (because it's what I had). And added chocolate chips and coconut. They are so good!
Erin Henry
Love all your ingredients, Teresa! Especially the chocolate chips 🙂
Katie
I used half coconut butter and some almond flour and they came out great!
Erin Henry
Awesome! Love you substitutions and glad they worked out great! XO
Christine Johnson
I just made these. I was looking for something quick to make that reminded me of a oatmeal cookie. This was perfect and so simple. I added chocolate chips. Would make again.
Erin Henry
Yes! This recipe is suppose to be like an oatmeal cookie, but a little healthier! Thanks for the 5 Star rating!
Laura Dell
These were delicious! The while family loved them! I used brown sugar and substituted coconut oil for half the butter, added peanut butter, cinnamon, nutmeg, craisins and dark chocolate chunks. I also used my hot breakfast cereal mix, which includes a ton of healthy ingredients, like flax seeds, millet, and quinoa.. So yummy and filling. I'm about to make a second batch, to include shredded coconut, and I'm going to spread it more thinly in a larger pan. Can't wait to eat them again! Thank you!!!
Erin Henry
Love you substitutions, Laura! This is such a versatile recipe, so you can customize it however you like!
Pam McNicol
I am so excited that I found your recipe. I saw some on a cooking show and didn’t write down the recipe. I am adding dried cherries and dried blueberries along with some chopped pecans. I hope they are yummy. I can’t wait until they come out of the oven. Thank you so much for such a versatile recipe.
Erin Henry
You're welcome. Dried fruit is delicious in this recipe, Pam! So glad you found it and modified it to your liking! We bet the pecans are wonderful, too!
Rebecca
Added an egg, .5 tsp salt, chia seeds, doubled applesauce and raisins. I also added .25 tsp baking soda. Turned our pretty good
Erin Henry
Glad your substitution turned out so well, Rebecca. Well done!
miranda
these are AMAZING
i accidentally put the wrong amount of honey in the first time i made them so after they were out of the oven, i cut them and then drizzled honey all over the tops and let it soak in
fantastic recipe!
Erin Henry
Glad to hear it all worked out, Miranda!
Katherine Mason
I've made this recipe countless times! I've added a little almond butter and cinnamon to it and it is divine. Thank you for this recipe! Delicious and makes my whole family happy!
Erin
OMG, your additions sound wonderful. This is such a great recipe to customize. So glad you found, it Katherine!
Regina Delaney
I used coconut oil, flaxseed eggs, added sliced almonds, and had 1/4 cup cocoa powder with 1 3/4 cup almond flour. Was amazing. Trying a peanut chocolate chip one now. Love that this recipe is so versatile. We are gluten, dairy, vanilla, and egg free household. It is a challenge to find recipes I can tweak that the family asks for more. Thanks
Erin
I'm so glad you are enjoying the recipe, Regina! Love your substitutions and so happy the recipe was versatile enough to accommodate your family's dietary restrictions! Thanks for the 5-star review! xo
Sandie7
These are yummy! Must be the butter = ) I've been making these on the regular for a while now. I cut them into cereal-bar shaped pieces, wrap them in wax paper and freeze them for a fast breakfast or afternoon tea snack. I especially like that they're not loaded with processed sugar. I rarely comment on recipes but this one is so darn good I just had to let you know. Thanks for the recipe!
Erin
Ah, thanks so much Sandie!! I'm glad you've enjoying them. I love that these little bars aren't loaded with processed sugar, too! We make them ALL THE TIME!
Melanie
These are so delicious! I added coconut, raisins, cinnamon, and a small amount of mini chocolate chips. Love the whole wheat flour & honey in this recipe. Not too sweet. 🙂
Erin
Not too sweet, but totally delicious! Thanks for stopping by and giving them a 5 star rating, Melanie!
Sarah Bane
This is so scrumptious!!!!!!!!!!!!
Erin
So glad you think so, Sarah! We love them! A great breakfast for busy mornings!
Kara
Tried this recipe for breakfast this morning. Kids and I loved it! We’re excited to try the bars with berries next time!
Erin
Yes, definitely try them with berries. We love them both ways.
Terry
The nutrition label for the oatmeal bars does not say the serving size. Is it based on the 9 servings or 16 servings? For diabetics counting carbs it makes a big difference.
Erin
Hi Terry, The nutritional information is based on the 16 squares listed on the recipe card. Hope this helps! Thanks!
chris
Hi, sorry if this has been answered already. I followed the instructions and used the same ingredients but the bars are very dry. Which ingredient should I increase (or add a new one) to make them more moist:?
Erin
Hi Chris,
Yes, these bars tend to be on the dry side. I would try the following if you'd like them a little more moist:
-Add 1/4 cup applesauce to the recipe.
or
-Reduce flour by 1/4 cup.