Description
These Oatmeal Breakfast Bars are a wholesome and delicious way to start your day. Made with rolled oats, a hint of cinnamon, and naturally sweetened with dried cranberries and applesauce, they offer a perfect balance of flavor and nutrition. Easy to prepare and bake, these bars are ideal for a grab-and-go breakfast or a healthy snack option.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups rolled oats
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
Wet Ingredients
- 2 large eggs
- ½ cup almond milk
- ¼ cup unsweetened applesauce
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Add-ins
- ¼ cup walnuts (finely chopped)
- ¼ cup dried cranberries
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8-inch square baking pan with parchment paper, letting the edges hang over for easy removal of the bars.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, combine rolled oats, granulated sugar, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon. Stir well to ensure even distribution of the leavening and spices.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, almond milk, unsweetened applesauce, and vanilla extract until smooth. Pour the dry ingredient mixture over the wet ingredients and stir until combined. Let the mixture rest for about 20 minutes to allow the oats to absorb moisture and flavors to meld.
- Add Nuts and Fruit: Fold in the finely chopped walnuts and dried cranberries evenly into the batter. Spread the mixture evenly into the prepared baking pan, smoothing the top with a spatula.
- Bake: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the edges turn golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool and Slice: Remove the pan from the oven and let the bars cool on a wire rack for 5 minutes. Using the parchment paper edges, lift the baked mixture out of the pan and place on a cutting board. Slice into 16 bars and serve.
Notes
- For a nut-free version, omit walnuts or substitute with sunflower seeds.
- You can swap dried cranberries with raisins or chopped dried apricots.
- Store bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or refrigerate for up to one week.
- These bars can be frozen individually wrapped for up to 3 months. Thaw before eating.
- Use gluten-free oats if you want these bars to be gluten-free.
