Start your day right with these oatmeal breakfast bars. Quick, delicious, and perfect for those busy mornings when you need a nutritious grab-and-go breakfast.
Other easy breakfast recipes that we love include this breakfast muffin recipe, muesli, and peanut butter overnight oats.
Table of Contents
Best Breakfast Bars
If you’re tired of rushing around in the morning with no time for a wholesome breakfast, these oatmeal breakfast bars are here to save the day.
Whether you’re into breakfast bars, granola bars, or simply need another energy-boosting grab-and-go option like my breakfast cookies, this recipe has got you covered.
Why This Recipe Works
- Nutrient-packed: Healthy breakfast bars are chock-full of wholesome ingredients like rolled oats, applesauce, and cinnamon, making them a nutritious breakfast choice.
- Make-ahead breakfast: Incredibly convenient for busy mornings, you can prepare a batch in advance and enjoy them all week long just like my energy balls!
Breakfast Bars Recipe Ingredients
Before we get into the nitty-gritty of making these oatmeal bars, let’s take a closer look at what you’ll need to make them:
Find the full printable recipe with specific measurements below.
- Rolled oats: The star of the show, these provide a hearty, chewy texture and a good dose of fiber. They absorb water quickly so are good for baking.
- Baking staples: Sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, salt, eggs, milk and vanilla extract.
- Unsweetened applesauce: Not only does this keep the bars moist, but it also adds a subtle fruity flavor.
- Optional Mix-Ins: Add anything you like, from nuts to dried fruit, or even a scoop of protein powder for that extra morning boost.
Variations
One of the best things about this recipe is its versatility. Here are some ideas for additional mix-ins to help you make the perfect oatmeal breakfast bars tailored to your taste:
- Chocolate chips
- Nuts (almonds, pecans, cashews)
- Chia seeds or flaxseed
- Dried fruit (like raisins or cherries)
- Protein powder or collagen
- Sunflower or pumpkin seeds
- Shredded coconut
- Peanut Butter (almond butter, cashew butter, sunflower seed butter)
How to Make Oatmeal Breakfast Bars
It only takes a few minutes of prep to make your dough, but it does need 20 minutes of resting time before baking, so make sure you factor that into your timing!
- Whisk wet ingredients. In a large mixing bowl whisk the eggs, whole milk, unsweetened applesauce, and vanilla extract until smooth.
- Combine dry ingredients. In a medium-sized bowl, mix rolled oats, granulated sugar, brown sugar, baking powder, kosher salt, and ground cinnamon.
- Blend dry and wet ingredients. Add mix-ins if desired, then let it sit for 10 minutes before spreading the mixture into an 8×8-inch baking pan.
- Bake and slice. Place oatmeal breakfast bars into the preheated oven and bake at 350°F for 30-35 minutes until edges turn golden brown. Cool for 5 minutes, then slice into bars.
Expert Tips
- Let it rest. That 15-minute rest period after mixing the wet and dry ingredients isn’t just a suggestion. It allows the oats to absorb moisture and flavors to meld, resulting in bars with a wonderful texture and taste.
- Don’t overbake. Keep an eye on your bars during that final baking period. You want the edges to be golden, but not overly brown. Slightly underbaking is better than overbaking, as it ensures a chewy, not dry, texture.
- Customize to your heart’s content. Get creative with your mix-ins. Whether you’re a fan of crunchy nuts, sweet dried fruit, or a chocolate lover, these bars can accommodate your preferences.
Recipe FAQs
Yes, you can easily double the recipe if you want to make a larger batch of breakfast bars. Use a 9×13-inch baking dish instead of the 8×8-inch dish.
You may need to adjust the baking time slightly, so keep an eye on the baked oatmeal bars and extend the baking time by a few minutes if needed.
You’ll know your oatmeal bars are done when their edges turn golden brown, they feel firm when gently touched, a toothpick or knife inserted into the center comes out clean without wet batter, and the bars are not jiggly in the center. It’s better to slightly underbake them for a soft, chewy texture, as they’ll firm up a bit as they cool.
Absolutely! These bars are perfect for meal prep. You can whip up a batch over the weekend and enjoy them all week long. They even freeze well for longer storage.
Definitely! If you have a gluten sensitivity, just use certified gluten-free oats in the recipe. Everything else remains the same.
Most definitely! Kids tend to love the sweetness and chewy texture of these oatmeal bars. Plus, they make a convenient, mess-free breakfast option for little ones
Storing
Storing your best oatmeal breakfast bars is a breeze. Here’s how to do it right:
Refrigeration: If you plan to devour these bars within the week, individually wrapping them and storing them in the refrigerator is the way to go. They’ll stay fresh and tasty for up to 5 days.
Freezing: If you’ve made a big batch or just want to have some on hand for those extra busy mornings, these bars are a dream to freeze. Individually wrap them and place them in an airtight container in the freezer. They’ll remain in perfect condition for up to 3 months.
Looking for more healthy breakfast recipes? Try my peanut butter oatmeal balls, and Kodiak Cakes protein balls or a batch of homemade granola!
More Breakfast Bars Recipes
HUNGRY FOR MORE? Subscribe to my newsletter and follow on Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram for all the newest recipes!
Oatmeal Breakfast Bars
Video
Ingredients
- 2 large eggs
- ½ cup milk
- ¼ cup applesauce
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 cups old fashioned oats
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon Kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Optional mix-in's: dried cranberries, raisins or nuts
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line an 8×8-inch baking dish with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, applesauce, sugars and vanilla. Stir in the oats, granulated sugar, brown sugar, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon. Let mixture sit 15 minutes to meld the flavors and allow the oats to absorb some of the moisture.. Fold in mix-in's, if using.
- Spread evenly in the baking dish. Bake 30 to 35 minutes, or until edges are starting to brown. Let cool before slicing.
Notes
- Chocolate chips
- Nuts (almonds, pecans)
- Chia seeds
- Flaxseed
- Pumpkin pie spice
- Dried fruit (like raisins or cherries)
- Protein powder
- Collagen
- Sunflower seeds
- Shredded coconut
Nutrition
Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.
Did you make this recipe? Don’t forget to give it a star rating below!
Categorized as: American, Breakfast, Freezer-Friendly, Kid-Friendly, Meal Prep, Nut-Free, Snacks, Sweet Breakfast
Jamielyn Nye is the founder and recipe creator at I Heart Naptime. She is also the author of the I Heart Naptime Cookbook. Here you will find easy family-friendly recipes for every occasion.
These turned out SOOO good and I made big batch for my kid’s so they can eat them before school. Thank you!
It’s the perfect thing for kids on the run! I am so glad you and your kiddos enjoyed the bars :)
These breakfast bars are awesome! So tasty, easy to make, and perfect for people who can’t have gluten.
I’m so happy you enjoyed the bars Matt! :)
YUM! These make the perfect after school snack for my kids. I added some dried fruit we had leftover from the holidays.