Do you want to skip breakfast or grab unhealthy snacks on your way home? Say hello to easy homemade oatmeal breakfast bars! These tasty treats are about to become your new morning best friend. In this article, we’ll show you how to whip up these nutritious bars in no time, perfect for busy folks who want a quick and healthy start to their day.
Why Oatmeal Breakfast Bars Are Your New Go-To Morning Meal
Mornings can be crazy, right? Between getting ready for work, packing lunches, and even wrangling kids, who has time for a sit-down breakfast? That’s where oatmeal breakfast bars come in handy. They’re like a bowl of oatmeal you can eat with one hand while you’re running out the door!
These bars contain good-for-you ingredients like oats, nuts, and fruits. They’ll keep you full and energized until lunchtime. Plus, you can make a batch on Sunday and have breakfast ready for the whole week. How cool is that?
What You’ll Need to Make Easy Homemade Oatmeal Breakfast Bars
Let’s talk about ingredients. Don’t worry; you probably have most of these in your kitchen already:
Main Ingredients | Optional Add-ins |
---|---|
Old-fashioned rolled oats | Chopped walnuts |
Cane sugar | Dried cranberries |
Baking powder | Chocolate chips |
Cinnamon | Coconut flakes |
Salt | Chia seeds |
Eggs | Flax seeds |
Milk (any kind) | Sunflower seeds |
Applesauce | Peanut butter |
Vanilla extract | Raisins |
How to Make Your Oatmeal Breakfast Bars
Now, let’s get cooking! Here’s how to make these yummy bars in just a few easy steps:
- Dry mix first: Grab a big bowl. Add 2 cups oats, 1/2 cup sugar, and 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder. Toss in some cinnamon and a pinch of salt. Stir it all up.
- Wet ingredients next: Use a fresh bowl. Crack in 2 eggs. Pour 1/2 cup milk and 1/4 cup applesauce. Add 1 teaspoon vanilla. Whisk until smooth.
- Combine and wait: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry mix and stir well. Let it sit for 20 minutes to allow the oats to absorb all the delicious flavors.
- Add the fun stuff: Now’s the time to toss in about 1/2 cup of any extra goodies you like. Nuts, dried fruit, or even a few spoonfuls of peanut butter are great choices.
- Baking time! Line a pan with parchment. Spread the mix evenly. Oven goes to 350ยฐF. Bake 30-35 minutes till golden brown.
- Cool and cut: Let it cool down, then cut it into squares or bars. Ta-da! You’ve got breakfast for the week!
Tips for Perfect Oatmeal Breakfast Bars Every Time
Want to make sure your bars turn out unique? Here are some pro tips:
Use old-fashioned rolled oats, not quick oats or steel-cut oats. They give the best texture.
Give the mix a 20-minute rest before baking. It may feel long, but don’t skip it! This wait lets the oats drink up the liquid. The result? Tastier, better-textured bars.
Line your baking pan with parchment paper. It makes it super easy to lift the bars out and cut them.
Feel free to switch up the add-ins. This recipe is flexible so you can use nuts, fruits, or other goodies you like best.
Storing Your Homemade Oatmeal Breakfast Bars
Photo Credit – Flickr
These bars are great for meal prep. You can make a batch on Sunday and have breakfast ready for the whole week. Here’s how to keep them fresh:
Keep your bars fresh in a tight container on the counter. They’ll last 5 days this way. Perfect for eating all week! Need more time? Pop them in the fridge. Cold, they’ll stay yummy for up to 2 weeks.
These bars freeze well too! Wrap each one in plastic, then put them in a freezer bag. They’ll keep for up to 3 months frozen. For a quick breakfast, take one out at night and let it thaw on the counter.
Why These Oatmeal Breakfast Bars Are a Healthier Choice
Let’s talk about why these homemade bars are so much better than the store-bought ones:
You control the ingredients. No weird preservatives or hard-to-pronounce additives here!
They’re packed with whole grains. Oats are full of fibre, which keeps you feeling full longer.
You can adjust the sugar. If you want them to be less sweet, use less sugar. It’s that easy!
They’re customizable. Add extra nuts or seeds for protein, or toss in some dried fruit for additional vitamins.
Variations to Try
One of the best things about these easy homemade oatmeal breakfast bars is their versatility. Here are some tasty variations to try:
Peanut Butter Banana: Add mashed banana to the wet ingredients and swirl in peanut butter before baking.
Apple Cinnamon: Mix some diced apples and extra cinnamon for a fall-inspired treat.
Chocolate Chip: Add some chocolate chips to the mix for a more dessert-like bar.
Berry Blast: Toss in a handful of dried berries like cranberries, blueberries, or strawberries.
Tropical Twist: Add dried pineapple and coconut flakes for a tropical flavor.
Making Oatmeal Breakfast Bars Work for Special Diets
These bars are pretty flexible and can be adapted for different dietary needs:
Gluten-Free: Ensure you use certified gluten-free oats.
Make it vegan: Want plant-based bars? Use flax eggs. Mix 1 tbsp flax and 3 tbsp water per egg. Pick your favorite non-dairy milk.
Nut-Free: Skip the nuts, use seeds, or leave them out altogether.
Low-Sugar: Reduce the sugar or replace it with a natural sweetener like mashed banana or applesauce.
Conclusion: Start Your Day Right with Easy Homemade Oatmeal Breakfast Bars
There you have it! Now, you can make delicious, easy, homemade oatmeal breakfast bars. They’re quick to make, packed with good-for-you ingredients, and perfect for busy mornings. Plus, they’re way tastier (and healthier) than anything you’d buy at the store.
So why give them a try this weekend? Make a batch on Sunday, and you’ll have a week’s worth of breakfasts ready. Your future self will thank you when you rush out the door on Monday morning with a yummy, homemade breakfast.
Remember, the best part about these bars is that you can make them your own. So get creative, have fun with different add-ins, and find your perfect combo. Here’s to starting your day right with easy homemade oatmeal breakfast bars!
FAQ
Can I use quick oats instead of old-fashioned oats?
It’s best to stick with old-fashioned oats. Quick oats can make the bars too mushy. Old-fashioned oats give the best texture.
How long do these oatmeal breakfast bars last?
At room temperature, they last up to 5 days. In the fridge, they can last 2 weeks. You can freeze them for up to 3 months.
Can I make these bars vegan?
Yes! Use flax eggs instead of regular eggs. Choose plant-based milk. The rest of the ingredients are already vegan-friendly.
Are these oatmeal breakfast bars gluten-free?
They can be! Just make sure to use certified gluten-free oats. All other ingredients are naturally gluten-free.
Can I reduce the sugar in this recipe?
Absolutely! You can use less sugar or replace it with mashed banana or extra applesauce. Adjust to your taste preferences.
How many bars does this recipe make?
This recipe typically makes 16 square bars. You can cut them larger or smaller based on your preference.
Can I add protein powder to these bars?
Yes, you can! Add a scoop of your favorite protein powder to the dry ingredients. You might need to add a bit more liquid.
Are these bars good for kids’ lunchboxes?
They’re great for lunchboxes! They’re nutritious, filling, and don’t need refrigeration. Just watch for nut allergies if adding nuts.
Photo Credit – Flickr