Description
These Healthy Oatmeal Breakfast Bars are a nutritious and delicious start to your day, combining whole grains, natural sweetness from maple syrup, and optional mix-ins. They are easy to prepare, gluten-free adaptable, and provide a soft, chewy texture after a brief resting period.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 1 cup (100g) instant oats (gluten-free if necessary)
- ¾ cup (90g) whole wheat flour or gluten-free flour
- 1 ½ tsp baking powder
- 1 ½ tsp ground cinnamon
- ¼ tsp salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1 tbsp (14g) unsalted butter or coconut oil, melted and cooled slightly
- 1 large egg white (room temperature)
- 1 tsp vanilla paste
- ¼ cup (60mL) pure maple syrup (room temperature)
- 6 tbsp (90mL) unsweetened vanilla almond milk (room temperature)
Optional Mix-ins
- Chopped nuts, dried fruits, or dark chocolate chips (optional, quantity to taste)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 300°F (150°C). Coat an 8-inch square baking pan with nonstick cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the instant oats, whole wheat or gluten-free flour, baking powder, ground cinnamon, and salt until well combined.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the melted and cooled unsalted butter or coconut oil, egg white, and vanilla paste. Then stir in the pure maple syrup until fully incorporated. Finally, add the unsweetened vanilla almond milk and mix gently.
- Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures: Pour the dry oat mixture into the wet ingredients, stirring just until combined. Avoid over-mixing. Fold in any optional mix-ins gently if using.
- Bake the Bars: Spread the batter evenly in the prepared baking pan. Bake in the preheated oven at 300°F for 9 to 12 minutes until lightly set but not browned.
- Cool and Rest: Allow the bars to cool completely at room temperature in the pan. Then rest them for at least 6 hours or overnight to achieve the best soft and chewy texture.
- Slice and Serve: Once rested, cut into squares and enjoy as a healthy breakfast or snack option.
Notes
- You can substitute whole wheat flour with your preferred gluten-free flour to keep the bars gluten-free.
- Ground cinnamon is essential for flavor but can be adjusted or omitted according to your preference.
- Optional mix-ins such as chopped nuts, dried fruits, or dark chocolate chips add variety and texture but keep portions moderate to maintain healthiness.
- Resting the bars for 6+ hours is key to achieving the ideal soft and chewy consistency.
- Using only egg white lowers fat and cholesterol, contributing to a lighter bar.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
