Baked Oatmeal Bars
Servings:8 bars
These Baked Oatmeal Bars are the easy, meal prep breakfast and snack I can't get enough of lately. They have a cozy, wholesome, lightly sweet flavor and are easily customized with your favorite spices and additions. Vegan and oil-free with a gluten-free option.
Ingredients
- 2¼ cups rolled oats
- ⅓ cup whole wheat pastry flour - or all purpose, regular or GF
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon fine sea salt
- ¾ cup silken tofu
- ½ cup mashed overripe banana - see Notes for sub
- ¼ cup smooth nut butter - such as peanut or almond
- ¼ cup maple syrup - for sweeter bars, add 2 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 1½ teaspoons vanilla extract
Additions:
- ⅓ cup chopped walnuts or pecans
- ⅓ cup dried fruit such as raisins or cranberries - or chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
- In a small bowl, mash the banana and measure to make sure you have ½ cup. Blend the banana with the non-dairy yogurt, nut butter, maple syrup, and vanilla until smooth. A small blender or immersion blender works well.
- In a mixing bowl, stir together the rolled oats, flour, cinnamon, baking powder, and salt. Fold in any mix-ins, such as chopped nuts or dried fruit, reserving a small handful to sprinkle on top.
- Transfer the batter to the prepared pan and spread evenly. Sprinkle additional nuts or fruit on top, lightly pressing them into the surface. Bake for 22–25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then move to a cooling rack. Cool completely before cutting into 8 bars.
Notes
Substitutions: Applesauce, sweet potato, or pumpkin puree can be used instead of banana. Note that the bars will be less sweet. Non-dairy yogurt is a good swap for the silken tofu.
Variations: Try different spices, flavor extracts, fruits, citrus zest, and freeze-dried powders for variety. Check out the "Oatmeal Bar Mix-Ins & Additions" section above for more ideas.
Store: Once the bars are completely cool, store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or in the fridge for up to 1 week. To freeze, place the cooled bars in a freezer‑safe bag or container. They will keep for about 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge or give them about 15 seconds in the microwave for a quick breakfast or snack!
Nutrition
Serving: 1bar | Calories: 228kcal | Carbohydrates: 32g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 8g | Cholesterol: 0mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 10g
