These Baked Oatmeal Bars are everything you want in a wholesome treat—heart-healthy oats, naturally sweet bananas, and a hint of maple make each bite chewy, golden, and impossibly cozy. Whether you enjoy them fresh from the oven or pack them up for busy mornings, these bars strike that dreamy balance between snack and breakfast, never skimping on flavor or ease.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- One-bowl magic: No fancy equipment, minimal dishes, just quick and simple goodness from your pantry.
- Naturally sweetened: Ripe bananas and a touch of maple syrup create that cozy sweetness—no refined sugar required!
- Ultra-versatile: Finish with chocolate chips, nuts, or let your cravings dictate the mix-ins—these Baked Oatmeal Bars welcome almost any flavor twist.
- Perfect for meal prep: They store and freeze beautifully so you can enjoy a healthy grab-and-go breakfast or snack all week.
Ingredients You’ll Need
You only need a handful of wholesome pantry staples to bring Baked Oatmeal Bars to life. Each ingredient shines—bringing plenty of nutrition, delicious texture, and customizable flavor to the recipe.
- Rolled oats: The backbone of the bars, oats keep everything wholesome, hearty, and satisfyingly chewy.
- Mashed ripe banana: Adds natural moisture and sweetness. The riper, the better—the bananas should be heavily speckled for the best flavor.
- Water: Keeps the bars tender and moist, without weighing them down.
- Salt: Just a pinch intensifies the other flavors, making the natural sweetness pop.
- Pure maple syrup, agave, or honey: Don’t skip this—choose your favorite liquid sweetener to round out the warm, cozy flavor.
- Oil, nut butter, or more water: A little fat brings richness, but you can swap in more mashed banana or water for a lighter bar.
- Pure vanilla extract: A must for aroma and that bakery-style touch.
- Optional chocolate chips, chopped nuts, etc.: For a decadent touch or textural crunch, add some chocolate or your favorite mix-ins.
Variations
The best thing about homemade Baked Oatmeal Bars? There’s endless room for creativity! Swap an ingredient, tweak the sweetness, or fold in whatever you have—a personalized batch is just the beginning.
- Berry burst: Fold in a generous handful of fresh or frozen blueberries, raspberries, or dried cranberries for a fruity twist.
- Nutty delight: Swap half the oats for unsweetened shredded coconut, add chopped pecans, or drizzle with peanut butter for extra richness.
- Banana-free option: Not a fan of bananas? Use unsweetened applesauce or pumpkin puree instead, adjusting sweetness as needed.
- Chocolate lovers: Stir in extra chocolate chips, swirl in a little cocoa powder, or top with a layer of melted dark chocolate after baking—pure bliss!
- Gluten-free: Just be sure your oats are certified gluten-free, and you’re good to go.
How to Make Baked Oatmeal Bars
Step 1: Prep Your Pan & Oven
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8-inch square baking pan with parchment paper (for easy removal), or give it a good greasing. This step is quick, but it sets you up for effortless slicing and a perfectly even bake.
Step 2: Mix Everything Together
Grab your largest mixing bowl and add the rolled oats, mashed banana, water, salt, maple syrup, oil or nut butter, and vanilla extract. Stir thoroughly—no need to overmix, but make sure every oat is coated and everything is well combined. If you’re using mix-ins like chocolate chips or nuts, fold them in now or sprinkle them on top.
Step 3: Bake and Finish
Smooth the oat mixture into your prepared pan, spreading it evenly to all corners. Bake for 20 minutes, then, without opening the oven door, turn off the heat and let the bars sit for 5 minutes more. This rest gives you a dreamy, soft center with lightly crisped edges—so worth the wait!
Step 4: Slice and Enjoy
Allow the Baked Oatmeal Bars to cool in the pan for at least 10–15 minutes. Once set, use the parchment “handles” to lift them out, then cut into 6–9 bars depending on your preferred size. They’re delicious warm, chilled, or at room temperature.
Pro Tips for Making Baked Oatmeal Bars
- Get the Ripest Bananas: Overripe bananas not only mash more easily—they also deliver deeper flavor and natural sweetness, meaning you can cut back on other sweeteners if desired.
- Don’t Overbake: These bars will look a little soft in the middle when first out of the oven—trust the recipe! They firm up beautifully as they cool.
- Mix-Ins Galore: Go wild! Just be mindful not to overload with add-ins; about half a cup total (chopped nuts, berries, chocolates) blends perfectly, keeping each bite balanced.
- Let Them Rest: Allowing the bars to cool and finish setting in the pan is essential—don’t rush this step if you want neat, tidy squares that hold their shape.
How to Serve Baked Oatmeal Bars
Garnishes
Dress up your bars with a sprinkle of flaky sea salt, an extra drizzle of maple syrup, or a light dusting of powdered sugar for a bakery-worthy finish. A handful of chopped toasted nuts or a dollop of yogurt on the side can take them from delicious to irresistible.
Side Dishes
For breakfast or brunch, pair these Baked Oatmeal Bars with fresh fruit, a smoothie, or a cozy latte. For an after-school snack, round them out with a glass of milk or warm apple cider—comforting and energizing!
Creative Ways to Present
Cut your bars into fun shapes with cookie cutters for kid-friendly flair, or layer them in a jar with yogurt and berries for a portable parfait. Stack and tie with twine for a rustic lunchbox surprise or build an oatmeal bar “board” with lots of topping options for a crowd.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store leftover Baked Oatmeal Bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator, where they’ll stay fresh and flavorful for 3 to 4 days. For a quick breakfast, just grab one straight from the fridge!
Freezing
To freeze, wrap bars individually in plastic wrap or parchment paper, then stash them in a freezer-safe bag. They’ll keep for up to 2–3 months, so you’re never more than a couple minutes away from a wholesome, homemade snack.
Reheating
Warm Baked Oatmeal Bars briefly in the microwave (about 10–15 seconds) for that just-baked taste, or pop them into a low oven if you want to crisp up the edges. They’re also delicious straight from the fridge or at room temperature—no reheating required!
FAQs
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Can I make Baked Oatmeal Bars without bananas?
Absolutely! Substitute an equal amount of unsweetened applesauce or pumpkin puree for the mashed banana. You may want to add a touch more sweetener to balance the flavor, depending on your taste buds and the ripeness of your fruit.
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Are these bars gluten-free?
They can be! Just be sure to use certified gluten-free oats, which are processed in facilities that prevent cross-contamination. The rest of the ingredients are naturally gluten-free.
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Can I double this recipe for a larger batch?
Of course—you can easily double the ingredients and bake in a 9×13-inch pan. You may need to add a couple of extra minutes to the baking time, so watch for golden edges and a set center before removing from the oven.
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How do I keep Baked Oatmeal Bars from being too dry?
Make sure your bananas are very ripe and don’t skimp on the liquid ingredients. Be careful not to overbake; the bars should look just barely set in the middle when you turn off the oven. They’ll firm up as they cool, resulting in a perfectly chewy texture.
Final Thoughts
If you’re craving something easy, nourishing, and baked with love, you absolutely have to try these Baked Oatmeal Bars. They’re the kind of recipe you’ll find yourself making on repeat—and sharing with everyone you love. Happy baking!
Print
Baked Oatmeal Bars Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 6–9 bars 1x
- Category: Breakfast/Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Baked Oatmeal Bars are a delicious and wholesome treat perfect for breakfast or as a snack. Made with simple ingredients like oats, banana, and a touch of sweetness, these bars are easy to make and even easier to enjoy. Customize them with your favorite add-ins like chocolate chips or nuts for a personalized touch!
Ingredients
Oatmeal Bars:
- 2 cups rolled oats
- 1 1/3 cup mashed banana (for banana-free, try these Baked Oats)
- 6 tbsp water
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 3 tbsp pure maple syrup, agave, or honey OR stevia equivalent
- 3 tbsp oil, nut butter, or additional water
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
- Optional: handful chocolate chips, chopped nuts, etc.
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line an 8-inch pan with parchment paper or grease it well.
- Mix ingredients: In a bowl, combine rolled oats, mashed banana, water, salt, sweetener, oil or nut butter, and vanilla extract. Mix well.
- Bake: Spread the mixture evenly into the prepared pan. Sprinkle chocolate chips or nuts on top if desired. Bake for 20 minutes.
- Rest: After baking, do not open the oven door. Turn off the heat and let the bars sit in the closed oven for an additional 5 minutes.
- Slice and store: Remove from the oven and slice into bars. Store leftovers in the refrigerator for 3-4 days or freeze for longer shelf life.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: Approximately 180
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 120mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
