Soft Oatmeal Bars Recipe
These soft oatmeal bars are full of warm spices and made with applesauce to keep them moist, low in calories, with a chewy texture. We love these for breakfast with a cup of tea or coffee, but they are just as delicious with a tall glass of milk.
Your family and friends are going to love these soft oatmeal bars, and you’ll love how easy they are to make. They’re also versatile, as you can change up the mix-ins. For this recipe, we’ve added pecans and cranberries, but you could create a new bar every time you make this recipe. Scroll down to the variations to get some ideas.
You’ll also want to check out our Baked Oatmeal Cups, Baked Oatmeal with Blueberries, and this list of 35 creative oatmeal recipes. So many great ideas!
Soft Oatmeal Bars Recipe
Did you know oatmeal is really good for you? It has soluble fiber, which supports gut health and weight management. It’s also full of vitamins and minerals like iron and zinc. These bars make the perfect snack as they make you feel full.
With just 10 minutes of prep and 25 minutes in the oven, you’ll want to keep these ingredients on hand so you can whip up this easy recipe anytime the family has a craving for a sweet treat.
Simple Ingredients in Soft-Baked Oatmeal Bars
Below is what you need to make these delicious gluten-free oatmeal bars. Scroll down to the recipe card for a printable version.
- Rolled oats – Make sure to get the old-fashioned rolled oats variety, not quick oats or instant oats.
- Oat flour – Buy it or just grind up more oats in your food processor. Much better for you than all-purpose flour. Whole wheat flour is an okay substitution, but it changes the flavor. Oat flour is our favorite.
- Brown sugar – We used dark for a richer flavor, but you can use light brown if that is all you have.
- Applesauce – We used the no-added-sugar variety.
- Pecans – Buy pieces or break them up yourself. Whichever is less expensive and easier for you.
- Vegetable oil – Canola works, too. Any neutral oil is fine.
- Spice blend – Pumpkin or apple pie spice
- Cranberries – Dried cranberries. We like sugar-free best, but Craisins work, too.
- Baking soda – Be sure to use baking soda and not baking powder. It’s a common mistake!
- Vanilla extract – We always prefer pure vanilla extract. Nothing beats Nielsen-Massey.
How to Make Our Soft Oat Bars
Prepare a 9” x 13” baking pan with parchment paper. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
Combine oil, sugar, and applesauce in a mixing bowl and blend using a hand mixer until well emulsified.
Make sure there is no oil floating in the mixture. Add in the vanilla, spice blend, and salt.
Add the baking soda and oat flour to the wet ingredients, stirring with a wooden spoon until completely smooth.
Fold the cranberries, chopped pecans, and oats into the oat mixture and stir well.
Spoon into the prepared pan and spread it out in an even layer. Bake the oatmeal bars for about for 25 minutes, until golden brown and puffy. Make sure the bars are firm at the edges. They should be a little soft at the center with crispy tops.
After removing from the oven, allow the bars to cool for at least 30 minutes before cutting into 24 even pieces. If you can wait, it’s best to let it cool completely before cutting.
Store this treat at room temperature in an airtight container for up to three days. You can also freeze the bars for up to one month in a freezer-safe container, bringing them to room temperature before serving.
Variations for our Soft Oat Bar Recipe
- Make your own spice blend by combining a half teaspoon of cinnamon with a quarter teaspoon of both ginger and nutmeg.
- Slivered almonds, walnuts, dried cherries, or other chopped dried fruits like apricots or dates are delicious, too.
- Add a banana or two to make banana oatmeal bars. Note this will give the bars a more cake-like texture.
- Chocolate chips are a good add-in for a sweeter treat.
- Add some peanut butter for extra flavor and protein. Try our no-bake peanut butter oatmeal bars.
- Note: All add-ins should not equal more than 2 1/2 cups.
- If you cut these healthy oatmeal bars up into smaller pieces, they make a great substitute for granola bars.
Make a big batch of these bars whenever you have company coming. Have the recipe printed as they will ask for a copy!
Serve these bars with a bowl of fresh fruit for a delicious and filling breakfast or for snack time in the afternoon. This is a treat the whole family will ask for again and again.
More Recipes with Oats
White Chocolate Cranberry Oatmeal Cookies
Healthy Oatmeal Breakfast Recipe
Oatmeal Raisin Cookies with Pecans
Tropical Coconut Oatmeal
Soft Oatmeal Bars
Ingredients
- 10 tbsp neutral oil canola, sunflower, vegetable
- 1 ¼ cups light brown sugar
- 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp pumpkin pie or apple pie spice blend
- ½ tsp salt
- 2 cups oat flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 ½ cups chopped pecans
- 2 ½ cups rolled oats
- ¾ cup dried cranberries
Instructions
- Prepare a 9” x 13”baking pan with parchment. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- Combine oil, sugar, and applesauce in a large bowl and blend using a hand mixer until well emulsified.
- Make sure there is no oil floating in mixture. Add in the vanilla, spice blend, and salt.
- Add the baking soda and oat flour, stirring until completely smooth.
- Fold in the cranberries, chopped pecans,a nd oats.
- Spoon into the prepared baking pan and spread it out in an even layer.
- Bake the oatmeal bars about for 25 minutes, until golden brown and puffy. Make sure the are firm at the edges. The bars should be a little soft at the center, but not so soft that the mixture moves in the center when tilted.
- After removing from oven, allow the bars to cool for at least 30 minutes before cutting into 24 even pieces. If you can wait, it’s best to let it completely before cutting.
- Store this treat at room temperature in an airtight container for up to three days. You can also freeze the bars for up to one month, bringing it to room temperature before serving.
Notes
Nutrition
