Start your day with a wholesome, delicious, and easy-to-make breakfast that will fuel you up and keep you satisfied until your next meal. These Healthy Oatmeal Bars are the perfect solution for busy mornings or meal prep, offering a gluten-free, vegan option that's packed with fiber, healthy fats, and natural sweetness.

Made with oats, ripe bananas, and a handful of nutrient-dense ingredients, these bars are a perfect balance of chewy, soft, and naturally sweet. You can make them ahead of time and enjoy them throughout the week, whether you’re on-the-go or looking for a quick snack. Plus, these oatmeal bars are fully customizable—you can add in your favorite dried fruits, nuts, or seeds for added texture and flavor!

Whether you’re looking for a quick breakfast, a healthy snack, or a post-workout boost, these Gluten-Free Vegan Oatmeal Bars are a must-try!

Ingredients (in grams)

• 2 cups rolled oats (160g) (make sure they’re certified gluten-free if needed)
• 2 ripe bananas (about 240g), mashed
• ¼ cup almond butter (60g) or peanut butter
• ¼ cup maple syrup (60g)
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract (2g)
• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon (2g)
• ¼ teaspoon salt (1g)
• ½ cup unsweetened applesauce (120g)
• ¼ cup unsweetened shredded coconut (30g) (optional)
• ¼ cup raisins or dried cranberries (35g) (optional)
• ¼ cup chia seeds or flax seeds (30g) (optional)
• ¼ cup chopped nuts (almonds, walnuts, or pecans) (30g) (optional)

Instructions

1. Preheat the Oven: Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking dish (approximately 8x8 inches or 20x20 cm) with parchment paper for easy removal of the bars.
2. Mash the Bananas: In a large mixing bowl, mash the ripe bananas with a fork until smooth. The bananas provide natural sweetness and moisture to the bars.
3. Mix the Wet Ingredients: To the mashed bananas, add the almond butter (or peanut butter), maple syrup, vanilla extract, and applesauce. Stir everything together until well combined.
4. Add the Dry Ingredients: Stir in the rolled oats, ground cinnamon, and salt. Once mixed, add any optional ingredients like shredded coconut, raisins, chia seeds, or chopped nuts. Mix well until everything is evenly distributed.
5. Transfer to Baking Dish: Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish. Use a spatula to press the mixture down evenly, making sure it’s compact and smooth on top.
6. Bake the Oatmeal Bars: Bake the oatmeal bars in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
7. Cool and Slice: Once baked, remove the bars from the oven and let them cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. Afterward, carefully lift the bars out using the parchment paper and transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. Slice them into squares or bars once cooled.
8. Serve and Enjoy: Your Healthy Oatmeal Bars are ready to serve! Enjoy them as a breakfast option, a midday snack, or even as a post-workout energy boost.

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Why You’ll Love These Healthy Oatmeal Bars

1. Easy to Make:
These oatmeal bars are incredibly simple to prepare, requiring just a few minutes of mixing and about 30 minutes of baking. They make a perfect grab-and-go breakfast or snack for busy mornings.

2. Naturally Sweetened:
The sweetness of these bars comes naturally from ripe bananas and a little maple syrup. There’s no need for refined sugar, making them a healthier option for those watching their sugar intake.

3. Packed with Nutrients:
The combination of oats, chia seeds or flax seeds, and almond butter provides a good balance of fiber, protein, healthy fats, and antioxidants. This makes these bars a filling and energizing option that will keep you full for hours.

4. Customizable:
You can easily adjust the ingredients to suit your preferences or dietary needs. Add your favorite dried fruits, swap out the almond butter for peanut butter, or throw in some chocolate chips if you’re in the mood for a treat. You can also make them nut-free by omitting the nuts and choosing seed butter instead.

5. Vegan and Gluten-Free:
These bars are both vegan and gluten-free, making them suitable for a wide range of dietary preferences. They’re a great option for anyone following a plant-based or gluten-free lifestyle.

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Nutritional Facts (per bar, based on 12 servings)

• Calories: 180
• Carbohydrates: 26g
• Protein: 4g
• Fat: 8g
• Fiber: 4g
• Sugar: 8g
• Sodium: 80mg

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Tips & Tricks

• Use Overripe Bananas: The riper your bananas, the sweeter and more flavorful your bars will be. Overripe bananas with brown spots are perfect for this recipe!
• Make it Nut-Free: If you need a nut-free version, simply swap out the almond butter for sunflower seed butter, and omit the nuts in the mix.
• Storage: These bars store well in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, or you can refrigerate them for up to 1 week. They also freeze well, so you can make a big batch and freeze some for later.
• Customize the Toppings: Feel free to mix in any add-ins you like. You can try chopped dried apricots, dark chocolate chips, or even a sprinkle of cocoa powder for a chocolatey twist.
• Add More Protein: To make these bars even more filling, consider adding a scoop of your favorite plant-based protein powder to the mixture.