Try this recipe for delicious easy oatmeal bars your whole family will love! With no processed sugar, they’re wholesome and delicious and amazing for breakfast or a midday snack!
The hubby says this is one of the best recipes, EVER! He says these oatmeal bars are heavenly. If you want a snack or breakfast idea that is healthy and delicious, this Easy Oatmeal Bar recipe is wonderful. We just love Easy Oatmeal Bars around here!!
This recipe takes only a few ingredients and is customizable with your preference of yummy add-ins. {Tip – it’s also good with vanilla ice cream 🙂 }
For the peanut butter lovers at our house, we’ve recently added these easy Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars into the mix! So, so yummy and protein-packed!
The Benefits of Oatmeal
Did you know? Oats are among the healthiest grains on earth. Cool, huh! They’re a gluten-free whole grain and a great source of important vitamins, minerals, fiber and antioxidants – and heart-healthy too!
I’m always looking for healthy alternatives to packaged food, so when you bake oats into a bar and it tastes this good, you can’t go wrong!
How to Make Healthy Oatmeal Bars
Seriously, with one bowl and one pan, you can treat yourself to these wonderful and wholesome oatmeal squares.
1.) The first step, line your 8×8 pan with parchment paper. This makes it easy to get your bars out when they’re done cooking.
2.) Next, in a large bowl combine melted organic butter and honey (or sugar if using). Add eggs, baking soda, salt, and vanilla, mixing well. Add in oats and flour and mix until well combined. (Add any optional mix-ins. See recipe notes for suggestions.)
Pro Tip: spray your measuring cup with non-stick spray before putting your honey in – it will slide right out!
3.) Then, press into your lined baking pan. Finally, bake your bars in the oven for 20-25 minutes until golden brown. Your whole house should smell wonderful at this point!
Tips for Making the Best Oatmeal Bars
This recipe is best if you use old fashioned oats, not instant oats. It will get too dense otherwise.
I like using the healthy option of whole wheat flour, but regular flour or a combination will also work.
With the honey, these bars aren’t too sweet, so bake with the brown sugar if you prefer a sweeter recipe.
Readers have substituted 1/2 the butter with coconut butter with good results. I use organic butter, which gives the best flavor!
The possibilities for delicious add-ins for these bars is endless! Dried fruit, cinnamon, coconut, chocolate, caramel, nuts, and M&Ms will all work!
Tips for Storing Homemade Oatmeal Bars
To Freeze: Bake as directed and allow them to cool completely. Cut into bars, then wrap individually in foil or plastic. Place wrapped bars in a freezer bag for later. Thaw for at least one hour before eating.
To Store: Layer the bars between waxed paper in an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Bring back to room temperature before serving.
If you’ve tried these delicious Oatmeal Bars or any other recipe on Suburban Simplicity, then don’t forget to rate the recipe and let me know how it went in the comments below, I love hearing from you! You can also FOLLOW ME on FACEBOOK, TWITTER, INSTAGRAM and PINTEREST to see more delicious food, fun crafts + DIYs and what I’m up to on a daily basis!
Easy Oatmeal Bars
Try this recipe for delicious oatmeal bars your whole family will love! It works great as breakfast or a midday snack! Delicious!
2cupswhole wheat flour((or a combo of white and whole wheat depending on your preference))
Instructions
In a large mixing bowl, stir together melted butter and sugar. Add eggs, baking soda, salt, and vanilla, mixing well. Add in oats and flour and mix until well combined. (Add any optional mix-ins. See notes for suggestions)
Spread mixture in a parchment lined 8×8 inch baking dish. Bake in a 350° oven for 20-25 minutes until golden brown. Enjoy!
Video
Notes
Optional Add-ins: 1/2 cup chocolate chip, peanut butter chips, Heath Bar chips or dried fruit. Cinnamon, coconut and nuts are also good in this recipe. You can either cut then to make 9 or 16 squares depending on your preference. Nutritional information is approximate and was calculated using a recipe nutrition label generator.★ Did you make this recipe? Don’t forget to give it a star rating below!
Since its founding in 2015 by suburban mother Erin Henry, Suburban Simplicity has provided an outlet for like-minded women to connect and share their methods for a serene and simple home life. It has become a trusted resource for advice on simple, modern homemaking, appearing on Oprah Magazine, Good Housekeeping, Buzzfeed, MSN and Yummly.
These were so easy to prepare! I’m not a baker, so easy is key. I used brown sugar instead of honey and regular flour (because it’s what I had). And added chocolate chips and coconut. They are so good!
I just made these. I was looking for something quick to make that reminded me of a oatmeal cookie. This was perfect and so simple. I added chocolate chips. Would make again.
These were delicious! The while family loved them! I used brown sugar and substituted coconut oil for half the butter, added peanut butter, cinnamon, nutmeg, craisins and dark chocolate chunks. I also used my hot breakfast cereal mix, which includes a ton of healthy ingredients, like flax seeds, millet, and quinoa.. So yummy and filling. I’m about to make a second batch, to include shredded coconut, and I’m going to spread it more thinly in a larger pan. Can’t wait to eat them again! Thank you!!!
I am so excited that I found your recipe. I saw some on a cooking show and didn’t write down the recipe. I am adding dried cherries and dried blueberries along with some chopped pecans. I hope they are yummy. I can’t wait until they come out of the oven. Thank you so much for such a versatile recipe.
You’re welcome. Dried fruit is delicious in this recipe, Pam! So glad you found it and modified it to your liking! We bet the pecans are wonderful, too!
these are AMAZING i accidentally put the wrong amount of honey in the first time i made them so after they were out of the oven, i cut them and then drizzled honey all over the tops and let it soak in fantastic recipe!
I’ve made this recipe countless times! I’ve added a little almond butter and cinnamon to it and it is divine. Thank you for this recipe! Delicious and makes my whole family happy!
I used coconut oil, flaxseed eggs, added sliced almonds, and had 1/4 cup cocoa powder with 1 3/4 cup almond flour. Was amazing. Trying a peanut chocolate chip one now. Love that this recipe is so versatile. We are gluten, dairy, vanilla, and egg free household. It is a challenge to find recipes I can tweak that the family asks for more. Thanks
I’m so glad you are enjoying the recipe, Regina! Love your substitutions and so happy the recipe was versatile enough to accommodate your family’s dietary restrictions! Thanks for the 5-star review! xo
These are yummy! Must be the butter = ) I’ve been making these on the regular for a while now. I cut them into cereal-bar shaped pieces, wrap them in wax paper and freeze them for a fast breakfast or afternoon tea snack. I especially like that they’re not loaded with processed sugar. I rarely comment on recipes but this one is so darn good I just had to let you know. Thanks for the recipe!
Ah, thanks so much Sandie!! I’m glad you’ve enjoying them. I love that these little bars aren’t loaded with processed sugar, too! We make them ALL THE TIME!
These are so delicious! I added coconut, raisins, cinnamon, and a small amount of mini chocolate chips. Love the whole wheat flour & honey in this recipe. Not too sweet. 🙂
The nutrition label for the oatmeal bars does not say the serving size. Is it based on the 9 servings or 16 servings? For diabetics counting carbs it makes a big difference.
Hi, sorry if this has been answered already. I followed the instructions and used the same ingredients but the bars are very dry. Which ingredient should I increase (or add a new one) to make them more moist:?
Tara says
If I want to add in ground flax, chia, and wheat germ, does it change the recipe at all?
Thanks!
Erin Henry says
If adding all three, I would decrease the oats by just a little bit to make sure it isn’t too dense.
Don says
added ground almonds like i put in am porridge. my mom would approve!
Dusty says
These are DELICIOUS!! I used brown sugar and added lots of cinnamon and 1 cup of butterscotch morsels. YUMMMMM!
Erin Henry says
Sounds AMAZING, Dusty!! Love butterscotch! Nice job.
Julie says
This is one of my go-to oatmeal bar, grab and go recipes. Love it even when dense when I only had quick oats!
Erin Henry says
So glad you enjoy the recipe (with or without old fashioned oats) 🙂
Teresa Halabi says
These were so easy to prepare! I’m not a baker, so easy is key. I used brown sugar instead of honey and regular flour (because it’s what I had). And added chocolate chips and coconut. They are so good!
Erin Henry says
Love all your ingredients, Teresa! Especially the chocolate chips 🙂
Katie says
I used half coconut butter and some almond flour and they came out great!
Erin Henry says
Awesome! Love you substitutions and glad they worked out great! XO
Christine Johnson says
I just made these. I was looking for something quick to make that reminded me of a oatmeal cookie. This was perfect and so simple. I added chocolate chips. Would make again.
Erin Henry says
Yes! This recipe is suppose to be like an oatmeal cookie, but a little healthier! Thanks for the 5 Star rating!
Laura Dell says
These were delicious! The while family loved them! I used brown sugar and substituted coconut oil for half the butter, added peanut butter, cinnamon, nutmeg, craisins and dark chocolate chunks. I also used my hot breakfast cereal mix, which includes a ton of healthy ingredients, like flax seeds, millet, and quinoa.. So yummy and filling. I’m about to make a second batch, to include shredded coconut, and I’m going to spread it more thinly in a larger pan. Can’t wait to eat them again! Thank you!!!
Erin Henry says
Love you substitutions, Laura! This is such a versatile recipe, so you can customize it however you like!
Pam McNicol says
I am so excited that I found your recipe. I saw some on a cooking show and didn’t write down the recipe. I am adding dried cherries and dried blueberries along with some chopped pecans. I hope they are yummy. I can’t wait until they come out of the oven. Thank you so much for such a versatile recipe.
Erin Henry says
You’re welcome. Dried fruit is delicious in this recipe, Pam! So glad you found it and modified it to your liking! We bet the pecans are wonderful, too!
Rebecca says
Added an egg, .5 tsp salt, chia seeds, doubled applesauce and raisins. I also added .25 tsp baking soda. Turned our pretty good
Erin Henry says
Glad your substitution turned out so well, Rebecca. Well done!
miranda says
these are AMAZING
i accidentally put the wrong amount of honey in the first time i made them so after they were out of the oven, i cut them and then drizzled honey all over the tops and let it soak in
fantastic recipe!
Erin Henry says
Glad to hear it all worked out, Miranda!
Katherine Mason says
I’ve made this recipe countless times! I’ve added a little almond butter and cinnamon to it and it is divine. Thank you for this recipe! Delicious and makes my whole family happy!
Erin says
OMG, your additions sound wonderful. This is such a great recipe to customize. So glad you found, it Katherine!
Regina Delaney says
I used coconut oil, flaxseed eggs, added sliced almonds, and had 1/4 cup cocoa powder with 1 3/4 cup almond flour. Was amazing. Trying a peanut chocolate chip one now. Love that this recipe is so versatile. We are gluten, dairy, vanilla, and egg free household. It is a challenge to find recipes I can tweak that the family asks for more. Thanks
Erin says
I’m so glad you are enjoying the recipe, Regina! Love your substitutions and so happy the recipe was versatile enough to accommodate your family’s dietary restrictions! Thanks for the 5-star review! xo
Sandie7 says
These are yummy! Must be the butter = ) I’ve been making these on the regular for a while now. I cut them into cereal-bar shaped pieces, wrap them in wax paper and freeze them for a fast breakfast or afternoon tea snack. I especially like that they’re not loaded with processed sugar. I rarely comment on recipes but this one is so darn good I just had to let you know. Thanks for the recipe!
Erin says
Ah, thanks so much Sandie!! I’m glad you’ve enjoying them. I love that these little bars aren’t loaded with processed sugar, too! We make them ALL THE TIME!
Melanie says
These are so delicious! I added coconut, raisins, cinnamon, and a small amount of mini chocolate chips. Love the whole wheat flour & honey in this recipe. Not too sweet. 🙂
Erin says
Not too sweet, but totally delicious! Thanks for stopping by and giving them a 5 star rating, Melanie!
Sarah Bane says
This is so scrumptious!!!!!!!!!!!!
Erin says
So glad you think so, Sarah! We love them! A great breakfast for busy mornings!
Kara says
Tried this recipe for breakfast this morning. Kids and I loved it! We’re excited to try the bars with berries next time!
Erin says
Yes, definitely try them with berries. We love them both ways.
Terry says
The nutrition label for the oatmeal bars does not say the serving size. Is it based on the 9 servings or 16 servings? For diabetics counting carbs it makes a big difference.
Erin says
Hi Terry, The nutritional information is based on the 16 squares listed on the recipe card. Hope this helps! Thanks!
chris says
Hi, sorry if this has been answered already. I followed the instructions and used the same ingredients but the bars are very dry. Which ingredient should I increase (or add a new one) to make them more moist:?
Erin says
Hi Chris,
Yes, these bars tend to be on the dry side. I would try the following if you’d like them a little more moist:
-Add 1/4 cup applesauce to the recipe.
or
-Reduce flour by 1/4 cup.