Healthy Oatmeal Bars Breakfast (Gluten Free + Vegan)

Common Questions:

Are Oatmeal Bars Healthy?

These oatmeal bars are full of fresh ingredients with lots of fiber, minerals, and no refined sugar. I prefer to enjoy these bars with a side of protein like Greek yogurt or eggs for a more balanced meal.

Are Oat Bars Gluten Free?

If you’re sure to use gluten-free rolled oats in these bars, they’re gluten-free.

Can I Make These Bars with Jam?

Yes! If you have jam you’d like to use instead, you can substitute 1 1/2 cups and skip the homemade berry filling.

Can I Use Fresh Berries Instead of Frozen?

Using fresh berries instead of frozen in this recipe will change the amount of liquid in the filling.

Oatmeal Bars Ingredients:

Frozen berries: chose frozen fruit because it’s usually cheaper at the grocery store and a lot of people like to keep bags on hand. You can use any one berry you like or a mixture of frozen berries. My frozen berry blend has sliced strawberries, so if you’re using large strawberries, I recommend cutting them into a few pieces for the best results.

Lemon juice: Just a little bit of an acid helps balance the sweetness in these bars.

Coconut sugar: An unrefined sweetener with an amazing flavor.

Maple syrup: Another unrefined sweetener we use in the crust and the berry filling.

Sea salt: This brings out the flavors in the other ingredients.

Tapioca starch: A thickener that works similarly to corn starch. You can substitute arrowroot starch but it tends to make the filling more gummy.

Rolled oats: I used organic, old-fashioned rolled oats. Make sure to purchase gluten-free if you need it.

Almond flour: Blanched almond flour works well in this recipe. Don’t substitute for almond meal as it will change the texture.

Baking soda: A rising agent that brings a little more life into the oatmeal layers.

Coconut oil: This is my oil of choice but you could try substituting butter or ghee and I think they should work. Let me know if you make that substitution and how it went!

Vanilla extract: This brings a touch more flavor that makes the oatmeal crumble so delicious.

How to Make Berry Oatmeal Bars

Mixed Berry Filling:

1. You’ll start by making the mixed berry filling. I specified in the recipe that you should chop any large strawberries into smaller pieces before starting. Add all the frozen berries you’re using to a small saucepan on medium or low-medium heat along with the other ingredients, except tapioca starch,
2. Stirring occasionally, allow the berries to warm, and leach out the liquid into the pot. When enough liquid has come out, it will be very soupy with lots of liquid not quite covering the berries completely.
3. Use a tablespoon to remove some of the liquid and mix it in a cup with the tapioca starch. Add it to the pot of berries and stir allowing it to heat for 1 minute. Then, remove it from the heat and allow it to cool a little and thicken while you prepare your oatmeal crumble.

Oatmeal Crumble:

1. Add dry ingredients to a large mixing bowl and stir to incorporate everything well. Add the rest of the ingredients right into that same mixing bowl and use a fork the mash that coconut oil and mix it into the other ingredients. You can also use your hands to mix fully.

Preparing the Bars:

1. Reserve 1/2-3/4 cup of the oatmeal mixture and set aside. Press the rest of the oatmeal mixture into the bottom of a lined 9×9 baking dish into an even layer.
2. Add all the berry filling on top of that oatmeal layer and spread it into an even layer with a spatula.
3. Use your hands to sprinkle clumps of the reserved oatmeal mixture across the top of the berry filling. Use the rest of the reserved oatmeal mixture and then place the baking dish in a preheated oven to bake.
4. After baking, allow the oatmeal bars to cool completely to help them stay together. When cool, slice into bars and serve or place in containers and store in the fridge lightly covered for prepared breakfasts.

Equipment for This Recipe

1. I received my white baking dish as a gift but I found this white ceramic baking dish that would be beautiful to serve with.
2. Another great option for baking is glass dishes because they last so long if you’re careful. Here’s a simple glass baking dish that is the 9×9 square needed for this recipe.
3. I love using parchment paper for easy cleanup and I choose unbleached parchment paper when I can. Here’s a great option that is already pre-cut into sheets.

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