You know what’s better than easy overnight oats? Healthy oatmeal breakfast bars! Talk about easy breakfast prep, these little guys are great on the go whether you are running out the door to the gym, just trying to get house work done with a baby on your hip, or satisfying a sweet tooth without all the guilt. Even my kids like these “cookies”.
These healthy oatmeal breakfast bars are super tasty and they just so happen to be gluten free, dairy free, oil free, vegan and can be sugar free too! Just grab rolled oats, a can of pumpkin puree and sweetener of your choice. Feel like adding nuts, chocolate chips or spices? Great you can do that too. Here’s how…
Breakfast bar ingredients
- 2 3/4 – 3 cups rolled oats
- 14 oz can of pumpkin puree
- sweetener of choice (to taste)
- 1/4 cup any additions… nuts, chocolate chips, fruit, protein powder…
- 1/4 to 1/2 tsp. extract if you’d like. Vanilla, orange, almond, maple…
- mixing bowl
- spoon for stirring
- baking/cookie sheet
- a 350 degree oven
Oats
Quick cooking or old fashioned oats work great. Instant oats work too but may are a bit mushier… still make a great grab-and-go breakfast!
Pumpkin
Keep in mind any winter squash will do. Pumpkin, acorn, butternut to name a few. Want to roast your own? Here’s the easiest way to do that. Great to have roasted squash on hand for anything from sauces, side dishes, muffins… you name it. In a rush, 14 oz can of pumpkin puree will work just fine! Go organic if you can.
Sweetener
Use whatever fits your needs. Sugar substitute, agave syrup, white or brown sugar, honey… I prefer maple syrup myself.
Additions
Although not necessary, additions can include:
- Chopped pecans, walnuts, cashews, or peanuts…
- Chocolate or butterscotch chips
- Sprinkles (won’t the kids think these are fun!)
- Diced fruit
- Toasted coconut flakes
- Pumpkin pie spices
- Vanilla or almond extract
- Cocoa powder
- Raisins (if you want to ruin a perfectly good bar. HA!)
Simply toss a handful into the mix. About a quarter cup should work fine. Even if you added a bunch of chocolate chips it would still be healthier than a sugary, butter and flour filled cookie.
See photos for a variety of ideas!
Cookie shape
These “bars” are shaped like cookies- scooped and dropped onto a baking sheet. This is done so that the outside of the bar sets up firm enough it can be picked up and held like a cookie.
I like to use a smaller ice cream scoop to get a uniform size. You can simply use your hands or spoon if that works for you.
Spiced pumpkin with cinnamon, nutmeg and vanilla extract.
Oatmeal bar directions
Simply add all of your ingredients to a mixing bowl and stir until combined. Add any sweetener to taste. Start by adding 2 3/4 cup oats if you are planning to add nuts and chips so that the mixture doesn’t get too dry. adjust as necessary.
For any additions the amounts are up to you! Here’s an example of what I like to add; 3 tablespoons of maple syrup, a handful of chopped nuts and a about 1/4 cup of chocolate chips. Sprinkle that with about a teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice (some sort of combination of cinnamon, nutmeg, clove, ginger or allspice.) and I am good to go. Cookie craving satisfied!
Divide the oats into about a dozen balls and place on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper or non-stick spray if you’d like. Leave the oats in balls for a fun shape with a softer middle or press lightly into more of a cookie shape. Since these are made of only oats and pumpkin they will not rise or spread… at all. So go ahead and crowd ’em on your baking sheet.
Bake these little bundles of goodness in a 350 degree oven for about 10 minutes. THAT’S IT!
If you make bigger cookies they may need an extra minute or two.
Let them cool before putting them in a container.
Store these bars in a sealed container in the fridge for up to a week. I honestly even like them cold!
Healthy tip- To keep things as lean as possible without giving up the chocolate chips try only pressing a few into the top of each bar. This way you add less but they still look like a real treat!
Did you make healthy oatmeal breakfast bars? I wanna see! Tag @lubba.food.garden on Instagram. Use the hashtag #ILubbaFood If you Love food as much as I do. XO Myra
