Healthy Berry Oatmeal Bars Recipe

Introduction

These Healthy Berry Oatmeal Bars are a delicious and wholesome breakfast option, packed with nutritious oats and vibrant berries. They’re naturally sweetened, easy to prepare, and perfect for busy mornings on the go.

Ingredients

• 2 cups frozen berries (use any mixture of small berries)
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons coconut sugar
• 2 tablespoons maple syrup
• A pinch of sea salt
• 1 ½ tablespoons tapioca starch (also known as tapioca flour)
• 1 ¾ cups rolled oats (gluten free if needed)
• 1 ¼ cups blanched almond flour
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ⅛ teaspoon sea salt
• ½ cup maple syrup
• ⅓ cup coconut oil (solid at room temperature)
• ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a 9×9 inch baking dish with parchment paper.
2. Step 2: Measure out your frozen berries. If there are any large strawberries, either leave them out or cut them into quarters.
3. Step 3: Place a small saucepan over low-medium heat. Add the berries, lemon juice, coconut sugar, maple syrup, and a pinch of sea salt.
4. Step 4: Warm the berries for 5–10 minutes until they release liquid and become soupy. Scoop out 1–2 tablespoons of the liquid into a small cup, stir in the tapioca starch until smooth, then return it to the saucepan. Stir and heat for 1 more minute, then remove from heat and set aside.
5. Step 5: In a large bowl, combine rolled oats, almond flour, baking soda, and sea salt. Add maple syrup, vanilla extract, and coconut oil.
6. Step 6: Use a fork to mix, cutting in the coconut oil until incorporated. You may find it easier to use your hands to finish mixing and form a crumbly dough.
7. Step 7: Reserve about ½ to ¾ cup of the oatmeal mixture. Press the remaining mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
8. Step 8: Spread the berry mixture evenly over the oatmeal base layer.
9. Step 9: Sprinkle the reserved oatmeal mixture over the berry layer, using your fingers to make clumps or small bits as desired for a rustic look.
10. Step 10: Bake the bars for 20–25 minutes, until the edges turn lightly golden.
11. Step 11: Allow the bars to cool completely before slicing, which helps them hold together better. Store lightly covered in the fridge for easy breakfasts throughout the week.

Tips & Variations

• Use a mix of berries like blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries for a more complex flavor.
• Substitute almond flour with oat flour if nuts are a concern.
• If you prefer a sweeter bar, drizzle a little extra maple syrup on top before baking.
• To make bars extra chewy, gently press down the top layer after sprinkling it.

Storage

Keep the bars covered in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. For longer storage, freeze them in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Reheat briefly in the microwave or enjoy cold as a quick breakfast or snack.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use fresh berries instead of frozen?

Yes, fresh berries can be used. You may want to reduce the cooking time slightly since fresh berries release less liquid than frozen.

Are these bars gluten free?

They can be gluten free if you use certified gluten-free rolled oats. Be sure to check your ingredient labels.

Healthy Berry Oatmeal Bars Recipe

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★★★★★

4.4 from 56 reviews

These Healthy Berry Oatmeal Bars make a perfect nutritious breakfast or snack option. Packed with antioxidant-rich berries and wholesome oats, these bars combine natural sweetness from maple syrup and coconut sugar with the heart-healthy fats of coconut oil and almond flour. The layering of a soft oat base, a luscious berry filling, and a crumbly oat topping creates delicious texture and flavor in every bite. Baked to golden perfection and easily stored for meals on the go, these gluten-free bars are both satisfying and guilt-free.

• Author: Lena
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 9 bars (3×3 grid in 9×9 baking dish) 1x
• Category: Breakfast
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Gluten Free

Ingredients

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Berry Filling

• 2 cups frozen berries (any mixture of small berries)
• 1 Tablespoon lemon juice
• 2 Tablespoons coconut sugar
• 2 Tablespoons maple syrup
• Pinch of sea salt
• 1 ½ Tablespoons tapioca starch (tapioca flour)

Oatmeal Base & Topping

• 1 ¾ cups rolled oats (gluten free if needed)
• 1 ¼ cups blanched almond flour
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ⅛ teaspoon sea salt
• ½ cup maple syrup
• ⅓ cup coconut oil (solid at room temperature)
• ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Instructions

1. Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit and line a 9×9 inch baking dish with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
2. Prepare Berries: Measure out your frozen berries. If there are any large strawberries, either leave them out or cut them into 4 pieces for even cooking.
3. Cook Berry Mixture: Place a small saucepan over low-medium heat. Add frozen berries, lemon juice, coconut sugar, maple syrup, and a pinch of sea salt.
4. Simmer and Thicken: Let the berries warm for 5-10 minutes until they release liquid and become soupy. Remove 1-2 tablespoons of this liquid, mix with tapioca starch until smooth, then return this slurry to the berry pot and heat for an additional minute while stirring. Remove from heat and set aside.
5. Mix Dry Ingredients for Oatmeal Layers: In a large mixing bowl, combine rolled oats, almond flour, baking soda, and sea salt evenly.
6. Add Wet Ingredients: Add maple syrup, vanilla extract, and solid coconut oil to the dry mixture. Use a fork to incorporate and cut in the coconut oil, finishing the mixing with your hands if needed to get an even texture.
7. Form Base Layer: Reserve about ½ to ¾ cup of this oatmeal mixture. Press the remaining mixture firmly and evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
8. Add Berry Layer: Spread the thickened berry mixture evenly over the oat base layer.
9. Top with Reserved Oatmeal Mixture: Sprinkle the reserved oatmeal mixture over the berry layer using your fingers, forming small or larger clumps to your liking for a rustic topping.
10. Bake: Place the baking dish into the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes or until the edges become lightly golden and the bars look set.
11. Cool and Store: Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan to help them set fully and hold together when cut. Store covered lightly in the refrigerator for up to a week for a convenient breakfast option.

Notes

• Use gluten-free rolled oats if you require a gluten-free recipe.
• Frozen berries with mixed varieties provide the best flavor and color contrast.
• If you prefer a sweeter bar, you can increase maple syrup slightly, but keep in mind the added sugar content.
• Make sure coconut oil is solid; if melted, it may affect the texture of the oat layers.
• Allow bars to cool fully before slicing to maintain their structure.
• These bars can be stored in the fridge for up to 7 days or frozen for longer storage.

Keywords: healthy breakfast bars, berry oatmeal bars, gluten-free breakfast, baked oatmeal bars, vegan breakfast bars