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    • Easy Chicken Dinner Recipes -->This collection of easy chicken dinner recipes features some of our favorite family dishes, perfect for making a healthy, delicious home cooked meal on a busy night! Getting a healthy, home cooked meal on the table every night can be challenging. Particularly with the demands of work, school, activities and social obligations, well, it can be the last thing we want to do at the end of the day. So I’ve got tons of easy chicken recipes at my disposal that I turn to when I need to whip something up for us on one of those busy weeknights. (Or even busy weekends – dinners can be tough then, too!) And this collection of easy chicken dinner recipes has some that we make over and over again. It includes everything from skillet chicken dinners to slow cooker chicken recipes, one-pot chicken pastas, soups and salads with chicken, chicken burgers and meatballs, sheet pan chicken dinners and easy chicken casseroles. Are you looking for fast as well as easy? Me too. I’ve got collections of chicken recipes in under 30 minutes and, faster still, chicken recipes in under 15 minutes. Or if you want to browse them all, my quick chicken recipes…
      • Easy Chicken Recipes with Few IngredientsThese easy chicken recipes with few ingredients include some great healthy lunch and dinner options, all made with 5 or fewer ingredients! I am all about the EASY when it comes to cooking. I don’t like to fuss much over my food and I certainly don’t like to spend a ton of time in the kitchen at the end of a long day. Easy chicken dinner recipes and healthy lunch recipes with chicken are much more my style. (As are chicken recipes in under 30 minutes and, faster yet, chicken recipes in under 15 minutes. Cause life.) Speaking of life, a million trips to the grocery store also aren’t fun during a busy week. (Especially with little ones in tow!) So I’ve got these go-to easy chicken recipes with few ingredients that help me keep dinnertime simple. And my sanity intact. In fact, one of the first cookbooks I bought on my own, at a used bookstore in Washington, D.C., where I lived for a few years after college, was titled 3-ingredient recipes. I was pretty new to cooking and thought, I think I can handle that. My cooking skills have improved, but I still go for the simple chicken recipes…
      • Quick Chicken RecipesThis collection of quick chicken recipes features some of our favorite family dinners and go-to lunches, all ready in 30 minutes or less! From chicken skillet dinners to one-pot pastas, salads to burgers, you’re sure to find some new favorites! If you know me, you know I am ALL about the quick and easy recipes. I love making all of our homemade meals and home cooked dinners, but like you, I’ve also got a hundred other things to juggle and so keeping things simple in the kitchen is a must. And these quick chicken recipes include all of my chicken recipes in under 30 minutes and, even faster, chicken recipes in under 15 minutes. Sanity savers for sure. Busy weeknights have nothing on us! A few of our favorites from these quick chicken recipes: Healthy chicken Alfredo with broccoli Creamy chipotle chicken 20-minute chicken and tortellini soup with kale Skillet salsa chicken Easy creamy chicken This collection also has some healthy lunch recipes with chicken for mixing up your lunch routine. (It doesn’t include my slow cooker chicken recipes though, since those aren’t ready in 30 minutes. But they can be super quick to prep in the morning and then…
        • Chicken Recipes in Under 15 MinutesThese easy chicken recipes in under 15 minutes are perfect for dinner on a busy weeknight! From one-pot wonders to salads, chicken skillets to tacos, you’re sure to find some new fast favorites! You know those nights when you walk in the door and need dinner pronto?! Like, 5 minutes ago? That’s when I turn to these quick and easy chicken recipes in under 15 minutes. I can make a healthy, home cooked meal for my family and be sitting down to enjoy it in no time. Cause plenty of evenings, 15 minutes is often all the time I have – or want to spend – on dinner. I’m not alone on that, right?! You can browse below but I thought I’d highlight a couple that I make over and over again. A few of our favorite easy chicken recipes in under 15 minutes: 15-minute honey garlic chicken (gets rave reviews!) Southwest chicken skillet dinner (pile on your favorite toppings!) Quick chicken curry (perfect with rice and peas) One-pot low-carb leftover chicken recipe with spinach (my dad’s go-to recipe) This collection also includes some healthy lunch options that are quick to put together — like the Asian chicken mason jar…
        • Chicken Recipes in Under 30 MinutesThese easy chicken recipes in under 30 minutes are perfect for dinner on a busy weeknight! From one-pan meals to burgers, one-pot pastas to healthy salads, you’re sure to find some new favorites! Quick, easy and mostly healthy is pretty much the name of the game for dinner at my house. I love a home cooked meal and we eat a ton of chicken, which means I’ve come up with and found a lot of easy chicken recipes over the years. And this collection highlights some of my easy chicken recipes in under 30 minutes, when you want something delicious but need it on the table pretty quickly. Is that every single night for you too? We’ve got everything from skillet chicken dishes to chicken pasta and from soups and salads with chicken to chicken meatballs and burgers. All the chicken love! Many of these recipes use boneless, skinless chicken breasts (though you could substitute chicken thighs if you prefer) while others use ground chicken and some rely on pre-cooked chicken, such as a rotisserie chicken you pick up at the store or some leftover grilled or baked chicken. Lots of these 30 minute chicken dinners are complete meals but…
      • Healthy One-Pot Chicken DinnersHealthy one-pot chicken dinners are such a help on busy days! This collection includes everything from one-pot pastas and skillets to easy slow cooker and sheet pan recipes to help you get an easy, healthy and delicious dinner on the table any night! I am ALL about quick and easy meals. I cook our dinner 99% of the time, including on days when work has blown up in my face, or the kids have decided to coordinate their melt-downs, or we’re all just wiped out and hungry. And even though I love to cook, I definitely have those days when I’m just not feeling it. Enter some quick and easy one-pot chicken dinners for the win! These are great to have in your back pocket for busy days, busy weeks or in case of a “kids-are-making-me-crazy” kinda moment. (My husband also loves these meals because he’s on clean-up duty and it’s nice not to have a huge pile of dishes staring you down after dinner!) Many of these dishes are complete meals on their own. Others are low-carb as written, but can easily be paired with some rice, pasta, bread or potatoes to bulk them up a bit. Here are…
      • Slow Cooker Chicken RecipesThese hands-off slow cooker chicken recipes will put your slow cooker to work and have you coming home to a delicious, healthy dinner that’s ready to go! Some days, you just need someone else to make you dinner. I’m not talking takeout or delivery or a restaurant dinner. I’m talking about your crock pot or slow cooker. I find it supremely satisfying to go about my day, knowing that a delicious home cooked dinner is cooking up at home for me. I can play with the kids, take them to practices, run errands or just relax with a book and breathe easy. These slow cooker chicken recipes mean there is just one less thing to do in the evening and that’s a great thing on a busy day! This collection includes slow cooker recipes for boneless, skinless chicken breasts as well as chicken thighs (though you can usually sub either one). And many of these take just minutes to prep in the morning! 👍 Here’s a few of our favorite slow cooker chicken recipes: Slow cooker balsamic chicken Slow cooker bistro chicken thighs Slow cooker apricot chicken Crock pot Mediterranean chicken Slow cooker teriyaki chicken And be sure to check…
    • Easy Vegetarian RecipesEasy vegetarian recipes include main-dish meals that are hearty and satisfying and can stand alone for lunch or dinner (with a few savory breakfast options as well). Everything from one-pot veggie pastas to stuffed squash to chili to veggie burgers and hearty grain bowls and salads, there are meatless options here for everyone! I am a veggie lover through and through. 💚💚💚 I adore getting in as many vegetables as I can, throughout the day really, and I often make easy vegetarian dinners a couple of times a week. (Hello meatless Monday, I’m looking at you!) So over the years, I’ve created tons of great veggie-based meals that can stand on their own for lunch or dinner and be hearty and satisfying. And that are also mostly quick and easy, because I work as a health and nutrition editor and we’ve got a busy family so cooking on a weeknight needs to be low-key. My one-pot vegetarian spaghetti has been a hugely popular recipe here on the blog and you guys can’t seem to get enough of my grain bowls and salads. I know the feeling. 😉 I wanted to round up some of these in an easy-to-browse category that features…
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    • Healthy DessertsThis collection of healthy desserts features everything from lightened up cookie bars and brownies to cakes, muffins and breads to no-bake energy bites. It’s the perfect way to satisfy your sweet tooth while staying on track with healthy choices! Healthy desserts are kind-of my jam. I like a dessert that gives back. One that has redeeming qualities. A sweet treat that’s going to treat me right. But of course, it also needs to be delicious so I actually satisfy those sweet cravings! The healthier dessert recipes you’ll find below are some of our go-to treats that are perfect for a healthier late-night option and many of which are great for offering kids a wholesome, but fun, treat for an after-school snack or tucked in their lunch box. Most of these recipes are whole grain and naturally sweetened, others are recipe makeovers that are lower in sugar and/or butter. A majority of them contain chocolate. 🍫❤️ And ALL are easy to make. (You can also check out my healthy muffin recipes and my entire category of sweets & desserts if you want more.) Here’s a few of our favorite healthy desserts: Healthy chocolate chip muffins Healthier no bake cookie bars No…
    • Healthy Fall BakingThese healthy fall baking favorites include everything from muffins and baked oatmeal to snacks to cookies and cakes. These fall recipes are whole grain and most are naturally sweetened for a wholesome, delicious treat at breakfast, snack, school lunch or dessert! Does anyone else get the baking bug when the cooler weather starts to roll in during autumn? I know I do! I get excited for all the apple baking projects, pumpkin baking projects and even getting ready for all the holiday baking to come! 🍎🎃 The spices, the warmth, the aroma of having something in the oven is just part of the season for me. Plus the love that comes from a homemade baked good – it just can’t be beat! ❤️ And y’all know my style is definitely a healthier version of baking. I use whole grains and most of my recipes are naturally sweetened. I try to lighten things up where possible and keep to mostly wholesome treats, maybe with a little indulgence here and there! 😉 Wondering where to start? Here are some of our healthy fall baking favorites: Chocolate chip apple cake Pumpkin baked oatmeal with chocolate chips Whole wheat pumpkin applesauce bread Easy healthy…
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Healthy breakfast bars

September 21, 2020 By Kathryn Doherty

This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Please read my disclosure policy

Healthy breakfast bars are so delicious and just 4 ingredients, with no baking needed. These wholesome bars are whole grain, naturally sweetened and perfect in the morning or as a snack for fueling a busy day!A hand picking up a breakfast bar from a white plate

This post is sponsored by Bob’s Red Mill. As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

Did you know it’s National Breakfast Month right now in September?

I am a huge breakfast lover. ❤️

Sure, I don’t have much time to devote to it during the week. I start work at 6:30 a.m. and then I am on deadline all morning for my job as a health and nutrition editor.

But I do adore all kinds of breakfast and brunch foods, both sweet and savory.

Banana bread baked oatmeal, Instant Pot steel cut oats and cheesy baked eggs are some of our regular go-to options in the morning. And freezer breakfast burritos are great to have on hand.

Bonus points: They can all be made ahead and be ready to go for you come wake-up time.

Today’s recipe for these easy, healthy breakfast bars has became a fast favorite in our house. I made them 5 times in two weeks after I first tested them. And y’all, there are just 4 people in my house!

Oatmeal Cheerio breakfast bars sliced and arranged on a white plate with strawberries

We all adore them. My husband and I snack on them in the afternoons and the kids either enjoy them for breakfast or for a morning snack at school.

They are a little crunchy, a little chewy and just perfectly sweet. They set up great and are ready to enjoy straight from the fridge, so you can grab one and devour.

Plus, they are 100% whole grain and they’re naturally sweetened, too. (They can also easily be made gluten-free and vegan if needed. Keep reading for details.)

They’ve got the goodness from the oats and cereal and a good dose of protein from the peanut butter. So they are a great way to fill up in the morning and fuel a busy day.

A glass dish of cereal bars cut into long rectangles

We also almost always add in the mini chocolate chips (it’s just 1/4 cup) for an extra dose of fun. (Can’t we all use an extra dose of fun this year?!) But those are optional so you don’t have to use them if you don’t want.

Oh, and if you love these flavors and love a healthy snack, check out my healthy no bake granola bars and my classic homemade granola bars that I’ve been making for a decade now. So, so tasty.

Needless to say, these breakfast bars are definitely going on the regular rotation in our house. I will happily make them a couple of times a week if it means we’ve all got a healthy breakfast or snack to grab.

(Note to self: Need to make another batch this afternoon.)

And shh, they are really easy to make. It takes just 10 minutes to put them together before you pop them in the fridge to set up. 🙌

Bob's Red Mill oats alongside bowls of peanut butter, honey and cereal laid out on a counter

I also love having the opportunity to partner with Bob’s Red Mill again this year. They truly are a company that’s as wholesome as its products.

They are dedicated to quality ingredients, they make so many of my favorite products (the oats, the whole wheat flours, the whole grain products, the snack bars, and more), and I appreciate that it’s an employee-owned company.

I also appreciate that they partner with No Kid Hungry and local food pantries, as well as other hunger-related programs. ❤️

OK though, let’s get back to today’s recipe.

A hand holding a no bake cereal bar

Now, I’ve got some notes and substitutions coming up on how to make these oat breakfast bars. Just tryin’ to be helpful.

If you want to jump on down to the recipe, simply scroll right on through the rest of the text. The recipe card is near the bottom of the page, above the comments section.

Notes on making healthy breakfast bars:

  • The recipe calls for old-fashioned rolled oats. You can choose organic or certified gluten-free oats if you prefer (Bob’s Red Mill has both of these options). Quick cooking oats would work here too, I think, but I don’t recommend using steel cut oats.
  • Creamy peanut butter is our go-to, but I think you could substitute almond butter if you wanted to make a peanut-free version of these bars.
  • The vanilla and mini chocolate chips are optional, but they add great flavor and a little fun, so I’d recommend adding them if you have them on hand in the pantry.
  • Be sure to choose a certified gluten-free O-shaped cereal — and oats — if you need this recipe to be gluten-free.
  • You can also easily make these vegan-friendly by using maple syrup instead of honey. (Either leave off the chocolate chips or use a dairy-free/vegan version.)

A plate of breakfast bars made with oats, Cheerios, peanut butter and honey

Oh, and the total yield here is up to you.

I’ve listed it as 10 bars because I usually cut our pan in half and then in long rectangular strips to make 10 total bars. (It’s basically a 5×2 arrangement.)

However, you could also make 9 large squares (3 rows in both directions) or 12 rectangular bars (3×4) or even 16 small squares (4×4), depending on what size you’d like.

Since we are making a lot, let’s talk about what to do with the extras. Though I doubt they’ll last very long. 😉

A hand holding a peanut butter chocolate no bake oatmeal bar with a glass of milk in the background

How to store breakfast bars:

– You can store leftover breakfast cereal bars in the refrigerator for up to a week. Just keep them covered in saran wrap or a plastic container.

– These also travel well. You can throw one in your bag (wrapped in plastic wrap or in a snack size ziploc bag) and enjoy it on the go. It’ll get more crumbly as it sits out, but overall they stay together really well.

I hope you make a batch of these easy healthy breakfast bars to make your mornings a little more tasty and a little less stressful.

Enjoy!

XO,

Kathryn

P.S. Stay tuned: I’ve got more yummy breakfast recipes coming your way later this week and over the next couple of weeks.

You can sign up for my free e-newsletter to get all of my new recipes delivered straight to your inbox so you never miss a thing. I’ll even send you my free e-cookbook, Healthy Weeknight Dinners, as a thank you!

Yield: 10 bars

Healthy breakfast bars

A plate of breakfast bars arranged in a burst pattern with strawberries alongside

Healthy breakfast bars are so delicious and just 4 ingredients, with no baking needed. These wholesome bars are whole grain, naturally sweetened and perfect in the morning or as a snack for fueling a busy day!

Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Additional Time 30 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 cup creamy peanut butter
  • 1/2 cup honey (or sub maple syrup)
  • Splash of vanilla (optional)
  • 2 cups Bob's Red Mill old-fashioned rolled oats
  • 2 cups O-shaped cereal
  • 1/4 cup mini chocolate chips (optional)

Instructions

  1. In a medium saucepan, heat the honey and peanut butter over medium heat for 2-3 minutes, stirring until smooth and well combined. Turn off the heat.
  2. Add the vanilla, if using, then the oats and cereal. Stir well until everything is coated.
  3. Mix in the mini chocolate chips, if using.
  4. Transfer the mixture to a greased 8x8 pan and press down into an even layer. (The mixture will be sticky so it helps to slightly wet your hands before you press it down.)
  5. Let cool then cover with plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator to set up, about 1 hour.
  6. Cut into squares or rectangles and enjoy! Store extras, covered, in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.

Notes

The recipe calls for old-fashioned rolled oats. You can choose organic or certified gluten-free oats if you prefer (Bob’s Red Mill has all of these options). Quick cooking oats would work here too, I think, but I don’t recommend using steel cut oats.

Creamy peanut butter is our go-to, but I think you could substitute almond butter if you wanted to make a peanut-free version of these bars.

The vanilla and mini chocolate chips are optional, but they add great flavor and a little fun, so I’d recommend adding them if you have them.

Be sure to choose a certified gluten-free O-shaped cereal if you need this recipe to be gluten-free.

You can also easily make these vegan-friendly by using maple syrup instead of honey. (Either leave off the chocolate chips or use a dairy-free/vegan version.)

You can cut these into 10 rectangles, as shown here, or make more or fewer bars by cutting them in a 3x3 (for 9 square bars) or in a 3x4 or 4x4 pattern for smaller rectangles.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

10

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 238Total Fat: 14gSaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 138mgCarbohydrates: 25gFiber: 2gSugar: 18gProtein: 6g
© Kathryn Doherty
Cuisine: American / Category: Breakfast & Brunch
A hand picking up a breakfast bar from a white plate with a text box on top

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Filed Under: Appetizers & Snacks, Breakfast & Brunch, Healthy Oatmeal Recipes, Vegetarian

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Comments

  1. Jack says

    September 22, 2020 at 3:21 AM

    Breakfast is great and nutritious. I followed the instructions and had a delicious meal. This is really helpful to me. Hope you will also write many useful articles like this. Thank you!

    Reply
    • Kathryn Doherty says

      September 22, 2020 at 1:00 PM

      So happy to hear you enjoyed these Jack! 😊

      Reply
  2. Dennis Yannakos says

    September 30, 2020 at 12:45 PM

    Thank you for the healthy recipe!

    Reply
    • Kathryn Doherty says

      October 1, 2020 at 1:22 PM

      I hope you enjoy them! 😊

      Reply

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Hi there! I’m Kathryn Doherty, a health and nutrition editor, cookbook author, wife, mother of two kids, and devoted food and home cooking nut. I’ve got lots of easy recipes and resources to help you get delicious family food on your table! Learn more about me

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