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!
This post is sponsored by Bob's Red Mill. As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own.
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!
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.
We also almost always add in the mini chocolate chips (it's just ¼ 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.
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. So let's get to it.
Recipe Notes:
Oats: The recipe calls for old-fashioned rolled oats. You can choose organic or certified gluten-free oats if you prefer. Quick cooking oats would work here too, I think, but I don't recommend using steel cut oats.
Nut butter: 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.
Optional add-ins: 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.)
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 5x2 arrangement.)
However, you could also make 9 large squares (3 rows in both directions) or 12 rectangular bars (3x4) or even 16 small squares (4x4), depending on what size you'd like.
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
Healthy Breakfast Bars
Ingredients
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter
- ½ cup honey (or sub maple syrup)
- Splash of vanilla (optional)
- 2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
- 2 cups O-shaped cereal (such as Cheerios)
- ¼ cup mini chocolate chips (optional)
Instructions
- 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.
- Add the vanilla, if using, then the oats and cereal. Stir well until everything is coated.
- Mix in the mini chocolate chips, if using.
- 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.)
- Let cool then cover with plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator to set up, about 1 hour.
- Cut into squares or rectangles and enjoy! Store extras, covered, in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
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Notes
Nutrition
Need more delicious make-ahead breakfast recipes like this one?
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 and overnight oatmeal jars are great to have on hand, too.
Jack says
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!
Kathryn Doherty says
So happy to hear you enjoyed these Jack! 😊
Dennis Yannakos says
Thank you for the healthy recipe!
Kathryn Doherty says
I hope you enjoy them! 😊
Amber says
Would love to do this instead of buying nature valley bars. Can I skip out the peanut butter and just do honey/ syrup or is it a must?
Kathryn Doherty says
Hi Amber! There's a full cup of peanut butter in the recipe, so I don't think skipping it will work; the bars likely won't hold together - or taste very good. You could swap in a different nut butter if you'd like though.
Melissa says
Could I substitute a crispy rice cereal instead of the o’s?
Kathryn Doherty says
I haven't tried this recipe with that substitution, but I think it would work and sounds like a great idea! I'd love to hear if you give it a go!
Heidi says
Thanks for this healthy and easy breakfast recipe. I'm always looking for something fun to change things up. We have a peanut/tree nut allergy in our home, so we substitute with Wowbutter (found on Amazon and Walmart). Same texture and similar taste to peanut butter, but totally safe for nut allergies. Such a lifesaver for all of these yummy peanut butter recipes.
Kathryn Doherty says
I'm so happy you love this recipe Heidi! And thanks for sharing that substitute for a nut-free version, so helpful! : )