Healthy Baked Steel Cut Oatmeal Breakfast Bars Recipe

by: Anya·posted: Jan 21, 2016·updated: Jan 25, 2024·36 CommentsThis post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

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Start the day right with this healthy baked steel-cut oatmeal breakfast bars recipe. Made with just 6 main ingredients plus pantry staples, you can have healthy and hearty steel-cut oat bars that are an easy breakfast on the go on busy mornings or a satisfying snack mid-day. This baked steel-cut oatmeal recipe has the right amount of sweetness from bananas and can be easily customized with your favorite oatmeal toppings.

four oatmeal bars stacked on each other with parchment paper in-between all of them

Soaked steel-cut oats lightly sweetened with overripe bananas make a simple breakfast or snack win. This wholesome and satisfying treat effortlessly combines the simplicity of oats and bananas and packs in a nutritional punch to boot!

Looking for more healthy sweet treats? 
Check out rollup crepes with cottage cheese, coconut flour banana muffins, and cottage cheese with fruit bowls.

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Recipe Overview
Ingredients for Steel Cut Oat Bars
Substitutions and Variations
How to Make Steel Cut Oatmeal Bars Recipe
Helpful Tips for Steel Cut Oat Bars
Serving Suggestions
Storage and Reheating Instructions
Frequently Asked Questions
Printable Recipe

Recipe Overview

Prep and Cook Time: 15 minutes to prep and 45 minutes to bake
Cooking Method: Oven-baked
Dietary Info: Gluten-free, with WAPF suggestions for soaking; see my post on nourishing food pillars for reasons why we should soak our grains.
Tools Needed: Large bowl, baking dish
Skill Level: Easy

Key Features & Benefits

Great for busy families - Have oatmeal on the go with these bars! This is a good way to enjoy a warm bowl of oatmeal when you're short on time.

Mild Flavor Profile: Use this recipe as a blank canvas to make these bars your own. Feel free to throw in your favorite add-ins to make them uniquely yours.

Versatile serving: Enjoy these bars as a subtle sweet treat after a heartier breakfast or grab an individual portion as you're heading out the door! You can serve these warmed with maple syrup or cold like homemade granola bars.

Mildly sweetened - You will not find additional sweeteners in this recipe. The only ingredients to sweeten these bars are bananas and dried cranberries or raisins.

Meal prep friendly - This recipe makes a lot, but you can make a double batch and freeze to enjoy an easy baked oatmeal later.

Ingredients for Steel Cut Oat Bars

Learn how to make steel cut oatmeal bars recipe with 6 simple ingredients. This easy recipe can come together in under one hour.

Overhead shot of all the ingredients needed to make oatmeal bars

Steel-cut oats: Oats are heavily sprayed, so I recommend you buy organic oats to avoid potential glyphosate residue. If you are sensitive to gluten, make sure you use certified gluten-free oats. Even though oats are naturally gluten-free, they can be cross-contaminated with wheat during processing.
Bananas: Go with overripe bananas with a few brown spots. Bananas are the only sweetener in these breakfast bars, so the riper they are, the sweeter the bars will be.
Eggs: Used as a binder and a protein boost to hold all the ingredients together.
Coconut flour: This gluten-free alternative adds texture and a satiety to the bars.
Milk: Helps create a smooth batter and gives the bars a slightly creamy texture.
Butter: Adds richness and moisture to the bars.
Dried Cranberries or raisins: Provides sweetness, chewiness, and a burst of fruity flavor to complement the oats.
Salt, baking powder, and vanilla: These baking essentials enhance the overall flavor and combine the finished taste.

See the recipe card for exact quantities.

Substitutions and Variations

Add a crunch - Incorporate a crunchy element by adding chopped nuts such as walnuts, almonds, or pecans. It adds nutty flavor and fun texture.
Increase sweetness - Add a natural sweetener like honey, brown sugar, or real maple syrup. Check out this post on other natural unrefined sweeteners.
Fresh fruit - Fold in diced apples, pears, banana slices, or fresh blueberries into the batter.
Make it chocolatey - Add a handful of chocolate chips.
Deluxe breakfast bars - Make these steel cut oat bars extra satisfying by folding in a few tablespoons of chia seeds and a handful of coconut flakes for healthy fats and fiber.

💭Make it Nutrient-Dense: This recipe was originally published January 2016 and titled Soaked Oatmeal Breakfast Bars. It included instructions on how to soak oatmeal with buckwheat groats and an acidic medium for better digestion. You can still do that for maximum nutrient absorption but if you're in a pinch, just rinse them well under cold running water.

How to Make Steel Cut Oatmeal Bars Recipe

The complete printable recipe is below in the recipe card for your convenience. Follow these simple step-by-step instructions for the best results.

oats and other ingredients in a metal strainer on a white counter

Step 1. Prep

Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 9x13 baking pan with parchment paper and grease with coconut oil or butter. Set aside. Optional: Rinse the steel-cut oats in a fine mesh sieve under cold running water until the water runs clear. Leave them in the strainer over a bowl to drain well.

butter and other ingredients to make oatmeal bars in glass bowl

Step 2. Whisk

In a large bowl, whisk eggs using a hand mixer until foamy (approximately 4-5 minutes). Add bananas and mix until combined. Stir in milk, melted butter, and vanilla extract if using the liquid kind.

ingredients to make oatmeal bars in a glass bowl on a white counter

Step 3. Mix

In a small bowl, whisk all the dry ingredients (minus the cranberries) including coconut flour, salt, and baking powder together.

metal whisk in a bowl of butter and other ingredients to make oatmeal bars

Step 4. Combine

Whisk in the dry ingredients into the wet eggs and banana mixture until thoroughly combined.

plastic spatula in a bowl with oats and other ingredients on white counter

Step 5. Stir

Fold in the steel-cut oats and the dried cranberries or raisins if using. Add vanilla extract if you haven't already.

uncooked protein oats in a metal baking pan on parchment paper

Step 6. Bake

Pour the entire mixture of steel cut oats into the prepared pan and bake until baked through and the toothpick inserted comes out clear.

Helpful Tips for Steel Cut Oat Bars

Soak for better digestion - Soak the oats in 4 cups of water, adding a ¼-cup of raw buckwheat groats, and 2 tablespoons of kefir, lemon juice, yogurt, or apple cider vinegar. Soak overnight to break down the phytic acid in the oats. Then rinse and drain very well before adding to the recipe.

Rinse well - While rinsing the steel-cut oats is optional, it can help remove excess starch, yielding a better texture. It also subtly softens the oats, kick starting the cooking process.

Use very ripe bananas - Since bananas are the only sweetener in these bars, make sure they are very ripe with brown spots on them. The riper they are, the sweeter the bars will be.

💭Meal Prep Suggestion: This recipe makes a big batch! Cut the steel cut oat breakfast bars into small individual servings and wrap tightly in parchment paper and plastic wrap. Freeze them and thaw as needed.

Serving Suggestions

Though these oatmeal bars with steel cut oats are great for breakfast, we use them as a satisfying and nutritious snack when we are on the go or mid-day.

I am forever team eggs-and-steak in the morning like this pulled pork breakfast and the sheet pan breakfast. These oat bars are a good option to finish your heartier breakfast with.

They don't offer a lot of sweetness but I find that's actually better if you're enjoying them with a sweet drink like pumpkin spice latte or hot chocolate.

More baked steel cut oats pairing suggestions:

Storage and Reheating Instructions

How long do steel-cut oat bars last?

To store: Store the bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. Then, transfer them to the fridge for up to a week.

Storage containers: These glass snap containers are perfect for baked steel-cut oats.

To freeze: Wrap individual bars tightly in plastic wrap and place them in a sealed freezer bag to avoid freezer burn. Freeze for up to 3 months. Remove a bar and reheat when you want to enjoy a quick breakfast or treat on the go.

To reheat: These bars are just as delicious cold but if you want to enjoy warm steel cut oatmeal bars, reheat them in a small toaster oven at 350°F for about 5-7 minutes or until they are warmed to your liking.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between steel cut oats and rolled oats?

Steel-cut oats are whole oat groats chopped into pieces, resulting in a chewy texture when cooked. Rolled oats are steamed and then flattened with large rollers, creating a flatter and quicker-cooking oat. The main difference lies in their processing, with steel-cut oats being less processed and having a heartier texture, while rolled oats are more processed and cook faster, offering a smoother consistency. Both variations retain the nutritional benefits of whole oats but differ in their cooking times and textures.

Can I use quick cooking oats in this recipe?

Technically yes, but I advise against it. Regular oats or quick oats have a finer texture, resulting in a softer and less chewy consistency compared to regular steel cut oats. This will significantly change the texture of the bars and the intended consistency. I recommend sticking to steel-cut oats for the best texture and flavor.

Is it necessary to soak steel-cut oats for this recipe?

While soaking the oats is entirely optional it does help with better nutritient absorption and digestibility. The soaking process initiates enzymatic activity, breaking down anti-nutrients like phytic acid and making the nutrients more accessible to your body. Additionally, soaking can contribute to a creamier texture in the final product. So, if you have the time, consider giving your oats a soak for a more nutrient-dense and digestible steel cut oatmeal bars.

Looking for more hearty breakfast treats? Here are some ideas:

Did you make this healthy baked steel cut oatmeal recipe? Please leave a ⭐ recipe rating in the recipe card below and leave a review in the comments. Thank you!💚

Printable Recipe

Steel Cut Oat Bars Recipe

Anya @ Prepare & Nourish

Start the day right with this healthy baked steel-cut oatmeal breakfast bars recipe. You're only 6 ingredients away from satisfying and delicious steel cut oat bars.

4.70 from 70 votes

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Prep Time 15

Cook Time 45

Total Time 1

Course Breakfast, Snack

Cuisine American

Servings bars

Calories 221 kcal

Ingredients

1 ½ cups steel cut oats
4 eggs
2 ripe bananas
1 cup milk of choice
⅓ cup coconut flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon sea salt
⅓ cup butter, melted
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 cup dried cranberries or raisins

Instructions

Prep: Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 9x13 baking pan with parchment paper and grease with coconut oil or butter. Set aside. Optional: Rinse the steel-cut oats in a fine mesh sieve under cold running water until the water runs clear. Leave them in the strainer over a bowl to drain well.
Whisk: In a large bowl, whisk eggs using a hand mixer until foamy (approximately 4-5 minutes). Add bananas and mix until combined. Stir in milk and melted butter.
Mix: In a small bowl, whisk all the dry ingredients (minus the cranberries) including coconut flour, salt, and baking powder together.
Combine: Whisk in the dry ingredients into the wet eggs and banana mixture until thoroughly combined.
Stir: Fold in the steel-cut oats and the dried cranberries or raisins.
Bake: Pour the oatmeal batter into the prepared pan and bake for 45-55 minutes or until baked through and the toothpick insterted comes out clear. Allow to cool, then cut into bars.

Notes

Storage: Store oat bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 10 days in the fridge.

Helpful Tips:

Soak for better digestion - Soak the oats in 4 cups of water, adding a ¼-cup of raw buckwheat groats, and 2 tablespoons of kefir, lemon juice, yogurt, or apple cider vinegar. Soak overnight to break down the phytic acid in the oats. Then rinse and drain very well before adding to the recipe.
Rinse well - While rinsing the steel-cut oats is optional, it can help remove excess starch, yielding a better texture. It also subtly softens the oats, kick starting the cooking process.
Use very ripe bananas - Since bananas are the only sweetener in these bars, make sure they are very ripe with brown spots on them. The riper they are, the sweeter the bars will be.
Meal Prep Suggestion: Cut the steel cut oat breakfast bars into small individual servings and wrap tightly in parchment paper and plastic wrap. Freeze them for up to 3 months and thaw as needed.

Nutrition

Nutrition Information

The information shown is an estimate provided for your convenience by an online calculator. It should not be considered as a substitute for a professional nutritionist's advice. See our complete Nutritional Information Disclaimer.

Keyword baked steel cut oats, oatmeal bars, steel cut oat bars

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About Anya

Sharing wholesome recipes using seasonal ingredients and simplified methods since 2014. My hope is you'll feel right at home in this online kitchen, where you'll find real food recipes for real families.

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4.70 from 70 votes (64 ratings without comment)