Baked Oatmeal Bars (Gluten Free)

On busy mornings we all need something that’s quick, nourishing and delicious and these Gluten Free Oatmeal Bars check every box. They’re soft, chewy and naturally sweetened with maple syrup. I find that they’re such a wholesome treat I can feel good about. Perfect for popping into a lunch box or enjoying with a cup of coffee as a treat.

Baked strawberry oatmeal bars are great for meal prep, make ahead breakfasts or stashing in the freezer, these bars are a great grab-and-go option for my busy weekdays. It could be the nutty richness of peanut butter, the cozy flavor of maple-baked oats, or the banana and chocolate chips that you love.

If you loved this recipe, check out my Banana Oatmeal Bars, this Easy Oatmeal Strawberry Recipe and my Gluten Free Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Bars. Here are more Gluten Free Breakfast Recipes to try out.

Why you’ll love this gluten free recipe

I honestly just love how easy baked oatmeal bars for grab-and-go are to make. Everything mixes in one bowl; no fancy equipment needed. Personally, I love that they don’t leave me with a million dishes!

I also like that these Baked strawberry oatmeal bars contain lots of fiber and plant-based protein. Plus, with oats, peanut butter, and egg whites, it keeps me full.

Bake once, slice into bars, and you’ve got breakfast or snacks ready for the week. I love a good meal prep moment and these are routinely on my meal prep list.

You can totally make these for kiddies; they’re going to love them!

Ingredients and substitutions

Banana: I love to use the spotty bananas that are at their peak ripened stage.

Peanut butter: I like to use sugar and salt free peanut butter. Go for one that is smooth if you can. Almond butter is great too; any nut butter will work.

Maple syrup: Sweet but not overly sweet. You can also sweeten this recipe with honey, stevia, monkfruit or brown sugar.

Oat milk: I love using unsweetened oat milk but you can also use another type of milk. Dairy free and almond are great, too.

Eggs: These help set the baked oatmeal bars and also add protein. I like to use room temperature eggs so they just mix in easily.

Gluten free oats: Form the base of the baked strawberry oatmeal recipe. Rolled oats or old-fashioned oats are both great but I wouldn’t make these Baked Oatmeal Bars with instant oats.

Baking powder: I always check my batch is fresh before baking with it.

Strawberries: Fresh, ruby red strawberries are so delicious in these Baked strawberry oatmeal bars.

Directions (step by step)

Make the base: Prepare the oven and gather the ingredients. In a large mixing bowl, add all the ingredients together except the strawberries.

Combine the recipe: Mix the ingredients together until fully combined. Fold in the strawberries last.

Bake the baked oatmeal bars: Add the batter to the baking sheet and bake it for 40 minutes. Cool and slice into 9 portions.

Expert tips and tricks

Go for ripe bananas: The riper the banana, the sweeter and more delicious your oatmeal will be. If my bananas aren’t ripe, I’ll sometimes mash them together with maple syrup to sweeten them up.

Don’t skip the egg whites: They help the oatmeal set and hold its shape once baked. For a vegan version, I’ll sometimes swap out with 2 tablespoons of ground flaxseed mixed with 6 tablespoons of water.

Let it rest: Letting the baked oatmeal cool for at least 10 minutes helps it firm up and makes slicing much easier.

Mix up the fruit: Strawberries are delicious, but blueberries, raspberries, or even diced apples work really well, too.

Storage and meal prepping 

I recommend keeping leftovers in an airtight container in the refridgerator for up to 5 days or freezing portions for grab-and-go breakfasts.

I’ll keep a batch of these chewy oat bars in the freezer for 2-3 months.

Warm slices of these breakfast bars in the microwave for 30–45 seconds or in the oven at 325F for about 10 minutes.

Variations

Chocolate: Every now and then, I’ll fold ¼ cup dark chocolate chips into the batter before baking for the best chocolate oatmeal bars ever!

Nutty crunch: Sprinkle chopped pecans, almonds or walnuts on top before popping the baked strawberry oatmeal into the oven.

Mixed Berries: Substitute strawberries with a mix of blueberries, raspberries and blackberries.

Other fruits: Use diced mango, pineapple or shredded coconut. Also, try dried cranberries and cherries. Baked oatmeal bars with pecans and dried cherries is a great version.

Spiced banana: Add 1 teaspoon of cinnamon and a pinch of nutmeg.

Apple cinnamon: Fold in diced apples instead of strawberries and sprinkle with cinnamon sugar before baking your baked oatmeal bars.

FAQs

Can I use regular milk instead of oat milk?
Absolutely. Any dairy or plant-based milk works just fine in this recipe.

Can I make these meal prep bars vegan?
Yes. Swap the egg whites for a flax egg (2 tablespoons ground flaxseed and 6 tablespoons water) and use plant-based milk.

Can I add protein powder to these oat bars?
Definitely! Add 1 to 2 scoops of vanilla protein powder and reduce the oats by about ¼ cup to balance the texture.

How do I know it’s done baking?
The edge of your vegetarian baked oatmeal breakfast bars should be golden, the top slightly firm, and a toothpick inserted in the center of your healthy oatmeal bars should come out mostly clean.

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