Description
Delicious and wholesome Mixed Berry Oatmeal Breakfast Bars made with rolled oats, mixed berries, and a hint of cinnamon. These bars combine a crumbly oat crust with a sweet and tangy berry filling, perfect for a nutritious breakfast or snack.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Wet Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Berry Filling
- 2 cups mixed berries (fresh or frozen)
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1/2 teaspoon lemon zest
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper to prevent sticking and make removal easier.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the rolled oats, all-purpose flour, brown sugar, baking powder, salt, and ground cinnamon until evenly combined.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Pour in the melted unsalted butter, add the large egg and vanilla extract to the dry mixture, then stir well until a crumbly dough forms.
- Form the Crust: Press about two-thirds of the crumbly dough firmly and evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking pan to create the base layer of the bars.
- Prepare Berry Filling: In a separate bowl, toss the mixed berries with granulated sugar, cornstarch, lemon juice, and lemon zest until the berries are coated evenly and the mixture is combined well.
- Assemble Bars: Spread the berry mixture evenly over the oat crust in the pan. Sprinkle the remaining oat mixture over the berries, gently pressing it down to cover the filling without compressing too much.
- Bake: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 35 to 40 minutes until the top is golden brown and the berry filling is bubbling around the edges.
- Cool and Slice: Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. Once cooled, use the parchment paper to lift the bars out of the pan and cut into 9 equal squares before serving.
Notes
- You can use any combination of berries such as strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, or blackberries for varied flavor and texture.
- If using frozen berries, do not thaw them before mixing to prevent excess moisture in the filling.
- For a sweeter bar, increase the granulated sugar in the berry filling by 2 to 3 tablespoons.
- Store baked bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days for best freshness.
