These oatmeal bars are a delightful and nutritious treat that can be enjoyed as a quick breakfast or a satisfying snack. Made with wholesome ingredients, they are both delicious and easy to prepare. The combination of almond butter, maple syrup, and coconut oil creates a rich and flavorful base, while the rolled oats provide a hearty texture.
If you don't typically have almond butter or coconut oil in your pantry, you might need to pick them up at the supermarket. Almond butter can usually be found in the nut butter section, often near the peanut butter. Coconut oil is typically located in the cooking oils aisle. Both ingredients add unique flavors and textures to the bars, making them worth the trip.
Ingredients for Oatmeal Bars Recipe
Rolled oats: These are whole oats that have been steamed and flattened. They provide a chewy texture and are a great source of fiber.
Almond butter: A creamy spread made from ground almonds. It adds a rich, nutty flavor and healthy fats.
Maple syrup: A natural sweetener made from the sap of maple trees. It adds sweetness and a distinct maple flavor.
Coconut oil: An oil extracted from the meat of coconuts. It helps bind the ingredients together and adds a subtle coconut flavor.
Vanilla extract: A liquid flavoring derived from vanilla beans. It enhances the overall flavor of the bars.
Salt: A mineral used to enhance the flavors of the other ingredients.
Technique Tip for Making These Bars
To enhance the flavor and texture of your oatmeal bars, consider toasting the rolled oats in a dry skillet over medium heat for a few minutes until they turn golden brown and emit a nutty aroma. This step will add a deeper, richer flavor to your bars.
Suggested Side Dishes
Alternative Ingredients
rolled oats - Substitute with quinoa flakes: Quinoa flakes provide a similar texture and are also gluten-free, making them a great alternative for those with gluten sensitivities.
almond butter - Substitute with sunflower seed butter: Sunflower seed butter is a nut-free option that offers a similar creamy texture and nutty flavor, suitable for those with nut allergies.
maple syrup - Substitute with agave nectar: Agave nectar has a similar sweetness and consistency, making it a good vegan-friendly alternative to maple syrup.
coconut oil - Substitute with avocado oil: Avocado oil has a neutral flavor and similar fat content, making it a suitable replacement for coconut oil in baking.
vanilla extract - Substitute with almond extract: Almond extract provides a different but complementary flavor profile, adding a unique twist to the oatmeal bars.
salt - Substitute with sea salt: Sea salt can be used in the same quantity and offers a slightly different mineral content, enhancing the overall flavor of the bars.
Other Alternative Recipes Similar to These Bars
How to Store or Freeze Your Bars
Allow the oatmeal bars to cool completely before storing. This helps to maintain their texture and prevents them from becoming soggy.
Once cooled, cut the bars into your desired size. Use a sharp knife to ensure clean edges.
For short-term storage, place the bars in an airtight container. Layer them with parchment paper to prevent sticking. Store at room temperature for up to 3 days.
For longer storage, refrigerate the bars. This will keep them fresh for up to a week. Again, use an airtight container and layer with parchment paper.
To freeze the bars, wrap each one individually in plastic wrap. This prevents freezer burn and keeps them fresh.
Place the wrapped bars in a freezer-safe bag or container. Label with the date to keep track of freshness.
When ready to enjoy, thaw the bars at room temperature for about an hour. Alternatively, you can microwave them for a few seconds for a warm treat.
For an extra touch, drizzle some melted dark chocolate over the bars before freezing. This adds a delightful twist to your dessert.
If you prefer a softer texture, add a bit more coconut oil or almond butter to the mixture before baking. This will make the bars more pliable even after freezing.
To maintain the best flavor, consume frozen bars within 2-3 months. This ensures they remain as delicious as the day you made them.
How to Reheat Leftovers
Oven Method: Preheat your oven to 300°F (150°C). Place the oatmeal bars on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Cover them loosely with aluminum foil to prevent them from drying out. Heat for about 10-15 minutes or until they are warmed through. This method helps retain their texture and flavor.
Microwave Method: Place a single oatmeal bar on a microwave-safe plate. Cover it with a damp paper towel to keep it moist. Microwave on medium power for 20-30 seconds. Check the temperature and heat in additional 10-second increments if needed. Be cautious not to overheat, as this can make the bars too soft or dry.
Toaster Oven Method: Set your toaster oven to 300°F (150°C). Place the oatmeal bars on a small baking tray. Heat for about 5-10 minutes, checking frequently to ensure they don’t overcook. This method is quick and maintains a nice texture.
Stovetop Method: If you prefer a slightly crispy exterior, you can reheat the oatmeal bars in a skillet. Heat a non-stick skillet over medium-low heat. Place the bars in the skillet and cover with a lid. Heat for about 2-3 minutes on each side, or until warmed through. This method adds a delightful crunch to the outside while keeping the inside soft.
Air Fryer Method: Preheat your air fryer to 300°F (150°C). Place the oatmeal bars in the basket in a single layer. Heat for 3-5 minutes, checking halfway through to ensure they are warming evenly. This method is quick and gives a slightly crispy texture to the bars.
Best Tools for Making These Bars
Oven: Used to bake the oatmeal bars at the specified temperature of 350°F (175°C).
Mixing bowl: Essential for combining all the ingredients together.
Spatula: Useful for mixing the ingredients thoroughly and ensuring even distribution.
Baking dish: The container where the mixture is pressed into and baked.
Measuring cups: Necessary for accurately measuring the rolled oats, almond butter, maple syrup, and coconut oil.
Measuring spoons: Used to measure the vanilla extract and salt.
Parchment paper: Optional, but can be used to line the baking dish for easier removal of the bars.
Knife: Needed to cut the cooled mixture into bars.
Cooling rack: Allows the baked mixture to cool evenly before cutting.
How to Save Time on Making These Bars
Pre-measure ingredients: Measure out rolled oats, almond butter, maple syrup, coconut oil, vanilla extract, and salt before starting to save time during mixing.
Use parchment paper: Line your baking dish with parchment paper for easy removal and less cleanup.
Melt coconut oil: Melt the coconut oil in the microwave for a few seconds to make mixing easier.
Combine wet ingredients first: Mix almond butter, maple syrup, coconut oil, and vanilla extract together before adding rolled oats and salt for a smoother blend.
Oatmeal Bars Recipe
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 2 cups rolled oats
- 1 cup almond butter
- 0.5 cup maple syrup
- 0.25 cup coconut oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 0.5 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Mix oats, almond butter, maple syrup, coconut oil, vanilla extract, and salt in a bowl.
- Press mixture into a baking dish.
- Bake for 25 minutes.
- Let cool before cutting into bars.
Nutritional Value
Keywords
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