Breakfast Bars

These wholesome breakfast bars are a cross between carrot cake and baked oatmeal. You'll love the soft and chewy texture and the delicious combination of oats, dried fruit, nuts, and chocolate chips.

Course Breakfast, Snack

Cuisine American

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 18

Total Time 33

Servings

Calories 212kcal

Author Allison - Celebrating Sweets

Ingredients

¼ cup mild flavored olive oil
¼ cup packed brown sugar light or dark
2 tablespoons milk dairy or plant based
2 tablespoons maple syrup or honey
1 large egg
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
½ cup plus one tablespoon all purpose flour spooned and leveled
¾ cup quick oats (preferred) or old fashioned oats see note
¾ teaspoon baking powder
1½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
½ teaspoon ground ginger
¼ teaspoon salt
½ cup grated carrot see note
¼ cup dried cranberries, dried cherries, or raisins
¼ cup chopped walnuts, pecans, or sliced almonds
¼ cup dark chocolate chips

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350°F with a rack in the center of the oven. Line an 8x8 pan with foil and lightly grease it. Set aside.
In a large bowl, whisk oil, brown sugar, milk, syrup, egg, and vanilla. Add flour, oats, baking powder, cinnamon, ginger, and salt, whisking until combined. Tap the excess batter off the whisk and remove it from the bowl. Add the carrots, dried cranberries, nuts, and chocolate chips and stir with a silicone spatula until combined.
Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth into an even layer. Bake for 17-20 minutes until the batter is set. The bars should look moist but the top should be dry or the tiniest bit sticky to the touch. Be sure not to overbake or the bars will dry out. Place the pan on a wire rack to cool.

Video

Notes

Oats: Use instant oats (my preference) for moist cake-like bars. Use old fashioned/rolled oats for chewier bars.

Carrots: Grate carrots on the medium holes of a box grater. If desired, you can run a knife through the shredded carrots to prevent the pieces from being stringy.

Serving: These bars are best served warm (I heat individual servings in the microwave). If desired, top with nut butter and honey.

Storage: Store tightly covered in the refrigerator for 3 days, reheating before serving.

Nutrition