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These healthy almond butter oatmeal bars are easy to whip up any day of the week! Soft-baked and lightly sweetened, they\u2019re full of cozy oats and a hint of warm cinnamon, and almond butter gives them a beautifully moist and chewy texture. The batter comes together quickly too, with only 15 minutes of prep. These wholesome bars are wonderful for breakfasts and snacks \u2014 for kids and<\/u> adults!<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0 Well\u2026 After momentarily<\/em> pausing for a few quick pictures in front of the towering Christmas tree next to City Hall and the Emporium. It was absolutely stunning \u2014 and many of the glittery ornaments were bigger than my head!<\/p>\n We followed the familiar paths until we crossed underneath a rock archway and entered the Star Wars section. As our first time in that area, we marveled at the sheer size and detail of the rugged buildings, rocky landscape, and themed shops, then joined the queue to hop on Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run. \u00a0 We also paused for a number of snack and meal breaks. We walked almost nine miles by the time the day ended, so we definitely needed some fuel to keep us going\u2026 \u00a0 Maybe we\u2019ll just have to go back and confirm whether my theory is correct\u2026 Anything for another excuse to visit Disneyland! \ud83d\ude09 \u00a0<\/p>\n Difficulty:<\/strong><\/span> Mainly easy, including for many beginner bakers.<\/p>\n Taste:<\/strong><\/span> Lightly sweetened with plenty of cozy oats and a hint of warm cinnamon.<\/p>\n Texture:<\/strong><\/span> Really soft, moist, and chewy \u2014 like a cross between soft-baked oatmeal cookies and fudgy brownies. \u00a0<\/p>\n Let\u2019s talk about what you\u2019ll need to make these healthy almond butter oatmeal bars! I have a feeling that your pantry already houses common staples like baking powder and salt, so we\u2019ll stick to the more interesting and important ingredients right now.<\/p>\n Oats.<\/strong><\/span> No surprises here \u2014 at least not with a recipe title like \u201calmond butter oatmeal<\/em> bars!\u201d To make these, you\u2019ll need instant oats<\/a>. They\u2019re also called \u201cquick cooking\u201d and \u201cone minute\u201d oats. They\u2019re not<\/u><\/em> the ones that come in single-serving packets with flavors like maple brown sugar and apple cinnamon!<\/p>\n Just like traditional old-fashioned rolled oats, instant oats only contain one ingredient: oats. However, they differ in one key way. Instant oats are smaller and thinner than old-fashioned rolled oats. This size difference means they soften faster, which gives your almond butter oatmeal bars the best<\/em> soft and chewy texture!<\/p>\n Tip:<\/span> If you\u2019d like to make these healthy almond butter oatmeal bars gluten-free, then substitute certified gluten-free instant oats<\/a>. They work perfectly! \u00a0 Tip:<\/span> I\u2019ve included my top gluten-free recommendations in the Notes section of the recipe, if you\u2019d like to make your batch of these healthy almond butter oatmeal bars gluten-free instead!<\/p>\n Cinnamon.<\/strong><\/span> Cinnamon and oats go together like peanut butter and jelly\u2026 Or cereal and milk\u2026 Or frosting and cake. Truly \u2014 it feels weird to make an oatmeal baked treat without any<\/em> spices!<\/p>\n My current favorite is Saigon cinnamon. It has a slightly sweeter, richer, and stronger flavor compared to regular cinnamon. I love how that makes baked goods taste even more comforting and cozy! Many stores have started stocking it, but I typically buy mine online here<\/a>. (It\u2019s almost the only kind of cinnamon I now use in my baking!) \u00a0 You must<\/u><\/em> use creamy almond butter. Not crunchy.<\/p>\n I know. This requirement might<\/em> sound a little high maintenance, but there\u2019s a scientific reason behind it!<\/p>\n Those crunchy almond bits take up space that the creamy almond butter could<\/em> be occupying in your measuring cup. This means you end up adding less<\/em> of the creamy part to the batter\u2026 And since the creamy almond butter contributes to the total \u201cliquid\u201d volume, you end up throwing off the ratio of wet and dry ingredients \u2014 which then ends up making your bars cakey, bready, or dry.<\/p>\n So for the best soft and moist texture, stick with creamy almond butter!<\/p>\n Because almond butter has a really mild flavor, you can\u2019t actually taste it. Trust me\u2026 I tried using various quantities, but I could barely detect even the subtlest almond aftertaste in the bars with the highest amount! So if you\u2019d like to taste the nuttiness of almonds in these oatmeal bars, I\u2019ve included an optional modification for you. (More on that momentarily!) \u00a0 Sweetener.<\/strong><\/span> I used pure maple syrup to sweeten these bars. Remember, that\u2019s the kind that comes directly from maple trees! It only includes one ingredient (maple syrup), and it\u2019s generally sold in thin glass bottles or squat plastic jugs (like this<\/a>).<\/p>\n Tip:<\/span> I don\u2019t recommend substituting pancake syrup or sugar-free maple syrup. These contain other ingredients, which affect the way they behave in baking recipes. This is particularly true of sugar-free maple syrup! It\u2019s generally water-based, and that makes your baked treats more bready and dry.<\/p>\n Because these healthy almond butter oatmeal bars are meant to be eaten for breakfasts and snacks, they\u2019re only lightly<\/em> sweetened. Their sweetness level is closer to that of muffins or breakfast scones, rather than true \u201cdessert\u201d cookies or bars. (You can easily make them sweeter if you\u2019d prefer though \u2014 just check the Notes section for how to do that!) \u00a0 Tip:<\/span> If you use dairy-free milk, then your healthy almond butter oatmeal bars will also be dairy-free!<\/p>\n Almonds (optional).<\/strong><\/span> Here\u2019s that little modification I hinted at above! Because almond butter has such a mild and subtle flavor, you can easily stir chopped or sliced almonds into the batter to give your oatmeal bars a noticeably nutty flavor.<\/p>\n Although I love snacking on nuts and tossing them into salads, I\u2019m not the biggest fan of adding them into baked goods\u2026 Other than pecan pie! Even now as an adult, I still do the exact same thing I did as a little kid and meticulously pick them out of just about every cookie, brownie, bar, muffin, scone, or cake, almost like a doctor performing surgery or a dog digging up bones in the backyard, and eat them separately.<\/p>\n I know, I know\u2026 I\u2019m a little nutty (and 100% okay with that!), so you probably won\u2019t find any extra chopped almonds in my batches \u2014 but I know many of my nut-loving taste testers really enjoyed the extra flavor and crunch they provided! \u00a0<\/p>\n Have you gathered your ingredients? Then let\u2019s go over how to make the best healthy almond butter oatmeal bars! This recipe is pretty simple and straightforward, but I also have some tips to share with you.<\/p>\n Decide how nutty you feel.<\/strong><\/span> As I mentioned mere moments ago, you can\u2019t taste the almond butter in these oatmeal bars. It has a really subtle flavor, so it\u2019s included to yield a beautifully soft and chewy texture. If you\u2019d like to actually taste almonds (not just cozy oats and cinnamon!), then you\u2019ll need to add chopped or sliced ones to your batch for a nutty flavor boost.<\/p>\n Use the correct pan.<\/strong><\/span> This recipe calls for an 8\u201d-square pan. Before you begin, double check your pan fits that description!<\/p>\n The dimensions of square pans are measured according to their top edge, not<\/u><\/em> the bottom. Many square pans have sloped sides, so their bottom edge is shorter than the top rim. If the top of your square pan is 9\u201d, but the bottom is less than that, it\u2019s still a 9\u201d-square pan and too big for this recipe. You need a square pan that\u2019s 8\u201d across the top! \u00a0 It\u2019s extremely<\/u><\/em> important to measure the ingredients correctly, using this method<\/a> or a kitchen scale<\/a>. (\u2190 That\u2019s the one I own!) This is particularly important for the flour and oats! Too much of either one will make your batter dry, and it\u2019ll yield a cakey, bready, or crumbly texture in your fully baked bars. This is especially true of the oats! They act like little sponges and soak up lots of moisture from the batter.<\/p>\n However, for liquid ingredients, stick with measuring cups! Because many liquids have different densities, the same volume will weigh a different amount depending on the exact ingredient. (I used to be a chemist before I became a baking blogger, so I love nerdy kitchen topics like this!) So unless you\u2019d like to convert each one\u2019s volume to weight\u2026 Measuring cups will be much more accurate for liquid ingredients \u2014 and easier too! \u00a0 It takes a little time and effort to fully dissolve the almond butter (well, technically dissociate<\/em>, but that sounds more like something Amy the OChem TA would say!) to create a really smooth mixture once you\u2019ve added the sweetener and milk. It\u2019s going to look a little funky at first, like you\u2019ve thrown pebbles into a lake or made almond blob soup, but with enough stirring, it should eventually even out into one fluid mixture. \u00a0 \u00a0 Tip:<\/span> If you\u2019re impatient or running short on time, you can pop the pan in the refrigerator for 2+ hours once they\u2019ve reached room temperature to speed up the setting process! \u00a0<\/p>\n Are these healthy almond butter oatmeal bars gluten-free, dairy-free, low calorie, low fat, or clean eating?<\/strong><\/span> Can I use old-fashioned rolled oats?<\/strong><\/span> What about a different flour?<\/strong><\/span> \u00a0 Can I substitute store-bought almond butter? I don\u2019t have time to make my own\u2026<\/strong><\/span> \u00a0 What about another type of milk?<\/strong><\/span> My bars turned out cakey, bready, or dry. Why is that?<\/strong><\/span> See the \u201cMeasure correctly,\u201d \u201cBake \u2014 briefly,\u201d and \u201cCool + rest\u201d headers in the \u201cHow to Make Healthy Almond Butter Bars\u201d section above for more info about the first three. See the \u201cCreamy almond butter\u201d and \u201cSweetener\u201d headers in the \u201cKey Ingredients to Make Healthy Almond Butter Oatmeal Bars\u201d section above for more about the fourth. \u00a0 What\u2019s the best way to store these healthy almond butter oatmeal bars? And how long do they last?<\/strong><\/span> \u00a0 \u00a9 <\/span>Amy’s Healthy Baking<\/span><\/p>\n These healthy oatmeal bars are easy to whip up and wonderful for breakfasts or snacks! Soft-baked and lightly sweetened, they\u2019re full of cozy oats and a hint of warm cinnamon, and almond butter gives them a beautifully moist and chewy texture. Leftovers will keep for at least four days if stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They freeze well too!<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n![\"overhead](\"https:\/\/amyshealthybaking.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/almond-butter-oatmeal-bars-0040.jpg\")
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In December, my mom and I snagged tickets to Disneyland. On the day of our reservation, we arrived bright and early, shortly after the gates opened, and armed with our phones and small Mickey Mouse backpacks, we immediately set off down Main Street towards the back left corner of the theme park.<\/p>\n
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For the next twelve hours, we wove all around the park. Space Mountain, Thunder Mountain Railroad, the Matterhorn\u2026 The Mad Tea Party\u2019s tea cups, Storybrook Land Canal Boats, Casey Jr Circus Train, the regular train all around Disneyland\u2019s perimeter\u2026 It\u2019s A Small World and the nighttime reveal of its twinkling holiday lights, the Haunted Mansion dressed up as \u201cThe Nightmare Before Christmas\u2026\u201d Along with window shopping, souvenir shopping, and performances by the Disneyland marching band and Christmas-themed Dickens band. We squeezed in all<\/em> of our favorites \u2014 plus more!<\/p>\n
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And if I had planned farther ahead, these healthy almond butter oatmeal bars<\/strong><\/span> would\u2019ve been the perfect thing to slip into our backpacks. They\u2019re great for quick on-the-go breakfasts and snacks \u2014 for both kids and adults!<\/p>\n
\u00a0 <\/p>\n<\/a><\/div>\nQUICK OVERVIEW \u2013 HEALTHY ALMOND BUTTER OATMEAL BARS<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/a><\/div>\nKEY INGREDIENTS TO MAKE HEALTHY ALMOND BUTTER OATMEAL BARS<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n
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Flour.<\/strong><\/span> To make these bars healthier, I opted for whole wheat flour. It has more fiber and micronutrients compared to all-purpose flour, and I found it also yielded a cozier taste that beautifully complemented the comforting oats. I call that a win-win!<\/p>\n
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Creamy almond butter.<\/strong><\/span> I used my super easy homemade almond butter<\/a>. It actually replaces the butter or oil typically found in cookies or bars! The almond butter gives your healthy oatmeal bars a beautifully moist and chewy texture. Therefore, for the best<\/em> consistency\u2026<\/p>\n
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Egg white.<\/strong><\/span> This helps bind together the rest of the ingredients. The egg white also gives your healthy almond butter oatmeal bars a protein boost!<\/p>\n
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Milk.<\/strong><\/span> Just about any type will work, so feel free to reach for what\u2019s already in your fridge! I typically use nonfat milk, unsweetened almond milk, and unsweetened cashew milk the most.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/a><\/div>\nHOW TO MAKE HEALTHY ALMOND BUTTER OATMEAL BARS<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n
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Measure correctly.<\/strong><\/span> I could probably say (or type!) this next bit in my sleep\u2026 I\u2019ve repeated it that<\/em> many times \u2014 and yes, I\u2019m going to do it again.<\/p>\n
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Be patient with the batter.<\/strong><\/span> It\u2019s really easy to whip up. I promise! Dry ingredients in one bowl, wet ingredients in another, then stir them together. However, that second bowl of wet ingredients requires some patience!<\/p>\n
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Bake \u2014 briefly.<\/strong><\/span> Spread the batter into your pan, pop it into the oven, and set a timer. Don\u2019t stray very far from the kitchen though! These healthy almond butter oatmeal bars bake really quickly. They\u2019re ready to come out of the oven when the sides look firm but the center still appears a little glossy and underdone. The residual heat from the pan will continue to cook them all the way through while you let them\u2026
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Cool + rest.<\/strong><\/span> Leave the pan on the counter to cool all the way to room temperature, and then let them set for another 4 additional<\/em> hours before slicing and serving. Yes, it feels virtually impossible to wait that long, especially with their tempting aroma wafting through the kitchen! Yet their texture turns even softer, moister, and fudgier the longer you let them rest. If you cut into them sooner, they\u2019ll taste more cakey\u2026 But I promise their beautifully chewy, almost brownie-like consistency is worth the wait!<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/a><\/div>\nFAQS ABOUT HEALTHY ALMOND BUTTER OATMEAL BARS<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n
Yes \u2014 to everything! These oatmeal bars are naturally dairy-free, clean eating, low fat, and low calorie (compared to more traditional recipes!). I\u2019ve also included how to make them gluten-free in the Notes section of the recipe.<\/p>\n
Kind of! Measure out the same amount of old-fashioned rolled oats, and then pulse them in a food processor<\/a> or blender<\/a> until they\u2019re \u215b to \u00bc of their original size. This makes them closer in size to instant oats, so your bars will have a softer and chewier texture.<\/p>\n
Yup! White whole wheat flour<\/a>, whole wheat pastry flour<\/a>, and all-purpose flour work perfectly. You can also substitute oat flour<\/a> (gluten-free<\/a>, if necessary!), but be extremely careful when measuring it because it tends to be more absorbent than wheat-based flours.
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I only have crunchy almond butter. Can I use that?<\/strong><\/span>
I don\u2019t recommend it. Crunchy almond butter yields bars that are more cakey, bready, or dry. (See the \u201cCreamy almond butter\u201d header in the \u201cKey Ingredients to Make Healthy Almond Butter Oatmeal Bars\u201d section above for more info!)<\/p>\n
If it\u2019s the natural drippy-style kind! The only ingredients should be almonds or almonds and salt. (A little oil is typically okay too.) If there\u2019s a layer of oil at the top of your jar, thoroughly stir that into the almond butter below before using it to make these bars!
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Can I use a different sweetener?<\/strong><\/span>
Yes again! Honey<\/a> and agave<\/a> both work beautifully.<\/p>\n
Definitely! Just about any type will work.<\/p>\n
There are a few common culprits! First, make sure you\u2019re measuring the flour, oats, and liquid ingredients correctly. (This is the most common one!) Second, don\u2019t overbake your bars! They\u2019re ready to come out of the oven when the center still appears a little glossy and underdone. Third, let them fully cool and<\/u><\/em> rest before slicing and serving. Finally, use the correct ingredients! Don\u2019t substitute crunchy almond butter, sugar-free maple syrup, or pancake syrup.<\/p>\n
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I\u2019d like my bars to taste sweeter. Is there a way to do that?<\/strong><\/span>
There sure is! Substitute an equal amount of pure maple syrup for some of the milk. (For example, use an additional 2 tablespoons of maple syrup, and decrease the milk by 2 tablespoons.) This ensures the texture and baking time remains the same.<\/p>\n
Store your bars in an airtight container. When left at room temperature, they should keep for a day or two, maybe longer. If refrigerated, they\u2019ll last at least four days \u2014 if not closer to a week or more. They freeze really well too!
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Time for breakfast and snacks\u2026 And maybe even another trip to Disneyland too! \ud83d\ude09 And when you make your own, remember to snap a picture and share it on Instagram<\/a> using #amyshealthybaking<\/a> and tagging @amyshealthybaking<\/a> IN the photo itself! (That guarantees I\u2019ll see your picture! \ud83d\ude42 ) I\u2019d love to see your healthy almond butter oatmeal bars!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nHealthy Almond Butter Oatmeal Bars<\/h2>\n