Strawberry Oatmeal Breakfast Bars

Active Time:

10 mins

Total Time:

50 mins

Servings:

Nutrition Profile:

Sesame-Free Nut-Free Soy-Free High-Fiber Vegetarian Gluten-Free

Jump to Nutrition Facts

Our Strawberry-Oatmeal Breakfast Bars are the ideal recipe to make with ripe, juicy strawberries. This fresh take on baked oatmeal is sweetened with a touch of brown sugar, fresh strawberries and a gooey layer of strawberry preserves in the middle. We love that you can take these bars with you for an on-the-go bite. Serve this high-fiber breakfast with a hard-boiled egg or two to round it out and keep you satisfied through your morning. Check out our expert tips and tricks below for making these delightful bars that taste like summer.

Tips from the EatingWell Test Kitchen

These are the key tips we learned while developing and testing this recipe in our Test Kitchen to make sure it works, tastes great and is good for you too!

You don’t want to let this mixture stand for too long before baking or the chia seeds will start to absorb the liquids, taking away from the oats and leaving them dry.
Swirl some peanut butter on top of the bars to make a PB&J breakfast bar and level up the protein content.
This recipe calls for whole milk, but it would be just as good with your favorite milk alternative.
You can make these bars ahead and store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to five days. Then, serve them at room temperature. You can also freeze them for up to a month and reheat them in the microwave until they reach room temperature.

Nutrition Notes

Strawberries, like all berries, are loaded with antioxidants and fiber. You’ll get almost an entire day’s worth of vitamin C in 1 cup of whole strawberries. Strawberries are associated with improved heart and brain health, reduced inflammation and improved digestion and blood sugar control.
Oats are a whole grain that provides fiber, antioxidants and nutrients that may help lower cholesterol, manage blood sugar and keep your digestive tract working properly. The combination of plant-based protein and fiber in oats will also help you stay full and satisfied longer.

Cook Mode (Keep screen awake)

Ingredients

1/2 cup whole milk
2 large eggs
1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
4 tablespoons light brown sugar, divided
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1 tablespoon chia seeds
1 tablespoon grated lemon zest
1 teaspoon baking powder
3/4 teaspoon salt
2 1/2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
2 cups chopped fresh strawberries
3 tablespoons strawberry preserves

Directions

Preheat oven to 375°F. Lightly coat an 8-inch-square baking pan with cooking spray. Whisk milk, eggs, applesauce, 3 tablespoons brown sugar, vanilla, chia seeds, lemon zest, baking powder and salt in a large bowl until combined.

Photographer: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey, Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless
Fold oats and strawberries into the milk mixture until evenly coated. Spoon half of the oat mixture into the prepared pan; spread in an even layer. Spread preserves evenly over the oat mixture and spread the remaining oat mixture evenly over the preserves. Sprinkle the remaining 1 tablespoon brown sugar over the top.

Photographer: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey, Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless
Bake until just set in the center and golden brown on top, about 35 minutes. Let cool in the pan on a wire rack for 5 minutes before slicing.

Photographer: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey, Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I swap out fresh strawberries for frozen?

Absolutely. You’ll just have to thaw them out first and pat them dry so you are not introducing extra liquid into the recipe.
What’s the difference between dark brown sugar versus light?

Dark brown sugar has twice as much molasses as light brown sugar, which gives it a stronger flavor. Molasses also has more acidity, so this impacts certain recipes that require rising or spreading. It’s best to use dark brown sugar in recipes that are richer in flavor; stick with light brown sugar for marinades and rubs. And if a recipe doesn’t specify dark or light, choose the light brown sugar.

Additional reporting by Carrie Myers, M.S. and Linda Frahm

EatingWell.com, June 2024

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

173	Calories
4g	Fat
30g	Carbs
5g	Protein

Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 9
Serving Size 1 bar
Calories 173
% Daily Value *
Total Carbohydrate 30g	11%
Dietary Fiber 4g	13%
Total Sugars 12g
Protein 5g	11%
Total Fat 4g	4%
Saturated Fat 1g	5%
Cholesterol 43mg	14%
Vitamin A 24Âµg
Vitamin C 26mg	28%
Vitamin D 0Âµg
Vitamin E 0mg	2%
Folate 24Âµg
Vitamin K 1Âµg
Sodium 258mg	11%
Calcium 85mg	7%
Iron 2mg	9%
Magnesium 45mg	11%
Potassium 199mg	4%
Zinc 1mg	10%
Vitamin B12 0Âµg
Omega 3 0g

Nutrition information is calculated by a registered dietitian using an ingredient database but should be considered an estimate.

* Daily Values (DVs) are the recommended amounts of nutrients to consume each day. Percent Daily Value (%DV) found on nutrition labels tells you how much a serving of a particular food or recipe contributes to each of those total recommended amounts. Per the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the daily value is based on a standard 2,000 calorie diet. Depending on your calorie needs or if you have a health condition, you may need more or less of particular nutrients. (For example, it’s recommended that people following a heart-healthy diet eat less sodium on a daily basis compared to those following a standard diet.)

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a special diet for medical reasons, be sure to consult with your primary care provider or a registered dietitian to better understand your personal nutrition needs.

Strawberry-Oatmeal Breakfast Bars