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    Home ▸ Vegan Breakfast and Brunch Recipes

    Healthy Breakfast Bars (Gluten Free)

    Last modified: August 24, 2023. Originally posted: August 31, 2023 By Sophia DeSantis

    This post may contain paid links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    Collage of breakfast bars stacked up, the dough in a glass bowl and spreading the dough in a pan with overlay text.
    A stack of three breakfast bars on a piece of parchment in front of a pan and jar of milk.

    Start your day with healthy breakfast bars, a delicious grab and go option! These are filled with simple ingredients and are easily gluten free.

    You can mix and match the add ins to keep these breakfast bars from getting boring. Kids and adults love this recipe!

    A stack of breakfast bars with oats, nuts and dried fruit sitting in front of more bars, a white pan and a jar of milk.
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    This post was sponsored by Rubbermaid but the content and opinions expressed are fully my own.

    I love grabbing a quick granola bar or breakfast cookie in the morning when I need to get out and don't have a lot of time. So these breakfast bars are the perfect recipe to add to my rotation!

    Ingredients

    There are lots of store bought breakfast bars available, but they're usually filled with tons of sugar and ingredients you can't pronounce. However, these healthy homemade breakfast bars are filled with healthier whole foods! Plus, you can customize to your taste preferences and dietary needs.

    Here's what you need to make this healthy breakfast bar recipe:

    • Nut butter - I use peanut butter
    • Banana 
    • Maple syrup 
    • vanilla extract
    • Rolled oats 
    • Baking soda
    • Sea salt
    • Dairy free chocolate chips 
    • Pumpkin seeds
    • Pecans omit for nut free
    • Dried cranberries or raisins
    Top view of colored bowls filled with ingredients needed to make oat bars with nuts, dried fruit and chocolate chips with a banana next to them.

    How to Make Homemade Breakfast Bars

    Here's all you need to do to make the best breakfast bars ever!

    1. Whisk the nut butter, banana, maple syrup and vanilla extract in a bowl.
    2. Mix in the oats, baking soda and salt to the bowl.
    3. Fold in the chocolate chips, nuts, seeds and dried fruit.
    4. Pour the batter into a prepared square baking pan.
    5. Bake.
    6. Cool and enjoy!

    NOTE: You can print the FULL recipe with all ingredients & detailed instructions below!

    A whisk mixing dough in a glass bowl with ingredients that go in it behind the bowl.
    A yellow spatula mixing a dough with oats in a glass bowl in front of toppings.
    A glass bowl with dough that has oats, nuts, chocolate chips and dried fruit in it.
    A glass ball with a cookie dough with oats pouring the dough into a white baking dish.
    A hand using a yellow spatula to smooth out raw dough with oats in it into a white baking dish.
    Top view of a white square baking dish with baked breakfast bar dough inside of it sitting on a lighter surface.

    More Breakfast Bar Ideas

    Feel free to try adding other mix ins, just reduce the amount of the other ingredients to keep the total to amount around 1 cup. If you add too many extras the breakfast bars won't stay together.

    • Chia seeds
    • Sunflower seeds
    • Flaxseeds
    • Millet
    • Walnuts
    • Peanuts
    • Almonds
    • Switch out the chocolate chips for dark chocolate chips or cacao nibs for an extra healthy version
    • Seasonings like cinnamon, nutmeg, or even pumpkin pie spice!
    • You can substitute the maple syrup with ½ cup date paste
    • For a nut free version use sunflower butter for another seed butter

    What to Serve With Breakfast Bars

    The great thing about having a granola bar for breakfast is that you can grab them while you're running out the door! If you have a few extra minutes though, pair it with a refreshing smoothie:

    • Healthy Apple Pie Smoothie
    • Protein Coffee Smoothie
    • Vegan PB&J Smoothie
    • Spinach Banana Smoothie
    • Healthy Strawberry Cheesecake Smoothie
    A black spatula putting baked breakfast bars into a plastic container with a red lid.
    A hand grabbing the top of a stack of three breakfast bars that are on a piece of parchment paper.

    Preparation Tips

    • When mixing the wet ingredients, it's okay to have some banana chunks.
    • To avoid sticking, prepare the baking pan with a little oil or cooking spray.
    • Avoid over-baking or they will get crumbly and fall apart. The bars will harden more as they cool.
    • Cool completely before cutting.

    Meal Prep and Storage Tips

    • If you want to bake the bars fresh but prepare them ahead of time:
      • Measure the dry ingredients and store in airtight containers like the Rubbermaid with the EasyFindLids System™ until ready to use.
      • Place the oats, baking soda, and salt in one container.
      • Store the chocolate chips, nuts, seeds and dried fruit in another.
    • Store the baked healthy breakfast oatmeal bars in airtight containers at room temperature for up to 3-4 days.
    Plastic containers with ingredients to make breakfast bars sitting on a tan speckled surface with red lids next to them.
    Top view of plastic containers and red lids and breakfast bars in the containers.

    The Best Storage Containers

    Having breakfast and snacks prepared ahead of time makes life so easy, so you want to make sure you keep those foods as fresh as possible with some quality airtight containers. This is why I love Rubbermaid with the EasyFindLids System™ the most!

    • Organized cabinets are one of the best reasons these are a win! The interchangeable lids snap together with the bases which keeps everything stacked perfectly.
    • The containers are BPA-free!
    • And, becuase who wants to hand wash everything, they're also top-rack dishwasher-safe.
    • Plus, they're freezer-safe for long term storage, and microwave-safe for reheating!

    More Healthy Breakfast Ideas

    Keep the mornings nutritious and delicious with these healthy breakfast bars and any of the following recipes:

    • Maple syrup drizzling on a muffin that has been cut in half and laying on a tan plate in front of a bowl of muffins.
      Easy Pancake Muffins (Chocolate Chip)
    • Two pieces of a breakfast burrito on a grey plate next to more ingredients.
      The Best Vegan Breakfast Burrito
    • A glass jar with an oats and chia mixture topped with cut peaches sitting on a green towel
      Quick and Easy Peach Overnight Oats
    • Fruit surrounding a piece of baked oatmeal with maple syrup being drizzled on it
      Vegan Baked Oatmeal with Blueberries
    Three oat breakfast bars stacked on top of each other sitting on a piece of parchment paper.

    Healthy Breakfast Bars (Gluten Free)

    Sophia DeSantis
    Start your day with healthy breakfast bars, a delicious grab and go option! These are filled with simple ingredients and are easily gluten free.
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Shop Ingredients
    Prep Time 5 minutes mins
    Cook Time 20 minutes mins
    Total Time 25 minutes mins
    Course Breakfast, Dessert, Snack
    Cuisine American
    Servings 16
    Calories 129 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • ½ cup nut butter I use peanut butter
    • ½ cup mashed ripe banana about 1 small banana
    • ¼ cup maple syrup can sub with ½ cup date paste
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    • 1 cup rolled oats gluten-free if needed
    • ½ teaspoon baking soda
    • ¼ teaspoon sea salt
    • ¼ cup dairy free chocolate chips can sub with dark chocolate chips or cacao nibs for an ultra healthy version
    • ¼ cup pumpkin seeds
    • ¼ cup chopped pecans omit for nut free
    • ¼ cup chopped dried cranberries or raisins

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat oven to 350°F/ 180°C
    • Mix the nut butter, banana, maple syrup and vanilla extract in a bowl until combined, I used a whisk. It's okay if there are some banana chunks.
    • Add the oats, baking soda and salt to the bowl and mix well with a spoon.
    • Fold in the chocolate chips, nuts, seeds and dried fruit.
    • Pour the batter into a prepared square baking pan. I used a little bit of oil to coat the pan.
    • Bake 20-25 minutes or until brown on edges. Bars will harden a bit more as they cool. Don’t over bake because they will dry out and fall apart.
    • Allow to cool completely, about 30-45 minutes but check to make sure they are cool to the touch.
    • Cut into into squares (I do 16) and enjoy!

    Notes

    • For a nut free version use sunflower butter for another seed butter.
    • You can add in anything you want, just keep the total amount to about 1 cup. If you add too much then the bars will not stick together.

    Recipe by Veggies Don’t Bite, visit our site for more great plant-based recipes.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 129kcalCarbohydrates: 14gProtein: 3gFat: 8gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0.001gSodium: 68mgPotassium: 121mgFiber: 2gSugar: 7gVitamin A: 4IUVitamin C: 0.4mgCalcium: 37mgIron: 1mg

    Nutrition and metric information should be considered an estimate.

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    1. Priya

      September 09, 2023 at 6:43 am

      Absolutely delicious and so easy! They also make a nice change from energy balls.

      Reply
      • Sophia DeSantis

        September 09, 2023 at 9:13 pm

        Thank you Priya!

        Reply
    2. Olesya

      September 02, 2023 at 10:24 am

      Hi

      Reply
      • Sophia DeSantis

        September 03, 2023 at 4:50 pm

        Hi Olesya! Let me know if you have any questions.

        Reply
    3. Tanya

      September 01, 2023 at 7:02 am

      8”x8” OR 9”x9” pan?????

      Reply
      • Sophia DeSantis

        September 01, 2023 at 5:34 pm

        Hi Tanya! Either can work. The 8x8 will make slightly thicker bars.

        Reply
    4. sue yeruski

      August 31, 2023 at 7:17 pm

      Looks the same or very similar to the Esselstyn's recipe -- you can just plop dollops of the mix on the baking sheet and they look more like individual breakfast cookies!!

      Reply
      • Sophia DeSantis

        August 31, 2023 at 8:17 pm

        Hi Sue! I am not familiar with that recipe you refer to, but this one was based off of my recipe for peanut butter banana oatmeal cookies which I created and published back in 2014. But yes, you can drop them into cookies if you prefer!

        Reply
    5. Krista

      August 31, 2023 at 2:33 pm

      Can I substitute something for the bananas?

      Thanks!

      Reply
      • Sophia DeSantis

        August 31, 2023 at 3:34 pm

        Hi Krista! I have not tried it with anything else, but you could try another fruit puree. Maybe apple sauce? I am not sure of the final texture if you change anything but let me know if you try it!

        Reply

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