Healthy Berry Oatmeal Bars Breakfast

Healthy Berry Oatmeal Bars: A Nutritious and Delicious Breakfast Option

Start your day with these Healthy Berry Oatmeal Bars, packed with the goodness of mixed berries, wholesome oats, and natural sweeteners. These bars are perfect for a grab-and-go breakfast or a mid-morning snack, offering a satisfying blend of sweet, tart, and crunchy flavors. Made with simple, nutritious ingredients, these bars are not only delicious but also gluten-free and dairy-free, making them a great option for various dietary preferences.

Ingredients

For the Mixed Berry Filling:

• 2 cups frozen berries (any mixture of small berries)
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons coconut sugar
• 2 tablespoons maple syrup
• A pinch of sea salt
• 1 ½ tablespoons tapioca starch (tapioca flour)

For the Oatmeal Crust and Crumble Topping:

• 1 ¾ cups rolled oats (gluten-free if needed)
• 1 ¼ cups almond flour (blanched)
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ⅛ teaspoon sea salt
• ½ cup maple syrup
• ⅓ cup coconut oil (solid at room temperature)
• ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Directions

1. Preheat Oven:
Start by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a 9×9-inch baking dish with parchment paper, allowing the paper to overhang slightly on the sides for easy removal of the bars later.

2. Prepare the Berry Filling:
Measure out the frozen berries. If you’re using large strawberries, cut them into smaller pieces for even distribution. In a small saucepan over low-medium heat, combine the berries, lemon juice, coconut sugar, maple syrup, and a pinch of sea salt. Cook the mixture for 5-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the berries release their juices and become slightly soupy.

3. Thicken the Filling:
To thicken the berry filling, remove 1-2 tablespoons of the berry liquid from the saucepan and mix it with the tapioca starch in a small cup until smooth. Pour this mixture back into the saucepan and stir continuously for about 1 minute, until the filling thickens to a jam-like consistency. Remove from heat and set aside to cool slightly.

4. Make the Oatmeal Crust and Topping:
In a large mixing bowl, combine the rolled oats, almond flour, baking soda, and sea salt. Add the maple syrup, vanilla extract, and solid coconut oil. Use a fork to mix the ingredients, cutting in the coconut oil until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. You may need to use your hands to fully combine the mixture, ensuring the coconut oil is evenly distributed.

5. Assemble the Bars:
Reserve ½ to ¾ cup of the oatmeal mixture for the crumble topping. Press the remaining oatmeal mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish to form the crust. Make sure to press firmly to create a solid base for your bars.

6. Add the Berry Layer:
Spread the prepared berry mixture evenly over the oatmeal crust, ensuring it reaches all the edges for even coverage.

7. Add the Crumble Topping:
Sprinkle the reserved oatmeal mixture over the berry layer, using your fingers to create small clumps for a textured and crunchy topping.

8. Bake:
Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the edges of the bars turn lightly golden and the topping is crisp.

9. Cool and Serve:
Allow the bars to cool completely in the baking dish before slicing. This step is crucial to ensure the bars hold together when cut. Once cooled, slice into 9 equal bars. Store the bars lightly covered in the refrigerator, and enjoy a healthy breakfast throughout the week.

Recipe Notes

These Healthy Berry Oatmeal Bars are incredibly versatile. You can use any combination of berries you like—blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, or blackberries all work well. The bars are naturally sweetened with maple syrup and coconut sugar, making them a healthier alternative to traditional sugar-laden breakfast bars.

For added texture and flavor, consider mixing in some chopped nuts or seeds into the crumble topping. These bars are perfect for meal prep, as they store well in the refrigerator for several days.

Nutrition

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cooking Time: 25 minutes
• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Calories: 210 kcal per bar
• Servings: 9 bars

These Healthy Berry Oatmeal Bars are a delicious and convenient way to enjoy a nutritious breakfast on the go. Packed with fiber, healthy fats, and natural sweetness, they’ll keep you satisfied and energized throughout the morning. Enjoy them with a cup of coffee or tea, or pack them in your lunchbox for a wholesome snack anytime!

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