Berry Oat Bars

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

I love these Berry Oat Bars because they combine the best of both worlds—tasty and nutritious. The oats provide a nice chewy texture, while the coconut oil adds a subtle richness to each bite. The raspberry preserves bring a burst of sweet fruit flavor, making these bars the perfect balance of sweetness and wholesomeness. They’re quick to make and easy to store, so you can prepare them ahead of time and enjoy them as a breakfast or snack all week long. Plus, they’re completely customizable depending on your choice of preserves or sweeteners!

Ingredients

½ cup coconut oil (melted)

1 ½ cups all-purpose flour (or gluten-free substitute)

1 ½ cups quick oats

⅓ cup maple syrup

⅓ cup coconut sugar (or granulated sugar)

1 teaspoon baking powder

½ teaspoon salt

½ cup raspberry preserves

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

Directions

Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Spray an 8×8-inch baking pan with non-stick spray and set it aside.

Mix Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the coconut oil, flour, oats, maple syrup, coconut sugar, baking powder, and salt. Mix everything together until it’s well combined.

Prepare the Pan: Take ⅔ of the oat mixture and press it evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking pan. Use your hands to flatten it down until it’s nice and even.

Add Preserves: Gently spread the raspberry preserves over the oat mixture, leaving about ½ inch around the edges to prevent the preserves from burning during baking.

Top with Remaining Oat Mixture: Crumble the remaining ⅓ of the oat mixture over the preserves. Gently press the crumbles into the top layer to ensure they stay in place after baking.

Bake: Place the pan on the center rack of your oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the top is lightly browned.

Cool and Serve: Let the bars cool in the pan on a cooling rack before cutting them into 9 squares and serving.

Servings and Timing

This recipe yields 9 bars. The prep time is just 5 minutes, and the cook time is around 25-30 minutes, so the total time is about 30 minutes.

Variations

Fruit Preserves: If you’re not a fan of raspberry, feel free to use other fruit preserves like strawberry, blueberry, or even apricot for a different twist.

Nuts or Seeds: Add a handful of chopped nuts (like almonds or walnuts) or seeds (like chia or flaxseeds) to the oat mixture for extra texture and nutrition.

Vegan Option: Swap the coconut oil for another plant-based oil (like olive or avocado oil) and use a flax egg or chia egg instead of the coconut sugar.

Storage/Reheating

Storage: Store the bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate them for up to a week.

Freezing: These bars freeze wonderfully! Wrap them individually in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe bag. They’ll last for up to 3 months.

Reheating: Reheat them in the microwave for about 20-30 seconds or in the oven for a few minutes until warmed through.

FAQs

Can I use old-fashioned oats instead of quick oats?

Yes, you can use old-fashioned oats, but the texture will be slightly different. Quick oats absorb liquid more quickly and result in a softer bar, while old-fashioned oats will give the bars a chewier texture.

Can I make these bars without coconut oil?

Yes, you can substitute coconut oil with butter or another vegetable oil. Just keep in mind that the flavor may change slightly, but they’ll still be delicious!

Are these bars gluten-free?

If you use a gluten-free flour substitute and ensure your oats are certified gluten-free, these bars can easily be made gluten-free.

Can I add other fruits to these bars?

Absolutely! Feel free to mix in dried fruits like cranberries, raisins, or chopped dried apricots to add more variety to the bars.

How do I make these bars sweeter?

If you prefer a sweeter bar, you can add a little more maple syrup or coconut sugar to the batter. Just be careful not to add too much, as it can affect the texture.

Conclusion

Berry Oat Bars are a perfect, wholesome treat that you can enjoy at breakfast, as an afternoon snack, or even for dessert. With the natural sweetness of maple syrup and fruit preserves, and the chewiness of oats, these bars are both satisfying and nutritious. They’re quick to make, easy to store, and customizable to your taste. Whether you’re preparing for a busy week or just looking for something healthy and delicious to snack on, these bars are sure to become a staple in your kitchen.

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