FREE 5-Ingredient Recipe EBook

• Why I Make These Oatmeal Breakfast Bars Every Week
• Ingredients & Substitutions
• How To Make Oatmeal Bars
• My Recipe Tips
• Oatmeal Breakfast Bars (Healthy & Easy) Recipe card
• Recipe Variations
• More Healthy Breakfast Snacks
• Recipe Reviews

Why I Make These Oatmeal Breakfast Bars Every Week

This healthy oatmeal breakfast bars recipe started as a way to make a quick, better-for-you snack for my girls because they weren’t big fans of my low carb granola bars (no oats!). I wanted something with that same real-food base, but with the cozy texture and flavor they love. These oatmeal bars totally delivered — they’re chewy, a little crunchy, lightly sweet, and feel just like a treat. Now we keep a batch around for breakfast , lunchboxes, and after-school snacks . Here’s why you’ll want to keep a stash around, too:

• The right kind of sweetness – I skipped the refined sugar and used a mix of my sugar-free honey and dried fruit instead. It gives them just enough sweetness without the crash. And the chocolate drizzle? Total upgrade. My girls think they’re dessert.
• Chewy, crunchy, and so easy – I tweaked the ratios until they were soft in the center with a little crunch from the almonds. No food processor needed, and they hold together perfectly for lunchboxes.
• Endless ways to mix it up – And you know me — when something works, I have to give you options. Make sure to check out the flavor variations below to keep things interesting every time you make them.

Make them with me and see why these oatmeal breakfast bars have become a weekly thing at our house.

“I love making these for breakfast! They taste so decadent, but I love that they’re healthy!” –Allyson

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Ingredients & Substitutions

Here I explain the best ingredients for my healthy oatmeal bars recipe, what each one does, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card .

• Rolled Oats – I always use rolled oats for these oatmeal bars — they hold up better and make them perfectly chewy. Quick oats work in a pinch, but I usually save those for breakfast muffins or protein oatmeal .
• Wholesome Yum Almond Flour – This one’s my go-to because it’s super fine and never gritty. For a nut-free option, try sunflower seed flour.
• Fruit – I usually use a mix of raisins and homemade dried cranberries — love the combo of sweet and tart. Any dried fruit works here, just chop larger pieces so they mix in evenly.
• Almonds – These give the bars a little crunch, which balances out the chewy texture. You can totally swap them with other nuts or even seeds to make it nut-free.
• Honey – I’ve made these with both regular and sugar-free honey , and both turn out great. You can also try pure maple syrup for a vegan version, though I haven’t tested that one myself.
• Brown Sugar Or Sweetener – I use Besti Brown to get that same deep flavor and soft texture as brown sugar, just without the carbs. But any brown sugar or coconut sugar works fine.
• Unsalted Butter – I like using grass-fed butter, but regular works too. Coconut oil or ghee are great if you need dairy-free.
• Chocolate Chips – I melt mine and drizzle on top, but you can also fold them in for oatmeal chocolate chip bars. Use whatever kind you love!
• Sea Salt

How To Make Oatmeal Bars

I have step-by-step photos here to help you visualize the recipe. For full instructions with amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card .

1. Mix the dry ingredients. In a large mixing bowl, stir together the oats, almond flour, salt, dried fruit, and almonds.
2. Melt the wet ingredients. In a saucepan over low heat, melt the butter, Besti Brown, and honey together until smooth.
3. Combine it all. Pour the melted mixture over the dry mixture and stir until everything is evenly coated.

1. Press. Scoop the mixture into your prepared pan and press it down firmly with a spatula to flatten it out.
2. Bake. Pop it in the oven until the edges turn golden brown. I let them cool a bit, then lift them out using the parchment and move them to a wire rack to finish cooling.
3. Drizzle with chocolate. Melt the chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl in 30-second bursts. Drizzle it over the oatmeal bars and let them cool.

My Recipe Tips

• Melt the butter mixture low and slow. If it starts to boil, the honey can separate or scorch, which makes the bars greasy instead of chewy.
• After mixing in the butter and honey, I sometimes let it rest for 5-10 minutes, stirring a few times. It gives the oats a chance to soak everything up, which helps the bars hold together better and keeps the honey from sinking to the bottom.
• Don’t pack the bars in too tightly. Pressing too hard makes them dry and tough.
• Don’t overbake the oatmeal bars! They’ll turn out dry and crumbly. I pull them from the oven when the edges are golden and the center still looks a little soft, since it firms up as it cools.
• If you slice the bars too soon, they tend to fall apart. I like to let them cool all the way, and sometimes even pop them in the fridge to help them set.
• Want more protein? I have not yet experimented with adding protein powder to these, but I think you can. Otherwise try my protein oat balls or protein oatmeal as an alternative!

Recipe Video

Ingredients

Tap underlined ingredients to see the ones I use.

• 1 3/4 cups Rolled oats ▢
• 2 tbsp Wholesome Yum Blanched Almond Flour (or ground sunflower seeds for nut-free) ▢
• 1/4 tsp Sea salt ▢
• 1/4 cup Raisins ▢
• 1/4 cup Dried cranberries (I used sugar-free dried cranberries ) ▢
• 3 tbsp Almonds (roughly chopped; or sunflower seeds for nut-free) ▢
• 3 tbsp Honey (I used sugar-free honey substitute , but regular works) ▢
• 1/4 cup Besti Brown Monk Fruit Allulose Blend (or regular brown sugar works) ▢
• 2/3 cup Butter (or coconut oil for dairy-free option) ▢
• 1/3 cup Sugar-free dark chocolate chips (or any kind you like) ▢

Instructions

Tap on the times in the instructions to start a kitchen timer.

1. Line an 8-inch square baking pan with parchment paper and grease well. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (177 degrees C).
2. In a large bowl, stir together the oats, almond flour, salt, raisins, cranberries, and almonds.
3. Add the butter, Besti Brown, and honey to a saucepan and stir over a low heat until just melted.
4. Pour the butter mixture over the dry ingredients and stir together until well combined.
5. Transfer the mixture to your prepared baking pan, pushing it with the back of a spoon or spatula to compact it down into an even layer. (However, avoid packing too tightly which will make the bars too hard.)
6. Bake for 20-25 minutes , until going golden around the edges.
7. Leave in the pan for about 10 minutes , then lift using the edges of the parchment paper and transfer to a wire rack to cool.
8. Melt the chocolate chips in the microwave in 30 second bursts.
9. Drizzle the melted chocolate over the top of the breakfast bar slab. Cool completely until the chocolate is set.
10. Slice into bars or squares .

LAST STEP: Leave a rating to help other readers, or tag me @wholesomeyum on Instagram. I’d love to hear from you!

Maya’s Recipe Notes

Serving size : 1 oatmeal bar

• Tips: Check out my recipe tips above to help you get the right texture, keep them from falling apart, and make the best oatmeal breakfast bars every time.
• Variations: Don’t miss my recipe variations below — they’re an easy way to mix things up and make these healthy oatmeal bars your own!
• Store: Just pop the oatmeal bars in an airtight container. They’ll last up to a week at room temperature or in the fridge.
• Freeze: Wrap them up once they’ve cooled and stash in the freezer for up to 3 months.
• Note on nutrition info: I used sugar-free honey , Besti Brown , and unsweetened dried cranberries here. If you go with the regular versions, just know the sugar and calories will be higher.

📖 Want more recipes like this? Find this one and many more in my Winter Ebook Bundle !

I provide nutrition facts as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see my nutrition policy .

Add Your NotesYour Notes

© Copyright Maya Krampf for Wholesome Yum. Please DO NOT SCREENSHOT OR COPY/PASTE recipes to social media or websites. We’d LOVE for you to share a link with photo instead.

Oatmeal Bars

Recipe Variations

Try one of these easy oatmeal bar variations! I’ve tested them all and love how each one brings a totally different flavor!

• Peanut Butter – If you’re a peanut butter lover like me, stir in 1/4 cup of the thick, creamy kind (not the runny stuff!) and toss in some sugar-free PB chips. Almond butter works great, too.
• Maple Pecan – Swap the honey for maple syrup ( sugar-free or regular) and use chopped pecans instead of almonds. I sometimes drizzle these with caramel sauce instead of chocolate… so good.
• Pumpkin Spice – Add 1 teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice and 1/4 cup pumpkin puree, and bump the oats up to 2 1/4 cups. Cozy fall vibes in every bite.
• Apple Cinnamon – Mix in 1/2 cup finely chopped apples (or crushed apple chips ) and a teaspoon of cinnamon. I love this one warm with a cup of tea.
• Blueberry – Just trade the raisins and cranberries for dried blueberries. Easy swap, totally changes the flavors.

More Healthy Breakfast Snacks

If you loved this oatmeal bars recipe, here are a few more healthy breakfast snacks to keep your mornings easy and delicious:

Free Printable: Low Carb & Keto Food List

• Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?
• The Basic Keto Meal Formula
• Understanding Macros
• Keto Food Swaps
• Keto Food List
• Electrolyte Basics
• Keto Diet Types
• Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?
• Recipe Reviews

Even though I have a great guide to starting a keto diet , people often ask me for a quick keto cheat sheet they can use. That’s why I created this simple keto diet cheat sheet , so that you can have all the info you need handy. We’ll cover the basic keto formula for building meals, foods to eat and to avoid, delicious keto swaps for high-carb foods, electrolyte basics, and 4 ways to follow the keto lifestyle.

You can keep reading to view this info, or download my keto cheat sheet printable pdf to print out or save ad-free on any device (plus the pdf has more details!).

Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?

Get all this information and MORE in convenient printer-friendly format – 13 cheat sheet pages you can take with you anywhere or keep in your kitchen, plus 4 recipe cookbooks! Includes:

1. Keto food list (230+ foods) – Super detailed & color-coded, with net carb counts, so you’ll know exactly what to eat.
2. Foods to avoid on keto – Detailed and specific list so that you know exactly what to watch out for.
3. Macros cheat sheet – Explains everything you need to know about macros to succeed on keto.
4. Keto food swaps (60+ foods) – Covers virtually every food you love, so you don’t have to miss out!
5. Keto meal formula – With specific food ideas, so it’s easy to mix-and-match.
6. Keto flu guide – Understand what it is and exactly how to avoid it.
7. Electrolyte cheat sheet – With whole food ideas + bonus keto tips.
8. Keto Diet Types – Summary of 4 ways to do keto, so you can choose what fits you best.
9. FOUR (4!) Keto Swaps Recipe EBooks – Dozens of recipes to replace bread, rice, potatoes, pasta, desserts, and other carbs you’d otherwise miss.

Get The Printable Keto Cheat Sheet System + EBooks (Only $37)

The Basic Keto Meal Formula

Eating keto doesn’t have to be complicated! While there are plenty of delicious easy keto recipes to choose from, you don’t even have to cook from a recipe to get started.

Simply follow the keto cheat sheet formula of protein + veggie + fat for your meals.

Be sure to choose a moderate amount of protein, only low carb vegetables (mostly ones that grow above ground), and generous fat to attain an optimal macro ratio. That’s approximately 60-75% of calories from fat, 20-25% protein, and 5-10% from carbohydrates. The table below will give you ideas for what to choose.

Understanding Macros

Macros are macronutrients for short. They include fat, protein, and carbohydrates.

You can calculate your own macros using the macro calculator , but the macro keto cheat sheet below will explain how to look at macros when following a keto lifestyle.

Carbs Are A Limit.

Keeping carbs low is what gets you into ketosis and keeps you there. Ketosis means that you’re using fat as your primary energy source instead of sugar, and requires keeping carbs very low.

A good starting point is 20-25 grams net carbs per day, but you can experiment after a few weeks to see if your body stays in ketosis at higher levels. People who are very active may be able to do more and stay in ketosis, up to around 50 grams per day.

“Carbs are a limit” means that you set a limit for how many carbs to eat per day and don’t exceed it. You don’t have to hit that limit, so if you’re under that’s okay, just don’t go over. Ideally most of your carbs would come from low carb vegetables, and if you’re eating enough veggies, you’ll usually get close to the limit naturally.

A common misconception is that reaching ketosis requires a certain macro ratio, but it’s really only restricting your carb intake that gets you there [ * ]. In the absence of sufficient carbs to use as energy, the body will switch to using fat as fuel. This is called the metabolic state of ketosis.

Protein Is A Goal.

Protein is made up of amino acids, the building blocks of all our cells. It’s a crucial for keeping our muscles strong and for many cellular functions [ * ].

“Protein is a goal” means that you always want to eat enough protein to reach the goal each day, but not exceed it too much. You want enough for your needs, but excess protein can trigger gluconeogenesis, which is protein being converted to sugar [ * ] and can kick you out of ketosis.

Fat Is A Lever.

Fat is the primary macronutrient in a keto lifestyle, because being in ketosis means that fat is your primary fuel source. Fat as a fuel source will come from your food, and if you are losing weight, from your body.

A big advantage of a keto lifestyle is the high fat intake. It keeps you full and satisfied, making it easier to stick to, and using it as the primary fuel source makes it easier on your body to burn body fat, with a lower chance of breaking down your muscle (provided you get enough protein).

Aside from reaching your protein goal and limiting your carbs, the remainder of your calories on a keto diet comes from fat.

Don’t fear fat – it’s your main energy source on keto, and getting enough of it trains your body to use fat for fuel instead of sugar. That means that as long as you are not overdoing your overall calorie intake, you’ll efficiently burn your body fat for fuel as well.

“Fat is a lever” means that you can increase or decrease your fat intake depending on your goals and hunger levels. Increase it (along with exercise) to gain muscle, or decrease it to lose weight.

Keto Food Swaps

One of my favorite challenges is creating recipes, or just discovering, keto food swaps. These are delicious keto replacements for traditionally high-carb or high-sugar foods.

So, I created this keto diet cheat sheet with all the swaps in one place! I also have more keto food swaps in my Easy Keto Cookbook .

Keto Swaps For Breakfast

Keto Swaps For Bread

Keto Swaps For Meals & Side Dishes

Keto Swaps For Snacks & Sauces

Keto Swaps For Cooking & Baking

Keto Swaps For Drinks

If you’re looking specifically for keto alcohol options, browse the full keto alcohol guide .

Keto Food List

When looking for a keto cheat sheet printable, the most-requested information is a keto food list.

The great thing is that keto doesn’t have to feel restrictive. It’s incredibly satisfying and there’s such a wide variety of foods you can eat!

Foods To Eat On Keto

• Leafy greens – Such as spinach, chard, and lettuce.
• Above-ground veggies – Such as peppers, zucchini, and cauliflower.
• Full-fat cream & cheese – Such as heavy cream, sour cream, and full-fat hard cheeses.
• Natural meats – Such as beef, lamb, and pork.
• Berries – Such as raspberries, blackberries, and strawberries.
• Avocados
• Unsweetened nut milks – Such as almond milk and coconut milk.
• Almond flour and coconut flour
• Eggs
• Healthy fats – Such as coconut oil, avocado oil, olive oil and butter.

Foods To Avoid On Keto

• White flour & sugar
• Rice & grains – Such as barley, wheat, and corn.
• Milk & yogurt – Such as fruit on the bottom yogurt, sweetened Greek yogurt, and all milk.
• Cereal
• Processed food – Such as granola bars, candy
• Most fruit – Such as apples, bananas, and grapes
• Hydrogenated fats – Such as vegetable oil, soybean oil, and margarine
• Sweetened beverages & condiments – Such as soda, ketchup, and sweet dressings
• Starchy veggies – Such as peas, carrots, and beets.
• Potatoes – Such as sweet potatoes and white potatoes.

That’s the short keto diet cheat sheet version of all the keto food categories, but I recommend downloading the full Keto Cheat Sheet System. It includes a super detailed printable keto food list with over 100 items, including 2 color-coded pages with net carb counts, along with 6 more pages of keto cheat sheets:

Get The Keto Cheat Sheet System PDF (Only $37)

Electrolyte Basics

Getting enough electrolytes is crucial for anyone, but especially so on a keto diet. The reason is that ketosis has a diuretic effect, which increases excretion of water and electrolytes, especially sodium [ * ]. This is often the cause of the keto flu.

For more details on electrolytes and avoiding keto flu, check out the full keto flu guide here .

The important thing to know about electrolytes is that replenishing them will keep keto flu away and keep your body functioning well. I always recommend an electrolyte drink and whole food sources of anything your body needs before resorting to supplements, so I made a list of what to eat to get each of the 3 major electrolytes – sodium, magnesium and potassium.

Here’s your keto diet cheat sheet for getting electrolytes from food:

Keto Diet Types

People follow a keto lifestyle for different reasons. Some do it just to lose weight, others are after better overall health, increased energy, and reduced inflammation.

Strictly speaking, the defining factor of a keto diet is the metabolic state of ketosis, which is achieved by restricting carbs. However, many people (myself included) also reduce or eliminate processed, inflammatory, or low-nutrient foods.

Below is your keto cheat sheet summary of the different ways that people follow keto. You choose what works best for your goals and lifestyle!

• Strict Keto – Up to 20-30g net carbs daily, count all calories and macros, and eat clean, unprocessed foods.
• Lazy Keto – Up to 20-30g net carbs daily, and track only net carbs OR eat keto foods without tracking.
• Dirty Keto – Up to 20-30g net carbs daily, with “if it fits your macros” approach including processed foods.
• Low Carb – Up to 50-100g net carbs daily, less strict.

For a more detailed listing of these different types of keto with pros and cons, grab the Easy Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF below!

Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?

Get all this information and MORE in convenient printer-friendly format – 13 cheat sheet pages you can take with you anywhere or keep in your kitchen, plus 4 recipe cookbooks! Includes:

1. Keto food list (230+ foods) – Super detailed & color-coded, with net carb counts, so you’ll know exactly what to eat.
2. Foods to avoid on keto – Detailed and specific list so that you know exactly what to watch out for.
3. Macros cheat sheet – Explains everything you need to know about macros to succeed on keto.
4. Keto food swaps (60+ swaps) – Covers virtually every food you love, so you don’t have to miss out!
5. Keto meal formula – With specific food ideas, so it’s easy to mix-and-match.
6. Keto flu guide – Understand what it is and exactly how to avoid it.
7. Electrolyte cheat sheet – With whole food ideas + bonus keto tips.
8. Keto Diet Types – Summary of 4 ways to do keto, so you can choose what fits you best.
9. FOUR (4!) Keto Swaps Recipe EBooks – Dozens of recipes to replace bread, rice, potatoes, pasta, desserts, and other carbs you’d otherwise miss.

Get The Printable Keto Cheat Sheet System (75 pages, Only $37!)

Oatmeal Breakfast Bars (Healthy & Easy)

My healthy oatmeal breakfast bars recipe is chewy, nutty, and naturally sweet – perfect for a grab-and-go breakfast or a wholesome snack.

Scan this QR code with your phone’s camera for the full recipe, including tips, step-by-step photos, and storage, or to save it to your account. You can also find it at: https://www.wholesomeyum.com/oatmeal-breakfast-bars/

Ingredients

• 1 3/4 cups Rolled oats
• 2 tbsp Wholesome Yum Blanched Almond Flour (or ground sunflower seeds for nut-free)
• 1/4 tsp Sea salt
• 1/4 cup Raisins
• 1/4 cup Dried cranberries (I used sugar-free dried cranberries )
• 3 tbsp Almonds (roughly chopped; or sunflower seeds for nut-free)
• 3 tbsp Honey (I used sugar-free honey substitute , but regular works)
• 1/4 cup Besti Brown Monk Fruit Allulose Blend (or regular brown sugar works)
• 2/3 cup Butter (or coconut oil for dairy-free option)
• 1/3 cup Sugar-free dark chocolate chips (or any kind you like)

Instructions

1. Line an 8-inch square baking pan with parchment paper and grease well. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (177 degrees C).
2. In a large bowl, stir together the oats, almond flour, salt, raisins, cranberries, and almonds.
3. Add the butter, Besti Brown, and honey to a saucepan and stir over a low heat until just melted.
4. Pour the butter mixture over the dry ingredients and stir together until well combined.
5. Transfer the mixture to your prepared baking pan, pushing it with the back of a spoon or spatula to compact it down into an even layer. (However, avoid packing too tightly which will make the bars too hard.)
6. Bake for 20-25 minutes , until going golden around the edges.
7. Leave in the pan for about 10 minutes , then lift using the edges of the parchment paper and transfer to a wire rack to cool.
8. Melt the chocolate chips in the microwave in 30 second bursts.
9. Drizzle the melted chocolate over the top of the breakfast bar slab. Cool completely until the chocolate is set.
10. Slice into bars or squares .

Maya’s Recipe Notes

Serving size : 1 oatmeal bar

• Tips: Check out my recipe tips above to help you get the right texture, keep them from falling apart, and make the best oatmeal breakfast bars every time.
• Variations: Don’t miss my recipe variations below – they’re an easy way to mix things up and make these healthy oatmeal bars your own!
• Store: Just pop the oatmeal bars in an airtight container. They’ll last up to a week at room temperature or in the fridge.
• Freeze: Wrap them up once they’ve cooled and stash in the freezer for up to 3 months.
• Note on nutrition info: I used sugar-free honey , Besti Brown , and unsweetened dried cranberries here. If you go with the regular versions, just know the sugar and calories will be higher.

📖 Want more recipes like this? Find this one and many more in my Winter Ebook Bundle !

I provide nutrition facts as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see my nutrition policy .

© Copyright Maya Krampf for Wholesome Yum. Please DO NOT SCREENSHOT OR COPY/PASTE recipes to social media or websites. We’d LOVE for you to share a link with photo instead. :)