It can be difficult to provide healthy, on-the-go nutrition for kids and adults alike. These healthy oat bars are easy to make, freezer-friendly, and can be adapted to suit your family’s nutritional needs.
This recipe comes courtesy of a swim mum, who fed 44 hungry swimmers with a batch of these! Read on to find out how to make your own healthy oat bars that leave everyone feeling fuller for longer — perfect for lunchboxes, after-school snacks, or a quick energy boost before activities.
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Healthy Oat Bar Recipe
Ingredients
- 8oz butter
- 3 tbsp golden syrup
- 4oz brown sugar
- 13oz oats
- 3oz plain flour
- Optional additions (see below)
Method
1. Heat oven to 160C / 325F / Gas 3.
2. Melt the butter together with the golden syrup.
3. Add the rest of the ingredients to the butter mix and stir well.
4. Place on a greased baking sheet and bake for approximately 20 minutes.
5. The bars will still be soft when they come out of the oven. Cut them into bar shapes and allow to cool. They will harden as they cool.
Oat Bar Additions
You can add other ingredients to these healthy oat bars including:
- Any kind of seeds or nuts
- Replace some of the butter with peanut butter for added protein
- Replace some of the flour with cacao powder to give your healthy oat bars a chocolate taste
- Add dried or fresh fruit or berries and reduce the sugar
- Replace the golden syrup with honey, agave, fruit or maple syrup
- Bake for longer to make the bars more crisp
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Frequently Asked Questions
How long do healthy oat bars keep for?
Stored in an airtight container, these oat bars will keep well for several days at room temperature. For longer storage, keep them in the fridge, or freeze individually wrapped bars and pop one in a lunchbox to defrost by snack time.
Are these oat bars suitable for school lunches?
Yes — they’re a handy make-ahead option for school or activity bags. If nut allergies are a concern at your child’s school, simply leave out the nuts and seeds additions.
Can I make these oat bars healthier?
Yes. Try swapping some of the sugar for dried fruit, using nut butter instead of some of the butter, or choosing honey or maple syrup in place of golden syrup. See the additions section above for more ideas.
Can I freeze healthy oat bars?
Yes, these bars freeze well. Cut into portions, wrap individually, and freeze in an airtight container or bag. Defrost at room temperature before eating.
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- More easy family recipes and lunchbox ideas
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Love the sound of these healthy oat bars? Save this page to come back to next time you’re planning school snacks or need a quick energy boost for busy activity days.
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