Filed Under: Ages & Stages 1-2, Ages & Stages 13-16, Ages & Stages 3-5, Ages & Stages 6-8, Ages & Stages 9-12, Bake Sale, Pregnancy, School Lunch, snack, Under 20 Mins

Awesome Oatmeal Bars

Oatmeal bars are the perfect snack for kids on the run, but why bake your own when the stores are full of them? Well, our scrumptious version is lower in calories and sodium than most supermarket bars.

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February 20th, 2007

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“With no nuts, these are great for lunch boxes. Juliana asked for “thirds’!”
Debbie S, Mom of Juliana, 6, And Eight-Month-Old Myles, Barrie, Ont.

Servings
Makes 20 bars
Prep Time
about 40 minutes
Ingredients
  • 1/2 cup (125 mL) butter
  • 1/2 cup (125 mL) maple syrup
  • 1/4 cup (50 mL) packed brown sugar
  • 2 1/2 cups (625 mL) rolled oats (not quick, instant or one-minute)
  • 1/3 cup (75 mL) wheat germ or bran
  • 2 tsp (10 mL) vanilla
  • 1 tsp (5 mL) finely grated orange rind
  • 1 tsp (5 mL) cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp (1 mL) salt
  • 1/3 cup (75 mL) dried fruit (cranberries, raisins, cherries, or finely chopped apricots, figs and/or pitted dates)
    • Directions
  • 1.

    Preheat oven to 325°F (160°C). Line a 9-inch (2.5-L) square baking pan with parchment paper, leaving a 1-inch (2.5-cm) overhang on two sides so you can easily lift the baked bars out of the pan.

  • 2.

    In a large saucepan, heat butter, maple syrup and sugar over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Boil for 1 minute; remove saucepan from heat. Stir in oats, wheat germ, vanilla, orange rind, cinnamon and salt until well combined. Stir in dried fruit until well combined.

  • 3.

    Spread mixture evenly in pan, pressing down firmly using base of a measuring cup. Bake 30 to 35 minutes, until a deep golden colour. Cool completely in pan on wire rack. Once cooled, use parchment to lift to a cutting board; cut into bars with a large serrated knife. (Save any crumbs; they’re delicious sprinkled over yogurt or fruit.) Bars can be stored in an airtight container for up to 1 week.

    • Nutrients Per Serving

    PER BAR 125 calories, 5.5 g fat, 18 mg calcium, 79 mg sodium, 17.6 g carbohydrates, 2.1 g protein, 1.4 g fibre.

    Awesome Oatmeal Bars
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    Comments (4)

    Leave a Comment
    1. Michelle says:
      October 5, 2011 at 7:27 pm

      Thanks for posting this recipe. We have both egg + nut allergies in the family and this will be perfect to make on a Sunday – ready to go in the lunches for the week (as long as my hubby doesn’t eat them all in one night…). Note to self: Hide homemade granola bars….

      Reply
    2. Traci says:
      January 9, 2012 at 12:27 pm

      This recipe vs the PC brand rich and chewy chocolate chip (peanut-free facility), the PC brand comes out on top. Less calories, fat and sodium. sodium in Pc’s bars is 50mg these ones say 79. The carbs are higher in the PC bar bar but only by 3g. They have no mention of eggs in the ingredients list but they do have soy. So over all I will spend the 4.99 for 24 bars. They also have these available in PC’s signature blue menu brand and they have a cranberry bar too.

      Just something to think about I guess.

      Reply
    3. Niki King says:
      January 24, 2012 at 1:10 pm

      These are great but mine did not stay together and every one broke and fell apart when trying to separate. Almost better just to use this as a granola recipe!

      Reply
    4. Sherry says:
      February 3, 2012 at 6:24 pm

      Thanks for the great recipe. i love to bake for my family. I prefer homemade over store bought any day! It is always reassuring to see what/who is handling the food your about to give your family. These turned out wonderfully but I did adjust the amount of maple syrup to keep them sticking together.

      Reply

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