These oatmeal raisin bars are soft baked oat bars, bursting with plump and juicy raisins! Naturally sweetened and healthy enough for breakfast, these oat raisin bars need just 4 ingredients!
It’s no secret that I love a good oatmeal bars recipe. I love oatmeal cookie bars, I love oatmeal breakfast bars, and I LOVE these oatmeal raisin bars.
This recipe was inspired by my oatmeal raisin cookies. As much as I love chocolate first thing in the morning, I had to dial things back and have something a little more wholesome. As someone who loves oatmeal with raisins, making them as bars was a genius idea!
These oatmeal raisin bars are my current afternoon treat and are not only healthy and delicious but SO simple to prepare. They are a cross between Quaker bars and Clif oatmeal raisin walnut bars. Well, minus the walnuts!
Now, these raisin bars are made with no oil, no butter, and no eggs, but you’d never tell. They are thick, soft, and full of raisins. They are also completely naturally sweetened and packed with fiber. Perfect for breakfast, a snack, or a healthy dessert, they are vegan and gluten free!
How do you make oatmeal raisin bars?
The Ingredients
- Rolled Oats– Also known as old fashioned oats, be sure to use certified gluten free oats if you’d like this recipe to also be gluten free.
- Peanut Butter– Smooth and creamy peanut butter, with no added sugar. See my tips below for peanut butter substitution ideas.
- Banana– Mashed, overripe banana. This not only holds the bars together but also gives extra sweetness.
- Raisins– The key ingredient for these raisin bars! I recommend soaking your raisins in boiling water for an hour before preparing this recipe so that your raisins are extra plump and juicy.
- Walnuts– optional, but adds such a nutty and delicious flavor.
The Instructions
In a large mixing bowl, add all your ingredients together, except for your raisins, and mix until combined. Fold through your raisins, reserving a few to top the bars with. Transfer the batter into a lined 8 x 8-inch pan and bake at 180C/350F for 15-20 minutes, or until the tops are done. Remove from the oven and let cool in the pan completely, before slicing.
Can I substitute the banana?
If you’d like to replace the banana, you can use unsweetened applesauce. Just be sure to add extra oats if the dough is too thin, as compared to a banana, applesauce is very thin in texture.
Can I substitute the peanut butter?
Any nut or seed butter can be used instead of peanut butter. I enjoy using almond butter and tahini. Regardless of which kind you use, just be sure that it has a smooth and drippy texture, and no added sugar.
Tips to make the best raisin bars
- Avoid using quick oats or instant oats, as they will yield a softer bar, that can potentially fall apart once baked.
- Add 1-2 inches of parchment paper overhanging on all sides, for easy removal.
- These bars are not thick and dense, but rather soft and chewy. The bars are baked once they are golden on top and the raisins are glistening.
- Feel free to add other dried fruits, nuts, or even coconut flakes, for some added texture.
- Pair this with a protein smoothie for a well balanced breakfast.
Storing and Freezing Bars
- To store: Raisin bars should always be stored in the refrigerator, covered, for up to 2 weeks. Let sit at room temperature for 20-30 minutes, if you’d prefer a softer bar.
- To freeze: Place bars in a ziplock bag and store in the freezer for up to 6 months.
More delicious bars and brownies to try
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Oatmeal Raisin Bars
Ingredients
- 4 cups gluten free rolled oats can use standard oats, if not gluten free
- 1 cup peanut butter * See notes
- 6-7 medium bananas mashed ** See notes
- 1 cup raisins
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 180C/350F. Line an 8 x 8-inch pan with parchment paper and set aside.
- In a mixing bowl, add all your ingredients, except for your raisins, and mix well. Fold through your raisins, reserving a few to top the bars with.
- Transfer the batter into the lined pan and top with extra raisins. Bake for 15-17 minutes, or until the tops are golden. Remove from the oven and let cool completely, before slicing into bars.
Notes
- To store: Raisin bars should always be stored in the refrigerator, covered, for up to 2 weeks. Let sit at room temperature for 20-30 minutes, if you'd prefer a softer bar.
- To freeze: Place bars in a ziplock bag and store in the freezer for up to 6 months.
Nutrition
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Not crazy about baked banana. Can the banana be replaced with apple sauce or something else?
Thank you!
Yes, see the post.
So yummy! I added chia seeds, cinnamon, sea salt and a little honey.
So glad to hear that!
Thank you!