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5 from 1 vote

Steel Cut Oatmeal Bars

These Steel Cut Oatmeal Bars are hearty, soft and chewy, and perfect for busy mornings. Customize them with your favorite mix-ins for an easy make-ahead breakfast or grab-and-go snack the whole family will love.
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time25 minutes
Course: Breakfast
Cuisine: American
Keyword: baked oatmeal, grab and go breakfast, healthy, homemade oatmeal bars, make ahead breakfast, oatmeal, oatmeal bars, oatmeal breakfast bars, steel cut oat bars, steel cut oatmeal bars, steel cut oats, steel cut oats breakfast bars
Servings: 12

Ingredients

  • 2 cups steel cut oats
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 cup butter melted
  • 2 eggs
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup honey
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 1/2 cup add-ins chocolate chips, dried fruit, nuts or seeds

Instructions

  • Partially cook the oats. Bring 6 cups of water to a boil in a large saucepan. Add the steel cut oats and cook for 10 minutes. Drain well and set aside to cool slightly.
  • Prepare the pan. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a 9x13-inch baking pan with parchment paper and set aside.
  • Make the oatmeal bar mixture. In a large bowl, combine the flour, baking soda and salt. Add the partially cooked steel cut oats, melted butter, eggs, brown sugar, honey and vanilla. Stir until just combined. Fold in up to 1 1/2 cups of your favorite add-ins.
  • Bake the oatmeal bars. Spread the mixture evenly in the prepared pan, using a rubber spatula to press it into the corners. Bake for 25 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden brown and the center is set.
  • Cool and cut. Let the bars cool in the pan for at least 10 minutes. Use the parchment paper to carefully lift them from the pan and transfer to a flat surface. For the cleanest cuts, allow the bars to cool completely before cutting into squares.

Notes

  • Drain the partially cooked steel cut oats well before adding them to the batter.
  • Use up to 1 1/2 cups of your favorite mix-ins, such as chocolate chips, dried fruit, nuts or seeds.
  • Avoid overbaking. Remove the bars when the edges are lightly golden and the center is set for the best soft, chewy texture.
  • Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week or freeze for up to 2 months.
    For the best texture, partially cook the steel cut oats for 10 minutes and drain them well before mixing the batter. This keeps the bars soft and chewy while still giving them that signature hearty texture.