Gluten free breakfast bars are an excellent way to start the day. Add your favorite dried fruit and they’ll keep you satisfied until lunch.
Easy Gluten Free Breakfast Bars
Trying to get a nutritious breakfast with a busy household can be a challenge. Between chasing a toddler and rushing everyone out the door, elaborate morning meals rarely happen. Lately we’ve relied on frozen gluten-free waffles for convenience. They’re fine in a pinch, but I wanted something healthier, homemade, and still quick.
After seeing my dad experiment with oatmeal cookies, I decided to adapt my Busy Mom’s Monster Cookie Bars into a lighter, gluten-free breakfast bar. With a few simple swaps and one secret addition to boost nutrition, I ended up with an easy, family-friendly breakfast that doesn’t require a lot of time in the kitchen.
A few tips
To make these bars healthier than traditional cookie bars, I made a few changes: I used unsweetened peanut butter made only from peanuts and salt, added a mashed banana (which blends in without altering the flavor noticeably), swapped vanilla for a touch of maple syrup, and used coconut sugar instead of refined sugar, using less overall. I also included plenty of dried cranberries and a small amount of dark chocolate for balance.
Because these are meant for breakfast, they’re not overly sweet. These gluten-free breakfast bars are versatile — use any dried fruit you prefer and adjust the chocolate to your taste. If you need a peanut-free option, substitute your favorite almond butter or sunflower seed butter.
Before you bake, keep these important notes in mind:
- To ensure the bars are gluten free, use gluten-free oats. If you need certified gluten-free oats, check labels carefully; only some brands are certified. Choose what suits your needs.
- When adding dried fruit or chocolate, read labels to confirm they’re gluten free. Added sugar in those ingredients will increase sweetness and change the nutrition profile.
- For a peanut-free version, use another nut or seed butter such as almond butter or sun butter.
Enjoy these bars for a simple, portable breakfast. If you try the recipe, leave a comment to share how you liked them.
Easy Gluten Free Breakfast Bars with Peanut Butter and Oatmeal
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup softened butter
- 1/2 cup unsweetened gluten free peanut butter
- 1/2 cup mashed banana
- 1 teaspoon maple syrup or vanilla
- 3/4 cup coconut sugar
- 2 eggs
- 5 cups gluten free oats (not instant)
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 cup dried fruit
- 1/2 cup gluten free dark chocolate (if desired)
Instructions
- Cream together butter, peanut butter and coconut sugar.
- Stir in mashed banana, maple syrup, and eggs.
- Mix in gluten free oats and baking soda until combined.
- Fold in dried fruit and chocolate pieces.
- Spread the mixture into a greased 9 x 13 pan.
- Bake at 325°F (163°C) for about 35 minutes, until set and lightly golden.
- Cool completely before cutting into bars.
- Wrap bars individually. Refrigeration isn’t required, but it helps them stay fresh longer.
Nutrition information
Easy Gluten Free Breakfast Bars with Peanut Butter and Oatmeal