I've probably told you this before, but I completely ruined my kid on oatmeal. When she was a baby, she LOVED it. And I loved coming up with new flavor combinations constantly. Apple cardamom was a favorite, so was pumpkin flax, and strawberry chia oatmeal! (Ever checked out my BABY FOOD RECIPES?)
But now? Camille will not touch oatmeal. I have to put sprinkles on it to get her to eat 3 bites. I'm overjoyed about those 3 bites, though. I'm such a believer in healthy whole grains, and I know how great oats are for you. If she just eats 3 bites of oats once a month, I'm happy.
But, I've been trying to dream up ways to include oatmeal in her breakfast in a more exciting way. Enter these mixed berry baked oatmeal bars.
They're pretty (Camille loves colorful food), delicious, and full of oats. I use rolled oats and oat flour (which is just oats that I ground up in the blender, by the way. No need for a second purchase!) So, bonus for being gluten-free, right?
Camille devoured these, and I smiled about it all morning. She thinks she had cake for breakfast, but I know the truth. She had antioxidant-rich mixed berries, fiber-ful oats, and grass-fed butter. There is no better breakfast, if you ask me. Speaking of the butter, it's easily swapped for coconut oil to keep things vegan, ok?
These bars pack a punch with a full pound of frozen mixed berries.
I'm so appreciative of the high convenience factor here---a healthy breakfast for Camille using berries that I can always keep in the freezer. Plus, these mixed berry baked oatmeal bars cut easily into squares and hold their shape in a lunch box. You’re looking at my new favorite recipe that’s going on the weekly meal plan list!
Tips for mixed berry baked oatmeal bars:
I recommend defrosting the berries for about an hour on the counter before using them for these mixed berry oatmeal bars. Drain off most of the liquid that accumulates under the berries (it's great in a smoothie or as a little juice shot for your toddler!)
Mixed Berry Oatmeal Bars
Mixed berry oatmeal bars are a fun way to get your kids to eat more oats!
Ingredients
- 16 ounces Sunkist Frozen Berry Medley
- 1 cup rolled oats
- ¾ cup oat flour (made by grinding ¾ cup of oats in a blender until flour-y)
- ½ cup coconut sugar
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon pink salt
- 6 tablespoons unsalted grass-fed butter
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch
- juice and zest from ½ a lemon
Instructions
- Partially defrost the berries at room temperature in a large bowl for about an hour.
- Meanwhile, make the oat flour if you haven’t already.
- Preheat the oven to 375. Line an 8x8" square pan with parchment paper in two directions, so all sides are covered. Leave excess parchment paper so you have handles for removing the bars.
- In a medium bowl, stir together the oats, oat flour, coconut sugar, cinnamon and salt. Set aside.
- Melt the butter in the microwave in a small dish.
- Pour the butter into the oat mixture and stir until everything is evenly mixed.
- Remove a heaping ½ cup of the oat mixture and reserve it for the top.
- Press the oat mixture into the prepared pan. Press it firmly and evenly to make the crust.
- Next, drain the juice from the berries (but don't toss it--either drink it straight or stir it into some sparkling water or a smoothie).
- Gently stir the cornstarch, lemon zest and lemon juice into the berries.
- Pour the berry mixture evenly over the crust.
- Sprinkle the reserved ½ cup of oat mixture on top of the berries.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the bars are bubbling and the top is golden brown.
- Let cool completely before slicing into squares and serving.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
9Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 242Total Fat: 4gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 3mgSodium: 89mgCarbohydrates: 48gFiber: 6gSugar: 16gProtein: 5g
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Anne says
I ruined my now-14 month old on oatmeal too. ???? Have you tried freezing the individual servings after you bake them? I’ve taken to stocking my freezer with waffles, oatmeal breakfast cookies, and individual egg casseroles to pack her for breakfast and I’d love to add these to my rotation. Thank you!
Christina Lane says
Glad to know I'm not alone, Anne! I love your ideas, thank you! I actually haven't tried freezing them because they get eaten too quickly around here by Mom & Dad (heh), but I do think they would freeze well. Place parchment paper between each piece so they don't stick to each other :)
Cassie says
HI! Could coconut oil be used in place of butter?
Chisato says
I've enjoyed your recipes. I also would like to know if we can replace coconut oil with butter :)
Christina Lane says
Yes, I think that would work wonderfully :)
Char R says
I need to make these real soon!
Kyrsten says
I’m allergic to coconut :( can I use regular sugar or something else in place of it?
Christina Lane says
Yes, brown sugar :) Sorry about this! Hope you like it :)
Susanna says
My 7 year old kid was not much into oatmeal either. Actually, here in Spain it was not even known till recently so I've had a hard time fiding good brands. Some time ago we went to one of those organic food fair and she got a sample of an organic chocolate warm oatmeal, and she actually loved it! This is the way she likes eating oatmeal now, warm, cooked in milk for creamier texture and with some chocolate in it. I also add nuts to it, which she happens to love as well. I get really good quality cocoa with no added sugar or weird stuff so even if her oatmeak is chocolate flavoured she is have a big ammount of nutrients and I love that!
Another way she gets to eat oeatmeal without her knowing is on smoothies and muffins. I use oats to make oat flour all the time, which I use for baking cookies, muffins or breads.
These bars look divine by the way!! I love berries soooo much!
Christina Lane says
This sounds awesome, Susanna! I think chocolate has some great nutritional components! I love the idea of adding it to oatmeal, thank you! Great ideas about oat flour! :) Nice to meet you :)
Susan says
This looks good? Could I substitute the same amount of sucanat or brown sugar instead of coconut sugar? Less healthy but that's what I have on hand.
Christina Lane says
Yes, of course, Susan! Enjoy :)
Ashley I Benstrends says
I like oats and berries and this indeed is a healthy treat for any age. Loved that there's a mix of cinnamon for added flavor. Perfect for any day snacking!
Mary Alice Worrell says
I made these this afternoon. They are great. Even my picky husband liked them. Mary
Maggie Williamson says
These look delicious! I want to make these! Such a great alternative to a healthy breakfast!
Melanie says
I saved my "juice shot" in the fridge and added a teaspoon or two of it to plain yogurt (plus a pinch of sprinkles for fun) to make "pink yogurt" for my 2 year old!
Christina Lane says
So smart, Melanie!