Easy Oatmeal Raisin Breakfast Bars for Busy Mornings

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Stop what you’re doing—because if you need an easy breakfast idea that actually brings a little ease into your mornings, these oatmeal raisin breakfast bars are it.

These easy oatmeal raisin breakfast bars are soft, chewy, and naturally sweetened with honey and ripe bananas, and they come together in less than 30 minutes. made with oats, whole wheat flour, raisins, coconut, and warm cinnamon, giving you that cozy, comforting flavor in a simple, homemade breakfast. They double as a quick snack idea too, which makes them even more useful to have on hand.

Chewy oatmeal raisin breakfast bars with oats, dried fruit, and chocolate chips stacked on parchment paper.

A Simple Make-Ahead Breakfast That Makes Mornings Easier

There’s something about having food already made that shifts the entire tone of the day. When these are sitting on the counter or tucked into the fridge, mornings feel calmer, slower, and a whole lot more manageable. Instead of rushing to figure out breakfast, it’s already done. Just grab one and go, or enjoy it with a hot cup of coffee while the house is still quiet…literally my favorite time of the day.

I also love that you can prep these the night before, cover the pan, and bake them fresh in the morning. It’s such a simple way to make the day feel a little more put together without any extra effort.

These really work for everyone in our house. My husband will grab one as a quick snack, and I love having one in the afternoon with coffee or tea—it’s the perfect little pick-me-up. They’re also great for kids to bring to school. It’s an easy homemade option that I feel good about packing, and my kids are always happy to take them.

I’ve found that having a few make-ahead oatmeal bars ready to go makes everything feel more grounded. It takes the pressure off mornings and replaces it with something simple and steady.

These have become one of those recipes I come back to again and again. They sit right alongside other staples like my Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Energy Balls and my Blueberry Almond Overnight Oats. All three are easy, reliable options that help you stay one step ahead without overcomplicating things.

When breakfast is already handled, the whole day just starts better. It’s just the truth!

Golden raisins and cookie dough mixture in a glass bowl for homemade baked goods.

Why These Oatmeal Bars Work So Well

These oatmeal raisin bars with oats are made with simple pantry ingredients and come together in minutes. The texture is soft and hearty, the flavor is warm and lightly sweet, and they hold up beautifully for several days.

They’re also a great kid-friendly breakfast bar option. Easy to grab, easy to eat, and something everyone will actually enjoy. Whether you think of them as an oatmeal raisin granola bar recipe or a soft baked oatmeal bar, they fit right into everyday life.

Another thing I love is how easy it is to double the recipe. If you know you’ll go through them quickly (which we always do), just make a bigger batch and have them ready for the week.

Oatmeal raisin cookie bars with coconut and chocolate chips on parchment paper.

I hope these oatmeal raisin breakfast bars become one of those recipes you keep coming back to. They’re simple, reliable, and bring a little calm to your mornings in the best way.

If you try them, I’d love to hear what you think. And if you ever have questions, you can always reach out. Come hang out with me on Instagram for more behind-the-scenes and everyday recipes—I’d love to connect with you there.

Yield: 9 large bars

Easy Oatmeal Raisin Breakfast Bars

Oatmeal raisin cookie bars with coconut and chocolate chips on parchment paper.

Soft and chewy oatmeal raisin breakfast bars made with oats, bananas, coconut and honey. A simple, make-ahead breakfast or snack that’s easy, cozy, and family-friendly.

Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 cups old fashioned oats
  • 1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 2 large eggs
  • 2 ripe bananas, mashed
  • 1/2 cup honey
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1 cup raisins
  • 1/2 cup unsweetened shredded coconut

Instructions

    • Preheat your oven to 350°F. Lightly spray an 8x8 or 9x9-inch pan with nonstick spray, then line it with parchment paper, leaving a bit of overhang so you can easily lift the bars out later.
    • In a large bowl, mash 2 ripe bananas until smooth. Add 2 eggs, 1/2 cup honey, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, then stir until everything is well combined.
    • Add 1 1/2 cups oats, 1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour, 1 teaspoon baking soda, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1 teaspoon cinnamon. Stir until just combined.
    • Fold in 1 cup raisins and 1/2 cup shredded coconut.
    • Pour the mixture into your prepared pan and spread it evenly.
    • Bake for 20 minutes, or until the center is set. Let cool slightly, then lift out using the parchment and slice into bars. Enjoy warm or at room temperature.

    Notes

    Store these oatmeal raisin bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or in the fridge for up to 5 days. They also freeze well for up to 2 months, making them a great make-ahead breakfast option.


    You can easily switch things up depending on what you have. Try dried cranberries or chopped dates instead of raisins, add walnuts or pecans for texture, or mix in chocolate chips for a sweeter version. If needed, you can also make these gluten-free by using gluten-free oats and a 1:1 gluten-free flour.

    Nutrition Information:

    Yield:

    9

    Serving Size:

    1

    Amount Per Serving:Calories: 557Total Fat: 14gSaturated Fat: 9gUnsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 42mgSodium: 262mgCarbohydrates: 101gFiber: 13gSugar: 33gProtein: 15g

    Nutrition information is automatically calculated. Use as an approximation only.

    Did you make this recipe?

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    22 Comments

    1. I just made them and they were very good, not too mushy either. Baked them until they seemed the correct texture. I also used only 1/4 cup honey and replaced the other 1/4 with unsweetened applesauce. Still sweet enough! Thank you. May add nuts next time.

    2. Hi, thanks for the recipe! I’m going to try them out this week. I’m planning on putting a few dark chocolate chips and dried cranberries in it 🙂 I was wondering how long they will keep and if I can freeze them?

      1. Hi Danielle! Yes, that’s fine! They will keep about 3 days otherwise freezing works well, too!

    3. Do you happen to know how many calories in each bar?

      1. Jessica Erin says:

        I don’t, sorry!

    4. Is there another flour I can use that’s healthy, I’m wheat sensitive. Thank you

    5. can i substitute applesauce for the banana?

    6. They’re great…Thank you

    7. Roy Pratt says:

      I made these in a 8×8 pan and they took more like 45 minutes. They were very good

    8. I made this recipe as oatmeal raisin cookies. I am gluten sensitive and don’t care for sugary cookies. I love the honey and bananas in this recipe they are so yummy. Thanks for such a great recipe!

    9. stephenhobbs says:

      My high school aged sons won’t eat breakfast before going to school. But they’ll eat these. Thanks for the recipe.
      Stephen

    10. Could I sub brown sugar instead of honey? I just realized I’m out 🙁

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