Vegan Gluten-Free Oatmeal Breakfast Bars
These wholesome breakfast bars combine gluten-free oats, mashed bananas, and peanut butter for a naturally sweet and satisfying morning treat. The chia egg replacement creates a tender, chewy texture while coconut sugar adds gentle sweetness. Perfect for meal prep or grab-and-go breakfasts, these bars can be customized with chocolate chips, nuts, or dried fruit. The simple 9-ingredient recipe requires no refined sugar and delivers sustained energy from whole food ingredients.
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons chia seeds
- 9 tablespoons water
- 2 cups gluten-free quick oats
- ½ cup gluten-free oat flour
- ¼ cup coconut sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- 2 medium ripe bananas
- ½ cup creamy peanut butter
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- ⅓ cup vegan chocolate chips(optional)
Instructions
- 1
Preheat oven and line baking dish with parchment paper
- 2
Prepare chia eggs and set aside to thicken
- 3
Combine dry ingredients in a bowl and mix well
- 4
Mash bananas until completely broken down, then mix in peanut butter and vanilla
- 5
Add thickened chia eggs and dry ingredients to banana mixture, stir until well combined
- 6
Add optional ingredients and mix until incorporated
- 7
Transfer mixture to prepared baking dish and spread evenly, flattening the top
- 8
Bake until firm and golden brown
- 9
Cool completely or overnight before cutting into bars
Tips
Let chia eggs sit for the full 10 minutes to ensure proper thickening and binding
Cool bars completely or overnight before cutting for clean slices that hold together
Adjust coconut sugar amount based on ripeness of bananas and desired sweetness level
Good to Know
Refrigerate in airtight container for up to 1 week
Can be made 3 days ahead, store covered in refrigerator
Serve at room temperature or chilled from refrigerator
Common Mistakes
Don't cut bars while warm to avoid crumbling
Don't skip chia egg thickening time or bars won't hold together
Substitutions
Vegan Options
mix 2 tbsp ground flaxseed with 6 tbsp water
Gluten-Free Swaps
only if gluten tolerance exists
Nut-Free Alternatives
General Alternatives
FAQ
Can I use regular eggs instead of chia eggs?
Yes, substitute with 2 regular eggs beaten. This will make the bars non-vegan but will work well for binding.
How long do these bars keep?
Store in refrigerator for up to 1 week in airtight container, or freeze for up to 3 months wrapped individually.
Can I make these without oat flour?
Yes, substitute with additional 1/2 cup quick oats or grind your own oat flour from quick oats in a food processor.