These SIMPLE Healthy Carrot Cake Oatmeal Breakfast Bars provide a rapid breakfast option for those on the move, a snack, or a nutritious dessert! Crafted with no refined sugar and topped with a delightful maple cream cheese frosting.
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Carrot cake enthusiasts, rejoice! You’re going to adore this warm and scrumptious healthy carrot cake bar recipe. I first introduced this recipe back in 2017, but over time, I received feedback that the bars were overly crumbly and fell apart easily. THUS, I have rigorously tested this recipe multiple times, made some adjustments, and I couldn’t be happier with the results! I discovered that using quick oats in place of rolled oats helped to bind the bars better, resulting in a cake-like texture while maintaining their form. Crafted with nutritious ingredients, and the maple cream cheese drizzle on top is truly the cherry on top!
Reasons to Love this Recipe
- These nutritious carrot cake bars are incredibly simple to prepare all in one bowl!
- Made healthier with whole grain oats, a generous cup of carrots, and no butter or added sugars. Finished with a rich cream cheese frosting!
- Perfect for a grab-and-go breakfast, an afternoon snack, or even as healthy dessert bars.
- Ideal for Easter brunch and loaded with a full cup of grated carrots!
Ingredients Required
- quick oats – I opted for Bob’s Red Mill quick-cooking oats, ensuring they are certified gluten-free if you’re making GF bars. Using old-fashioned rolled oats is not advisable in this recipe, as the measurements would be inaccurate since quick oats are denser when measured.
- oat flour – this ingredient helps to make the bars airy and works harmoniously with the oats. See below for notes on how to create your own oat flour. Alternatively, you can use 1 to 1 gluten-free flour, whole wheat flour, or all-purpose flour. Almond flour or coconut flour is not recommended for these bars.
- baking powder – serves as a leavening agent to assist the bars in rising.
- carrots – you’ll need a generous cup of grated carrots, approximately 2 medium carrots. Shred the carrots with a box grater or food processor. Pre-shredded carrots from the store will also suffice.
- eggs – contribute protein and give these bars their airy texture and height.
- coconut oil – for added moisture and fluffiness! Feel free to substitute with another oil of your choice or with butter.
- sweeteners – I utilized a mix of maple syrup and cane sugar to naturally sweeten these bars while avoiding refined sugar. You could also use honey, coconut sugar, or other natural sweeteners.
- vanilla extract – provides an extra flavor boost.
- warm spices – a blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt
Feel free to include fun additions such as raisins, chia seeds, chopped walnuts, pecans, or any nuts of your choice. You could even sprinkle them over the maple cream cheese drizzle for a delightful treat!
Steps to Create Carrot Cake Oatmeal Bars
- Combine ingredients. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the oat flour, quick oats, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. In a separate medium bowl, combine eggs, maple syrup, cane sugar, coconut oil, and vanilla, whisking until well mixed. Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients, add the grated carrots, and combine until just incorporated.
- Bake the bars. Transfer the carrot cake batter into a prepared 8×8-inch baking dish lined with parchment paper. Bake at 350 degrees F for 25 to 30 minutes until the edges are golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Allow the carrot oat bars to rest for 5 minutes, then remove from the pan and cool completely on a wire rack.
- Prepare cream cheese frosting. While the bars cool in the baking dish, combine cream cheese, maple syrup, milk, and vanilla extract in a stand mixer bowl (or use an electric hand mixer) and whip on high until smooth. You can add more milk one teaspoon at a time to reach your desired creaminess.
- Assemble bars. Drizzle the nutritious cream cheese frosting over the cooled bars and cut into 16 pieces. Enjoy!
How to Create Your Own Oat Flour
To create your own oat flour, simply blend old-fashioned rolled oats (or instant oats) in your food processor or blender for around 60 seconds until they have the consistency of fine, powdery flour – and that’s all there is to it! You can certainly purchase oat flour from the store, but this method saves you money, and the flour can last up to three months in your pantry. The ratio for oat flour is one cup of oats equals one cup of oat flour, making it easy to measure.
Preparation and Storage
To Store: These carrot cake oatmeal bars can be stored in a sealed, airtight container or wrapped in plastic wrap for up to 5 days in the refrigerator. I prefer to keep them in a single layer to avoid disturbing the cream cheese frosting.
To Freeze: These nutritious bars freeze exceptionally well! I advise freezing the bars individually and taking them out to thaw as desired. When ready to consume, simply microwave them for 30 to 40 seconds or allow them to thaw at room temperature. They will remain fresh in the freezer for up to 3 months, making for an ideal snack!
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Dry Ingredients:
Wet Ingredients:
For the Frosting:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
In a medium bowl, whisk together quick oats, oat flour, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Set aside.
In a different bowl, whisk together the eggs, melted coconut oil, maple syrup, cane sugar, and vanilla. Stir until everything is well-combined.
Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, add the grated carrots, and combine until just blended.
- Transfer the oat mixture into a prepared 8×8-inch baking dish and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Allow the carrot cake bars to sit for 5 minutes then take them out of the pan and cool completely on a wire rack before slicing. If cut while still warm, they may crumble easily.
While the bars cool, add cream cheese to a small bowl and microwave for about 30 seconds. Then, mix in maple syrup, a tablespoon of milk, and 1/4 teaspoon of vanilla, whisking until smooth. Feel free to add more milk one teaspoon at a time until you achieve your desired consistency.
Cut the bars into 16 pieces and drizzle the cream cheese frosting over them, enjoy!
Serving: 1bar | Calories: 106kcal | Carbohydrates: 11.7g | Protein: 2.8g | Fat: 5.5g | Saturated Fat: 3.7g | Cholesterol: 26.1mg | Sodium: 57.1mg | Fiber: 1.3g | Sugar: 5g
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
**Nutritious Breakfast Bars with Carrot Cake and Oatmeal**
Breakfast is often considered the most crucial meal of the day, and it’s easy to see why. It jumpstarts your metabolism, supplies energy for the activities ahead, and can influence your dietary choices for the rest of the day. For those with hectic mornings, breakfast bars can serve as a convenient and wholesome alternative. Among the plethora of flavors and combinations available, carrot cake and oatmeal breakfast bars are a standout choice that is both enjoyable and healthy.
**The Nutritional Benefits of Carrots and Oatmeal**
Carrots are laden with beta-carotene, fiber, vitamin K1, potassium, and antioxidants. They are recognized for their advantages in enhancing vision, bolstering the immune system, and decreasing the risk of chronic illnesses. Including carrots in breakfast bars not only imparts a natural sweetness but also elevates their nutritional value.
Oatmeal, conversely, is a whole grain powerhouse. It is rich in essential nutrients like manganese, phosphorus, magnesium, copper, iron, zinc, folate, and vitamins B1 and B5. Oats are especially abundant in soluble fiber, specifically beta-glucan, which has been shown to reduce cholesterol levels, improve blood sugar control, and support healthy gut bacteria.
**Crafting the Ideal Carrot Cake and Oatmeal Breakfast Bar**
To create a delightful and nutritious carrot cake and oatmeal breakfast bar, consider the following components and procedures:
**Ingredients:**
– 1 cup rolled oats
– 1/2 cup whole wheat flour
– 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
– 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
– 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
– 1/4 teaspoon salt
– 1 cup grated carrots
– 1/4 cup honey or maple syrup
– 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
– 1/4 cup almond milk or any milk of choice
– 1/4 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
– 1/4 cup raisins or dried cranberries (optional)
– 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
**Instructions:**
1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare an 8×8 inch baking dish with parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl, mix the rolled oats, whole wheat flour, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
3. In another bowl, combine the grated carrots, honey or maple syrup, applesauce, almond milk, and vanilla extract.
4. Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients and stir until fully mixed. If desired, fold in the chopped nuts and dried fruit.
5. Spread the mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish.
6. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until the edges are golden and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
7. Let the bars cool completely in the pan before slicing into squares.
**Advantages of Carrot Cake and Oatmeal Breakfast Bars**
These breakfast bars are not only tasty but also adaptable. They can be made in advance and stored in a sealed container for up to a week, making them great for meal prep. They offer a balanced mix of carbohydrates, fiber, and healthy fats, providing sustained energy throughout the morning. In addition, the natural sweetness from carrots and honey or maple syrup allows you to savor a treat without the concerns of added sugars.
In summary, carrot cake and oatmeal breakfast bars are a nourishing and convenient choice for anyone looking for a quick yet healthy breakfast. By incorporating the health advantages of carrots and oats, these bars deliver a delicious way to kick off your day right. Whether you’re in a rush or taking your time in the morning, these bars will satisfy your cravings and meet your nutritional needs.