Are oats good for you?

Regardless of the type of oat—steel-cut, rolled (aka old-fashioned and instant)—they all have very similar nutritional profiles. Oats offer complex carbohydrates for energy, filling fiber, iron and plant protein. The nutrients in oats are associated with lowering cholesterol and stabilizing blood sugar.

Raisins are dried grapes, so they are a type of dried fruit. As a fruit, they offer several nutrients and health benefits . For example, the fiber in raisins can help keep things moving through your gut, and the potassium in raisins helps with heartbeat regulation, muscle contractions and fluid balance in your body.

What’s the best way to store oatmeal-raisin bars?

Store the bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days or in the refrigerator for up to five days. If you want to freeze them, pack the squares in freezer-safe bags (marked with a use-by date). They should be good in the freezer for about three months.

What are some ways to use up leftover raisins?

Numerous recipes call for raisins, like our easy Carrot-Raisin Salad or Greens & Mango Salad with Ginger-Raisin Vinaigrette , but there are everyday ways to use them too. These include topping breakfast cereal and yogurt, making trail mix, and adding them to rice or a sheet pan with roasted veggies.

Oatmeal-Raisin Breakfast Bars

Oatmeal-Raisin Breakfast Bars Are Better Than the Cookies

4.6

(5)

3 Reviews

Enjoy dessert for breakfast with these delicious oatmeal-raisin bars! Made from common pantry essentials, these breakfast bars offer a subtle sweetness and can be enjoyed warm from the oven or stored for several days, providing a hassle-free grab-and-go breakfast option.

Melissa Gray

Published on April 19, 2024

Tested by

Amanda Holstein

Reviewed by Dietitian

Emily Lachtrupp, M.S., RD

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
3/4 cup whole-wheat flour
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 large eggs
1 cup unsweetened applesauce
1/2 cup whole-milk plain strained (Greek-style) yogurt
1/4 cup honey
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup raisins

Directions

Preheat oven to 350°F. Line bottom and sides of a 9-inch-square baking pan with parchment paper, leaving a 1-inch overhang on all sides. Lightly coat with cooking spray.
Whisk oats, all-purpose flour, whole-wheat flour, cinnamon, baking soda and salt together in a large bowl.

Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Phoebe Hauser
Whisk eggs, applesauce, yogurt, honey and vanilla together in a medium bowl until combined. Add the egg mixture to the flour mixture; stir until just combined. Fold in raisins until evenly distributed. Pour the batter into the prepared pan; smooth the top.

Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Phoebe Hauser
Bake until set and a wooden pick inserted in the center comes out clean, about 25 minutes. Let cool in the pan on a wire rack for 15 minutes.
Using the parchment overhangs as handles, remove the bars from the pan. Cut into 9 (2¾-inch-square) bars. Serve warm or at room temperature.

To make ahead

Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, refrigerate for up to 5 days or freeze for up to 3 months.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are oats good for you?

Regardless of the type of oat—steel-cut, rolled (aka old-fashioned and instant)—they all have very similar nutritional profiles. Oats offer complex carbohydrates for energy, filling fiber, iron and plant protein. The nutrients in oats are associated with lowering cholesterol and stabilizing blood sugar.
Are raisins healthy?

Raisins are dried grapes, so they are a type of dried fruit. As a fruit, they offer several nutrients and health benefits. For example, the fiber in raisins can help keep things moving through your gut, and the potassium in raisins helps with heartbeat regulation, muscle contractions and fluid balance in your body.
What’s the best way to store oatmeal-raisin bars?

Store the bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days or in the refrigerator for up to five days. If you want to freeze them, pack the squares in freezer-safe bags (marked with a use-by date). They should be good in the freezer for about three months.
What are some ways to use up leftover raisins?

Numerous recipes call for raisins, like our easy Carrot-Raisin Salad or Greens & Mango Salad with Ginger-Raisin Vinaigrette, but there are everyday ways to use them too. These include topping breakfast cereal and yogurt, making trail mix, and adding them to rice or a sheet pan with roasted veggies.

Additional reporting by Carrie Myers, M.S. and Linda Frahm

EatingWell.com, April 2024

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

245	Calories
3g	Fat
50g	Carbs
7g	Protein

Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 9
Serving Size 1 bar
Calories 245
% Daily Value *
Total Carbohydrate 50g	18%
Dietary Fiber 4g	14%
Total Sugars 21g
Protein 7g	15%
Total Fat 3g	4%
Saturated Fat 1g	4%
Cholesterol 43mg	14%
Vitamin A 18Âµg
Vitamin C 6mg	7%
Vitamin D 0Âµg
Vitamin E 0mg	2%
Folate 36Âµg
Vitamin K 1Âµg
Sodium 247mg	11%
Calcium 44mg	3%
Iron 2mg	11%
Magnesium 44mg	11%
Potassium 285mg	6%
Zinc 1mg	10%
Vitamin B12 0Âµg
Omega 3 0g

Nutrition information is calculated by a registered dietitian using an ingredient database but should be considered an estimate.

* Daily Values (DVs) are the recommended amounts of nutrients to consume each day. Percent Daily Value (%DV) found on nutrition labels tells you how much a serving of a particular food or recipe contributes to each of those total recommended amounts. Per the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the daily value is based on a standard 2,000 calorie diet. Depending on your calorie needs or if you have a health condition, you may need more or less of particular nutrients. (For example, it’s recommended that people following a heart-healthy diet eat less sodium on a daily basis compared to those following a standard diet.)

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a special diet for medical reasons, be sure to consult with your primary care provider or a registered dietitian to better understand your personal nutrition needs.