Quick and Easy Cranberry Oatmeal Bars

These cranberry orange oatmeal bars are the perfect solution for busy mornings or a quick pre-workout snack. Let’s be honest, life doesn’t slow down in the fall, in fact it probably picks up. The days get shorter, it is easy to become unmotivated and even easier to forget to fuel your body with nutritious meals and snacks. 

These quick and easy oatmeal bars are loaded with wholesome ingredients like oats, dried cranberries, and fresh orange zest. These bars come together in no time, making them an ideal grab-and-go breakfast or snack option. Whether you’re looking for a quick cranberry orange oatmeal bar to fuel your day or a healthy treat, this recipe delivers on both flavor and convenience.

Why You’ll Love These Bars

• Quick to Make: These bars are ready in under 30 minutes, perfect for meal prep or a last-minute snack.
• Great for On-the-Go: Whether you need a breakfast on the go or a pre-workout snack, these cranberry orange oatmeal bars are easy to pack and take with you.
• Naturally Sweet: The combination of dried cranberries and fresh orange gives a sweet-tart flavor without being overly sugary.
• Wholesome Ingredients: Made with oats, dried fruit, and minimal added sugars, these bars are a healthy choice.

this recipe

Fueling for Fall

Fall is in the air, life gets busy, mornings get darker and motivation can easily slip away. That’s why I love to do what I can to meal prep and make it easy to stay fueled to achieve my goals. Not only does meal prep help reduce cognitive load during the week, it can also save you money as you have to carefully plan. 

These Cranberry Orange Oatmeal Bars are a great pre-workout snack or breakfast on the go when I am heading into the office. The flavor combination of cranberry-orange is warm and vibrant, giving me cozy and motivated all in one bite. In this recipe I even added a few mini chocolate chips, I just couldn’t resist, I am a sucker for chocolate and fruit combinations. 

I am about to begin training for a 10K, I am not a runner but I know i’ll need to focus on fueling so these nutritious oatmeal bars along with some of my favorite protein packed recipes like overnight oats and protein donuts will sure to be on repeat over the next few months. 

Ingredients you’ll need

• 2 cups rolled oats
• Zest of 1 orange
• ¼ cup brown sugar 
• ¼ cup of unsweetened apple sauce 
• ¼ cup unsweetened almond milk
• 2 flax eggs
  • 2 tablespoons of flax seed + 6 tablespoons of water
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 ½ tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp cinnamon
• 1/4 cup dried cranberries
• Pinch of salt

Instructions

1. Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line an 8×8 inch pan with parchment paper or spray with oil.
2. Make Flax Egg: In a small bowl combine the flax seed and water, stir and let sit for 10 minutes until it gels. 
3. Mix Ingredients: In a medium bowl mix together all your ingredients, leaving the dried cranberries and mini chocolate chips (optional) for last. 
4. Bake: Press the mixture into the prepared pan and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown.
5. Cool and Cut: Let the bars cool before cutting into squares. Store them in an airtight container for up to a week.

Storage Tips

• Fridge: Store the bars in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week.
• Freezer: These bars freeze well too! Wrap individual portions and freeze for up to 3 months.

Ready to fuel your training with these quick and easy Cranberry Orange Oatmeal Bars? Try the recipe and let me know how it helps you stay on track this fall! Don’t forget to share your creations by tagging me on Instagram @timestamped.food

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