Crock Pot Baked Oatmeal Bars are the best idea for a busy family! Personalize with different toppings and in the morning wrap them, grab them, and go!
Making a breakfast that everyone enjoys in a large family is always a challenge. Take baked oatmeal for example. If you bake a 9 by 13 dish all with blueberries or with cherries or with coconut there will be at leas one or two who won't eat it. That's the problem making baked oatmeal right? This was my dilemma as I loved baked oatmeal and way back in February or 2012 I devised the recipe that put my blog on the map, went crazy viral, continues to be the landing page where most of my visitors come from and continues to be my top pinned and shared recipe to this day, Personal Sized Baked Oatmeal with Individual Toppings. That was the first time a recipe had ever gone viral and I pray it won't be the last!
Since it's still the summer season here I've been all about making crock pot recipes. Recently I shared my Chocolate Quinoa Brownies for the crock, fabulous right?! Sadly though I've been thinking I need to get in the swing of things with breakfasts again before school begins in a few weeks. Boom, the idea for oatmeal bars in the crock pot came to be! BUT again the infamous issue of what will everyone like in the bars! Then I remembered my beloved viral recipe of them with individual toppings! I wasn't quite sure if it would work as well being in one oval shape in the crock pot, but it sure did! All that's needed is to sprinkle the toppings over sections of the batter. The first time I made it I sectioned off one half with chocolate chips for the kids, down the middle I place some dried cherries and then some shredded coconut. Now of course once you slice these into bars, some of the toppings may in fact be in combination with other toppings. Hopefully your children won't care much. I heard one child of mine, no names mentioned to conceal the Teen's identity, "Why is there a dried cherry mixed in with my coconut topping? But it's ok, mom, I still like it!"
It's best to use parchment for easier lifting. The second time I made it, we just used chocolate chips mixed in the whole thing and that of course, makes everyone happy!
As far as portions go, I say 8 is best. That way you only need one piece and it's filling and you won't need a second piece because you'll be too full. My nutrition info is for 8, but if they are too big and you don't have an 8 year old, a preteen girl, a teenage boy and a hungry hubby living in your home, half the size of these might be just enough for you.
I do want to share some differences and variations in texture that's I've suggested in my notes. The first time I made them, I loved the dense type texture it produced, more sturdy to hold, more like a granola bar to me. Unfortunately the family thought they were good but liked the second version which is the recipe I'm sharing below. Reasons for the love for the second version was because they liked the moister, softer texture then the denser one. Lucky for you, I've suggested two ways on making these depending on your preferences. 🙂 Now go and enjoy the rest of this short summer season, but keep this recipe on hand for those soon to be school rushed mornings!
Brenda's Notes:
- Nutritional Information is without optional toppings.
- If you want a denser texture, less moist, reduce to 1 egg and remove ½ cup of milk.
- If the pieces are too big for your crew, cut the the bars into 16 instead of 8 which will reduce your nutritional information per serving by half.
Crock Pot Personalized Baked Oatmeal Bars
Ingredients
- 2 eggs
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon vanilla liquid stevia
- 1 large banana or 1 cup mashed
- 1 ½ cups milk I used 1%
- 2 cups rolled oats
- ½ cup ground flaxseed
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- Optional toppings: chocolate chips raisins, fresh blueberries, dried cherries, trail mix, shredded unsweetened coconut, frozen raspberries
Instructions
- In a stand mixer blend the first 5 ingredients until combined.
- In a separate bowl whisk together remaining ingredients except optional toppings.
- Pour the dry ingredients into the wet and blend until incorporated.
- Lay parchment paper to extend up sides of a 6 quart crock pot/slow cooker.
- Spread the batter onto the parchment and level it off on top,
- If desired sprinkle different toppings on sections of the top of the batter and press toppings into batter if using fresh or frozen fruit.
- Cook on low 8 hours.
- Hold ends of parchment paper and lift out onto a cutting board.
- Cut into 16 bars.
- Wrap individually or store in an airtight container.
Notes
Nutrition
About Brenda
Brenda Bennett is a certified Nutritional Therapy Practitioner, certified Sugar Detox Coach, certified Keto Coach and certified Life Coach. She has been Sugar Free & Refined carb free for 17 years and has written 2 cookbooks, Sugar-Free Mom, and Naturally Keto and her 3rd book The 30-Day Sugar Elimination Diet, is a four part program to help you detox from sugar, eliminate cravings, balance blood sugar and lose weight all while eating a delicious, nutrient dense whole foods. Meal plan offers two tracks to follow, low carb or keto. She is the founder of the Sugar Free Fresh Start course and Sugar Free Tribe weight loss membership. Learn more.
Kristi
Can honey be substituted for the stevia in this recipe?
Brenda
Yes for these bars I would say maybe 1/2 cup-1 cup, not sure how sweet you want them. Maybe try the mixture before adding eggs to see if it's sweet enough.
Marissa
Hi!
I do not have liquid stevia, I just have powdered truvia or regular sugar. hat do you suggest I use and how much?
Thank you!
Brenda
here's my conversion chart that might help you decide since I don't use Truvia I don't know how sweet it varies to stevia.https://www.sugarfreemom.com/recipes/stevia-differences-in-liquid-packets-powdered-pure-a-stevia-conversion-chart/
Britta A
I made these last night and not sure what I did wrong....they stuck to both the parchment and the pot. Hard to get out of the crock pot then impossible to get the bar and the paper separated. Used spray on both pot and paper. The taste was not yummy enough to give another try. Still looking for a great crock pot recipe. Sorry!
Brenda
It's sounds to me like your crock pot overcooked them in order for them to stick so badly to the parchment. All crock pots do vary and some older ones don't get as hot as newer ones. I have older ones and that seems to be the case. So sorry that happened because these are really good, my family loves them!
Kristen
I made these last week and was not impressed with how they turned out. I'm wondering if I did something wrong. I didn't have stevia so I replaced it with 4 tablespoons of agave nectar (maybe I should have used more?) I followed everything else exactly as stated in the recipe. These bars are very bland and almost cardboard like and actually ended up burning in my crockpot. I used dark chocolate chips and craisins on top. I expected them to be sweeter but I'm not sure if they're supposed to be sweet or not. They taste alright if I put jam on top. Any suggestions on how I could improve next time? I want to like these because they are so easy and healthy!
Brenda
The agave was not enough. The 1 teaspoon of liquid stevia is like a cup of sugar so these are sweet and meant to be held like a granola bar. I would say add at least 1/2 cup of agave if that's what you use but even then it might not be sweet enough for you. If you're looking to eat this with a fork then add another egg and they will be more like baked oatmeal not bars to grab and go.
Kim
This website is sugar free mom, however vanilla extract contains sugar.
what can we substitute this with?
Brenda
Some vanilla extracts do those that are artificial but pure ones can be found like this one without any sugar:http://www.iherb.com/Simply-Organic-Madagascar-Pure-Vanilla-Extract-Farm-Grown-4-fl-oz-118-ml/31341#p=1&oos=1&disc=0&lc=en-US&w=vanilla%20extract&rc=997&sr=null&ic=1
Olga
AMAZING idea, but mine failed! I had to substitute the banana as my little people don't eat fruit (but all veggies), and decided on yogurt as it was all I had. Well....the texture was great, but it tasted salty, and the chocolate chips overcrisped and turned bitter. However, I am not deterred! Will try this again, as it is a lovely idea. Any suggestions on substitutes for the banana? Something else moist and binding? Thanks so much!
Brenda
Maybe a peanut butter. unsweeteend applesauce, pear pureeed, or pumpkin ?
ann anderson
Brenda, I only have a 3 quart crock pot. Do you think it would work if I halved the ingredients ? Or would it be wiser to make it as shown and make half at a time ?
Vicky
Can you make this without the stevia and skim milk vs 1%?
Brenda
I've not tried it but I'm sure you could. Replacing the milk is fine, I would suggest replacing the stevia with maybe 1/2 cup honey or sweetener of choice.
Vicky
You mean replace one tsp of stevia with half cup of money vs one to one replacement? Also what slow cooker do you use? Mine tends to burn even on a low setting. Thanks for your help!
Paula - bell'alimento
I would have never thought to make bars in my crock pot! So creative.
Brenda
Thank you Paula!
Rebecca {foodie with family}
I love baking in a crockpot when it's hot out. These look yummy!
Kellie @ The Suburban Soapbox
Great idea for the crock pot! Pinning!
Brenda
thank you!
Melissa from HungryFoodLove.com
Wow you are so clever using the crockpot. I need to use it more often and this inspired me to do so soon!
Brenda
Thanks so much, just trying to please my crew lol!
Meseidy
Never would have thought to make granola bars in a crockpot!
Angela {Mind Over batter}
Ugh! Cooking for 4 people is a challenge! Everyone is so picky. I keep saying if this were 1989, you would eat what's on your plate and love it! Rant over. These oatmeal bars are genius! Simply genius. I hope you go super duper viral and end up on like, Ellen or something.
Brenda
hahahah oh you are too cute, THANK YOU!! I hope so too!
Lora @cakeduchess
I see crock pot dessert ideas and wonder why I never try it in the summer...great idea to make something and sweat in the hot kitchen;)
Lauren @ Healthy Delicious
I LOVE that you made these in the crockpot!
Ginny McMeans
There we go! That looks wonderful and easy! I will have my slow cooker on the patio tomorrow.
Lana@NeverEnoughThyme
Love that you made these in the slow cooker! Great way to keep the house cooler during hot weather, isn't it?
Amanda @The Kitcheneer
Love this idea! Great on the go breakfast that is made in the slow cooker, I will have to try this!
Stephanie @ Back For Seconds
Who knew you could do this in a crock pot!! I need to try these for sure!
Ashley @ Wishes and Dishes
I use my crock pot a lot in the summer, too. Almost every day!! Love this new idea.
Amy @Very Culinary
It's so stinkin' hot where I am, so any excuse to use my crock pot and not turn on the oven. Slow cooker oatmeal, here I come!
claire @ the realistic nutritionist
Yes! I wish I had these for breakfast.
Nutmeg Nanny
These not only look delicious but I'm loving that they are made in the slow cooker.
Christie - Food Done Light
My husband loves baked oatmeal. I have to try this in the crock pot. It will save me so much time!
Kim (Feed Me, Seymour)
I'm really glad you shared this. This year, I'm really, really focused on good school lunches and quick and easy yet healthy breakfasts. This one is perfect! And crock-pot?! Heck yes.