Healthy Oatmeal Jam Bars (Refined Sugar-Free)

Why You’ll Love This Healthy Oat Jam Bars Recipe

These sugar-free jam bars are a kid-friendly breakfast or snack that’s far better than any packaged bar you’ll find in the store. Here’s why it will be an instant favorite in your home: 

• 🍓Versatile: Use different jam flavors, add fresh fruit, include nuts, or experiment with extra spices and toppings to make these bars your own. The options are endless! 
• 👨🏻‍🍳Easy to Make: No need for fancy equipment; these bars come together with simple ingredients and quick steps. 
• 🙌Great for Meal Prep: Leftovers store well so you can make a big batch at once to keep on hand. 
• 😍Satisfying Texture: Crisp and crumbly on the outside, with a soft, jammy center, every bite leaves you coming back for more. 
• 🎉 Healthier: Classic oat bars are made with lots of refined sugar, but not this recipe! 

Recipe Ingredients

• Oats: Use rolled oats, quick oats, or a mixture of both to form the crust. Do not substitute steel-cut oats! If needed, look for certified gluten-free oats to keep your oatmeal jam bars recipe gluten-free. 
• Flour: Use whole wheat flour, all-purpose flour, or even spelt flour to add bulk to the crust. Substitute a 1:1 gluten-free all-purpose flour for gluten-free bars. I love to use spelt flour because it adds a nice, nutty flavor! 
• Salt: Enhances the flavor of the rest of the ingredients. 
• Baking Powder: A leavener, this helps the bars rise as they bake. 
• Cinnamon: Adds extra depth and a warm flavor. Feel free to substitute nutmeg, cardamom, or ground ginger for a slightly different flavor. 
• Butter: Combines the crust ingredients and adds rich flavor. Use plant-based butter or coconut oil for a dairy-free or vegan recipe. 
• Honey: Maple syrup, agave syrup, or date syrup will also work. 
• Vanilla Extract: Use high-quality pure vanilla extract, not imitation vanilla. 
• Sugar-Free Jam: Use any flavor of homemade or store-bought jam you like best! I like strawberry and blueberry jam, but raspberry, cherry, etc. all taste great. Save leftover jam to make thumbprint cookies, too! 
• Extra Fruit: Optional but adds extra texture and flavor. 

This is just a short review of the ingredients; for the complete recipe, including quantities, scroll down to the recipe card 👇

🍓 My Favorite Jam

Of course, feel free to use any jam you like best. However, for these baked oatmeal and jam bars, I use my favorite sugar-free jam from Podo Pure! 

Unlike other varieties, Podo Pure jams are added-sugar-free, GMO-free, and made without artificial preservatives. The ingredients are simple and derived from 100% fruit, which preserves the flavor and nutrition of the fruit, for a nutritious jam full of sweet flavor. 

Tips and Tricks 

• Let the parchment paper hand over the pan. When lining the baking dish, let the parchment paper hang over both ends. Then, you can easily lift it up to remove the bars without them sticking to the pan. 
• Press the bars firmly. Use the back of a spoon or a flat measuring cup to pack the oat base into the pan, ensuring the bars hold together. 
• Don’t add too much jam. Spread the jam evenly over the base, but leave a small ring around the edges. This will prevent it from spilling over and burning in the oven! 
• Avoid overbaking. Oat bars can go from perfectly cooked to burnt in a matter of minutes. So, keep a close eye on your oven, and remove them as soon as they’re golden. 
• Add nuts. Add chopped nuts or coconut flakes to the crust, or sprinkle them over the bars just before baking for a little extra crunch. 
• Save the extra jam. Use it to add flavor to yogurt bowls, easy pancakes without milk, or oatmeal porridge bowls. I also like to eat it on its own! 

Make Ahead and Storage 

Store the cooled bars covered with foil or in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. Or, transfer them to the fridge for up to 1 week. Just be sure to bring them to room temperature before serving. 

Freeze leftover jam bars for up to 2 months. I recommend wrapping each bar with plastic wrap and transferring them to an airtight container to keep them fresh. Then, thaw in the fridge or at room temperature, and they’ll taste as good as new!