Should you soak oats before making granola bars?

Fill the bowl up with water to completely cover the mixture – enough that you can stir to combine. This soaking process will help the oats and seeds digest better . After the oat/seed mixture has soaked 8-12 hours, add the rest of the ingredients and combine.

A flapjack (also known as a cereal bar, oat bar or oat slice) is a baked bar, cooked in a flat oven tin and cut into squares or rectangles, made from rolled oats, fat (typically butter), brown sugar and usually golden syrup .

What is the best binder for granola bars?

Chia seeds are often praised for their binding powers. In fact, they secure ingredients so well that they can even be used as an egg replacer. Adding just a spoonful of chia seeds to your favorite granola bar recipe will make a huge difference in its texture.

What happens if you don't soak oats?

Improved Digestibility :Soaking oats helps break down phytic acid, an antinutrient found in oats. Phytic acid can bind to minerals, making them less absorbable. Soaking helps neutralize phytic acid, enhancing mineral absorption and improving overall digestibility.

How healthy are oat bars?

Are Oat Bars Healthy? Yes, oat bars can be packed with essential nutrients that fuel your mind and body and keep you satiated all day long . That is, as long as you're choosing healthy oat bars with a bit of protein, fiber and healthy fats and you're keeping sugars to a minimum.

Are overnight oat bars healthy?

Healthy, Convenient & Delicious They'll fill you up and make you feel great, like you can take on the day in your best way. These overnight oats bars give you a great breakfast option to take on the go on those busy mornings when sitting down to a bowl of oatmeal just isn't possible.

Can I substitute steel cut oats for rolled oats in granola bars?

Yes, you can substitute steel cut oats for rolled oats in recipes . Steel cut oats are slightly chewier and have a nuttier flavor than rolled oats, so the texture and flavor of the finished dish may be slightly different.

Should you soak oats before using?

Soaking not only softens the oats, but it also makes them more tender, quicker to cook, and easier to digest . In a side-by-side comparison, we found that unsoaked oats lacked that fluffy, creamy texture soaked oats provide. So, from here on out, we'll be soaking. Once they're soaked, it's time to cook.

How do I get my homemade granola bars to stick together?

Honey – Along with the nut butter , it helps all these ingredients stick together! I love its warm amber flavor in this recipe. Vanilla extract – It amps up the bars' warm flavor.

Do you really need to soak oats?

By soaking your oats you neutralize the phytic acid . This soaking allows the beneficial enzymes to work and increases the number of vitamins and minerals present that your body will absorb. On the plus side, the process of rolling oats removes at least part of the bran, where a large portion of the phytic acid resides.

Why won t my granola bars stick together?

The trick to getting homemade granola bars to stick together is to use lots of sticky dates, nut butter AND coconut oil . If you don't the coconut oil in this recipe, these granola bars would be dry and crumbly. The oil makes them moist and hold together.

Apricot Oat Bars Recipe - The Bossy Kitchen (2024)

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I love this apricot oat bars recipe. The bars are delicious and very easy to make. Make them for a lazy Sunday and have them with a cup of coffee in the afternoon.

Make them for a potluck, so you can be the star of the party, or bake them just for yourself when you want something sweet and delicious.

Apricot Oat Bars Recipe - The Bossy Kitchen (1)

These bars are part of my collections of desserts that you can enjoy all year round, like these Classic Pecan Bars, Walnut Rose Hip Jam Bars, Easy Apple Pie Bars, or Olive Oil Lemon Cookies with Herbs.

Apricot Oat Bars are one of these desserts you can put together in less than an hour if you move fast. Incredibly easy to make, this recipe is perfect if you want to bake with kids.

While this recipe tastes like my German grandmother's recipes while I was growing up, this is definitely an Americanized version.

These bars are made with brown sugar and oats, ingredients that in Eastern Europe were not popular.

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Ingredients
How to make the bars
Can I use a different type of jam for this recipe?
Expert tip
How to store these Apricot Oat Bars
How to serve them:
Recipe Faqs
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Ingredients

The easy answer is probably stuff you already have in the pantry.

Apricot jam. If you grew up with apricots in the summer, I am convinced that you also love apricot jam. This recipe uses a jar of this precious fruit that can be consumed in the early months of summer.
Quick-Cooking Rolled Oats
Butter- unsalted
Dark brown sugar
All-purpose flour
Baking powder
Salt

How to make the bars

Step 1. Preheat the oven and gather the ingredients.

First of all, preheat the oven to 350F. Gather the ingredients and make sure you have everything you need.

Step 2. Sift flour, and add dry ingredients.

Grab a bowl and sift the flour together with the baking powder and salt. Add oats and sugar and stir well.

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Step 3. Make the crumble.

Cut the butter into small chunks and add them to the mixture. Work the butter into the flour until you obtain a dough that looks like bread crumbs. The butter doesn't have to be super cold.

Step 4. Assemble the bars.

In an 11x7-inch pan, pat ⅔ of the crumbs on the bottom to create the base of the bars.

Apricot Oat Bars Recipe - The Bossy Kitchen (3)

More recipes with apricots

Apricot and Sour Cream Scones

Apricots Pecans Quinoa Salad

Pumpkin Seed And Apricot Pumpkin Sweet Bread

Apricot Oat Bars Recipe - The Bossy Kitchen (4)

Can I use a different type of jam for this recipe?

Yes, you can substitute the apricot jam with any other type of jam or preserve you prefer. Raspberry, strawberry, quince jam, strawberry, plum, or even a mixed berry jam would work well. The flavor of the jam will change the overall taste of the oat bars, so choose a flavor you enjoy.

Expert tip

For an extra layer of flavor, consider adding a half teaspoon of cinnamon or nutmeg to the dry ingredients. If you're a fan of nuts, you can also add a handful of chopped almonds or walnuts to the mixture for added crunch.

Apricot Oat Bars Recipe - The Bossy Kitchen (5)

Using a spatula, spread it well, ensuring that all surface is covered.

Apricot Oat Bars Recipe - The Bossy Kitchen (6)

On top of the jam, sprinkle the remaining crumbs of dough you saved earlier.

Step 5. Bake.

Bake at 350F for about 35-40 minutes until it gets golden brown on top.

Let the pan cool, then cut the bars and serve. They have a crumbly texture, but they are delicious.

Apricot Oat Bars Recipe - The Bossy Kitchen (7)

How to store these Apricot Oat Bars

Room temperature: Store the Apricot Oat Bars in an airtight container at room temperature. They will stay fresh for up to one week.

Freezer: If you'd like to keep them longer, you can freeze them. Wrap each bar individually in plastic wrap and then place them in a freezer-safe bag or container.

They can be frozen for up to three months. To serve, thaw at room temperature or warm in the oven if desired.

How to serve them:

Apricot Oat Bars are perfect for breakfast, a midday snack, or a sweet treat after dinner.

My grandmother would serve them with coffee or tea in the afternoon for a delightful visit and chat with her friends.

These bars could also be served during the holidays, along with other cookies and desserts you might enjoy. They are perfect for any event.

This basic recipe allows you to become creative and add things that you really like.

Apricot Oat Bars Recipe - The Bossy Kitchen (8)

Recipe Faqs

Can I make these bars gluten-free?

Yes, to make this recipe gluten-free, you can substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend.

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Enjoy!

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