Healthy Carrot Cake Oatmeal Breakfast Bars

These EASY Healthy Carrot Cake Oatmeal Breakfast Bars make a quick on-the-go breakfast, snack or wholesome dessert! Made with zero refined sugar and drizzled with a delicious maple cream cheese frosting.

Calling all carrot cake lovers! You are going to love this cozy and delicious healthy carrot cake bar recipe. I originally shared this recipe back in 2017, but over the years I’ve had a few complaints that the bars were too crumbly and fell apart. SO I have tested and re-tested this recipe a few times, made some tweaks and I’m LOVING how they turned out! Cake-like with great texture while still holding their shape. Made with wholesome ingredients and the maple cream cheese drizzle on top is literal icing on the cake!

Why You’ll Love this Recipe

• These healthy carrot cake bars are super easy to make all in one bowl!
• Made healthier with whole grain oats, almond milk and zero butter or added sugars. Drizzled with a luscious cream cheese frosting!
• Enjoy these bars as a grab-and-go breakfast, as a midday snack or even healthy dessert bars.
• Perfect for Easter brunch and packed with a whole cup of grated carrots!

Ingredients You’ll Need

• rolled oats – I used Bob’s Red Mill old fashioned rolled oats, just make sure they’re certified gluten-free if making GF bars. I don’t recommend using quick oats in this recipe as you would need slightly less since they are packed more tightly when measured out.
• oat flour – this helps make the bars lighter and pairs perfectly with the old-fashioned rolled oats. See notes below on how to make your own oat flour. You could also use 1 to 1 gluten-free flour, whole wheat flour or all purpose flour. I do not recommend almond flour or coconut flour in these bars.
• baking powder – acts as a leavening agent to help the bars rise.
• carrots – you’ll need one heaping cup of shredded carrots, about 2 medium carrots. Shred carrots using a box grater or food processor. Pre-shredded carrots from the grocery store will work too.
• egg – adds protein and gives these bars their fluffy texture and height.
• coconut oil – for additional moisture and fluffiness!  Feel free to substitute with another type of oil if you prefer or even butter.
• milk – I used unsweetened almond milk in these carrot cake bars, but any type of milk will work.
• pure maple syrup – naturally sweetens these bars without using any refined sugar. You could also use honey, coconut sugar or other natural sweeteners.
• vanilla extract – extra boost of flavor.
• warm spices – a combination of cinnamon, nutmeg and salt

How to Make Carrot Cake Oatmeal Bars

1. Mix ingredients. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the oat flour, rolled oats, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt. In a separate medium bowl, whisk together egg, milk, maple syrup, coconut oil and vanilla and whisk until well-combined. Pour the wet ingredients in with the dry ingredients, add in the shredded carrots, and mix until just combined.
2. Bake the bars. Pour the carrot cake batter into a prepared 8×8-inch baking pan lined with parchment paper. Bake in the oven at 350 degrees F for 25 to 30 minutes. Until edges are golden brown or a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let the carrot oat bars sit for 5 minutes then remove from pan and let cool completely on a wire rack.
3. Make cream cheese frosting. While the bars are cooling in the baking dish, add cream cheese, maple syrup, milk and vanilla extract to the bowl of a stand mixer (or you can use an electric hand mixer) and whip on high until smooth. Feel free to add in more milk one teaspoon at a time until you have your desired creaminess. 
4. Prepare bars. Drizzle the healthy cream cheese frosting over the bars once they have cooled and cut into 16 pieces. Enjoy!

How to Make Your Own Oat Flour

To make your own oat flour, you simply take old fashioned rolled oats (or instant oats) and blend them in your food processor or blender for about 60 seconds until they resemble a fine, powdery flour – and that’s it!  You can of course just buy your own oat flour at the store, but this method saves you money and the flour will last up to three months in your pantry.  The ratio for oat flour is one cup of oats = one cup of oat flour so it’s pretty easy to measure out.

Prepping and Storage

To Store: You can keep these carrot cake oatmeal bars stored in a sealed, airtight container or wrapped in plastic wrap for up to 5 days in the fridge. I like to store them in a single layer to prevent messing up the cream cheese frosting.

To Freeze: These healthy bars freeze really well too!  I recommend freezing the bars individually and just pulling them out to thaw as needed.  When ready to eat, just pop them in the microwave for 30 to 40 seconds or simply thaw out at room temperature.  These will keep in the freezer for up to 3 months for the perfect snack!

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Hope you all enjoy these Carrot Cake Oatmeal Breakfast Bars! If you love these as much as we do, please leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ star rating below and don’t forget to tag me on Instagram using the hashtag #eatyourselfskinny! Follow for more healthy recipes!