Lemon Cherry Oat Bars

Lemon Cherry Oat Bars

Guys, have I got a recipe for you! These wholesome, vegan lemon cherry oat bars will blow your mind…but not your diet! Just imagine. Tangy lemon zest and tart dried cherries married together in a chewy, sweet soft-baked treat.

These bars have every quintessential quality that any oat bar should have. Rather than babble on about all their qualities, I thought it best to just keep it short and sweet and list them for you.

Crumbly.
Dense.
Chewy.
Rich.
Sweet.
Filling.
Vegan.
And last but not least, healthy!

Lemon Cherry Oat Bars

I can’t get enough of these bars. And I can’t say that I can’t get enough of them enough. I made these bars for the first time a few weeks ago, and have been making them weekly every since. It all started with an as per usual recipe developing session on a Saturday morning, that evolved into a pigging out session. In fact, I made these lemon cherry oat bars twice in one sitting, since I had practically devoured half of the first batch before they even had time to cool.

Lemon Cherry Oat Bars

You know the story…a little corner off here, just to taste. Then your taste buds do something magical and send messages to your brain that you MUST try more. So, you break off another corner, but then are forced to eat the entire half of the bar because it broke apart completely. And of course, you can’t just leave that lone halve sitting in the baking dish. So, you eat that piece too. End of story.

Before I knew it, I had devoured half of the kid’s morning snack (without their knowledge, which makes my devious act forgivable, don’t you agree?). Case in point, you have to make these lemon cherry oat bars! They are delicious, and they are good for you. Delicious snacks that you can feel good about feeding the family don’t come by very often…so take advantage of this recipe! On a final note, don’t let the lengthy list of ingredients deter you from making these. They literally all get thrown into a bowl and mixed together. It can’t get any easier than that!

If you try this recipe (and love it!) be sure to snap a pic and tag me on Instagram with #bitesforfoodies so I can see your creation!

Lemon Cherry Oat Bars

2016-05-20
: 12 large bars
: 10 min
: 40 min

Guys, have I got a recipe for you! These wholesome, vegan lemon cherry oat bars will blow your mind…but not your diet! Just imagine. Tangy lemon zest and tart dried cherries married together in a chewy, sweet soft-baked treat. These bars have every quintessential quality that any oat bar should have. Rather than babble on about all […]

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Lemon Cherry Oat Bars
5
5
1
39
Ingredients
    1 tbs. chia seeds
  • 2 ripe medium bananas, mashed
  • 1/2 cup organic brown rice syrup or raw honey
  • 1 tbs. pure vanilla
  • 1/4 cup extra-virgin coconut oil, melted
  • 2 3/4 cups gluten-free instant oats
  • 1 cup unsweetened coconut flakes
  • 1/3 cup dried cherries
  • zest of 1 lemon
  • 1/3 cup golden raisins
  • 2 tsp. baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
  • 1/4 cup carob chips (optional)
  • 1 tbs. hemp hearts (optional)
Directions

Preheat the over to 375 degrees. Warm the coconut oil (and honey, if solidified) in the microwave for about 1 minute, or until melted. Combine all of the wet ingredients (including the bananas) into a large bowl and mix until combined. Let sit for 5 minutes until the chia seeds have softened slightly. Add the dry ingredients, mix, and let sit in the bowl for about 5 minutes to allow the oats to soak up the liquid.

Pour the batter into a small baking dish lined with parchment paper. Cook for 40-45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the middle comes out clean. Allow to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before cutting into desired portions.

39 thoughts on “Lemon Cherry Oat Bars”

  • I love that these are vegan! I have been looking for an oat bar recipe so I can have a quick breakfast on my way out and these look so perfect! I can’t wait to try them!

  • Oh these look delicious! I bet they would be good with blueberries too. I’ve really been on a blueberry/lemon kick lately.

  • lemon and cherry all in one yummy bar. I’ll take a dozen! This sounds great…thanks so much for sharing!

  • I love finding recipes where I can implement chia seeds. The cherry must help with their consistency. Pinning for later 🙂 .

  • My partner loves anything in lemon, and I think this is a treat he would love to get his hands on. Thank you! I’ll be trying these out.

  • Jason Nail 8 years ago

    That looks like something I can put in the beach bag for later. I know my people like a choice and these would reign.

  • MrsMuffinTop © 8 years ago

    This recipe looks really delicious. I’m always look for good vegan recipes, not just for guests but for a change of pace. I wonder if I could make some in advance and pop ’em in the freezer? Have you tried it?

  • Kristy 8 years ago

    These bars look absolutely delicious! I love the wholesome ingredients that they have, and the addition of chia seeds. And I can totally relate to just sneaking a taste and before I know it, it is almost gone!

  • Ashley 8 years ago

    Do you know if these freeze well? I would love to make them as part of my monthly meal plan and freeze them for different days. Do you think that would work for that?

    • I’ve frozen them and they do freeze well.The texture is slightly less crumbly when you defrost them as they were when freshly made but they are still delicious! Have you made them yet?

  • Theresa 8 years ago

    With prep time only taking 10 minutes, these delicious looking bars is a total winner. I I love that you use coconut flakes and dried cherries. Thanks for sharing this healthy treat!

  • Censie ‘Mumby’ Sawyer 8 years ago

    Yum! What a great flavor combo. I have a household full of lemon lovers for desserts. I will have to try this recipe and see if they like it too!

  • Holyjeans Chic 8 years ago

    Those look so good!!! I never would have thought to combine cherry and lemon, but those pieces of lemon just made my mouth water lol. Yummy!

  • Ashley M 8 years ago

    Oh my gosh those look so good. I’ve been on a cherry quick lately and ate an entire bag in three days – atleast it’s fruit?! lol

  • Ann Bacciaglia 8 years ago

    These look like a great snack idea. I will have to give this recipe a try.

  • I never realized how simple it was to make oats bars at home. You can make a batch and have it for the week. Your recipe sounds really delicious!

  • Lori Felix 8 years ago

    Your Lemon Cherry Oat Bars look delicious. I love easy to make recipes so I can’t wait to make these bars so I can eat them for breakfast this week.

  • Lynn Dee 8 years ago

    I can almost imagine how delicious these are. Nom! And the hubs would love it too for sure because he LOVES cinnamon!

  • Kathy 8 years ago

    Those look so good. That would be great for breakfast. I may just have to make them soon. Yum!

  • I love lemon, and I love cherry. Could there be anything more perfect than pairing the two together? YUM!

  • blm03 8 years ago

    These looks amazing. I can’t wait to try and make them! So easy!

  • What a delicious looking recipe. Bars are so handy when on the go and active. These look like a great alternative to some of the commercial bars.

    • I’m definitely guilty of making the commercial bars, and I do have to say that I always prefer homemade ones. They just taste so much fresher (and better!).

  • WhispersInspire 8 years ago

    Great recipe! My hubby would love these! So making these for him when he gets back from his business trip! Thanks!

  • Kelly Hutchinson 8 years ago

    Yum! That looks and sounds amazing. I love lemon and cherry together. So good!

  • These sound like amazing bars!! I love trying out new flavor combinations, these would be perfect for a quick breakfast!

  • Jeanette 8 years ago

    I know that my kids would love this! My son’s favorite fruit is the cherry! He is to out for the summer so this would be a fun thing to do with him!

  • Stacie @ Divine Lifestyle 8 years ago

    OMG. I can’t even with these. I am making up a ton of these this weekend. Yum!

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