Golden Baked Oat & Cottage Cheese Breakfast Bars

Soft and lightly crisp around the edges, these simple baked breakfast bars are made with wholesome oats and cottage cheese. They’re naturally satisfying, lightly sweet, and perfect for breakfast, a snack, or an easy grab-and-go treat.

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups rolled oats
• 1 cup cottage cheese
• 2 eggs
• 1 ripe banana
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• Pinch of salt
• 1–2 tablespoons honey or maple syrup, optional
• 2 tablespoons milk, if needed
• Optional: chopped nuts, raisins, or a few dark chocolate chips

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a rectangular silicone mold or small baking pan.
2. Add the oats, cottage cheese, eggs, banana, vanilla, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt to a blender or food processor.
3. Blend until you have a thick, mostly smooth batter. If the mixture seems too thick, add a little milk.
4. Taste the batter and add honey or maple syrup if you prefer a sweeter bar.
5. Spoon the mixture evenly into the silicone molds, filling each about three-quarters full.
6. Bake for about 20–25 minutes, or until the tops are golden and the centers feel set.
7. Let the bars cool for several minutes before removing them from the molds.
8. Serve warm or completely cooled. They’re especially good with Greek yogurt, fresh berries, or a little nut butter.

Related Questions & Answers

Can I make these without banana?
Yes. Replace the banana with about 1/3 cup unsweetened applesauce and add a little extra sweetener if needed.

Can I use oat flour instead of rolled oats?
Yes. Use approximately 1 1/2 cups oat flour and mix the batter by hand.

Can I make them higher in protein?
Yes. Use high-protein cottage cheese and add 2 tablespoons of Greek yogurt or a scoop of your preferred protein powder.

Why are my bars too soft?
Allow them to cool completely before cutting. If the center is still wet, return them to the oven for another 5 minutes.

Can I freeze them?
Yes. Cool completely, wrap individually, and freeze. Thaw in the refrigerator or warm briefly before serving.