These cranberry bars have a sweet and tangy center surrounded by blended oats, sweetener and coconut oil. An oatmeal bar that is vegan and gluten-free in addition to the fact that you are going to love how simple they are to make!
Simple soft gluten-free cranberry bars with a filling that uses frozen or fresh cranberries. A delectable oatmeal treat for a healthy snack or quick breakfast on-the-go.
Welcome summer and all the heat! Wowzah! It has been about 100 degrees in California without any air conditioning to cool down. Lucky for most of us we have a beach close by and family with a pool. But I tell ya, I really do not want to have to step into the kitchen and turn on the oven… Unless it is for mini 30-minute spurts at a time.
And I will do it for these fruit filled bars any time of the year! Or better yet, just keep these always stocked in the freezer for a quick thaw and enjoy!
Homemade oatmeal bars and granola bars are staple item around our home. They probably just need their own food group because they are healthy (made with better sugar and no preservatives), and most importantly, flavorsome enough to eat for breakfast, snacks, and even desserts – basically any time of the day.
I might even put these cranberry bars into the group of an energy bar. They do just that and fuel your body with scrumptious nutrition and natural sweeteners.
While I am making cranberry bars in the summer I picture doing it more in the fall winter time when cranberries are in season. These bars are pure bliss and perfect for any time of the year using fresh berries in the fall and winter months then frozen cranberries during the warmer months.
Anytime is a good time – just make them! It gets even “sweeter”…
If cranberries are not your jam go ahead spread a favorite fruit preserve in the center.
Fillings for Fruit Filled Oatmeal Bars
- Homemade cranberry spread
- Strawberry preserve
- Blueberry jam
- Apple butter
- Orange marmalade
- Apricot preserve
- Cherry filling
- Peach filling
My husband is normally not a huge cranberry fan. Perfect for me because I like a challenge to try to make foods he normally won't gravitate too irresistible. My non-cranberry eating husband LOVED these bars and said the cranberry flavor and combo with a sweetened oatmeal crust tastes great!
When To Serve Cranberry Bars
I mentioned earlier that these cranberry bars are fantastic and healthy enough for breakfast nonetheless good enough as a snack or dessert. Picture them at your next brunch buffet table, backyard barbecue and after tea party.
How To Make Cranberry Filling
The cranberry filling can be made with frozen or fresh cranberries. Add the cranberries, juice of an orange, zest of an orange, apple dices, sugar and cinnamon to a large pot. Cover to heat on medium-high heat. Once it is heated let it simmer for about 20 minutes. Let the filling cool slightly then add it to a food processor or blender to make it smooth. This recipe makes about 1 12/ cups of cranberry puree.
Tips For A Mouthwatering Gluten-Free Cranberry Bar
It’s been known that gluten-free foods sometimes have a rap for being a bit dry and fall apart. A little crumble is still delicious because the filling absorbs the crust. Here is a little secret… I like to pulse the oats, sugar and oil ingredients in the food processor to make the texture a bit of a crust. This recipe can be made my mixing or pulsing first, but the pulsed version gives it a slight pie/granola bar combo. Also known as a party in the mouth!
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If You Like This Recipe, Try These Other Gluten-Free Bars
- Strawberry Oatmeal Breakfast Bars
- Healthy Peanut Butter and Jelly Oatmeal Bake
- Strawberry Granola Crumble
- Coconut Granola Bites
- Chewy Homemade Granola Bars (nut-free!)
- Healthy No Bake Breakfast Bars
Chocolate Chunk Cranberry Bars
Ingredients
- 1 ¼ cup gluten-free flour
- 1 cup quick cook oats gluten-free
- ⅔ cup agave or maple syrup
- ½ cup coconut oil melted
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda
- 4 Tablespoons chocolate chunks vegan
Cranberry Filling
- 4 cups frozen or fresh cranberries
- 1 orange juice of
- 1 teaspoon orange zest
- 1 Tablespoon agave or maple syrup
- 1 apple cored and diced
- ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a square 9x9 baking pan with cooking spray.
Make the Filling
- Add the cranberries, juice of an orange, orange zest, agave, apple and cinnamon. Heat on medium-high heat on the stove, mixing occasionally, for 20 minutes until most of the water evaporates. Let cool slightly then add to a blender and blend until smooth (or slight chucks are fine).
Make the Crust
- In a food processor add the flour, oats, agave, baking soda and melted coconut oil. Blend until coarsely combined. Set aside ½ cup of the mixture.
- Add the rest of the mixture into a baking pan and press down evenly. Add desired amount of the cranberry filling on top over the crust. Add the remaining crust mixture and chocolate chunks on top. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until slightly golden brown. Let cool before slicing and serving.
Notes
Nutrition
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