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    Home » Recipes » Breakfast

    Cherry Breakfast Bars

    Published: Jul 20, 2020 · Updated: Jul 23, 2021 by Sapana Chandra, MS, CHC · 4 Comments

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    These cherry breakfast bars are bursting with fresh, seasonal Northwest cherries. They take just 15 minutes of prep and then go straight into the oven. Perfect for breakfast or mid-morning snack, these bars are a crowd favorite every time!

    Close-up of six breakfast bars.

    This post was generously sponsored by the Northwest Cherry Growers. As always, all opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting the sponsors who make Real + Vibrant possible!

    Cherry breakfast bars

    The Northwest cherry season is in full swing and I couldn't be more excited. Their sweet taste, seamless texture, and snackable size have made these summer superfruit a favorite of mine for as long as I can remember.

    One of my favorite ways to enjoy cherries (besides eating them raw) is by baking them. That's why I'm partnering with the Northwest Cherry Growers to share these cherry breakfast bars with you today.

    Sweet cherries from the Northwest have a naturally high sugar content, so it makes it easier for you to cut down on added sugar (below are some ingredient substitutions if you’re looking for a lighter sugar option).

    The crispy streusel topping doubles as the bottom crust of these breakfast bars. It doesn’t get any easier than that -- seriously the best treat to make your day a little sweeter.

    Tools you'll need

    To get started, you'll need the following tools:

    • 8x8-inch pan: You can use a 9×9-inch pan if you want to. Each pan will make about 9 bars.
    • Two mixing bowls: A large and medium bowl will allow you to easily make the streusel and cherry mixtures.
    • Cherry pitter: These are worth the investment and will make any cherry dish so much easier to make.
    • Wooden spoon or spatula To mix the ingredients.

    Don't have a cherry pitter on-hand? You can pit cherries with a straw (I prefer a metal one!) by simply inserting the straw right into the spot where the stem attaches to the cherry. Push through until the pit pops out.

    Cherry breakfast bar on plate with glass of milk.

    How to make cherry breakfast bars

    Detailed ingredient measurements, instructions, and notes can be found on the printable recipe card at the bottom of the page. Here is a quick summary:

    1. Preheat oven and prepare the baking dish: Preheat oven to 350° F. Line an 8-inch square baking dish with parchment paper and grease with coconut oil.

    2. Make the oat mixture: In a large bowl, mix rolled oats, flour, brown sugar, almonds, baking soda, and salt. Salt brings out the flavor in any dish, including these bars. Pour coconut oil over the mixture and stir until the mixture is well coated.

    Bowl filled with crust and topping.

    3. Make the cherry filling: In a separate medium-sized bowl, combine the pitted and chopped sweet cherries, lemon juice, maple syrup, and cornstarch. Mix well.

    Hand pouring maple syrup into a bowl of cherries.

    4. Prepare the dish: Measure 1 cup of the oat mixture and set aside. Using your hands, spread the remaining mixture onto the bottom of the baking dish.

    Pour the cherry filling over the base, using a spatula to evenly spread and fill the corners. Evenly crumble the remaining oat mixture over the top.

    Baking dish with base and cherry filling.

    5. Bake: Bake for 30 minutes or until the top begins to turn golden brown. Allow the bars to cool completely before removing from the pan.

    Completed dish right before going into the oven.

    How to store

    To store: Cool down completely before storing in an air-tight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.

    To reheat: When ready to serve, warm up in the oven or microwave.

    Ingredient substitutions and variations

    What I love about these cherry bars is how customizable they are based on dietary preferences, personal taste, and what you’ve got hanging out in the kitchen. Here are some ways to make them your own:

    • Cherries: I recommend using Northwest-grown sweet cherries. They're fresh, juicy, seasonal, and delicious. However, if you don't have any available, frozen cherries also work well.
    • Rolled Oats: If you prefer a gluten-free treat, be sure to confirm your rolled oats are certified gluten-free.
    • Flour: While I use unbleached all-purpose flour in this recipe, I’ve also used spelt flour and other gluten-free substitutes, such as almond flour and gluten-free blends, with success.
    • Light brown sugar: Instead of brown sugar, this dish tastes great with coconut sugar.
    • Almonds: Chopped or slivered almond both work well and add a little crunch. You can also substitute them for another nut, such as pecans or walnuts, or omit them completely.
    • Lemon juice: The cherries are naturally sweet so the lemon juice will balance that delicious flavor. If you don't have any lemon juice, lime juice works just as well.
    • Maple syrup: If you prefer to use honey, it works just as well as the maple syrup in this recipe.

    Top tips and suggestions

    • Pre-heat: Be sure to pre-heat the oven to ensure a golden-brown crust.
    • Cool them down completely: Be sure to completely cool the bars before removing them from the dish and slicing them. If you pull them out when they are still hot, the bars will break apart. It's worth the wait!
    Close-up of four bars.

    More easy breakfast recipes

    • Roasted Cherry Yogurt Bowl
    • Chocolate Chip Banana Bread
    • Overnight Steel Cut Oats
    • Banana Chocolate Chip Bars
    • Breakfast Cookies

    I hope you love this recipe as much as I do. Sign up for my email updates to get delicious recipes delivered straight to your inbox. You can also follow me on Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook.

    Close-up of six breakfast bars.

    Cherry Breakfast Bars

    5 from 10 votes
    Print Rate
    Prep time: 15 minutes
    Cook time: 30 minutes
    Total time: 45 minutes
    Servings: 9 servings
    Calories: 257kcal
    Author: Sapana Chandra
    These cherry breakfast bars are bursting with fresh, seasoning cherries. They take just 15 minutes of prep and then go straight into the oven. Perfect for breakfast or mid-morning snack, these bars are a crowd favorite every time!

    Ingredients

    Crust/Topping

    • 1 ½ cup rolled oats
    • ½ cup flour
    • ½ cup light brown sugar
    • ⅓ cup chopped almonds
    • ¼ teaspoon baking soda
    • ¼ teaspoon salt
    • ⅓ cup coconut oil, melted

    Cherry filling

    • 2 ½ cups Northwest sweet cherries, pitted and chopped
    • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
    • 1 tablespoon maple syrup
    • 1 tablespoon cornstarch

    Instructions

    • Preheat oven to 350° F.
    • Line an 8-inch square baking dish with parchment paper and grease with coconut oil.
    • In a large bowl, mix rolled oats, flour, brown sugar, almonds, baking soda, and salt. Pour coconut oil over the mixture and stir until the mixture is well coated.
    • In a separate medium-sized bowl, combine the pitted and chopped cherries, lemon juice, maple syrup, and cornstarch. Mix well.
    • Measure 1 cup of the oat mixture and set aside. Using your hands, spread the remaining mixture onto the bottom of the baking dish. Pour the cherry filling over the oat mixture, using a spatula to evenly spread and fill the corners. Evenly crumble the remaining oat mixture over the top.
    • Bake for 30 minutes or until the top begins to turn golden brown. Allow the bars to cool completely before removing from the pan.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 257kcal, Carbohydrates: 36g, Protein: 4g, Fat: 12g, Saturated Fat: 7g, Sodium: 100mg, Potassium: 200mg, Fiber: 3g, Sugar: 19g, Vitamin A: 25IU, Vitamin C: 4mg, Calcium: 39mg, Iron: 1mg
    Course: Breakfast
    Cuisine: American
    Tried this recipe?Mention @realandvibrant and hashtag #realandvibrant!

    This post was generously sponsored by the Northwest Cherry Growers. As always, all opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting the sponsors who make Real + Vibrant possible!

    More Breakfast Recipes

    • Vegan Blueberry Scones
    • Raspberry Smoothie
    • Banana Chocolate Chip Bars
    • Roasted Cherry Yogurt Bowl
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    About Sapana Chandra, MS, CHC

    Sapana Chandra is a certified health coach, author of Plant Power Bowls, and founder of Real +Vibrant. Here you’ll find simply delicious vegetarian recipes with step-by-step photo instructions – recipes you’ll be excited to enjoy and share with your loved ones.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Rachel says

      June 18, 2022 at 2:27 am

      These were more cobbler-like - I don't think you could eat them without a utensil - but absolutely delicious!5 stars

      Reply
    2. AK says

      November 25, 2020 at 8:44 am

      I made these last night (but with frozen blueberries and raspberries - so extended the cooking time) - absolutely delicious! Thank you so much!
      Going to make your kichari recipe tonight!5 stars

      Reply
    3. Anita says

      November 25, 2020 at 8:43 am

      I made these last night (but with frozen blueberries and raspberries - so extended the cooking time) - absolutely delicious! Thank you so much!
      Going to make your kichari recipe tonight!5 stars

      Reply
    4. Serena W. says

      August 02, 2020 at 4:36 pm

      I made these bars this weekend and my family loved them so much! I think they're sure to become a regular in our home. Thank you!5 stars

      Reply

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    Sapana Chandra

    Hi, I'm Sapana! I’m a recipe developer and author of the cookbook Plant Power Bowls. Here you'll find simple, delicious, vegetarian recipes made with fresh, seasonal ingredients. Learn more about me

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