Cherry Breakfast Bars

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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!