Pear oatmeal breakfast bars are like oatmeal on the go. A nutritious old-fashioned oat crust, mixed with warm cinnamon, and filled with a gooey sweet pear filling that just hits the spot. Make ahead for breakfast all week and serve cold or warm. And don’t forget the easy vanilla glaze on top!

 

Pear oatmeal breakfast bars are sponsored by USA Pears. 

You can never have too many easy, on-the-go breakfast recipes. No matter what activities you have going on, these pear oatmeal breakfast bars have got to be on your list. 

You’ll love the 10–minute prep time and the ability to triple the batch and freeze for later, you’ll go from frazzled and rushed mornings to taking care of breakfast in a second. 

And they are great for kids and adults alike. It’s a WIN for the whole family!

Now, let’s talk about the star of this oatmeal breakfast recipe…pears.

How to Select Pears

Pears are harvested when they are mature but not ripe. Pears ripen best at room temperature, such as in a fruit bowl on your kitchen counter. When you choose a pear, it’s all about the neck, the smaller, rounded top that connects to the stem. Gently press on the neck with your thumb. If it gives a little to the pressure, it’s ripe and ready for your oatmeal breakfast bars. 

If you already bought pears that are on the underripe side, put them in a bowl with other ripening fruits at room temperature. Check the neck each day until they become ripe. Then store them in the fridge for up to five days to slow down the ripening process.

These fruits are versatile and delicious, the perfect addition to this recipe! Plus, we love how decadent and elegant pears look sitting on the counter. 

Related: How to Pick Pears at the Grocery Store

How to Properly Dice Pears

Rinse your pears, then use a sharp knife to cut on both sides of the core of your pear. With your two pear halves, cut thin pieces lengthwise. Turn your pear half 90° and cut crosswise. Repeat with your other pear half, and you’ve got diced pears. Feel free to make your cuts as thin or as thick as you’d like. We personally like to cut it about ¼ inch thick for easy-to-eat pieces for our kids.

Ingredients

You probably have most of the ingredients sitting in your kitchen to make your oatmeal breakfast bars. And if you don’t, you can find all these everyday ingredients at your local grocery store. 

Let’s dig in.  

Old-fashioned rolled oats are higher in nutrients than quick oats, so why not use old-fashioned? Surprisingly, oats often have gluten in them. For a gluten-free option, be sure to check the label. When it says gluten-free on the front, it’s safe. If it says nothing about gluten, odds are it’s been in contact with gluten or has gluten in it.

White whole wheat flour has the same nutrients as whole wheat flour but has a milder flavor and paler color. Again, if you need a gluten-free option, look for a gluten-free flour blend or baking blend in the health food aisle. 

Brown sugar caramelizes into a gooey, sauce-like coating mixed right into your breakfast bars. It’s more subtle in sweetness than white sugar, making it the perfect addition.

Ground cinnamon is believed to have antioxidants that can help you fight inflammation. It’s an easily accessible ingredient that adds a hint of warmth and spice to your oatmeal bars.

Salt enhances the flavor of everything.  Add just ½ teaspoon to your crumble filling and topping to intensify the flavors. 

Coconut oil binds the dry ingredients together to create your crust and crumble topping. However, if you want a richer flavor, then you can substitute it for your favorite unsalted butter. 

USA Pears are fresh, juicy, and aromatic. Use your favorite type of pear in this breakfast oatmeal recipe for a natural layer of sweetness your kids can’t get enough of.

Cornstarch thickens the juice from the pears for a gooey, jam-like consistency that overflows from the middle of your breakfast bars. 

Lemon juice adds a bright acidity to balance out the sweetness from the pears and sugar. Plus, it‘s a tenderizer and softens your juicy pears during baking. 

Granulated sugar is just enough sweetness and caramelizes your pears and the oatmeal bar topping. If you’re trying to cut back on sugar, especially when it comes to your kids, use half the amount suggested. 

Try pears in other recipes like bread pudding, lettuce wraps, muffins, and waffles. 

How to Make Pear Oatmeal Breakfast Bars

Step 1: Place a rack in the center of your oven and preheat the oven to 375℉. Use parchment paper to line your 8×8-inch baking pan so that it hangs over the sides of the pan. (This creates “handles” and helps you remove your oatmeal breakfast bars later.)

Step 2: Add the oats, white whole wheat flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt to a medium-sized mixing bowl and mix until combined. 

Step 3: Add the melted coconut oil and stir into the dry ingredients until small clumps start to form and the dry ingredients are lightly coated with oil. Measure 1/2 cup of the oat mixture and set it aside for later. 

Step 4: Pour the remaining oat mixture from the bowl into your parchment paper-lined baking pan, and use your fingertips to press it into an even layer in the bottom of the pan.

Step 5: Sprinkle half of the diced pears evenly over the crust. Then dust your pears with cornstarch, lemon juice, and ½ tablespoon of sugar. 

Step 6: Scatter on the remaining diced pears and ½ tablespoon of brown sugar.

Step 7: Use your fingers to evenly sprinkle the leftover oat crumb topping over the pears. Some of the fruit will show through, and that’s totally ok.

Step 8: Now, pop your oatmeal bars into the oven for 30-40 minutes until the fruit is bubbly and the crumb topping is golden. Take the pan out of the oven and let it cool completely on a wire rack before slicing and serving. 

Vanilla Glaze

While the bars cool, let’s make the glaze. Whisk together the powdered sugar, vanilla, and milk in a medium mixing bowl until smooth. It should be thick but still runny enough to drizzle over your breakfast bars. If the glaze is a little thick for your liking, add more milk to thin it out. 

How to Serve

Step 1: Use the parchment paper “handles” hanging over the sides to gently lift the bars out of the pan. 

Step 2: Drizzle your oatmeal breakfast bars with your homemade vanilla glaze, slice, and serve. 

How to Store Oatmeal Breakfast Bars

Room Temperature Method

Your breakfast bars will stay fresh for up to three days when stored in an airtight container. Heat them up for 5-10 seconds in the microwave for a warm, fresh breakfast. It’s so easy, your kids can do it. 

Refrigerator Method

Store your oatmeal bars in an airtight container in the fridge to extend their “counter” life. This storage method will help them last for up to five days. 

Freezer Method

Make a double or triple batch and freeze the rest of your bars for a month’s worth of snacks and breakfasts. Let your oatmeal bars cool completely, slice them into your desired bar sizes, then store them individually in freezer bags or containers for up to three months. When you’re ready to eat the next batch, thaw your oatmeal bars overnight in the fridge. 

Eat your bars cold, at room temperature, or warm up in the microwave (our favorite) for a quick, easy, and nutritious breakfast on the go.

Why We Love USA Pears

USA Pears provides the nation with 84% of our pears. That’s a lot! From the growers to pickers to packers, and the communities — much like our kids, it takes a village to bring you fresh and delicious pears. USA Pears works with more than 700 grower families to make sure you and your family have juicy pears year-round for your oatmeal breakfast bars. 

The Pacific Northwest’s climate is naturally hospitable for growing pears that are juicy, sweet, and aromatic. Starting the journey from the nutrient-rich orchards in Washington and Oregon, and irrigated by fresh snow melt off of the Cascades, USA Pears has a very unique growing environment for all of their pear varieties. 

Want to know more about where your pears come from?

Get the full story on the taste and nutrition of your favorite pears here!

Other Juicy Pear Recipes

• Pear Empanadas – spicy, sweet, and smoky savory empanadas

• Pear Galette – classy, delicious, and perfect for special occasions

• Pear and Apple Nachos – a quick and easy sweet dessert or snack

• Air Fryer Caramelized Pears – caramelized and spicy pears for a dessert or snack

• Baked Cinnamon Ricotta Pears – stuffed with cinnamon honey ricotta for a special treat

• Pear Infused Vodka – four ingredients to homemade vodka