Summer is coming to an end and an exciting new school year is on the horizon!

As parents and children are enjoying new school supplies and schedules, meal planning can be a crucial aspect of ensuring a smooth transition.

Meal planning saves time during busy weekdays, promotes healthy eating habits and allows parents to have more control over what their children consume.

With packed schedules filled with extracurricular activities and homework assignments, having pre-prepared meals reduces stress and allows families to spend more quality time together. It also helps eliminate the need for last-minute trips to fast-food restaurants or relying on less healthy convenience foods.

To start things off on the right foot, we’ve created an easy, baked oatmeal breakfast bar stuffed with a sweet and juicy pear filling. They’re like oatmeal on the go!

Make ahead for breakfast all week and serve cold or warm. It only takes 10 minutes of prep time, and you can 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’re great for kids and adults. It’s a win for the whole family!

Pear Oatmeal Breakfast Bars

Ingredients:

1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
3/4 cup white whole wheat flour or substitute all-purpose flour
1/3 cup light brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
6 tablespoons melted coconut oil melted (or substitute unsalted butter)
2 cups finely diced USA Pears
1 teaspoon cornstarch
1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice about 1/2 small lemon
1 tablespoon granulated sugar divided

Vanilla Glaze

1/2 cup powdered sugar sifted
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 tablespoon milk

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 375 and line an 8×8 baking pan with parchment paper, leaving extra to hang over the sides.
Mix oats, flour, brown sugar, cinnamon and salt in a medium bowl. Then add coconut oil and mix until clumpy. Set aside ½ cup of the oat mixture.
Transfer the oat mixture to the baking pan and press into an even layer with your fingertips or spatula.
Spread half of your pears evenly over the oat mixture and evenly sprinkle with the cornstarch, lemon juice and ½ teaspoon of brown sugar.
Evenly sprinkle the remaining diced pears and ½ teaspoon of brown sugar over the top.
Bake 30-40 minutes on the middle rack until the filling is bubbly and the crumble is golden.
Let the bars cool on the cooling rack while you make your glaze.

Vanilla Glaze

Whisk powdered sugar, vanilla and milk until it has a thick, smooth consistency.
Drizzle the glaze over your oatmeal breakfast bars and serve.
Remove from the pan and slice.

How to Store Your 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 for a quick, easy and nutritious breakfast on the go.