These Gluten-Free and Vegan Apricot Oat Bars make a delicious and easy breakfast or dessert! They're also healthy and have a yummy crumble topping on top!
Just wow. These little vegan apricot oat bars are heavenly. Truly!
They've got a crunchy, semi-sweet, cookie-like crust, then a layer of the most luxurious apricot jam, and finished with a crispy, golden brown crumble topping. Not too sweet, with a little tartness and overall just perfectly balanced. Each bite oozes with the bright flavor of apricot, combined with the nutty crust and topping. And we've got all the textures: crunchy, gooey, and cakey all in one.
Good for breakfast, good for dessert, good as an afternoon snack. Just fabulous all around and the ultimate spring recipe!
Vegan & Gluten-Free Crust
When it comes to crumble bars like we're making here, the first layer is the “cookie” base. You're looking for something that is kind of crunchy, but also soft, and not too sweet. Since we'll be using apricot preserves, we don't need our base to be super sweet.
I found that by combining just a few simple ingredients you can get the perfect crust! Here's what we're using:
- quick cooking oats: these give it a little chewiness, but don't create too much texture
- almond flour: I love how almond flour provides a nuttiness, a natural sweetness and also a delicate texture
- quinoa flour: quinoa flour helps to make the crust a little denser and crispier
- maple syrup: we need a touch of sweetness and the maple does just that!
- coconut oil: helps with the crispiness, but is also a key ingredient for the crumble topping
- flax egg: the final thing that holds this crust together and keeps it from crumbling!
The Healthiest Apricot Jam
Once you've got the crust made, the next layer is all about the apricot. I'm so excited to be partnering with Bonne Maman for today's recipe to highlight their new Intense Fruit Spreads line. This line is non-GMO project certified, is made with simple, natural ingredients and uses 38% less sugar!
We’re using the Bonne Maman INTENSE Apricot Fruit Spread in today’s recipe and I gotta tell you: the apricot flavor is honestly incredible.
While I don't usually opt for products with cane sugar, this one I can fully stand behind. They use high-quality ingredients, you know everything that's on the label and it has an amazing flavor.
It's tart and sweet at the same time, and when cooked into these apricot bars, you get these subtle slight caramel undertones. Even better, it also holds together and doesn't get runny (which means you bars won't get soggy!).
Easy Vegan Crumble Topping
The final layer in our vegan apricot oat bars is the crumble topping. I'll admit this is usually my favorite part of a dessert and this one does not disappoint.
It gets golden brown and crispy as it bakes and it doesn't overpower the apricot spread. And just like everything else in this recipe, it's not too sweet which helps the apricot really be the star.
But that's not even the best part. Best of all, this crumble is made from the crust ingredients! You just scoop a little extra out before you press down your crust and you've got your crumble. Saves you time and dishes!
How to Make Healthy Apricot Oatmeal Squares
These bars are really the easiest. So let's talk assembly. How the heck do you make these beauties? Here's how:
- Make your crust (and reserve your crumble topping)
- Press the crust firmly into your baking pan, making sure to really press hard so that it doesn't crumble once it's done baking
- Give the crust a quick bake to ensure it gets crispy(ish)
- Layer on your Bonne Maman INTENSE Apricot Fruit Spread
- Sprinkle your crumble topping on top of the spread
- Bake this baby up until the topping is golden brown and glorious
One bowl, 6 steps, 8 ingredients. And that's IT!
The BEST Vegan Apricot Oat Bars Ever!
Not only are these bars easy to make, but they're also delicious. And the apricot really shines through.
You've probably tried dried apricots before, but fresh is a whole different ball game. Apricots, which are in season during the spring, are a stone fruit (like peaches) that have this lovely balance of sweet and tart. It’s a very unique and somewhat delicate flavor that you don’t want to overpower.
What I love about the Bonne Maman INTENSE Apricot Fruit Spread is that they've been able to capture all that flavor in the jar using just four simple ingredients.
I think this is the absolutely perfect recipe to whip up for your Mother's Day spread. They've got some class, some decadence, but they're also healthy. Mom will be thrilled!
Other Healthy Breakfast Bars to try:
- Healthy Apple Crumble Bars
- Raspberry Chocolate Chip Protein Bars
- Vegan Raspberry Oatmeal Bars
- Pumpkin Pie Quinoa Breakfast Bars
- Banana Quinoa Breakfast Bars
- Blueberry Quinoa Breakfast Bars
Gluten-Free & Vegan Apricot Oatmeal Bars
Ingredients
- 1 cup quick cooking gluten-free oats
- 1/2 cup almond flour
- 1/2 cup quinoa flour
- 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
- 1/4 cup melted coconut oil
- 1 flax egg (1 tablespoon flaxseed meal + 3 tablespoons water)
- 1 jar Bonne Maman Intense Apricot Fruit Spread (about 1 cup preserves)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 9" baking pan and set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients. Mix in the maple syrup and coconut oil and crumble with your hands until it resembles a coarse, sandy texture. Reserve 1/2 cup of the dough for the topping.
- Stir in the flax egg then transfer the dough into the greased baking pan and press it evenly into the pan. Bake for 15 minutes.
- Spread the apricot fruit spread evenly over the layer of dough, leaving a little at the edges so it's easier to remove from the pan. Sprinkle with the reserved oat topping.
- Bake in the center of the oven for 20 - 25 minutes until the crumble topping is golden brown. Cool completely before cutting into squares and serving.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
I made these for my grandson who can’t have a lot of grains or sugar so I reduced the oats and increased the almond flour and made my own filling by puréeing apriums and cooking them down with chopped dates. It came out delicious! Thank you!!
That sounds fantastic!!
These ended up really nice, though I didn’t use almond and quinoa flour. I used regular flour if anyone was wondering if that would be possible, they tasted great. I put them in the fridge when I made them at night and when I opened it again in the morning most of them were gone because my family liked them. My mom even asked me for the recipe.
So glad they worked! Thanks for trying the substitution and letting us know 🙂
I cannot use or have any oil. What could I sub for the coconut oil! Anything like almond butter??????????♀️
Almond butter might work! I haven’t personally tested it though, so I can’t be 100% sure. Let me know if you make it that way and how it turns out! xo
I came here just for apricot oatmeal bars and found this. I, too, lost my dog of 14 years about 1.5 years ago. Had her since I was 13. The best friend that I ever had.
Just know that you’re not alone in your grief. Take care!
Am so sorry for your loss of your best friend. I recently lost Lucas a 14 yr old
yellow lab that had gone thru all the grand-kids, even now I tear up. He was a faithful friend. Thank you for your recipes, they are a pure joy
Oh, Alyssa! I am just now reading this post from last week, crying for your loss and because I so understand the devastating feeling. I am so incredibly sorry. The most beautiful part of your story is your perfect description of the joy that magically lives in dogs’ hearts and multiplies the joy in our own, human lives. If you remember Halley in that spirit of joy, then the joy she brings to the world will live on.
Alyssa I am so sorry for your loss. I just got a new puppy but it took a long time because I lost me little boy after fourteen years and it tore me apart. Here is something a friend sent me, I hope it brings you a little comfort.
THE RAINBOW BRIDGE
There is a bridge connecting Heaven and Earth. It is called Rainbow
Bridge because of its many colours. Just this side of the Rainbow
Bridge, there is a land of meadows, hills and valleys with lush green
grass.
When a beloved pet dies, the pet goes to this place. There is
always food and water, and warm spring weather. Those old and frail
animals are young again. Those who have been maimed are made whole again. They play all day with each other. But there is only one thing missing. They are not with their special person who loved them on earth.
So, each day they run and play until the day comes when one suddenly
stops playing and looks up. The nose twitches, the ears are up, and the eyes are staring, and this one suddenly runs from the group. You have been seen, and when you and your special friend meet, you take him or her into your arms and embrace. Your face is kissed again and again and you look once more into the eyes of your trusting pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.
Then you cross the Rainbow Bridge together…
I am so sad for you. We had to put our 11 year old dog down last fall and said no dog for a year. Well we lasted 3 months. Reason I say this is was wondering if your baby is part or full Nova Scotia Duck toller? She looks similar to one if not. Our puppy is boxer mum and retriever dad but is from a rescue and doesn’t look boxer at all. She has retriever for sure but many say toller too.
HUGs and so glad you got to enjoy your best buddy for so many years and able to make many memories.
Thanks for the sweet note Cindy. Halley was a fantastic dog and yes, she was a Toller!! We got her from a breeder in Quebec when she was only 12 weeks old 🙂 Sorry for your loss as well. It is hardest thing I have ever had to face.
My heart goes out to you for the loss of your beautiful pup. I think your words summed up how we all feel about our “pets”. They show us how to love unconditionally, which is such an amazing and selfless gift.
I’m in bed next to my 10 year-old Labrador Chester crying my eyes out because I don’t want that day to come ever and there is no way to prepare for it. There is no love like the one you share with your dog just as you describe yours for Halley. My Chester makes me a better person so I can understand how you feel lost without Halley. I wish you can overcome the emptiness and continue to feel the joy she brought into your life. Love, Silvina
So sorry for your loss – i know how hard it is when you loose you’re best friend. Halley looks like she was a special dog – great pictures of a fabulous breed! Goldens are The best, hair and all! We lost our Marley when she was five, much too young. My husbands answer was to get two more, sisters from the same litter. RIP Halley. Hold onto all the great memories mama!
I am grieving with you, especially because I just lost my Izzy cat who was feral, who I lured into my kitchen with food about 14 years ago, and who turned out to be my BFFF. He called me “Meow Ma” and I miss him terribly. It looks like a lot of people truly understand what we go through when we lose our animal family members. Just add me to the list of those who wish you peace and comfort in this time of loss. Halley looks like a very beautiful girl. I’m so happy for you that you had such a sweet, loving companion for so many years.
I am so sorry for your loss. She was a beautiful dog and you can tell just by looking how sweet she was 🙂 I just lost one of my babies (my sweet little dog Suki) on Saturday morning, so I’m right there with you. It’s so hard!! Plan to try these bars, and like your website, actually plan to try a few recipes. Hope you have a wonderful day.
I am so very sorry to hear of your deep loss, I am sending prayers of comfort your way, thank you for sharing some of the most beautiful pictures of your dear sweet girl Halley I am glad I got to see her. I know it’s cliché but your life and Halley’s was so much richer because you shared so many beautiful years together. Take care of yourself Halley would want that for you, thank you for the very lovely recipe as well. Wishing you better days girl! Hugs.
I am so sorry to hear of your loss. At Christmas time I lost two of mine to elder age, I still have a wonderful lab named Daisey who is only 6 and just underwent a breast removal and spay. She had cancer and am waiting to hear if they got it all. I still miss my precious other babies so very much. It does get a little better with time.
I just wanted you to know how sorry I was to hear you lost Halley.
Sending virtual hugs. It’s just so painful, I know, but those years of unequivocal love and doggie kisses make it all worthwhile. Just know that Halley is running and jumping and playing with all our departed furry family members in the big dog park in the sky. We should all be so lucky someday.
And, for what it’s worth, I used to make my dog cinnamon cake with vanilla ice cream for his birthday each year, so I think it’s ENTIRELY appropriate to devote a dessert post to such a sweet girl!
Alyssa:
Oh my, I am crying too as we lost our 2 “girls” close to gether. It is so hard but God gives us these “friends” to show us His Love and how pure it is. I think the memorial book is a great idea. I bought apricot colored Roses and dried them as a way to keep their memory alive.
Thanks for all your wonderful recipes…
So sorry for the loss of your family pet. I can see the love in her eyes. We lost ours at age 16 and it was devastating. We did, however, get another dog shortly thereafter and it does soothe the heart to hold a puppy (who is now 4). We also rescued a dog just recently from a kill shelter. He is 6, extremely affectionate and just wants to be loved. It feels so good to save an animal. Perhaps you could think about going this route when the time is right. Take care!
I’m SO sorry for your loss 🙁 We have a Golden the same color (Ginger) who’s 6 now. Can’t even imagine….your new baby is ADORABLE too! So happy for you 🙂 Just found your site, and in the process of making the Sweet Potato Salmon Patties. Thanks for sharing!
So sorry for your loss Alyssa. I can relate as I have lost many dogs and cats. They will live in your heart forever. A new puppy or shelter dog is always a good remedy. Read the poem Rainbow Bridge…hopefully it will give you some comfort. Much continued success with your site…I enjoy it very much. God bless!
So sorry for your loss. 🙁 Pets really are our kids and best friends. It’s hard to learn to live without them.
Thank you for the recipe. I pinned it for after our move. 🙂
The loss of pet is really nothing anyone can understand unless they’ve experienced it. Its been nearly four years since my little guy passed, and just reading your post got me all emotional again. Time heals, but it doesn’t erase all the great moments we get to reflect back on. I’m sorry for your loss.
Sonny, our collie, and I just had a big lovie session and he is all joy, too, and has comforted us more than we ever thought possible. As the saying goes, “our rescue dog rescued us.” He is better than any human. So I’m greatly sympathizing with you right now, Alyssa. Your Halley looks like such a love. Big, big hugs to you!
And the bars look delicious! It looks like another recipe I’ll have to share on allglutenfreedesserts.com. 🙂
xo,
Shirley
Like Ricki I’m sitting here crying because your loss brings up the still fresh wound of the loss of my beloved boy, Jake. He was the best cat. Just seeing a picture of him the last couple days is throwing me into tears and I don’t know why, and your story just opens the wound afresh. The love we feel for our fur kids is no different or less than the love we feel for our partner, our parents, and I imagine our human children. I’m so sorry for your loss, and am sending a virtual hug bigger than you can imagine your way.
I love your expression of love, grief and relationship with the life and loss of Halley. It made me cry. I share all these feelings with you. Thank you for sharing the pictures and feelings!
i’ve only recently found your blog and am not normally a commenter, but i wanted to say how sorry i am for the loss of your halley. she looks like such a sweet and fun dog, and having a pup of my own i can only imagine how you are feeling. thank you for sharing her pictures and story with us, i know she will live on through your memories of her 🙂
Alyssa, I’m sitting here crying because I can only imagine how you feel and can so relate. I’m so sorry for your loss. Halley looks like such a beautiful, sweet girl. I don’t even want to think about when Elsie goes. You’re right: dogs are very, very special beings in our lives and they bring so much joy, asking for so little. From these photos, it’s clear she had a happy and fulfilled life with you. I hope that brings some comfort while you’re missing her. xoxo
So so sorry to hear about your pup! It’s never easy to lose one our dear four-legged-friends. The dog I grew up with passed away a couple years ago and I made one of those Shutterfly books with a ton of pictures. It’s a perfect little “memorial.”
I have a new pup, but I still miss the one I lost almost 2 years ago… hugs…
As for the recipe, could you use apricots instead of apricot jam? Maybe you’d have to cook them down?