Blueberry-Cashew Oat Bars

Quick and easy to make, and even quicker to grab and go, these Blueberry-Cashew Oat Bars are perfect for busy mornings. Loaded with fiber, antioxidants, healthy fats and plant protein, these bars are bursting with nutrient-dense ingredients, including dried blueberries, oats, pumpkin seeds, chia seeds and cashews, including cashew butter. Honey adds a touch of sweetness, while nutmeg brings a soft, subtle earthiness and lemon zest adds a bright citrusy touch. Keep reading for our expert tips, including how to ensure your bars stick together.

Tips from the EatingWell Test Kitchen

These are the key tips we learned while developing and testing this recipe in our Test Kitchen to make sure it works, tastes great and is good for you too! 

• If your supermarket doesn’t have unsweetened dried blueberries, you can order them online or use sweetened dried blueberries instead—they will work just as well.
• We included unrefined coconut oil because it solidifies at temperatures below 76°F, which helps keep the snack bars together. They’ll firm up fast in the freezer.
• You can toast the nuts to enhance their flavor, and feel free to use any type of dried fruit, like cherries, apricots or cranberries—whatever you like best.
• To prevent the bars from sticking to the pan and to make them easier to remove, we recommend using parchment paper with some overhang as handles. If you don’t have parchment paper, you can use plastic wrap.

Nutrition Notes

• Dried blueberries are loaded with powerful antioxidants known to support heart and brain health. Their vitamin C supports a healthy immune system, and their fiber supports a healthy gut. 
• Cashews and cashew butter bring plant protein and healthy fats to these bars. They also provide micronutrients, like zinc, magnesium and phosphorus, all necessary for overall health. Cashews’ fat has been linked to a healthier heart and brain. 
• Pepitas, which are hulled pumpkin seeds, add more protein, healthy fat, antioxidants and nutrients like zinc to these bars. Zinc has been linked to healthier skin, including helping to heal acne. Pepitas also add more fiber, magnesium and potassium—all important nutrients for heart health.
• Chia seeds are tiny, yet powerful packages of healthy fats, plant protein and fiber. They’re one of the few plant sources of omega-3 fatty acids, powerful fats that support heart and brain health. The antioxidants in chia seeds can help reduce inflammation in your body and ultimately lower disease risk.