There were usually no surprises at lunch. Opening the lunchbox at elementary school gave a familiar assortment. A sandwich made of brown bread, butter, salami, and cheese was the main feature. A small bag of Fritos were beside the sandwich. Underneath the chips was a Little Debbie snack; usually an oatmeal cream pie, Star Crunch, or Nutty Bar. To wash it all down was a thermos filled with Coca-Cola. It was rare to have a homemade treat such as one of these Honey Oat Bars.
One day at lunch did have a surprise. The thermos rattled as I picked it up out of the lunchbox. It was a different rattle than the sound of a few remaining ice cubes. I opened the thermos to find the glass on the inside had shattered. Yes, back then they were made with glass. It did a great job of keeping beverages hot or cold although somewhat fragile. I’m sure I wasn’t the only one to have their beverage filled with shards of glass. Lunchboxes and thermoses these days are so different. They are much safer and are different shapes and sizes other than that old metal box.
Honey Oat Bars are a great treat. They can be enjoyed as a dessert or snack. Honey gives the bars a light sweetness. Butterscotch chips makes these bars reminiscent of oatmeal scotchie cookies. You can substitute chocolate chips or dried fruit for the butterscotch to change up the flavor.
Do you pack meals for yourself or your family? I haven’t had to since becoming a Domestic Goddess. I did for many years while working in an office. It is much healthier and less expensive than going out for lunch. Be sure to scroll down and see more lunchbox recipes by Sunday Supper bloggers. Also check out my Basic White Bread and Homemade Wheat Bread that are great for sandwiches. Fill your lunchbox with lots of good food and remember to include a treat like Honey Oat Bars.
Honey Oat Bars
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 1/2 cups quick-cooking oats
- 1 cup unsalted butter at room temperature
- 1/3 cup honey
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1/2 cup butterscotch chips*
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
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Whisk together the flour, salt, and cinnamon in a bowl. Stir in the oats.
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Beat butter, honey, and vanilla in a large bowl until creamy using a hand mixer on high speed.
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Add flour/oat mixture and stir or beat on low speed to combine.
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Stir in butterscotch chips.
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Press evenly in an ungreased 13- X 9-inch baking pan.
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Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until light golden brown.
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Cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before cutting into bars.
Recipe Notes
*You can substitute chocolate chips or dried fruit for the butterscotch chips.
Recipe adapted from one in the Pillsbury Classics Cookbooks 1990 November Edition.
Want more recipes for packing lunchbox meals? Take a look at these by talented Sunday Supper bloggers:
Sandwiches, Wraps and Entrees:
- Baked Ham and Cheese Rolls from Big Bear’s Wife
- Balsamic Butter Beans with Smoked Sausage and Spinach from Eat, Move, Shine
- British Bento from Ninja Baking
- Carrot Cake and Zucchini Bread “Sushi” from Cupcakes & Kale Chips
- Popcorn Chicken Bento from The Urban Mrs
- Greek-style Spinach Hand Pies from Kimchi MOM
- Homemade Uncrustables from Treats & Trinkets
- Indian Spiced Chicken Meatball Wraps from Soni’s Food
- Madam Wong’s Pizza Rolls from Food Lust People Love
- Malibu Chicken Tortilla Pinwheels from Home Cooking Memories
- Peanut Butter & Jelly Rolls from Killer Bunnies, Inc
- Pizzadillas from La Cocina de Leslie
- Potato Cheese and Mushroom Focaccia Bread from Family Foodie
- Sausage Roll Ups from The Food Army Wife
- Scotch Eggs from My Cute Bride
- Stawberry and Chicken Pasta Salad with Strawberry Vinaigrette from Table for Seven
- Turkey, Pesto and Sun-Dried Tomato Wraps from La Bella Vita Cucina
Munchies, Salads and Sides:
- Almond Citrus Salad from No One Likes Crumbley Cookies
- Banana Bread Muffins from Curious Cuisiniere
- Best Basic Hummus from Supper for a Steal
- Blueberries & Cream Granola from The Messy Baker
- Blueberry Egg Bagels from What Smells So Good?
- Homemade Cheese Crackers from Growing Up Gabel
- Creamy Orzo & Peas {Dairyfree} from The Not So Cheesy Kitchen
- Mini Griddle Cakes from Noshing with the Nolands
- Quinoa and Green Bean Salad with Tibetan Dressing from Healthy. Delicious.
Sweet Treats:
- Biscoff White Chocolate Blondies from Cookin’ Mimi
- Caramel and Rolo Rice Krispie Treats from That Skinny Chick Can Bake
- Cinnamon Zucchini Brownies from Cindy’s Recipes and Writings
- Cocoa Crispy Sunbutter Bars from Alida’s Kitchen
- Cookie Butter Granola Bites from Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks
- “Free” Brownies from Jane’s Adventure in Dinner
- Honey Oat Bars from Magnolia Days
- No Bake Peanut Butter Rice Krispies Cookies from Pies and Plots
- Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Granola Cookies from Peanut Butter and Peppers
Join the #SundaySupper conversation on twitter each Sunday. We tweet throughout the day and share recipes from all over the world. Our weekly chat starts at 7:00 pm ET and you do not want to miss out on the fun. Follow the #SundaySupper hashtag and remember to include it in your tweets to join in the chat. Check out our #SundaySupper Pinterest board for more fabulous recipes and food photos.
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The Ninja Baker says
Your honey oat bars look like they are packed with wholesome good-for-you-ness, Renee. Thank you for the recipe.
Appreciate, too, that someone else remembers thermoses that were made with glass =)
Renee says
Thanks Kim! Of course they are filled with wholesome good-for-you-ness – including butter. All things are great in moderation.
Liz says
Yeah, we never had any homemade goodies in our lunches, either…but I would have loved to have found one of your honey oats bars in mine! Heck, I’d love to find a batch on my kitchen counter!!
PS…thanks for your help this week 🙂
Renee says
Thanks Liz and it was a pleasure to help you with hosting Sunday Supper this week.
Stacy says
These look like the perfect snack food anytime, Renee! It would probably throw healthy out the window but I think these would be great with both butterscotch and semi-sweet chocolate chips. 🙂
Your mother or whomever packed your lunch was way more generous than mine. We only got Coke on a special packed lunch day, like for a field trip. Otherwise, it was milk or go get a drink from the water fountain! And the rare Ding Dong was my favorite treat.
Renee says
The combo of butterscotch and chocolate chips sounds like a great idea to me. I never had a Ding Dong until I was in my 20’s. My parents must not have liked them and always went with the Little Debbie treats.
Hezzi-D says
These sound perfect for a school lunch and I’m glad there’s no peanut butter in them! Cinnamon, honey, and butterscotch sounds awesome together. I might just bake a batch today for my first week of school!
Renee says
I actually thought about some type of peanut butter bar but decided against it. I’m glad I did which is odd because of how much I love peanut butter. I really do like the simplicity of these.
Jennifer @ Peanut Butter and Peppers says
Why didn’t my Mom ever make these kind of treats for my lunches? These look fantastic!
Renee says
Well, at least you can make them for yourself now.
[email protected] & Trinkets says
These sound so good and wholesome. Yum.
Renee says
Thanks Kim
Lane @ Supper for a Steal says
These bars look delicious and a great grab and go snack or treat after lunch. Although I would argue that they would also make a great breakfast seeing as they have oats in them… 🙂
Renee says
Oh yes, they would be a fine breakfast. As a matter of fact, my husband had one for breakfast for a few days.
Conni @FoodieArmyWife says
These look so healthy AND delicious!
Renee says
Thanks Conni
Cindys Recipes and Writings says
I love oat bars these are definitely on my list to make!
Renee says
Thank you Cindy
Helene D'souza says
I haven’t packed my own lunch box since 2006 ^.^
I know for sure I never got such a treat for lunch. Renee I can’t wait to try your Honey oat bars!
Renee says
It’s been since 2005 for me. Seems like forever ago.
Beate says
I love reading about your school lunch so sweet and what great disappointment to have your thermos broken 🙁
Your Honey Oat Bars sound {and look} out of this world, Renee.
Renee says
It’s crazy how I remember that day so well. It was way back in elementary school. Of all the things to remember it had to be a busted thermos.
Shannon R says
Bars are probably one of my favourite portable treats. These look fantastic with the butterscotch chips.
Renee says
I also think bars are a great portable treat. I prefer them over cookies sometimes.
Laura Dembowski says
i would love to find one of these in my lunch! It sounds like you had pretty good lunches as a kid.
Renee says
They were great lunches and much better than the school cafeteria food.
Diana @EatMoveShine says
These are fantastic, Renee! Love that they are nut-fee, and wow, butterscotch chips are a favorite. What a lovely post!
Renee says
Thanks Diana. Glad you like how they are nut-free. Lots of people with that allergy these days.
Roz says
So nice to see a bar recipe that is good for us, yet still satisfying the sweet tooth with the addition of honey!!! Thank you for visiting my blog today Renee!
xo
Roz
Renee says
I really don’t use honey often enough. This recipe reminded me to use it more instead of sugar.
Terry says
I am not shocked that you remember exactly what was in your lunchbox…
I remember the low moments…mostly stale bread and olive loaf. My mother was a depression era child, there was no such thing as stale bread being thrown away.
I packed my 2 kid’s lunches every day for 20 years, from pre-k through high school. I packed my last one this May. Now they pack their own…for work. wow….
Renee says
Stale bread and olive loaf – I can imagine that one being a low moment. This year will be so different for you with both kids gone off to college. I’m sure they will wish you were there to make there lunches.
Sarah Reid, RHNC (@jo_jo_ba) says
Sounds like a perfect decadent end to lunch!
Renee says
Thanks Sarah
Tara says
Those look great Renee and my daughter would love to have those in her lunchbox. A must try!!
Renee says
Thanks Tara
Kayle (The Cooking Actress) says
*gasp* tell me you didn’t drink anything with glass! eeeee just thinking about it!
These bars look so classic and perfect, I would def. have loved these in my lunchbox!!!!
Renee says
Oh no, I can assure you I didn’t drink any from that busted thermos.
Camille says
I went through a pickle loaf sandwich phase in middle school. 🙂 Love the bars – they look delicious!
Renee says
I still haven’t ever tried pickle loaf. One day I’ll get the deli to slice some and see what it’s like on a sandwich.
Alida says
Mmm…Little Debbie Nutty Bars are the best….well they were the best until I saw these Honey Oat Bars, of course 🙂 I have been looking for something to make using butterscotch chips. These are perfect!
Renee says
My favorite Little Debbie treat is the Star Crunch. Something about the caramel, chocolate, and crisps combo really does it for me.
Brianne @ Cupcakes & Kale Chips says
Mmm, I used to love Star Crunch! But I bet my adult self would love these Honey Oat Bars much, much more!
Renee says
Go team Star Crunch! It was my favorite.
Paula @ Vintage Kitchen Notes says
My father still longs for those glass thermos, Aladdin! He worshipped them, and took the trouble of bringing them from trips to the US since they were not available here. I can’t believe I never made this type of bars! I’m pinning this one Renee, I’m such an oat and honey fan!
Renee says
I’m not sure if they still sell glass Thermos here. Perhaps at antique shops or thrift stores. Thanks for pinning and I hope you make and enjoy the bars.
Sarah | Curious Cuisiniere says
Granola bars are so great for lunches. These sounds fantastic!
Renee says
Thanks Sarah
Soni says
Looks like the perfect treats in any lunch box!!My kids would really love these for sure Renee and I cannot wait to make it for them 🙂 Healthy and so delicious!
Renee says
Thanks Soni and I hope your kids enjoy them.
Jennie @themessybakerblog says
Gotta love Little Debbie. We always had a Little Debbie in our box. These honey oat bars beat Little Debbie by a long run. Mmm, I want one in my box. Yum!
Amy Kim (@kimchi_mom) says
I’d like to find one of these in my lunchbox. I’m going to bookmark these and try them for my kids one week…
Renee says
Thank Amy! I hope your kids enjoy them. We certainly did, my husband especially.
Linda | The Urban Mrs says
Definitely the kind of bar that we will appreciate – made with love and filled with fresh and delicious ingredients.
Renee says
Anything made with love is the best!
Nancy @ gottagetbaked says
Oh the weird things I used to get in my lunch bag as a kid! Somedays my mom would boil chicken drumsticks and potatoes for lunch (we didn’t have containers that kept food warm so it’d be cold and the fat on the drumsticks would congeal). I ate many consecutive peanut butter and jam sandwiches. Or my mom would buy a dozen giant muffins from the supermarket and we’d eat them for days. I’d gladly have your honey oat bars in my lunch bag, Renee. These look delicious!
Renee says
You certainly had some unique lunches Nancy. I’ve never heard of the boiled chicken drumsticks one. Very interesting. At least now you can make your own lunches and whatever treats to go with them too.
Teresa says
These are so yummy! I put in dried cranberries and dark chocolate chips instead of the butterscotch chips. This is a semi healthier version of Scottish shortbread.
Katie Moseman says
Sounds like a tasty addition! Thank you for the kind words!