Healthy Cranberry Oatmeal Ginger Bars (Low Fat & Low Sugar)

If you’re looking for an easy, wholesome oat bar that feels just a little seasonal without being overly sweet, these Healthy Cranberry Ginger Oatmeal Bars are a great place to start.

They stir together in one bowl in minutes — no electric mixer (affiliate link) required — and bake up moist, dense and satisfying. Inspired by my basic breakfast oatmeal squares, this version layers in dried cranberries and candied ginger (affiliate link) for a sweet-tart, gently spiced twist.

They’re sturdy enough for grab-and-go breakfasts, coffee breaks, or a simple afternoon snack — and much lighter than most bakery-style oat bars.

Why You’ll Love These Cranberry Ginger Oat Bars

• One bowl, no mixer
• Naturally sweetened with applesauce and maple syrup
• Just sweet enough without tasting like dessert
• Great for meal prep
• Easy to customize

How Many Calories and WW Points in these Cranberry Triple Ginger Oat Bars?

According to my calculations, each oat bar has just 93 calories.

To see your WW Points for this recipe, track it in the WW App!
(You must be logged into WW on a smartphone or tablet.)

Ingredients

• Quick-Cooking Rolled Oats – Quick oats create a softer, more cohesive texture in these bars. Old-fashioned oats can be used, but the bars will be chewier and slightly drier. If that’s what you have, pulse them a few times in a food processor (affiliate link) to mimic quick oats.
• All-Purpose Flour – Just a small amount helps bind the bars. You can substitute whole wheat flour or your favorite 1:1 gluten-free flour blend.
• Baking Powder & Baking Soda – These provide lift so the bars aren’t too dense.
• Ground Ginger & Cinnamon – Ground ginger gives warmth, while cinnamon rounds it out. If you prefer milder spice, reduce the ginger slightly.
• Large Egg – Adds structure and protein. To make these egg-free, try 1 flax egg (1 tablespoon ground flax + 3 tablespoons water).
• Unsweetened Applesauce – Keeps the bars moist while reducing added fat. Mashed banana can be substituted, though it will change the flavor slightly.
• Unsweetened Almond Milk – Adds moisture without extra fat. Any milk — dairy or non-dairy — will work.
• Pure Maple Syrup – Provides natural sweetness and depth. Honey can be substituted, though it will slightly change the flavor. I used ginger infused maple syrup.
• Brown Sugar Blend (Truvia (affiliate link)) – Adds sweetness with fewer calories. You can use regular brown sugar if preferred — just adjust WW Points accordingly.
• Vanilla Extract – A great flavor enhancer.
• Dried Cranberries (Craisins) – Provide tart contrast. Fresh chopped cranberries or raisins can be substituted.
• Candied Ginger (affiliate link) – Adds bold ginger flavor and little bursts of sweetness. If you’re not a strong ginger fan, reduce the amount or omit.

More Additions & Variations to Consider:

• Chopped white chocolate
• Semisweet or dark chocolate chips
• Chopped walnuts or pecans
• Orange Cranberry Oatmeal Bars – Substitute orange juice for the almond milk and add teaspoon of orange zest

How to Make Cranberry Ginger Oatmeal Bars, Step-by-Step

Step 1: Gather and prepare all ingredients.

Step 2: Preheat oven to 350F degrees. Lightly grease a 9-inch square baking pan (affiliate link) with nonstick spray and set aside. Alternatively, you can line your baking pan with parchment paper and lightly spray. The parchment allows you to remove the oatmeal before cutting into bars and makes cleanup a breeze.

Step 3: In a large mixing bowl (affiliate link), whisk together the oats, flour, baking powder, baking soda, ginger and cinnamon until thoroughly combined.

Step 4: To the dry ingredients stir in the egg, unsweetened applesauce, unsweetened almond milk, maple syrup, Truvia Brown Sugar Blend, vanilla, chopped craisins and chopped candied ginger.

Step 5: Pour the batter in the prepared pan and smooth into an even layer.

Step 6: Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out almost clean.

Step 7: Cool in pan for 5 minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool completely. Once cooled, cut into 12 bars.

Step 8: Serve at room temperature, gently warmed in the microwave (affiliate link) or right from the refrigerator.

Step 9:Leftover oatmeal bars can be wrapped individually with plastic wrap or stored in an airtight container.

Here are more flavor ideas:

Gluten Free – To make these cranberry bars gluten free substitute your favorite gluten free flour (affiliate link) for the 1/4 cup all-purpose flour.

Orange Cranberry Oatmeal Bars – Substitute orange juice for the almond milk and add teaspoon of orange zest

Cranberries – Substitute fresh cranberries (chopped) or your favorite chopped dried fruit for the chopped Craisins.  

More Additions to Consider:

• Chopped white chocolate
• Semisweet or dark chocolate chips
• Chopped walnuts or pecans

Substitute raisins for the dried cranberries, if desired.

Serving Suggestions

Enjoy these bars by themselves or crumbled and layered with a little Greek yogurt and berries for a simple yogurt breakfast parfait.

These oatmeal bars can be wrapped individually and make a great grab-and-go alternative to store-bought granola bars which are often loaded with sugar. They also make great lunchbox treats for the kids.

How to Store Leftover Baked Oatmeal Bars? 

Leftover oat bars can be store in an airtight container at room temperature, or in the refrigerator. They can also be individually wrapped in plastic, placed in an airtight freezer bag and frozen for future enjoyment. 

If you’ve made these Cranberry Ginger Oatmeal Squares, please give the recipe a star rating below and leave a comment letting me know how you liked it. And stay in touch on Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for the latest updates.

Oats FAQ (Quick vs Old-Fashioned)

Old-fashioned oats are larger and thicker, giving a chewier texture.
Quick oats are cut smaller before rolling, so they cook faster and create a softer texture in baked goods.

If you only have old-fashioned oats, pulse them a few times in a food processor (affiliate link) to approximate quick oats.

More WW-Friendly Oat Recipes

If you like Baked Cranberry Ginger Oatmeal Bars, you may also like

• Weight Watchers Cranberry Oatmeal Ginger Cookies – A chewy cookie version with similar sweet-spicy flavor.
• Chewy Low Fat Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars – Classic oatmeal cookie flavor in bar form.
• Banana Bread Baked Oatmeal Muffin Cups – Single-serve baked oatmeal that works well for meal prep.
• Pumpkin Oat Muffin Cups (Vegan) – Lightly spiced and dairy-free.
• Breakfast Oat Squares – The simple base recipe that inspired this version.
• Slow Cooker Carrot Cake Oatmeal Bake – Warm, comforting and great for colder months.