Name: Sourdough Oatmeal Bars
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Ingredients: 1/3 cup sourdough discard; 1/2 cup unsalted butter (melted); 1/4 cup maple syrup (or honey); 2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats; 1 cup all-purpose flour; 1 teaspoon fine sea salt; 3/4 cup cherry jam; 1/4 cup creamy peanut butter (optional topping)

Sourdough Oatmeal Bars are a delicious way to use sourdough discard. Made with hearty oats and a sweet layer of jam, these bars are quick to prepare and perfect for breakfast on busy mornings. They’re also an easy, kid-friendly snack that packs well in lunchboxes.

Sourdough oatmeal bars on a plate with peanut butter drizzle.

Carmyn’s Notes

These perfectly jammy sourdough oatmeal bars have become a weekly staple in our house. I'm sure it will be the same for you once you've tried them. They are so easy to make!

They bake up golden and crisp on the outside, with a gooey layer of jam tucked in the center. Just be sure to let them cool completely so the oats have time to crisp up and the jam to set.

They’re great for snacking, tossing into the kids’ lunchboxes for a healthy treat, or grabbing on busy mornings when you need something quick for breakfast.

Feel free to play around with the filling; while our favorite is homemade cherry jam, strawberry, apricot, or even grape jam would be equally delicious.

Enjoy! xx

Sourdough oatmeal bar ingredients on a table.

Ingredients needed

sourdough discard
unsalted butter, melted
maple syrup or honey
old-fashioned rolled oats
all-purpose flour
fine sea salt
cherry jam or your favorite flavor
peanut butter (optional for a drizzle on top)

Step-by-Step Instructions with Photos

Preheat your oven to 350°F (168°C). Line an 8"x8" baking dish with parchment paper.

Sourdough oatmeal bar wet ingredients in a bowl.

Step 1

In a large bowl, combine sourdough discard, melted unsalted butter, and maple syrup. Stir until smooth.

Sourdough oatmeal bar dry ingredients in a bowl.

Step 2

In a separate bowl, mix the old-fashioned rolled oats, all-purpose flour, and fine sea salt.

Sourdough oatmeal bar all ingredients in a bowl.

Step 3

Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix until everything is well combined.

Sourdough oatmeal bar mixture pressed into a pan.

Step 4

Press ⅔ of the mixture into the bottom of the prepared baking tin.

Sourdough oatmeal bar base with cherry jam spread on top.

Step 5

Spread the cherry preserves over the crust, keeping it about 1 inch away from the edges.

Sourdough oatmeal bar crumb topping before baking.

Step 6

Crumble the remaining oat mixture over the top.

Sourdough oatmeal bars on a cooling rack.

Step 7

Bake for 30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown. Transfer the bars to a cooling rack.

Three Sourdough oatmeal bars on a plate.

Step 8

Let the bars cool completely before slicing into squares.

For a fun twist, drizzle the sourdough oatmeal bars with melted peanut butter to create a “peanut butter and jelly” flavor. If your peanut butter is too thick, warm it in the microwave for 15 to 20 seconds before drizzling.

Three Sourdough oatmeal bars on a plate with peanut butter.

How to Store

Keep the bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.

To freeze, wrap each bar in plastic wrap or parchment, then place them in a freezer bag or container. They’ll keep for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before eating.

More sourdough Discard REcipes

Sourdough Pound Cake

Double Chocolate Sourdough Bread

Sourdough Granola

Sourdough Blueberry Bread

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