Have you noticed how much I love lemons? These bars are combined with my love of oatmeal and lemons.
I use it a lot in my recipes. I love it in both sweet and savory because it adds such dimension of flavor and also eliminates the need for as much salt in savory dishes. My hubby is a huge lemon lover as well….which is one reason I like to use it a lot.
This recipe I decided to try something and add some lemon tea….all those herbs just made these bars so fresh and delicious!
This recipe is incredibly easy….only a few minutes to whip up, is no-bake and only a few ingredients. It is perfect for breakfast or an on-the-go snack.
These have a strong lemon flavor….almost tart. We loved them just as is, but you can scale back a little on the lemon juice if you want.
No-Bake Lemon Tea Oat Bars
Ingredients
- 3 cups quick cooking oats separated (300g)
- 12 chamomile lemon tea bags I used Simple Truth Organic caffeine-free
- 2 tablespoons tapioca starch arrowroot would probably work
- 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 1/2 cup pure maple syrup or agave
- 1/4 cup + 2 tablespoons roasted drippy/creamy almond butter* make sure the butter is a very smooth runny consistency, as too thick of almond butter will result in a drier bar
- 1/4 cup + 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice about 3 small lemons
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Note
- For the tea bags you are using the contents of the bag, you are not brewing the tea. Literally just cut open the bags and dump the lemon herbs into the mix. Measurements of oats are also noted in weight for accurate results. It's important to use quick cooking oats for the right texture. The regular oats are too thick/large and will result in a more fragile bar.
Instructions
- Line a 9X5 loaf pan with parchment paper hanging over the sides for easy removal.
- Add only 1 1/2 cups of the oats to a medium bowl and set aside. Add the remaining 1 1/2 cups of oats to a food processor and process into a flour. Measure out 1 cup + 2 tablespoons only (125g)and add them to the bowl with the oats. Reserve the rest for another recipe or add to a smoothie.
- Add the tea bags, tapioca and salt to the oats and stir to combine. Set aside.
- In a small cup, add the syrup, almond butter, lemon juice, vanilla and stir well. Pour over the dry ingredients and stir well until it all comes together and is sticky.
- Add the mixture to the lined pan and spread out evenly with a rubber spatula and press out to the corners. Overlap with the parchment paper and press down flat and hard.
- Chill in the fridge for at least an hour until firm. Slice into 6 bars. Wrap individually with plastic wrap for packing as snacks.
Notes
Some of my other popular lemon recipes for all you lemon lovers out there……
Lemon Rosemary Shortbread….to die for…my hubby’s fav!
Lemon Vanilla Puffs…..try to eat just one!
Lemon Sherbert….this by far is my hubby’s favorite ice cream I’ve ever made…it is sweet and tart and incredibly refreshing.
Enjoy all of these recipes featuring lemon and let me know if you try any of them!
I have plain chamomile tea bags…I think I may give this recipe a go and add lemon zest.
Oh yeah that should totally work…there’s enough lemon flavor I’m sure from all the lemon juice. Let me know if you try it 🙂
I love your lemon recipes and love how easy and quick these bars are. They would make a great snack or on the go breakfast. Beautifully done!
Thank you Suzanne!!
Such delicious recipes. I love the lemon sherbet.
Thank you Joanie! Oh that sherbert is soooo addicting! 🙂
I love NO BAKE anything! 🙂 I am not much of a baker, AT ALL! lol
You are so funny! 🙂
I’m all things lemon too! Even in cooking, a touch of lemon brings unexpected brightness to any dish! Now, I’m going to have to check out all your lemon recipes here! The loaf with mint sounds fabulous!
I agree…I love lemon! I love what it does for soups! 🙂
I agree…I love lemon! I love what it does for soups! 🙂
Wow, these look so good! I’m a huge fan of lemon too. In fact, I want to try all of your lemon treats now. YUM!
Thanks Melanie! They are all so good. My daughter just devours these bars…she looooves strong lemon flavor 🙂
I love me some lemon too, especially in the summer months. I am ALL over that lemon rosemary shortbread, holy cow that looks amazing!
Oh yes, girl, it’s so delicious!!
You know how much I love lemon so am putting all these recipes into my recipe folder. These lemon tea oat bars are so yummy and dense looking-I love it – I bet they fill you up without having to eat a bunch of them (although given how good your recipes taste one would probably want to eat a bunch anyway 😉 )
You are so right, I’m so glad you noticed that Cindy!! They are VERY filling! One bar is so dense and filling from all those oats….it is SO good! You are so sweet, thank you! 🙂
The Hubs and I looooooove lemon too, Brandi, so bring on the tartness! These bars look amazing and I can’t believe they’re no bake. Sigh, we keep buying granola and fruit bars and I’m filled with guilt because I know that I can make them myself and they’ll be a thousand times tastier, healthier and cheaper. After I move and get settled in, I’m going to become a homemade bar-making machine! Starting with this recipe 😉
These look yummy! I love lemons too and chamomile tea. I will be trying this recipe!
Not clear about tea bags. Are the bags not to brewed?
Nope! No brewing, just open them up and add the herbs to the mixture with the other dry ingrediebts. The lemon tea is caffeine few and just lemon oil, chamomile and lemon myrtle, so it’s good stuff and really gives depth of flavor
In the No-Bake Lemon Tea Oat Bars, do use just the contents of the tea bags?
Yes, just cut open the bags and pour all of the contents into the mix. It is just chamomile, lemon myrtle and lemon oil, so no weird additives or chemicals. Look for a clean ingredient list or organic brand. Let me know how they turn out!
Just tried them today. I didn’t have tea bags but I had loose chamomile tea. Flavor wise it turned out good but the seem a little dry.
Hi CJ! Hmmm that’s odd, they shouldn’t be dry at all. With all the almond butter, syrup and lemon juice it’s near impossible. Maybe it was the tea you used..maybe you used more than if using the tea bags? Also, did you sub anything else? Others have made these with success and they are never dry when I make them…my only guess would be you got extra oats or tea granules in there. Did you use a chunky thick or smooth almond butter because if the almond butter is too thick, it won’t mix in as well and would affect the moisture content. Hope that helps some!
I never in a million years would’ve thought it was ok to eat what’s inside a tea bag! But you haven’t yet steered me wrong, and these are delicious. I’m excited to have these available for quick on the go breakfasts. I made them last night before bed and just ate my first one. Thanks for all of your awesome recipes!! Keep em coming! ?
Woohoo! So glad you loved these Jennifer! Thank you so much for the review!