If your toddler loves yogurt but struggles with texture or staying full, these baked yogurt bars (aka "breakfast cheesecake") are such a simple, fun option. They're soft, sliceable, and easy to hold (basically a cheesecake-style yogurt bar?!) but made with just a few everyday ingredients.
As a dietitian and mom, I love baked yogurt because it turns a familiar food into a more filling, predictable snack without overcomplicating things. Because even though they don't like a food one way, doesn't mean they won't like it prepared another way!
Why Baked Yogurt Bars Work So Well for Toddlers
- slightly firm, sliceable texture (less messy, easier to hold)
- high in protein to support fullness and growth
- familiar yogurt or fruit flavor to make it more accepting
- works for breakfast or snack
- easy to prep ahead and store
These baked yogurt bars are especially helpful for toddlers who prefer finger foods, because they can hold them or be cut into pincher grasp bites! Be sure to try out my frozen yogurt bark for another way to offer yogurt.
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Ingredients You'll Need
Here's what you'll need to make these baked yogurt bars for kids:
- Greek yogurt: the base of these baked yogurt bars, providing protein and calcium
- eggs: help the bars set and hold their shape, creating a firm, sliceable texture that’s easier for little hands
- oat flour: adds gentle fiber and structure while keeping the bars soft and tender, great for toddlers who prefer predictable textures
- vanilla extract: enhances flavor and helps the bars taste more like a treat
- maple syrup (optional): for added sweetness if desired
See recipe card for quantities.
How To Make Your Baked Yogurt Bars
- Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F. Line or lightly grease an 8×8 baking dish. Add the yogurt, eggs, flour, vanilla, and optional maple syrup to a bowl or blender.
- Step 2: Mix until completely smooth.
- Step 3: Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish. Top with whatever fruit of choice (or mini chocolate chips if you'd rather that)!
- Step 4: Bake for 35-45 minutes, until the edges are fully set and the center is just barely jiggly. Let cool at room temperature, then refrigerate for at least 1-2 hours before slicing (or you can totally serve warm). Chilling helps the baked yogurt bars firm up and hold their shape.
Hint For The Best Baked Yogurt Bars
For the best texture, let the baked yogurt bars cool completely and chill in the refrigerator before slicing. Chilling helps the bars firm up and makes them easier for toddlers to hold and eat without crumbling.
Substitutions
These baked yogurt bars are already gluten-free if using oat flour or gluten-free flour. For dairy-free yogurt bars I'd just swap with a thick dairy-free yogurt option! I haven't tried an egg-free version yet, but you could try subbing with silken tofu.
Variations
Feel free to change up the flavor profile in these baked yogurt bars to fit your family's taste preferences! Here are some ideas:
- blueberry muffin baked yogurt bars: top with frozen wild blueberries then crumble graham crackers on top
- banana baked yogurt bars: add ¼ cup mashed banana
- pumpkin spice: add ½ cup pumpkin purée in place of ½ of yogurt + cinnamon
- dairy-free: use a thick dairy-free yogurt and bake slightly longer
Equipment
To make these baked yogurt bars, you’ll need a mixing bowl or blender to combine the ingredients until smooth, measuring cups and spoons, and an 8×8 baking dish lined or lightly greased. A whisk or spatula is helpful for mixing, and allowing the bars to chill after baking will help them fully set before slicing.
Storing Your Baked Yogurt Bars
Store these bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days. Or you can freeze in an airtight container for up to 2 months, and thaw in the fridge overnight (the texture might slightly change, but they hold pretty well).
Tiff's Dietitian Tip
Getting toddlers involved in the cooking process can increase curiosity and comfort with new foods. For recipes like these baked yogurt bars, let your toddler help pour ingredients, sprinkle the chopped fruit on top, or help line the pan. Participation builds familiarity and familiarity often leads to more willingness to try the food, even if it takes time!
FAQ
Absolutely! Greek yogurt works best because it’s thicker. Regular yogurt may result in a softer texture, but you can totally still use it!
Yes. These bars are great for meal prep. Bake, chill, slice, and store in the fridge for about 5 days, so they’re ready for busy mornings or snack time. Or you can freeze for about 2 months.
Yes, many toddlers will prefer them cold because the texture is firmer and more predictable! Serving them chilled can also make them easier to hold, but warmed with maple syrup on top is also so yummy!
Small cracks are normal and usually happen as the bars cool. This doesn’t affect the texture or taste, it's basically the same effect as cheesecake!
The edges should be set and the center should no longer look wet. A slight jiggle is okay, the bars will firm up as they cool and chill.
Yes! You can also sub with almond flour, but I'd use ⅓ cup or double to adjust.
Related
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with these baked yogurt bars:
Baked Yogurt Bars (easy breakfast or snack for toddlers)
Equipment
- 8x8 or 9x9 baking dish
Ingredients
- 2 cups plain Greek yogurt
- 4 large eggs
- ¼ cup oat flour
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2-4 tablespoon maple syrup optional
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F and line or lightly grease an 8×8 baking dish.
- Add the yogurt, eggs, oat flour, vanilla, and optional maple syrup to a bowl or blender. Mix until completely smooth.
- Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish and smooth the top.
- Bake for 35-45 minutes, until the edges are set and the center is just barely jiggly.
- Let cool at room temperature, then refrigerate for at least 1-2 hours before slicing into bars (if desired). Or enjoy warm topped with maple syrup or whipped cream!
Iliana says
Delicious recipe! Kids loved it 🫶🏽 and me too lol very easy my explained and quick to make.
toddlerdietitiantiff says
Yayy!! So glad y'all loved it!
Amber says
This was great! I also sifted some freeze dried raspberries to sprinkle on the top (to help disguise the egg color, since my little one is also on an egg protest) and the kids loved it! Thank you for this great recipe!
toddlerdietitiantiff says
Omgsh this is a genius idea!! Thanks for sharing! I also wonder if you blended them up with the egg mixture if that'd help just turn the whole thing a light pink color?!👀
Amber says
Omg that is a great idea I just made this already for the second time and added the freeze dried raspberries, it did in fact turn out pinkish purple! Love it!
toddlerdietitiantiff says
How fun!!!! Love that!
Rachel says
Tried these today since we usually have an abundance of fresh eggs and homemade yogurt— they turned out delicious and the kids enjoyed them so much! We did blueberries, and it was requested strawberry for the next batch! Nice way to mix up breakfast, will definitely be adding into the normal rotation.
Teja says
Just made these today and they are excellent! Texture feels very decadent but the ingredient list is so simple and healthy!
toddlerdietitiantiff says
Isn't it wild how fancy they feel, yet are so simple?! So glad you loved them!
Alexis says
Have a super picky eater!! Made these with some honey in lieu of maple syrup for some added sweetness and it came out wonderful!
Might've slightly overcooked it, but came out great nonetheless!
Candice says
My 2.5yr old loves this recipe, it’s too easy!
toddlerdietitiantiff says
YAYYY! So glad your toddler loved them as much as we do!
Katie says
Hi- would you suggest doubling the flour if using AP flour or was your note above only for almond flour? Excited to try these!
toddlerdietitiantiff says
Nope! Keep the amount for AP and whole wheat flour the same! Can't wait for you to try!
Cat says
Love these! I added a mashed banana instead of sweetening with maple syrup and it was a huge hit! Will definitely be making again!
Kayleigh says
Just made this and it’s so good, my boy won’t eat it because of the texture but it just means more left for me. He’s not enjoying anything soft or mashed at the moment, but that is just his preference. I highly recommend this recipe!
toddlerdietitiantiff says
Maybe trying to cut it into cubes after cooled in the fridge and making little fruit + cheesecake kabobs?! Glad you loved it!!
Kayleigh says
I’ll try that, I know he will like eventually I think it’s just a phase. He was really excited seeing it cook in the oven!
Kaitlyn K says
My 4 y/o loved this! Simple enough that she was able to help me make it and I find that always helps with trying new things also! The timing didn’t work out to let it cool for 2 hours, so I cut her piece and popped it in the fridge while I made my husband and I breakfast. She devoured it!
toddlerdietitiantiff says
YAY!! Yes, including them usually *always* makes such a difference on whether or not they're more open to eating it! Love that these are easy enough to include them! So so glad she loved it!!
Lynsie says
Thank you so much I will try these my daughter has been on an egg strike for a while now. Do these freeze?
toddlerdietitiantiff says
Currently have a batch in the freezer to test now and will update you! Let me know how y'all like them!
Anndie says
Can't wait to see the results for me as well as these seem wonderful for meal prepping too!
Kaitlyn K says
Any update on the freezer stash? Just made this morning and looking to freeze a few portions!
toddlerdietitiantiff says
Yes, they thaw out great from the freezer!! I left them in the fridge overnight to thaw.
Nancy Westcott says
My kiddos devoured this & it’s made with ingredients you most likely already have! I enjoyed it as well but will leave out the berries for me next time. The texture was everything!
toddlerdietitiantiff says
Yayyy!!! Love a whole family win! I even wonder how good mini chocolate chips would be in it?! With a date caramel swirl ooo
Kyndra Mitchell says
I made the custard toast recipe it was SO good!! My toddler loved it too. It was very filling for just one. 😍
toddlerdietitiantiff says
YAY!! So glad it was hit!
Macmom says
Great! What would the temp/cook change be to make these in a muffin tin?
Jessica Banker says
Hi! Love this recipe!! Can you freeze the yoghurt bars or would you recommend avoiding that? How long can they stay refrigerated for?
Kat says
If anyone is curious, this recipe makes about 20 muffins and they're done in 20-25 minutes!
Lauren says
Used half whole milk yogurt and half cottage cheese, topped with blueberries and 12 month old loved it!
Kimberly Felker says
My 5 year old daughter absolutely hates eggs, which has always made getting enough protein in at breakfast very difficult so when I saw this recipe I just had to try it! I made it this morning and she absolutely loved it and kept asking for more, which made me so happy!
Mercedes says
So excited for a new way to give my toddler protein.
Hailey says
Absolutely delicious! As a toddler twin mama I am always looking for easy meals to prep for the week this one hit the spot!
toddlerdietitiantiff says
WOOHOO! So glad y'all loved them! Literally the perfect prep and could even be made in a muffin pan for mini "cheesecakes"!
tina says
literally SHOOK at how good these are! used frozen blueberries and added 2 tbsp maple syrup in ours, adding to our breakfast rotation!
toddlerdietitiantiff says
woohoo!! so glad you loved them!
Crista says
Such a good breakfast change! My whole family loved it! Easy to make high profile for adults too if you want to add protein powder! Even love it for a sweet treat option that’s not filled with too much sugar!
toddlerdietitiantiff says
WOOHOO! So glad they were family approved!! Didn't think about adding protein powder to them, but glad to hear it works!
Ashley Paulazzo says
Love these! My toddler took her time getting used to the new texture, but she's really starting to enjoy them too. And, they were super easy to make and convenient for a quick breakfast during our busy weekday mornings.
If I don't want to add maple syrup yet for my 18 month old, but I want them a bit sweeter, would blending strawberry into the mixture help bridge that?
Thank you for your recipes!
Madison Hafen says
My 18 month old couldn’t be more obsessed with these! A new staple meal prep in our household! I put them in cupcake trays and baked for a shorter time so they’d be easy to grab on the go and cool faster
Kirsten Kilpatrick says
Amazing!! Thank you
Joanie says
Yeahh very good!
l add a pinch of cinnamon.
The whole family loved it ! Especially the baby(1year) and the toddler hihi
T says
[email protected]
Amanda says
My daughter absolutely annihilated these. I have never been able to get my daughter to eat eggs since she started solids. This will definitely be on rotation. Im so excited to make these again and mix it up. Even my husband liked them 🤣
toddlerdietitiantiff says
This is amazing!!! Love that! I just made a cinnamon roll flavor that was so good too!
Wendy says
Have you shared the cinnamon roll version yet? I would love the recipe! Thank you!
toddlerdietitiantiff says
Yes!! Click HERE to see the cinnamon roll version!
Kasey says
So easy and tastes good! I made it again and subbed 1 cup of yogurt for a block of cream cheese for a richer, more cheesecake-like flavor. Love that I can use frozen fruit and I already had all the ingredients on hand.
toddlerdietitiantiff says
Oooo okay LOVE the sub with cream cheese for a more decadent flavor!!! So glad you loved it!
B says
My 6 year old loves these. Thank you.
toddlerdietitiantiff says
So glad to hear it!!
Jennifer says
I made this the other day, it's really easy to make and we all love it, including my 3.5 year old. We added raspberries and strawberries to it. I think I'll try blueberries next time.
toddlerdietitiantiff says
Yayy so glad your whole fam loved it!! Yes, give the blueberries a try! So good!
Carolyn says
My toddler only ate the strawberries on top. I didn’t add any sugar because he’s still young, but without it, it is very tart.
toddlerdietitiantiff says
Ah, maybe even cutting it up into little bite-size squares with the strawberries would be an easier grab for him?! It's definitely a little tart without any added sugar, that's why I add some type of syrup on top of mine. Blending cottage cheese instead of the yogurt could also be another option to make it less tart!
Kimberly Figueroa says
Okayyyyy!! These came out amazing!
toddlerdietitiantiff says
YAY this makes me so happy!!! Glad y'all enjoyed them!!
Kaylee says
Why have I never thought of baking yogurt bars? These were way too easy and now I don’t have to wipe yogurt and berry juices off my toddler. 11/10 making these every week and following for more
toddlerdietitiantiff says
LOL okay 1000% facts with wiping yogurt and berry juices off your toddler - feel that and why I love these so much!! So glad y'all loved them!