Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal Bars are a healthy, gluten-free breakfast or snack recipe that taste decadent but are made without refined sugar. These are a hit with kids!
Friends, I am CTT – capital-T Tired!
I’m coming to terms with the fact that Cameron is a horrible sleeper. Wah-wah! He’s lucky he’s so dang cute, and that I’m obsessed with him, otherwise these 2-4 wake-ups per night at nearly 12 months of age might really be a problem.
Up until this point I’ve handled Cam’s middle of the night wake-ups, as I can feed him then get him back down pretty quickly, but we’re axing night-time feedings which means Ben is now getting involved. Welcome to the non-slumbering slumber party, dear!
Anyway, what I’m trying to say is, we’re tired and a little stressed out (we both agree that going on vacation for 1 week means spending at least 3 weeks trying to catch up.) And when we’re tired and stressed, we go for the rotten carbs. Not proud of it, but you know what? Gluten-free monster cookies, brownies, and frosted pumpkin bars help me momentarily forget the fact that I’m going to go to bed at 10pm each night and wake up 2-4 more times before the sun rises. Ben’s carb of choice? Coffee Cake. Because the store was out of pies. YESTERDAY HE WAS GOING TO BUY AND EAT A WHOLE PIE.
That said, if you see either of us aimlessly wandering around with dark circles under our eyes, muttering a little because we can’t form coherent sentences – point us in the direction of the nearest muffin.
At any rate, over the past few days I’ve been cutting oatmeal monster cookies with these healthy Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal Bars. Oh yes, I’m keeping the oatmeal bar train chugging along (I think I can!) with this yummy, apple-season-inspired version that’s like eating a bowl apple cinnamon oatmeal in bar form. Dense, chewy, and totally delicious.
Speaking of my littlest little man, Cameron adores these bars, and I love that I can cube them up, sprinkle them on his tray and let him do his thing at breakfast time. Lincoln’s obsessed too! We like to bake them together then pull out of the fridge for easy breakfasts or wholesome snacks. You know you’ve got something good on your hands when a 4 year old requests them.
Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal Bars are packed with heart-healthy old fashioned oats, coconut oil, tons of cinnamon, fresh apples, and sweetened with pure maple syrup. No processed-sugar needed. Plus, those of you who are banana-averse/allergic, these bars call for unsweetened applesauce as a binder/sweetener instead of mashed bananas.
The apple-cinnamon combo will not only flood your kitchen with the sweetest fall scent, but tickle your tastebuds too. Put that apple bounty to good use and let’s get to baking!
Start by processing 1 cup gluten-free old fashioned oats in a food processor or blender until you have oat flour (alternatively you could use a scant cup store-bought oat flour,) then add to a large bowl with 1-1/2 cups whole gluten-free old fashioned oats, 1-1/2 teaspoons cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon baking powder, and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Mix with a fork to combine.
By the way, I wholeheartedly recommend GF Harvest gluten-free oats. I have no relationship or affiliation with them – I just love and appreciate their celiac-safe oat growing and processing procedures. These are the only oats I can eat with zero reaction which is why I buy, cough, 12lbs at a time. I never want to run out!
In another bowl whisk together 1 cup milk (any kind – I use unsweetened almond milk,) 1 egg, 1/4 cup + 2 Tablespoons each pure maple syrup and unsweetened applesauce, 1/4 cup melted coconut oil, and 1 teaspoon vanilla then add to the dry ingredients and mix just until combined. Heads up – Costco is selling organic maple syrup for $10 right now!
Last step is to fold in 1 grated Granny Smith Apple. I use Granny Smith’s for all my baked apple recipes, because they hold up so well to baking, but truly any kind will work as they pretty much melt into the bars. That said, you can chop the apples if you want to go for a more “apple crisp” experience – super good either way.
Pour the mixture into a greased 8×8 pan then bake for 35-40 minutes at 350 degrees or until the edges are golden brown and the center is completely set.
Let the bars cool before slicing and devouring. Store leftovers in the fridge for quick and easy breakfasts or snacks, or individually wrap in saran wrap and toss inside the freezer. However you eat ’em – enjoy!!
Fajita Caesar Salad
Caesar Spinach and Artichoke DipApple Cinnamon Oatmeal Bars
Description
Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal Bars are a healthy, gluten-free breakfast or snack recipe that taste decadent but are made without refined sugar.
Ingredients
- 2-1/2 cups certified gluten-free old fashioned oats*, divided
- 1-1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup milk, any kind (I used unsweetened almond milk)
- 1/4 cup + 2 Tablespoons no-sugar-added applesauce
- 1/4 cup + 2 Tablespoons pure maple syrup (not pancake syrup)
- 1/4 cup coconut oil, melted
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 Granny Smith apple, peeled and grated
Directions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees then spray an 8x8" baking pan with nonstick spray and set aside.
- Add 1 cup oats to a food processor or blender then process until oats have turned into flour (alternatively you could use a scant cup oat flour.) Add flour to a large bowl with remaining 1-1/2 cups old fashioned oats, cinnamon, baking powder, and salt then stir with a fork to combine and set aside.
- In another bowl, add milk, applesauce, maple syrup, coconut oil, egg, and vanilla then whisk to combine. Pour into dry ingredients then stir until just combined. Fold in grated apples then pour batter into prepared baking pan.
- Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and the center has set. Cool before slicing into bars then store in the refrigerator, or individually wrap bars in saran wrap and freeze.
Notes
- I recommend GF Harvest Oats >
- If you don't have a box grater, you can finely chop the apples.
This recipe is courtesy of Iowa Girl Eats, http://iowagirleats.com.
Oh Kristen, I am so sorry that Cam is a poor sleeper. My boy will be a year old next week and is also a tough sleeper. I did everything “better/differently” than I did with my daughter, and still got another poor sleeper. I feel like Facebook friends and other bloggers constantly brag about how well their babies sleep and it makes me so frustrated! But know that you’re not doing anything wrong – these are just the cards we have been dealt. I feel your pain!
Our little guys must be the same age – Cam will turn 1 next week too! Well, just remember when you’re awake in that rocker at 3am…I probably am too. ;) We are not alone!
I’m out of coconut oil. What can I substitute?
I didn’t test these with anything other than coconut oil, but I bet you’d get the same results with vegetable oil.
Mothers of crummy sleepers unite! I remember reading your Insta post about Cam’s sleep stuff when he was a few months old and nodding in sympathy. Sleep problems are the WORST! We had some success doing a modified version of The Sleep Lady’s method (Kim West). The only part I did significantly differently was I would pick him up to soothe him. Little man knows what he wants and would get infuriated if I tried to sue him from bedside. That really helped a lot as prior to that he would sleep for a couple hours then be up Every. Single. Hour. 😳 ugh!!
The bars look delicious!! I’m always on the hunt for nutritious, toddler/husband friendly snacks, ha!
Oh gosh, pretty sure my baby was not infuriated by litigation! 😂 *soothe* him from bedside.
Hehe, I knew what you meant! That’s what we need to do – soothe crib-side versus pick up to rock. The real issue here is that I’m a softie and just HATE seeing his sad little face. So tough to give tough love. 😭
My second kid was a terrible sleeper too. I did everything “right” with this one and still wakes at night (age 4). :/
Oy, Julie! Thank goodness for coffee and carbs.
Just commenting to offer solidarity as a mom of a not so good at sleeping one year old. I know it’s rough. Thank goodness for coffee and yummy carbs. :) Also can’t wait to try this recipe! Your Blueberry Oatmeal Breakfast bars are my six year old’s favorite breakfast. I’m sure he’ll like these too because he’s a big fan of apples.
Thank you, Joni! I’m actually feeling better hearing these messages from parents in the same miserable boat. :) Hope these bars become a new favorite for your family!
Oh man, I feel your pain! My babe is 10.5 months old and we have no idea what we are going to get on a given night. 2-3 wake ups or a one hour scream fest 😳 bring on the snacks
Ughhhhh!!! Thank goodness for delicious carbs.
Well (raise hand), I’m a mom of a terrible sleeper too. And sadly she almost 5 and we rarely get a solid nights rest. I thought for sure by now, we Would all be sleeping! Maybe by the time she has 16? LOL. I hope for your sake that Cam will sleep sooner
Sending stay asleep vibes to your daughter, Jill! ;)
Can’t wait to try these. They look great. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks Pam! I hope you love them. :)
This posting brought back memories…….I had 4 girls in 5 years. When I brought the last one home from the hospital….she was a premie a little under 5 pounds. I had 3 of them in diapers. And this last little peanut was cute…..but rarely slept through the night for the first 3 years of her life. And she cried a lot. I remember laying in bed at night with a pillow over my head…..praying she would just stop crying. Or I would sit in the rocking chair and rock her and she would still cry. When she would talk, she would cry and say I want my daddy! Daddy worked nights…..so I would tell her, he will be home in the morning. We would repeat this for hours. Then in the morning she would wake up like nothing had happened in the night. I frankly don’t know how I did it looking back. I feel your pain……seriously! Being a stay at home mom of several small children is not easy.
Oh my word, Sheri – you are The Woman!! Thanks for your encouraging message – I know (well, hope) that we’ll look back on this time in several years with rose colored glasses, but it sure is tough in the moment.
Hang in there! My youngest was a horrible sleeper up until around age 1. She would wake 2-4 times per night just to nurse for *seriously* like a minute and then fall right back to sleep in my arms. Once I weaned her she was great! Now she sleeps like a champ!! So hold on hope that it might get better. I know at the time is was SO HARD! But hopefully it’s just a phase.
I’m really hoping weaning is the solution because, like the sucker that I am, I do feed him every time he wakes up just to get him back down quickly. I’m probably creating this whole situation, but dangit change is hard.
I detest anything coconut – could you use melted butter?
Sure! That or vegetable oil could work.
These look yummy ;)’ I do have one little question though……can I make these with soy milk instead of almond milk and something else to substitute the egg? My niece and nephew have dairy, egg and nut allergies.
Hi Cynthia! Absolutely to soy milk – that is just fine – though I don’t know about the egg. You could try making a flax egg, though I just don’t know if it will be strong enough to keep the bars together. At the very least you could turn them into a crumble for yogurt or ice cream!
I feel your pain! My second child is a horrible sleeper! She is 11.5 months old and wakes up 3-4 times every night to nurse still. She throws epic fits when I try to rock her instead of nursing so I have no idea how to stop nursing at night! My son was the best sleeper so I’m at a complete loss on what to do! (And I am also living off of carbs!!)
SAME! I know cutting off nursing at night will (hopefully….probably) fix the problem but actually doing it will be torture. My oldest is the best sleeper too so I’m just like 😳.
Can these be frozen, individually wrapped?
Yep! Cool completely then wrap in saran wrap and freeze.
Random question………what program do you use to edit your videos? They are awesome by the way!
Thank you, Kari! Most of my videos have been produced by an outside team so I can’t say for sure what they’re using. I’ve used a combination of Adobe Premiere Pro and iMovie for the ones I’ve made.
I’m right there with you. I have 8 month identical twin boys who wake up multiple times through the night and if one wakes, he almost always wakes up his brother. I’m walking around like a carb consuming zombie. And I may be up to 4 coffees a day ;) You do what you gotta do to get through the day right??!!
Gahhh – you win! I have a few friends with twin babies right now and I always tell myself, as tired as I am, I’m not “twin tired”. Hang in there Mama!
This post spoke to me today! Both the bars and the infant sleep issues :) My 7.5 mo old had been doing ok in the sleep department until a couple months ago, now it’s 4-5 wake ups a night….argh!
Ugh, same! We even sailed through the 4 month sleep regression without too many issues. So it goes…
I can’t wait to try these! What are your thoughts of doubling the recipe?
Ugh, we went through a phase where our then five-month-old was waking up every 2 – 3 hours to eat (after previously only waking up once or twice). We followed the advice in the book “Solve Your Child’s Sleep Problems” (basically space out the feedings gradually over the course of about a week), and our kiddo has been sleeping through the night (or pretty darn close to it) ever since!
This recipe looks amazing! I have the hardest time coming up with healthy snacks and way too often resort to unhealthy options. I love that you can make them ahead then just grab when hunger strikes. Plus, gimme all the fall recipes, please!!
These are by far my favorite of the oatmeal bars. I think it’s the no bananas. I love them in banana bread, but not crazy about them when it’s just a hint of flavor.
OK, we just made these bars and are eating them warm and they seem so bland… I came here to read through the comments to see if anyone else had similar thoughts or suggestions. We have been reducing our processed sugar consumption so I was excited to try these. While these smelled wonderful, they seem to be missing some zip…
I’m sorry to hear that, MH! Is it possible you omitted an ingredient, or mis-measured something? These were pretty sweet to me, and the cinnamon flavor was pretty powerful too.
This recipe reminds me of those Quaker Oat Square bars I had growing up. Apple cinnamon was always my favorite…your version is a lot healthier though. :) I hope the middle of the night wake ups don’t last too much longer…
Yeah!! Hope you love them, Nicole!
There is a light at the end of the sleepless tunnel! We had the same situation with our son (currently 16 months) and just after a year, he finally started to sleep through the night. We never had to worry about sleep training our daughter, but our son was more of an “adventure”. I hope you get the same turn-the-corner relief after Cameron’s birthday because sleep = bliss! Aaannd a few less middle of the night arguments about will or will not work to get him to sleep is also bliss.
Lincoln woke up every morning at 4am to nurse (then went back down until 7 or so) until he was 11 months old. I was convinced he was going to do this forreeeevveerrrr. Then one day, he stopped! So, hopefully like him and your little guy, this will all just work itself out. #keepdreaming 🤣
I made these during nap time this afternoon and my kids (ages 3 and 1) gobbled them up! I think they’ll be good send to preschool for lunch. It’s a keeper. Also, I feel your pain regarding sleep. Both of mine were really tough sleepers – you’re not alone.
So glad to hear it, Laura! Thanks for your feedback, and support!
I’m a long time follower and huge fan of all of your recipes! I loved the blueberry plus the maple pecan versions of these bars and this one is SO good as well. My 3 yr old and 1 yr old love these too!
Yeahhhh!! So glad they were a hit with the kiddos, Christina. :)
These are so yummy!! I toasted mine this morning because I wanted it to be warm and then spread a little nut butter on top (b/c why not, right?). AMAZING!
Love, love, LOVE! Thanks for your feedback, Crissy!
I made these with my 3 year old son, and he loooved them! Good luck with the sleep training! It’s the worst but so, so worth it when they finally learn to put themselves to sleep. You can do it, momma! I love your blog- we have multiple food intolerances to cook for and I can always find a recipe here!
So glad to hear that, Jenna!! Thanks for your feedback, and I’m so glad the recipes are a fit for your family!
Yum! We love your blueberry oatmeal breakfast bars so I’d like to try these to mix it up now that blueberries are out of season.
I’m so excited about these! I’m obsessed with the other versions. :)
Lovely recipe and perfect for the breakfast or as a snack during the day and also a good source of energy and fibres!
We just made these to take as a plane ride snack and they are perfect! I find them to be well spiced and not very sweet, which I wanted. I would say anyone who didn’t get it as sweet to maybe look at the maple syrup you use. Or pick a sweeter apple variety to shred. This is the 3rd of your recipes I’ve made in 2 days and every one is spot on. Thank you!
Oh my goodness, my two boys are going to LOVE these (if I can keep myself from eating the whole pan)!! They look insanely good!!
My little guy is allergic to coconut. Any suggestions for substitutions for the coconut oil?
I finally got around to making these. At first I was like meh, but was thrilled my 4 and 2 year old liked them. But I just heated one up as a post workout snack and smeared some peanut butter on it. Holy buckets was that delicious!!
I just made these…I used date paste along with the maple syrup and added 1/4 cup of ground ginger snaps to the flour and oatmeal mixture. They are delicious! I hope the children I made them for enjoy them as much as I am!
Can you use honey instead of maple syrup
Would also like to know about using honey in place of syrup
I love these bars! i double the recipe and freeze. I use them as my own breakfast coupled with nut butter. They are super filling! So no more morning snacking :)
I have used cloves in them also for a different taste.
So glad you have enjoyed these bars, Ana! They are a staple around here too. :)
do you think this would work with an egg replacer? Thanks
I’m sure it would – the recipe is extremely flexible. :)
Made this today. These were good! I won’t rate the recipe because I made some changes. I had applesauce in prepackaged 4oz containers. I used two of them. I figured two more Tablespoons wouldn’t hurt. I didn’t have any maple syrup so I used 1/2 cup of brown sugar. I was out of my coconut oil so I substituted oil. The thing I was most excited about is you taught me to grind part of the oatmeal into flower! All of my other baked oatmeal recipes use whole rolled oats. Yours is a game changer! I like the texture in these bars so much better! Nice recipe. Thank you for sharing! It made 8 bars for about 260 cal each.
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My husband is diabetic and love this because there is no processed sugar, maple syrup is just enough sweet with apples and I add 1/2 cup raisins and chopped pecans. He loves these!
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Hello! This is an awesome, versatile recipe! I made it last weekend for my best friend, who was off on a jaunt to Mexico, and needed some clean, easy and delicious snacks! Well, she LOVED! And so did I (like I needed more reason to be jealous of her.) Anyways, enough of my rants; recipe was fluffy, sweet and healthy, all the things a oat bar can and should be. Cheers from NH! — Alyssa :)
I skipped the maple syrup and doubled the applesauce and added chocolate chips because chocolate.
I have no patience so I ate some warm from the oven and it crumbled completely. Do you think it was a) too warm still, b) the applesauce, c) both, d) something else?
I’m enjoying the flavor, and not eating half the pan will be a challenge!
Thank you!
Hi Carrie! I’m so glad you are enjoying the flavor so far! Applesauce is more wet then maple syrup so I’m thinking that’s why they aren’t sticking together.
Hi I made these and they were a bit “stodgy” . I used parchment paper instead of greasing the tin.
Do you think this may have added moisture?
They are very nice though and I will be making again
not using the parchment just to find out.
I’m making this for school
I decided to bake this in an 8×4 loaf pan. It took longer to bake still turned out nicely. Very tasty, soft and fragrant. I took a picture but didn’t find a way to upload this. Loved the ingredients in this recipe.
[…] Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal Bars – Iowa Girl Eats […]
How much calories is one square?And i tottaly want to try this but does it have much calories because I’m trying to stay on calorie deficit