Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal Bars are a healthy, gluten free breakfast or snack recipe that taste decadent but are made without refined sugar.
As we creep closer to the season that shall not be named and anticipate spending more time indoors, I’ve been collecting activity ideas and, more importantly, healthy snack recipes to fill our time and bellies.
Because I don’t know about your kids, but if mine are indoors and even remotely bored, they’re asking for a snack.
I actually don’t mind when they request my healthy Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal Bars! This yummy, fall-inspired recipe tastes like you’re eating a big bowl of apple cinnamon oatmeal in bar form.
Dense, chewy, and perfect for breakfast or (the 57th) snack time!
Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal Bars
Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal Bars are packed with heart-healthy old fashioned oats, coconut oil, tons of cinnamon, fresh apples, and are sweetened with pure maple syrup. No processed-sugar needed. Plus, for those of you who are banana-averse/allergic, these bars call for unsweetened applesauce as a binder/sweetener instead of mashed bananas. I recommend using Granny Smith apples but honestly, you can use whatever you prefer or have on hand.
How Long Do the Bars Stay Fresh After Baking?
These bars will keep just fine covered tightly on the countertop for 2-3 days, though I usually stash them in the refrigerator where they stay fresh for 4-5 days.
Can You Freeze Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal Bars?
Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal Bars freeze beautifully! Bake, cool, then slice the bars, and then wrap individually in saran wrap. You can either thaw overnight in the fridge, or wrap in paper towels and microwave for 15-20 seconds, or until heated through.
How to Make this Recipe
Start by processing gluten-free old fashioned oats in a food processor or blender until you have oat flour then add to a large bowl with more whole oats, cinnamon, baking powder, and salt. Mix with a fork to combine.
In another bowl whisk together milk (any kind – I use unsweetened almond milk,) egg, pure maple syrup, unsweetened applesauce, melted coconut oil, and vanilla then add to the dry ingredients and mix just until combined.
If the melted coconut oil clumps up a little bit when combined with the cold milk and egg — that’s ok! It will melt right back down in the oven.
The last step is to fold in a 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!
More Easy Breakfast Recipes
- Baked Oatmeal Cups
- Blueberry Oatmeal Breakfast Bars
- Maple Cinnamon Oatmeal Breakfast Bars
- Maple Pumpkin Oatmeal Breakfast Bars
- Mini Egg Bites
- High Protein Overnight Oats
Equipment
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 use unsweetened almond milk
- 6 Tablespoons unsweetened applesauce
- 6 Tablespoons pure maple syrup, not pancake syrup
- 1/4 cup coconut oil, melted
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 Granny Smith apple, peeled then grated
Directions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees then spray an 8×8″ 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
- If you don’t have a box grater, you can finely chop the apples.
Nutrition
Nutritional values are estimates only. Please read our full nutrition information disclaimer.
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’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. :)
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!
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 ?
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!
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.
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.
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!!
I can’t wait to try these! What are your thoughts of doubling the recipe?
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’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!
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.
Can these be frozen, individually wrapped?
Yep! Cool completely then wrap in saran wrap and freeze.