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.
Hello, I’m allergic to eggs. Is there a substitute I can use or can I omit the egg?
Thank you,
Hi Beth! Yes, you can use a flax egg. The bars will need to cook a little bit longer if you use that instead of a chicken egg.
Just made these. I wanted to get rid of the last amount of honey in a jar so I used that instead of maple syrup, it’s not as sweet but still good. I decided to not peel my apple and just chunked it up and put in the food processor since it was already dirty from the oats. I also used melted butter instead of oil and threw in some walnuts. Love these!
So glad you were able to make them work with what you had on hand, Kathleen! Thank you so much for your feedback and recipe rating!
I only have quick oats on hand – will this work? Should I make any adjustments?
Hi Kristin! I would use a bit less quick oats than old fashioned oats.
These are SO delicious! I even changed a few things, some by accident and some due to necessity. First, I wasn’t paying attention and measured out all the oats without processing any into flour. I realized my error and was able to scoop some of the whole oats out, but not as much as I was supposed to. So instead I added about a half cup of almond flour. Then, I had some apple cider that needed using, so I did half almond milk and half apple cider. I’m pretty sure you could do all cider if you needed–I think it would be leaner but also more apple-y. Finally I added a tablespoon of chia seeds. It was absolutely delicious!
So happy to hear they worked out for you, Jen!! That’s one of my favorite things about oatmeal bars – they are SO flexible! Thank you for your recipe rating and review!!
Hi Kristin – I am super excited to make these as a snack to have around. They look so yummy!! Question – I am not a fan of maple syrup…. it seems like there is a significant amount to omit without them being dry. Could you suggest a substitute? Thanks!
Hi Emily! You might be able to substitute with honey but I haven’t tried that swap myself and can’t say for sure how the final product would turn out.
My maximum degreese in oven are 275 how much time should I bake them?
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
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.
I’m making this for school
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 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.
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 :)
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!