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 were good but I think I was hoping for a little more of a crunch/crispy texture, like a somewhat soft granola bar. I do like the flavor but I think if I made them again I would try to see if there’s anything I can do differently in order to give them a little more of a crunch on the outside and somehow manage to keep them softer inside.
Hi Kristina! Yes, these are soft oatmeal bars vs a crunchy granola bar type texture.
hi can quick oats be used?
Hi Kristin! I don’t recommend quick oats as they will cause the bars to come out very dense.
I used dehydrated apple slices spun through my food processor. I added half to the liquid mixture before adding to my dry matter. I also added shredded coconut, chopped walnuts and dried cranberries. yummy! I am calculating them at about 200 calories per serving. I also used a 9×11 pan so I got more 12 bars.
Sounds delicious, Amy! Glad you have found a way to make this recipe your own. Thank you so much for your feedback and recipe rating!
I love this recipe! I bake it in a 9×9 pan and they come out a little bit thicker than the picture – I let them cool completely and then wrap each bar individually and put them in a freezer bag. Each week, I pull a few and throw them in the refrigerator to have for breakfasts (I think they taste really good right out of the fridge – a little chilled). I’m in North Dakota and we have excessive amounts of apple trees – so I’m always looking for ways to use up all the applesauce I end up making.
Oh I love that, Brittany! We always appreciate having these on hand in the freezer too. :) Thank you so much for your feedback and recipe rating!
I’ve been making your breakfast bars for months and I really enjoy them. Today I decided to alter it a bit with a cake recipe I have. I doubled the Apple and chopped them in chunks instead of slivers. I doubled the cinnamon and instead of putting the cinnamon with the dry ingredients, I mixed it with the Apple and added a tablespoon of sugar. I added a little bit more leavening (1/4 tsp baking soda and a little extra baking powder) and swapped the milk out for orange juice. I poured half the batter in the pan then added half the apples, then the rest of the batter and the rest of the apples. Oh, and I added a Sprinkle of chocolate chips in with each layer of apples. It turned out delicious as a dessert cake.
That sounds divine, Roni!! Almost like an apple crisp meets apple bars meets apple cake. YUM. Thanks for sharing your method and feedback!
Made this so many times! Delicious and they freeze and refrigerate well!
Fabulous! You bet – so nice to have on hand in the freezer to pull out when you need a bar!
These were just okay. I wouldn’t likely make again. The recipe is basically just baked oatmeal, and not really what I’d consider a “bar.” It tasted like any other baked oatmeal I’ve made, but kinda bland and mushy and plain. Needed more cinnamon and spices, and more apple flavour (although I guess adding more apple would only make it soggier). I guess I was looking for more of a bar/square.
Hi Alicia! I’m sorry these bars didn’t meet your expectations. As I mentioned in the post copy, these are breakfast/snack bars – not dessert.
These were soggy on the bottom. I lined the dish with baking paper that may be why. Good for breakfast because they are not sweet.
Hi Jeannine! That’s correct – these are a lightly sweetened breakfast bar, not dessert!
I’d live to save this on pintrest on by board of food to prepare before my baby arrives but its says pins arwn’t allowed from this website
Hi Hazel, I’m so sorry to hear that! Can you tell me what browser and device you’re using?
Please send me nutritional valve for these apple and cinnamon bars x
Hi Lee! I recommend MyFitnessPal.com for nutritional information if you need it!
Excellent! For lack of ingredients, I swapped out the milk for a 2nd portion of applesauce, used all spice instead of cinnamon and evoo instead of coconut oil. I also added 1/4c ground flaxseed. They’re really delicious. So versatile. Thankyou for the recipe!
I’m so glad they worked using what you had on hand, Stephaney! They truly are fool proof!
Tried this today and am in love. I think I have a favorite new recipe.
I’m so pleased to hear it, DeAnne! Thank you so much for your feedback and recipe rating!
Hi, can you please provide me with the nutrition value for your Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal bars? I made them and they’re delicious.
The recipes for your oatmeal bars all sound great, but my grandson has a severe tree nut allergy and cannot have coconut oil. What do you suggest I substitute for it?
Hi Memee! You can use melted butter instead. :)