Applesauce Oatmeal Bars
These Applesauce Oatmeal Bars are soft, chewy, and lightly sweetened with applesauce and maple syrup for a wholesome treat. Perfect for breakfast, snacking, or dessert, they’re simple to make and full of cozy flavor.
There’s something so comforting about the smell of cinnamon, apples, and oats baking in the oven—it instantly makes the kitchen feel warm and inviting. These Applesauce Oatmeal Bars are a wholesome treat that can double as a quick breakfast, a satisfying snack, or even a light dessert.
Made with simple pantry staples, naturally sweetened with applesauce, and perfectly chewy with a hint of cozy spice, they’re as nourishing as they are delicious. Whether you’re meal-prepping for the week or just want something homemade to enjoy with your morning coffee, these bars are sure to become a new family favorite.
Looking for other great snack ideas? Check out my Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins, Zucchini Banana Muffins, and Oatmeal Protein Peanut Butter Balls.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Hearty - these oat bars will fill you up!
- Nutritious - filled with oats, applesauce, and naturally sweetened, these are a great healthy option.
- Easy and Great For Meal Prep - these are super simple to whip up and are great for a filling breakfast on busy mornings.
- Kid Friendly - my kids love these applesauce oatmeal bars!
Ingredients
Old-fashioned Rolled Oats - chewy oats are the main bulk of the bars
Baking Powder - baking powder helps them rise slightly and prevents the texture from being too dense.
Ground Cinnamon - warm cinnamon flavor complements the apples really well.
Salt - salt helps enhance the flavors.
Unsweetened Applesauce - applesauce adds apple flavor, a hint of sweetness, and helps keep the bars moist.
Maple Syrup - this adds some natural sweetness to the bars.
Olive Oil - you can also use melted butter or coconut oil, if you prefer.
Vanilla extract - warm vanilla flavor complements the cinnamon and apples perfectly.
Egg - this acts as a binder in these apple oat bars.
Shredded Apple - shredded apples enhance the apple flavor of these bars without adding any crunch.
Variations
Add mix-ins for variety – raisins, chopped nuts, or chocolate chips can make them more fun and flavorful.
More Spices - while I use cinnamon, you could also add ½ teaspoon of ginger, ¼ teaspoon of allspice and ¼ teaspoon cloves for even more flavor.
Step by Step Instructions
Photo 1. In a large bowl, mix together the oats, cinnamon, baking powder, and salt.
Photo 2. Add the oil, maple syrup, egg, applesauce, vanilla, and milk, and whisk to combine. Stir in the shredded apple.
Photo 3. Pour the mixture into a greased 8x8" baking dish and bake at 350 degrees F for 25-30 minutes, until baked through.
Photo 4. Cool and cut into bars. Enjoy!
Expert Tips
Use old-fashioned rolled oats – they give the bars the best chewy texture; quick oats can make them too soft, and steel-cut oats won’t cook through.
Don’t overmix the batter – stir just until combined to keep the bars tender instead of tough.
Line the pan with parchment paper – this makes it easy to lift the bars out in one piece for cleaner slicing.
Let them cool completely before cutting – the bars firm up as they cool, so slicing too early can make them crumbly.
Store properly – keep them in an airtight container at room temperature for a couple of days, or refrigerate/freeze for longer freshness.
Recipe FAQs
Yes, but the texture will be softer. Rolled oats give the bars a chewier bite.
Absolutely—just use certified gluten-free oats and a gluten-free flour blend in place of wheat flour.
Unsweetened applesauce is ideal so you can control the sweetness, but sweetened will work too—just reduce the added sugar or sweetener.
Other Oat Bar Recipes to Consider
If you make this recipe, please let me know! Leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating on this recipe below and leave a comment, or take a photo and tag me on Instagram with #greensnchocolate.
Applesauce Oatmeal Bars
Ingredients
- 2 ½ old fashioned oats
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsweetened almond milk
- ⅓ cup applesauce
- ⅓ cup maple syrup
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 large egg
- 1 apple shredded
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
- Line an 8x8" baking dish with parchment paper and spray with cooking spray.
- In a large bowl, mix together the oats, cinnamon, baking powder, and salt.
- Add the milk, applesauce, maple syrup, oil, vanilla, and egg, and mix until just combined.
- Fold in the shredded apple.
- Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, until baked through.
- Let cool for 30-60 minutes and then cut into bars.
- Enjoy!
