Make these soft, chewy, and perfectly spiced Apple Oatmeal Bars in about an hour. This easy and healthy recipe is ideal for breakfast or on-the-go snacks. Freezer Friendly.
Come fall in love with Healthy Baked Oatmeal Bars! Strawberry Oatmeal Bars are one of our favorites!
After you bite into these fresh-tasting apple bars with their crumbly oat topping, you’ll be hooked! I've been baking them for my kids for years. The crust makes them taste like an apple tart or apple crisp, but in a portable, chewy bar, perfect for those on-the-go days.
My Healthy Apple Oat Bars are slightly sweet, so they're the perfect make-ahead breakfast recipe for meal prep or an on-hand healthy snack, just like my baked Blueberry Oatmeal Bars made with fresh or frozen berries.
The kids pick fresh fruit or apples every year, so these bars are always in rotation.
Why You’ll Love These Bars
- WHOLESOME INGREDIENTS - Unlike processed and packaged bars, you make these breakfast bars with nourishing ingredients like heart-healthy old-fashioned oats, coconut oil, and fresh apples. Bonus! They're dairy-free.
- INCREDIBLE APPLE FLAVOR - The taste and texture of this recipe are perfect. The chewy bars are topped with a crunchy, nutty topping. And they’re so versatile. They work for an easy breakfast or an after-school or portable snack.
- MAKE-AHEAD RECIPE - This is a wonderful recipe to prep for the week, so breakfast or snack time is done! Plus, it’s a freezer-friendly recipe. This is an easy recipe since there's no need to cook the apples beforehand!
Ingredients and Substitutions
- Rolled Oats - make the bars soft and chewy. I like to use old-fashioned oats for the best texture.
- Flour - gives this recipe its bulk. You can also use all-purpose, whole wheat, or oat flour—but the bars will be denser with this option.
- Baking Powder - to give the bars a little lightness and lift.
- Ground Cinnamon - cinnamon adds a warm spice that pairs nicely with the apples and oats forming a perfect marriage.
- Sea Salt - to balance the sweetness.
- Honey - adds a natural sweetness. You can also use pure maple syrup.
- Brown Sugar - adds a touch of sweetness to the crumbly topping.
- Coconut Oil - slightly melted to make it soft, or you can use butter.
- Vanilla Extract - pure vanilla extract is what we recommend for the best flavor.
- Apple Sauce - unsweetened applesauce helps keep your bars moist and flavorful.
- Apples - I recommend tart Granny Smith apples, which give the recipe a wonderful texture when baked. However, any variety of apples, such as Braeburn, Pink Lady, or Honey Crisp, would work.
For the Topping
- Pecans - roughly chopped pecans add lovely texture and crunch. You can use walnuts or almonds in place of the pecans.
- Rolled Oats - give the topping its crumbly texture.
- Ground Cinnamon - pairs perfectly with the apples.
- Salt - to balance the flavors.
Find the full recipe and instructions in the printable recipe card below.
Variations
- FRUIT - you can make our fresh-tasting Strawberry Oatmeal Bars or Raspberry Oatmeal Bars for variety.
- VEGAN - use coconut oil, and you have a vegan fruit and oat bar worth raving about!
- GLUTEN-FREE - You can make this a gluten-free recipe using certified gluten-free oats and a 1:1 flour substitution.
- NUTS - one way to amp up the taste and texture of your bar is to add chopped nuts to the crumbly topping. I recommend pecans or walnuts. Plus, you get a little boost of protein.
Step-By-Step Instructions
STEP 1 - PREP. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. (177 C.), line an 8x8 baking pan with parchment paper, and spray it with nonstick spray. Set aside. Peel, core, and slice apples thinly (about ¼ of an inch) with a knife or mandolin (Image 1).
STEP 2 - MAKE THE DOUGH. Mix the dry ingredients—the rolled oats, flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt in a large mixing bowl with a spatula. Add honey, coconut oil, and apple sauce and mix until a wet dough forms (Image 2).
STEP 3 - MAKE THE TOPPING. In a medium bowl, stir together chopped pecans, rolled oats, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt.
STEP 4 - ASSEMBLE. Press dough in an even layer into the prepared pan with a spatula (Image 3). Overlap the sliced apples on top of the dough (Image 4) and sprinkle with pecan topping (Image 5).
STEP 5 - BAKE & SERVE. Bake in the oven for 40-45 minutes until the edges are golden brown.
Let them cool in the pan for 10, then remove your bars using the edge of the parchment paper and let them cool completely on a cooling rack before cutting them into squares.
ERIN'S TIP: Serve your Healthy Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal Bars warmed for a hot breakfast or dessert alongside a scoop of ice cream and a drizzle of caramel sauce! Heavenly!
Expert Tips
- OATS. I like the taste and chewy texture of old-fashioned rolled oats. However, instant or quick oats would work if that’s what’s in your pantry.
- LINING THE PAN. Lining your pan with parchment paper or foil makes removing your oatmeal bars so much easier.
- COOL COMPLETELY. These bars keep their shape best when cut into squares when cooled completely.
- SERVING SUGGESTIONS. These apple oat bars are wonderful as is, but they can be taken up a notch by drizzling them with homemade caramel sauce, peanut butter, or a dollop of yogurt!
How to Store
Store your apple pie bars in an airtight container at room temperature for 3-4 days. They'll last up to 5-6 days if stored in the refrigerator.
You can also freeze the bars individually in plastic wrap in an airtight container for 3 months.
Recipe FAQs
The best apples for oatmeal bars are granny smith because they have an incredible tart flavor and are firm and hold their shape. Other apples like Honey Crisp, Pink Lady, Jonagold, Braeburn, and Mcintosh will work since they have a balance of crunch and sweetness.
Apple Oatmeal Bars freeze very well. Once baked, cool them completely, slice them into bars, wrap them individually in plastic wrap, and place them in an airtight container.
Thaw them overnight and enjoy a delightful breakfast the next day. If short on time, wrap a bar in paper towels and microwave for 15-20 seconds or until heated through.
Freshly baked oatmeal bars don't need to be stored in the refrigerator. However, you can place them in the fridge to extend their life by a few days.
More Easy Oatmeal Bar Recipes
Love this Apple Oatmeal Bar recipe? Please leave a 5 star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating in the recipe card below ⬇️ and/or a review in the comment section further down.
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Printable Recipe
Healthy Apple Oatmeal Bars Recipe
Equipment
- Spatula or cooking spoon
- 8 x 8 baking pan
Ingredients
- 2 cups old fahioned rolled oats (quick oat will do in a pinch)
- 1 cup white whole wheat flour (all-purpose flour also works)
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon salt (kosher or sea salt)
- ½ cup honey
- 6 tablespoons coconut oil, melted (or butter)
- ¼ cup unsweetened applesauce
- 3 medium apples (we like Granny Smith)
- cooking spray
For the Topping
- ½ cup chopped pecans
- ½ cup old fashioned rolled oats
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- pinch salt
Instructions
- PREP. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. (177 C.), line an 8x8 baking pan with parchment paper, and spray it with nonstick spray. Set aside. Peel, core, and slice apples thinly (about ¼ of an inch) with a knife or mandolin
- MAKE THE DOUGH. Mix the dry ingredients—the rolled oats, flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt in a large mixing bowl with a spatula. Add honey, coconut oil, and apple sauce and mix until a wet dough forms.
- MAKE THE TOPPING. In a medium bowl, stir together chopped pecans, rolled oats, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Set aside.
- ASSEMBLE. Press dough in an even layer into the prepared pan with a spatula. Overlap the sliced apples on top of the dough and sprinkle with pecan topping.
- BAKE, COOL & SERVE. Bake in the oven for 40-45 minutes until the edges are golden brown.Let them cool in the pan for 10, then remove your bars using the edge of the parchment paper and let them cool completely on a cooling rack before cutting them into squares. Enjoy!
Notes
- MAKE-AHEAD. These bars can be made ahead and frozen until ready to eat.
- OATS. We like the taste and chewy texture of old-fashioned rolled oats. However, instant or quick oats would work if that’s what’s in your pantry.
- LINING THE PAN. Lining your pan with parchment paper or foil makes removing your oatmeal bars so much easier.
- COOL COMPLETELY. These bars keep their shape best if cooled completely and then cut into squares.
- SERVING SUGGESTIONS. These apple oat bars are wonderful as is, but they can be taken up a notch by drizzling them with homemade caramel sauce, peanut butter, or a dollop of yogurt!
Jessica Lindsey says
This recipe did not turn out good for me. The bottom portion was like a brick, I'm not sure what happened but this was awful.
Ritika Gann says
I'm so sorry to hear that, Jessica. This is great feedback. I plan on making this recipe again, myself, and adjusting it if needed.
Jade says
This is a very delightful treat that was a breeze to make. My family loved it!
Olivia says
I was looking for some healthier snack ideas and this was perfect! Tastes super delicious and is easy to make too, thank you!
Erin Henry says
Thanks for giving this healthy recipe a try, Olivia! It's a tasty fall treat!
Andie says
These tasty apple oatmeal bars were amazing! My whole family loved them! It was the perfect use of the gorgeous apples I picked up at the farmers' market.