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- 2 cups rolled oats - 1 cup unsweetened applesauce - 1 large apple, peeled and diced - 1/4 cup honey or maple syrup - 1/4 cup almond milk - 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon These primary ingredients create a wholesome base for your Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal Bars. Rolled oats give the bars great texture and heartiness. Unsweetened applesauce adds natural sweetness and moisture. Diced apple brings fresh flavor and a nice crunch. Honey or maple syrup sweetens the mix, while almond milk keeps it moist. Finally, ground cinnamon infuses warm, comforting notes. - 1/2 cup chopped walnuts - 1/2 cup chopped pecans Adding chopped walnuts or pecans gives a delightful crunch. These optional nuts also boost the healthy fats and protein in your bars. Choose one or both based on your taste. Nuts make the bars more filling too. - 8x8-inch baking pan - Parchment paper - Mixing bowls For this recipe, you'll need an 8x8-inch baking pan. Parchment paper helps with easy removal after baking. Mixing bowls are essential for combining your dry and wet ingredients. Make sure you have all your tools ready for a smooth baking process. 1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8x8-inch baking pan with parchment paper. This helps with easy removal. 2. In a large mixing bowl, combine 2 cups of rolled oats, 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon of baking powder, and 1/4 teaspoon of salt. Mix these dry ingredients well. 3. In another bowl, whisk together 1 cup of unsweetened applesauce, 1/4 cup of honey or maple syrup, 1/4 cup of almond milk, and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract until smooth. 4. Pour the wet mixture into the bowl with the dry ingredients. Stir until fully combined. 5. Gently fold in 1 peeled and diced apple, along with 1/2 cup of chopped walnuts or pecans if you like. 6. Spread the mixture evenly in the prepared baking pan. Press it down firmly with a spatula. 7. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes. The edges should turn golden brown, and the top should be set. 8. Let the bars cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. Lift them out using the parchment paper and cool completely on a wire rack. 9. Once cooled, cut into squares or bars and serve. Enjoy your tasty and nourishing snack! To make the perfect apple cinnamon oatmeal bars, you must press the mixture firmly into the pan. This step ensures that the bars hold together well. If you don’t press it down, they might crumble when cut. Bake the bars for 25 to 30 minutes. Keep an eye on them. You want the edges to turn golden brown and the top should look set. To boost the flavor, you can add more spices. Try an extra dash of cinnamon or a sprinkle of nutmeg. Vanilla extract also adds a nice touch. For toppings, consider adding chocolate chips or shredded coconut. These can make your bars even more delightful. If you want to cut back on sugar, use different sweeteners. You can swap honey for agave syrup or use stevia for a low-calorie option. For a gluten-free version, replace rolled oats with certified gluten-free oats. This way, everyone can enjoy these tasty bars without worry. {{image_2}} You can change the taste of your Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal Bars easily. Try adding dried fruits like cranberries or raisins. These fruits add sweetness and chewiness. You can also mix in nut butter, like peanut or almond butter. This gives the bars a nutty flavor and makes them creamier. If you want a vegan version, replace honey with maple syrup. Use plant-based milk for extra flavor. For a nut-free option, skip the nuts. You can substitute seeds like pumpkin or sunflower seeds instead. This keeps the bars crunchy and tasty without nuts. Change your fruit based on the season. In summer, add fresh peaches or berries. In fall, try pears or figs. You can also add seasonal spices, like nutmeg or ginger. This makes your bars feel fresh and new each time you bake them. To keep your apple cinnamon oatmeal bars fresh, store them in an airtight container. A good pantry is perfect for this. If they last more than a few days, you might want to refrigerate them. This helps keep them moist. Just make sure to wrap them tightly to avoid any drying out. To freeze your bars, cut them into squares first. Place them in a single layer on a baking sheet. Once they are frozen solid, transfer them to a freezer bag. This way, you can grab one whenever you want a quick snack. When ready to eat, simply thaw them in the fridge overnight. You can also warm them in the microwave for a few seconds. These bars will stay fresh for about a week in the pantry. If you store them in the fridge, they can last for up to two weeks. When frozen, they can last for about three months. Always check for any signs of spoilage before eating. Yes, you can substitute rolled oats. You can use steel-cut oats or instant oats. Steel-cut oats give a chewier texture. Instant oats can make the bars softer. If you use instant oats, reduce the liquid slightly. You can make the bars sweeter by adding more honey or maple syrup. Try adding 1-2 tablespoons more. You can also mix in brown sugar or coconut sugar. For a natural touch, add mashed banana or dates. Yes, you can use quick oats in this recipe. Quick oats cook faster and can make the bars softer. If you prefer a chewy texture, stick with rolled oats. Quick oats may change the final texture slightly. In this post, I walked you through the easy steps to make tasty oat bars. We covered the main ingredients like rolled oats and applesauce, plus tips on baking and storage. Remember to press the mixture well for the right texture. Feel free to add your own flavors or nuts. These bars are perfect for healthy snacks or desserts. Enjoy making them, and share your creations with others!

Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal Bars

Savor the delightful flavors of Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal Bars that are both healthy and satisfying! Made with wholesome ingredients like rolled oats, fresh apples, and warm cinnamon, these bars are perfect for breakfast or a snack. Easy to make and packed with nutrition, they’re sure to become a family favorite. Click through now to explore the full recipe and bring this tasty treat into your kitchen!
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Ingredients
  

2 cups rolled oats

1 cup unsweetened applesauce

1 large apple, peeled and diced

1/4 cup honey or maple syrup

1/4 cup almond milk (or any milk of choice)

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)

Instructions
 

Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line an 8x8-inch baking pan with parchment paper for easy removal.

    In a large mixing bowl, combine the rolled oats, ground cinnamon, baking powder, and salt. Mix well.

      In another bowl, whisk together the applesauce, honey (or maple syrup), almond milk, and vanilla extract until smooth.

        Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir until thoroughly combined.

          Gently fold in the diced apple and chopped nuts (if using).

            Spread the mixture evenly into the prepared baking pan, pressing it down firmly with a spatula.

              Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and the top is set.

                Let the bars cool in the pan for about 10 minutes, then lift them out using the edges of the parchment paper and cool completely on a wire rack.

                  Once cooled, cut into squares or bars and serve.

                    Prep Time: 10 minutes, Total Time: 40 minutes, Servings: 12 bars 🍏🍂