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Easy Nut-Free Apple Cinnamon Oat Bars

nut-free apple cinnamon oat bars - featured image
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These chewy and wholesome oat bars combine fresh apples and warm cinnamon for a cozy, nut-free snack that’s quick and easy to make.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cups (180g) old-fashioned rolled oats
  • 1 cup (120g) all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup (100g) brown sugar
  • 1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ½ cup (120ml) unsweetened applesauce
  • ¼ cup (60ml) vegetable oil (canola or sunflower)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 medium fresh apples, peeled, cored, and diced
  • Optional: ¼ cup (40g) raisins or dried cranberries

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease or line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving a slight overhang for easy removal.
  2. In a large bowl, combine rolled oats, all-purpose flour, brown sugar, ground cinnamon, baking powder, and salt. Stir well to distribute evenly.
  3. In a separate bowl, whisk together unsweetened applesauce, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract until smooth.
  4. Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients and stir gently until combined. If the batter feels too dry, add a splash of milk (dairy or plant-based), one tablespoon at a time.
  5. Fold in the diced apples and optional raisins or dried cranberries, ensuring even distribution.
  6. Transfer the batter to the prepared baking pan and spread evenly. Press down firmly with the back of a spoon or lightly wet fingers to help the bars hold their shape.
  7. Bake for 30-35 minutes until the top is golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out mostly clean with a few moist crumbs. Avoid overbaking to keep bars chewy.
  8. Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan for at least 20 minutes before lifting out using the parchment overhang.
  9. Cut into 12 equal bars and store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to a week.

Notes

Do not over-mix the batter to avoid tough bars. Use crisp apples like Honeycrisp or Fuji for best texture. Press batter firmly into the pan to help bars hold together. If edges brown too quickly, tent with foil halfway through baking. Bars can be stored at room temperature for 3 days, refrigerated for up to a week, or frozen for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: nut-free, apple cinnamon, oat bars, healthy snacks, allergy-friendly, quick snack, homemade bars

Find it online: https://fuzzyforker.com/easy-nut-free-apple-cinnamon-oat-bars-recipe-for-healthy-snacks/