Apple Cinnamon Granola Bars
Soft, chewy, and naturally sweet, these Apple Cinnamon Granola Bars combine baked apple slices, oats, and nut butter into a healthy snack. High in fiber, plant-based protein, and good fats, they’re perfect for breakfast, snack time, or meal prep. Simple, satisfying, and easy to make, they store well in the fridge or freezer.
Equipment
- 1 Large Baking Sheet
- Parchment paper
- 1 Mixing Bowl (large)
- 1 small mixing bowl
- Knife and cutting board
- Measuring cups and spoons
- 8x8 inch baking dish or small cookie sheet
Ingredients
- 2 medium apples sliced ¼ inch thick
- ¼ cup sunflower seed butter or any nut butter
- ¼ cup honey
- 2 tablespoons coconut oil melted
- 1 ½ cups old-fashioned oats
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon divided
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Start by preheating your oven to 250°F (120°C). This low temperature is key for gently drying out the apple slices without burning them, helping them become soft and chewy, which is essential for the texture of your granola bars. While the oven warms up, you can prepare the apples and other ingredients.
- Prepare the Apple Slices: Wash and core your apples thoroughly. Using a sharp knife or a mandoline, slice each apple into ¼-inch thick pieces. Aim for uniform slices so they cook evenly. Once sliced, arrange the apple pieces in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. This ensures they don’t stick and allows the heat to circulate evenly around each slice.
- Season the Apples: Sprinkle ½ tablespoon of ground cinnamon evenly over the apple slices. The cinnamon enhances the natural sweetness of the apples and infuses them with warm, cozy flavor. Gently toss or tap the baking sheet to distribute the spice across all slices, ensuring each piece gets a light coating.
- Bake the Apples (First Side): Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake the apple slices for 20 minutes. During this time, the apples will start to release their natural juices and soften.Keep an eye on them to ensure they don’t brown too quickly, as you want them soft and slightly dry, not caramelized.
- Flip and Bake the Apples (Second Side): After 20 minutes, carefully flip each apple slice using a spatula. This ensures both sides dry evenly and achieve a consistent texture. Return the baking sheet to the oven and bake for an additional 20 minutes. Once done, remove from the oven and let the apples cool for about 10 minutes.Cooling makes them easier to handle and chop without turning mushy.
- Prepare the Nut Butter Mixture: While the apples are cooling, gather a small mixing bowl and combine ¼ cup of sunflower seed butter, ¼ cup of honey, and 2 tablespoons of melted coconut oil. Stir thoroughly until the mixture is smooth, creamy, and fully blended. This mixture not only binds the granola bars but also adds healthy fats, natural sweetness, and a rich, nutty flavor.
- Chop the Baked Apples: Once the apples have cooled enough to handle, use a sharp knife to finely chop them into small pieces. Aim for bite-sized bits that will evenly distribute throughout the granola bars, providing sweet pockets of apple flavor in every bite.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine 1 ½ cups of old-fashioned oats, the remaining ½ tablespoon of cinnamon, and ½ teaspoon of nutmeg. Stir well to evenly distribute the spices. These ingredients form the base of your granola bars, offering fiber, texture, and warm, aromatic flavor notes.
- Combine Apples and Oats: Add the chopped apples to the oat-spice mixture and fold them in gently. The apple pieces will stick slightly to the oats, creating a uniform mixture. Take care not to mash the apples, as you want distinct bits throughout the bars.
- Add the Nut Butter Mixture: Pour the prepared nut butter-honey-coconut oil mixture over the oat and apple mixture. Using a sturdy spatula or wooden spoon, stir thoroughly until every oat and apple piece is coated evenly. This step ensures your granola bars hold together and maintain a chewy, satisfying texture.
- Press Mixture into Pan: Line an 8x8 inch baking dish (or small cookie sheet) with parchment paper. Transfer the combined mixture into the dish, then press it firmly and evenly into the pan using the back of a spoon or your hands (slightly dampened to prevent sticking). Pressing firmly is crucial for creating bars that hold their shape once sliced.
- Chill the Bars: Place the pan in the refrigerator overnight or, if you’re short on time, in the freezer for at least 20 minutes. Chilling allows the bars to set properly, making them easier to cut and ensuring they don’t crumble when handled.
- Slice into Bars: After chilling, remove the granola mixture from the pan using the parchment paper for easy lifting. Using a sharp knife, cut into 12 even bars. Wipe the knife clean between cuts for smooth edges.
- Store and Serve: Store the granola bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week or in the freezer for longer storage. These bars make a perfect snack, breakfast, or post-workout treat, and they’re ready to grab whenever you need a healthy, satisfying energy boost.
Notes
- Always slice the apples evenly (¼ inch) so they bake consistently.
- Use parchment paper in both baking and chilling steps to prevent sticking.
- Press the mixture firmly into the pan to avoid crumbly bars.
- Chill for the full recommended time to ensure bars set properly.
- Substitute sunflower seed butter with almond, peanut, or cashew butter if preferred.
- Maple syrup can replace honey for a vegan version.
- Old-fashioned oats work best; avoid instant oats as they become mushy.
- Adjust spices to taste—more cinnamon for warmth or a pinch of ginger for zing.
- For extra crunch, add 2–3 tablespoons of chopped nuts or seeds.
- These bars are naturally sweetened—no refined sugar is needed.
