Lately, I’ve been trying to mix up my breakfasts a bit more. While I used to be a creature of habit when it comes to meal choices, over the last few years I’ve become the kind of person that wants variety more frequently. I’ve been experimenting with homemade granolas, breakfast salads (yes, these are a thing and they are SO good!), and different egg combos in breakfast burritos. But these apple oatmeal bars are a personal favorite for a sweet breakfast treat!
I found some inspiration for these in the blueberry breakfast bars from The Glowing Fridge which looked fabulous. I decided to change up that recipe a bit and feature some apples, since they’re still in season and are so inexpensive right now. And that’s how these apple oatmeal bars were born.
Why I love these apple oatmeal bars
My fav part about this breakfast is that it’s truly made from whole food ingredients. Nothing crazy or artificial, just tasty real food.
They also come together pretty quickly – in about a half hour. They’re perfect to make on a Sunday afternoon because you can keep them in the fridge and pull them out to go with breakfast during the week.
For my fellow running buddies out there, these apple oatmeal bars are a nice option to include as part of your breakfast or for a snack, especially during heavy training days. They’ve got healthy carbohydrates to fuel your muscles and quality ingredients that provide a whole host of other benefits.
How to eat your apple oatmeal bars
While you can eat them warm or cold, I definitely prefer them popped in the microwave for about 15 seconds.
And my very favorite way to eat them is to top them with a small container of vanilla greek yogurt. Together it is very reminiscent of the apple pie and ice cream combo, but in a much healthier way. {My husband likes to top his with cool whip, though I’m not sure I like that as a breakfast choice. 😉 }
I love to top it with Siggi’s since the yogurt is flavored, but minimally sweetened. And if you have that for breakfast, you’ll get a nice source of protein in the greek yogurt to go along with those carbs in the bars.
Of course, if you’re make these as vegan breakfast bars, then topping with yogurt isn’t an option – but you could try a coconut milk yogurt or cashew milk yogurt on top instead!
[Tweet “Apple oatmeal breakfast bars make a tasty morning treat that’s vegan + gluten free!”]Breakfast Bar Ingredients
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You’ll probably already have most of these ingredients in your kitchen, but if not – they’re simple to find at any grocery store.
I use powdered peanut butter because I think the base cooks better with it compared to regular peanut butter, but you could certainly experiment with regular if you’d like. Powdered peanut butter is located in the peanut butter aisle in store (it’s so awesome for smoothies and baking!). You can also find it on Amazon – I’m partial to this product called Mighty Nut peanut butter but there are plenty of options out there.
The only one people sometimes struggle with is chia seeds, but these days most grocery stores carry them in their natural section. If you can’t find them there, it’s simple to order some chia seeds from Amazon, or you can just skip them.
Be sure to give them a try, and then pop back on over and let me know how you like them. 🙂
Apple Oatmeal Bars
Ingredients
Base
- 1 ripe banana, mashed
- 3 tbsp pure maple syrup
- 3 tbsp applesauce
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups gluten-free rolled oats
- 2 tbsp powdered peanut butter
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Topping
- 1/2 cup gluten-free rolled oats
- 2 tablespoons chia seeds
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 2 sliced apples
- 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Mix all ingredients for base thoroughly.
- Lightly grease a square baking dish (either 8x8 or 9x9) with either cooking spray or a little coconut oil. Press ingredients for the base into the dish and bake for 10 minutes.
- Meanwhile, mix ingredients for the topping. When base is done, add topping and press down into base. Bake for an additional 15 minutes. Remove from oven, let cool, and cut into 9 squares. Store in a container in the fridge.
Notes
Nutrition
Share with me: What’s your favorite breakfast? Do you eat the same thing daily, or do you mix it up like me? Have you ever made these apple oatmeal bars before?
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Heaven! These look like ABSOLUTELY POSITIVELY HEAVEENNNNNN!!!!
Thanks Gigi! Hope you get a chance to make ’em.
I currently have all these ingredients at the moment, so I will def be trying these tasty bars our this weekend, thanks for sharing!!!
Yay! Enjoy Abbey!
I love apple pie so I’m totally down to make this!
Go for it Carmy! Let me know what ya think. 🙂
These apple pie bars are beautiful Chrissy! Quality ingredients and so much yumminess!
Thank you so much! 🙂
Those look so ooey gooey and yummy! What a great way to start the day
Hope you get a chance to try ’em out soon!
Wow these look tasty! I’ve got all the ingredients except chia seeds, and those have gotten so trendy that both of the grocery stores near my house sell them. looks like there are some apple bars in my future!
Thank you! Chia seeds are so easy to find these days compared to a few years ago. I usually buy mine at ALDI!
I I have read you post a week and made it last weekend. It’s so nice for me because I’m Vegan. But I only used 3 tbsp syrup because I don’t like sweet so much. Thanks for sharing this receipt <3
Look at the incredible photos! they look just so tastyyyyyyy.
I must definitely give it a try. Thank u so much!
Thanks so much! Hope you enjoy them.
There is a peanut allergy at my house. Can you make the recipe without or is the a replacement option. Thanks for sharing!
Hi there! I think you could make it without the powdered peanut butter. If the consistency looks too mushy, I might add another tablespoon or so of oats to adjust, but I don’t think it’ll make a huge difference to leave the PB out.
Thanks for the help
No problem!