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Perfectly soft with just the right amount of chewiness, these apple peanut butter oatmeal bars are like a cross between your favorite granola bars and baked oatmeal. Even better, they’re made with just 5 simple ingredients most families keep on hand at all times. Perfect for tucking into lunch boxes or a healthy snack on the go!
Apple Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars
Oats are a common ingredient in many pantries, but many of us use them for oatmeal without realizing their full potential. Blend them into high protein waffles, roll them into protein balls, or bake them for the most delicious apple baked oatmeal bars!
Plus, more and more research is coming out to highlight just how great they are for you. Oats are high in soluble fiber, which can help keep kids full for longer and reduce their risk of gaining excess weight over time. Plus, the extra fiber is great for their overall heart health and digestive health, too!
For more recipes with applesauce, check out these 3-Ingredient Applesauce Oatmeal Cookies!
Why We Love These Bars
- Made with just 5 wholesome ingredients
- Naturally sweetened with applesauce
- Super simple recipe ready in about 15 minutes
- Filling and satisfying, thanks to the fiber-rich oats and peanut butter’s healthy fats
- Can be served as an easy breakfast or as a perfect snack on-the-go
- Naturally gluten-free and egg-free (and easy to make nut-free, too) for those with intolerances
- Makes a great breakfast on those busy mornings
Ingredient Notes
- Unsweetened applesauce: Unsweetened applesauce will add plenty of sweetness without the added sugar. Feel free to take it a step further and make my homemade applesauce for even more delicious flavor!
- Natural peanut butter: Either crunchy or creamy peanut butter will work, but we prefer creamy for these healthy apple bars. Stir well to incorporate the oil.
- Maple syrup: This is optional, but adds a touch of extra sweetness.You can also replace it with a little extra peanut butter or honey, but keep in mind that kids under the age of 1 should not have honey.
- Rolled oats: Look for old fashioned oats, not quick oats, which have been steamed to help them cook faster.
- Cinnamon: For a warm, cozy cinnamon apple flavor.
- Pinch of salt (optional): Skip this if making these peanut butter apple bars for babies.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Line an 8×8 inch square pan with parchment paper.
- Add applesauce, peanut butter and honey to a large bowl. Stir until the ingredients are fully combined. Add in oats, cinnamon and salt. Stir until evenly distributed. If adding any mix-ins, fold them into the batter now.
- Scoop batter into prepared baking pan. Using a spatula, spread it in an even layer across the pan and smooth the surface.
- Bake for about 13-15 minutes or until the bars are lightly golden brown and slightly firm to the touch. Let bars cool fully before removing them from the pan and cutting. Store leftover bars in an airtight container in the fridge or freezer.
Keep scrolling to the recipe card below for the full printable recipe!
EXPERT TIPS
- If you want to make these for babies, skip the maple syrup and salt and add an extra tablespoon of peanut butter.
- For gluten-free kids, use certified gluten free oats.
- Applesauce, mashed bananas, and pumpkin puree are all generally interchangeable. I have many baked oat recipes to choose from, but you can certainly try replacing the applesauce and playing around with the spices. (Pumpkin puree and pumpkin spice would taste amazing!)
Recipe FAQs
In general, it’s best to use them within 2-3 months for maximum freshness.
Certainly. Almond butter is a great alternative to peanut butter without changing the flavor too much. Sunflower seed butter is the best option for a nut-free treat.
The more filling a meal is, the less likely kids are to snack and munch on sugary treats later. This will also help regulate their blood sugar, which can affect their mood, energy level, and overall health. These apple oatmeal bars are pretty filling on their own, thanks to the fiber from the oats and applesauce and the fats from the peanut butter, but there are a couple of other things you can do.
Pair the bar with a whole form of fruit, like sliced apples or fresh strawberries. You can also serve a little extra protein, like Greek yogurt or some scrambled eggs. The protein will give your kids energy right away, and the extra fiber from the fruit will keep those tummies full for longer!
Storage Guidelines
- Any leftover breakfast bars should be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 5-7 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
How to Serve
These peanut butter apple oatmeal bars are intended to be served as a morning or afternoon snack or as part of a quick breakfast. I like to think of them like healthy baked oatmeal, as the recipes are quite similar.
My kids love when I top them with a thin layer of peanut butter and banana slices.
You can also consider serving them with a little Tropical Island Green Smoothie and some Fluffy Scrambled Eggs for a simple meal that will keep the kids full for hours!
Recipe Variations
- Add some mix-ins: This is the fun part! Feel free to scour through the pantry to find a few extra additions, like chocolate chips, chopped peanuts, ground flaxseed, ground hemp hearts, etc. You can even cut a fresh apple into small bites and fold in the pieces!
- Use pear sauce: Pear sauce is just like apple sauce, except made with fresh pears. It’s a fantastic alternative that would add a nice fall or winter flavor to these peanut butter bars. Apple butter oatmeal bars would be tasty, too, but most apple butter tends to be higher in sugar.
- Play up the cinnamon flavor: If your kids love the cinnamon apple flavor, feel free to add extra cinnamon for healthy apple cinnamon oatmeal bars.
- Add extra flavor: To make these oat bars smell absolutely incredible, add a teaspoon of almond or vanilla extract. It will make them smell so enticing!
Like it? Save this recipe for later!
More Tasty Bars
- 3-Ingredient Banana Oatmeal Bars
- Strawberry Banana Oat Bars
- Banana Pumpkin Bars
- Pressed Fruit Bars
- Nut Free Breakfast Bars
Did you make this recipe? Scroll down to leave a star rating and review!
Apple Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsweetened applesauce
- 1/3 cup natural peanut butter
- 1-2 tablespoons maple syrup
- 2 cups rolled oats
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- Pinch of salt (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Line an 8×8 inch square baking pan with parchment paper.
- Add applesauce, peanut butter and maple syrup to a large mixing bowl. Stir until the ingredients are fully combined. Add in oats, cinnamon and salt. Stir until evenly distributed. If adding any mix-ins, fold them into the batter now.
- Scoop batter into prepared baking pan. Using a spatula, evenly spread it across the pan and smooth the surface.
- Bake for about 13-15 minutes or until the bars are lightly golden and slightly firm to the touch. Let bars cool fully before removing them from the pan and cutting. Store leftover bars in an airtight container in the fridge or freezer.
Notes
- If you want to make these for babies, skip the maple syrup and salt and add an extra tablespoon of peanut butter.
- For gluten-free kids, use certified gluten free oats.
