Hey there, friend! If you’ve been on the hunt for a healthy snack that perfectly blends convenience and deliciousness, you’ve stumbled onto the right recipe. These Apple Cinnamon Granola Bars are not only easy to make, but they’re also packed with wholesome ingredients that can provide an energy boost anytime you need it. Picture a chewy, nutty bar bursting with apple flavor and cozy cinnamon warmth. Whether you’re tackling a busy day or enjoying a peaceful afternoon, these bars make the perfect companion. Ready to dive in? Let’s get started!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
If you’re wondering why this Apple Cinnamon Granola Bar recipe deserves a spot in your baking routine, let me tell you a few reasons. Firstly, these bars are incredibly versatile. They work great as a snack on-the-go, a sweet breakfast alternative, or even a delightful addition to your lunchbox. Every bite is rich in wholesome ingredients like rolled oats, nuts, and dried apples, making them a healthier option compared to store-bought snacks laden with preservatives.
Moreover, you get to customize these bars to fit your taste buds. Not feeling walnuts? Swap in pecans or leave the nuts out entirely! The flavors meld so beautifully that you’ll want to keep this recipe handy for whenever a craving strikes. Plus, they can be made in batches and stored for those busy days. Trust me, once you try these, you’ll see why they’ve become a household favorite!
Step-by-Step: Making Apple Cinnamon Granola Bars
Let’s break down how to whip up these mouthwatering granola bars at home!
Ingredients:
- 2 ½ cups Rolled Oats: Use old-fashioned rolled oats, not instant or steel-cut, as they provide the ideal chewy texture and structure for the bars.
- 1 cup Walnuts or Pecans: Roughly chopped, these nuts add a wonderful buttery crunch and healthy fats.
- ½ cup Dried Apples: Finely chopped. These provide concentrated sweet and tart apple flavor and a pleasant chewy texture.
- ⅓ cup Flaxseed Meal: This acts as a binder and adds a significant boost of fiber and omega-3s.
- 1 ½ tsp Ground Cinnamon: The star spice that provides that classic warm, comforting flavor.
- ½ tsp Ground Nutmeg: Adds a layer of warmth and complexity that pairs beautifully with apple and cinnamon.
- ¼ tsp Salt: Essential for balancing the sweetness and enhancing all the other flavors in the bars.
- ½ cup Almond Butter: A creamy, natural almond butter works best as the primary binder. Ensure it’s the runny kind, not the hard, dry type from the bottom of a jar.
- ½ cup Honey or Maple Syrup: This is both a binder and the main sweetener. Maple syrup will make the recipe vegan-friendly.
- ¼ cup Melted Coconut Oil: Provides moisture and helps the bars set firmly once cooled.
- 1 tsp Vanilla Extract: Rounds out the flavors and adds a touch of aromatic sweetness.
Directions:
Preheat and Prepare: Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8 inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving some overhang on the sides to make it easy to lift the bars later. Lightly grease the parchment paper and the pan.
Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, add the rolled oats, chopped nuts, chopped dried apples, flaxseed meal, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and salt. Mix everything together until it’s well distributed. A whisk does wonders here!
Combine Wet Ingredients: Take a medium-sized microwave-safe bowl and mix the almond butter, honey (or maple syrup), and melted coconut oil. Microwave in 30-second bursts, stirring in between until it’s warm and smooth. Add in the vanilla extract once everything is incorporated.
Mix Everything Together: Pour the warm wet mixture over the dry ingredients. With a sturdy spatula, mix it all together until every bit of oat and nut is coated. The mixture will be thick and sticky; be sure you’re scraping the bottom well to avoid dry pockets.
Press into Pan: Transfer the mixture into your lined pan, spreading it evenly. This is crucial! Use a spatula to press down very firmly, ensuring all corners are packed and the mixture is compact. If you have it, a flat measuring cup can help press it down tightly.
Bake the Bars: Pop the pan into your preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes. You want the edges to turn a delightful golden brown. It’s okay if the center still feels a bit soft!
Cool Completely: Once baked, let the pan cool on a wire rack. Make sure to allow it to cool completely before tackling the slicing part, this ensures the bars’ structure holds together beautifully as they cool.
Slice and Serve: Once cool, use the parchment overhang to lift the entire block from the pan and place it on a cutting board. Using a sharp knife, slice into 12 to 16 bars depending on your preferred size.
Best Ways to Serve Apple Cinnamon Granola Bars
These granola bars are incredibly versatile in terms of serving suggestions. You can enjoy them straight from the batch for a quick snack, or pair them with a creamy yogurt for breakfast. Dipping them into a little almond butter or a drizzle of honey can make for an extra special treat. They also work great as an energy boost during hike breaks or packed for lunch. The perfect blend of chewy and crunchy makes each bite delightful!
Storage Tips for Apple Cinnamon Granola Bars
To keep your granola bars fresh and delicious, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. For longer storage, you can freeze them by wrapping each bar tightly in foil or plastic wrap and placing them in a freezer-safe bag. They can maintain their goodness in the freezer for up to three months. When you’re ready to enjoy, take them out and let them thaw at room temperature.
Expert Tips for Perfect Apple Cinnamon Granola Bars
Press Firmly: Make sure to really press down on the mixture in the pan; the more compact it is, the easier it’ll be to slice without crumbling.
Use Parchment Paper: Never skip lining the pan with parchment, you’ll thank yourself when it’s time to lift out the bars!
Experiment with Flavors: Feel free to add in your favorites. Chocolate chips, different dried fruits, or even seeds can kick the flavor profile up a notch!
Customize Sweetness: Adjust the sweetness by varying the amount of honey or syrup according to your taste.
Delicious Variations of Apple Cinnamon Granola Bars
Nut-Free Version: Substitute almond butter with sunflower seed butter for a nut-free treat.
Vegan Option: Use maple syrup instead of honey for a fully vegan bar.
Spiced Up: Add a pinch of cardamom or ginger to give it an extra aromatic kick.
FAQs
Can I substitute the oats?
For best results, stick with rolled oats. Instant oats won’t provide the same chewy texture, and steel-cut oats might make them too crunchy.
How do I know when the bars are done?
Look for a lovely golden brown color around the edges. The center may still feel soft, but it will firm up as it cools.
Can I add chocolate chips to the recipe?
Absolutely! Fold in some chocolate chips right before pressing the mixture into the pan for a deliciously sweet twist.
There you have it, the perfect recipe for Apple Cinnamon Granola Bars! Easy to make, delightful to enjoy, and packed with wholesome goodness. Now, roll up those sleeves and get baking!
Print
Apple Cinnamon Granola Bars
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 12–16 bars 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian, Vegan Option Available
Description
Delicious, chewy granola bars made with wholesome ingredients like rolled oats, nuts, and dried apples, perfect for a healthy snack anytime.
Ingredients
- 2 ½ cups Rolled Oats
- 1 cup Walnuts or Pecans, roughly chopped
- ½ cup Dried Apples, finely chopped
- ⅓ cup Flaxseed Meal
- 1 ½ tsp Ground Cinnamon
- ½ tsp Ground Nutmeg
- ¼ tsp Salt
- ½ cup Almond Butter
- ½ cup Honey or Maple Syrup
- ¼ cup Melted Coconut Oil
- 1 tsp Vanilla Extract
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare an 8×8 inch baking pan with parchment paper.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine rolled oats, chopped nuts, chopped dried apples, flaxseed meal, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and salt.
- In a medium microwave-safe bowl, mix almond butter, honey (or maple syrup), and melted coconut oil. Microwave until warm and smooth, then add vanilla extract.
- Pour the wet mixture over the dry ingredients and mix until well combined.
- Transfer the mixture to the lined pan, pressing down firmly to compact it evenly.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes until the edges are golden brown.
- Let the pan cool completely on a wire rack before slicing into bars.
Notes
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week or freeze for up to three months.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 200
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 80mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 0mg