Half-Baked Apple Cinnamon Oat Bars

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Soft oat bars with half the usual sugar, baked with fresh apples and warm cinnamon for a wholesome snack or breakfast. This american-inspired breakfast ready in about 38 minutes combines rolled oats, whole wheat flour, baking powder into a breakfast that fuels the morning without the midday crash — make-ahead-friendly and balanced enough to anchor the first meal of the day. Each serving lands at about 150 calories and feeds 9, so it sits comfortably in a weekly breakfast rotation alongside fruit, yogurt, or coffee. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 28 min Serves 9 American cuisine 150 cal/serving
Plan a meal with the AI → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F and grease an 8x8 inch baking pan.
  2. Step 2: In a large bowl, mix 1 1/2 cups rolled oats, 1/2 cup whole wheat flour, 1 tsp baking powder, and 1 tsp ground cinnamon until combined.
  3. Step 3: In another bowl, whisk 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce, 2 tbsp honey, 1 large egg, 1 tsp vanilla extract, and 3 tbsp melted unsalted butter.
  4. Step 4: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir until just combined.
  5. Step 5: Fold in 1 medium peeled and diced apple.
  6. Step 6: Spread the batter evenly in the prepared pan and bake for 25-28 minutes until the edges are golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
  7. Step 7: Let cool before cutting into bars.

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Bakeware & baking tools → Shop all kitchen tools →

Frequently asked questions

How long does Half-Baked Apple Cinnamon Oat Bars take to make?

Total time is about 38 minutes (10 min prep + 28 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a busy morning; prep components the night before to save active time.

How do I store leftover Half-Baked Apple Cinnamon Oat Bars?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat in the microwave or oven; egg- or grain-based items may need a splash of milk or water to refresh texture. Cold-served items (overnight oats, smoothies) keep 2–3 days in the fridge.

Can I substitute ingredients in Half-Baked Apple Cinnamon Oat Bars?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Half-Baked Apple Cinnamon Oat Bars for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 9 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 9). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Half-Baked Apple Cinnamon Oat Bars?

American breakfast like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

Related recipes