Soft Baked Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal Bars
Chewy baked oatmeal bars flavored with sweet apples and warm cinnamon, perfect for a wholesome breakfast or snack. This american-inspired breakfast ready in about 40 minutes combines rolled oats, all-purpose 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.
Ingredients
- 2 cups rolled oats
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 cup unsweetened applesauce
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup peeled and chopped diced apple
- 2 tbsp melted unsalted butter
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). In a large bowl, mix 2 cups rolled oats, 1/2 cup all-purpose flour, 1 tsp baking powder, 1 tsp ground cinnamon, and 1/4 tsp salt until combined.
- Step 2: In a separate bowl, whisk together 1 cup unsweetened applesauce, 1/4 cup honey, 1 large egg, and 1 tsp vanilla extract until smooth.
- Step 3: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir just until combined. Fold in 1 cup peeled and diced apple and 2 tbsp melted unsalted butter.
- Step 4: Spread the batter evenly into an 8x8-inch greased baking pan. Bake for 25-30 minutes until the edges are golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Step 5: Cool completely before cutting into 9 bars. Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Soft Baked Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal Bars take to make?
Total time is about 40 minutes (10 min prep + 30 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 Soft Baked Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal 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 Soft Baked Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal 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 Soft Baked Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal 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 Soft Baked Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal 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.
