Apple Oat Bars
You know what they say about apples and doctors…
But raw chunks of apples are a choking hazard for babies and kids under the age of 4, per the CDC. So check out this tasty, fun, safe way to serve apples to babies and kids!
These nutrient-dense, mildly-sweet Apple Oat Bars are a great snack or breakfast-bar option. The mixture of unsweetened applesauce, a hint of vanilla, and a dash of cinnamon gives them a subtle, delicious sweetness. Packed with oats and milk, these Apple Oat Bars are not only nutritionally rich, but filling as well. Top them with a drizzle of almond butter or yogurt for an even greater nutrient boost.
One of the best parts of these Apple Oat Bars is that they’re ideal for everyone in the family, babies and toddlers included. They are soft in texture which also makes them easy for babies to manage as a finger food.
Additionally, if you opt for cow’s milk as an ingredient, these bars offer a great way to serve a top allergenic food to babies which may help reduce the risk of food allergy.
One of the best things about this recipe is that you probably already have everything you need to make them in your pantry. Let’s look at some of the key ingredients:
Apple Sauce
Oats
Milk
Learn about the Ingredients
Apples
Apples are highly nutritious and a good source of both fiber and vitamin C. Applesauce goes through various processing and cooking methods to form a puree which can have an overall effect on its nutritional value, but it still offers plenty of health-promoting nutrients and lends a mild, natural sweetness to recipes. I recommend choosing unsweetened applesauce to help keep added sugars low.
Alternatively, you can make your own applesauce with apples that are on their way out. I currently have 4 apples that are not suitable for eating (according to my kids), so it’s highly likely that they will be used to make these Apple Oat Bars.
Oats
In addition to apples, the star ingredient of these Apple Oat Bars are oats!
Oats offer an array of nutrients including protein, magnesium, and phosphorus (just to name a few), however, the fiber in oats is what I find most interesting. Oats contain soluble fiber that supports digestive and cardiovascular health, among other benefits.
Milk
Lastly, milk… so many milks to choose from! Any type of milk will work well in this recipe as long as you stick to one cup if making one batch, but I love using oat milk for the purposes of this recipe to make the batter creamier. Cow’s milk and soy milk also work well!
Instructions
Step 1
Combine all dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl.
Step 2
Combine wet ingredients in a separate bowl and then add to the wet mixture.
Step 3
Place mixture into a parchment lined 8 x 8 inch baking dish.
Step 4
Bake at 375 degrees F for 40 - 45 minutes until bars are a light golden brown.
Step 5
Let bars cool in the pan for an additional 20-30 minutes.
Step 6
Cut into 12 bars and top with a drizzle of your favorite nut butter or yogurt and serve.
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Apple Oat Bars Recipe
Apple Oat Bars
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups quick-cooking oats
- ½ cup rolled oats
- ½ tsp baking powder
- 1 ½ tsp cinnamon
- Pinch of salt
- 1 ¼ cups unsweetened applesauce
- 1 cup oat milk or other plant-based milk alternative (can also use cow’s milk)
- 2 tbsp coconut oil (melted)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
- Line an 8x8 inch baking dish with parchment paper.
- Combine the quick-cooking oats, rolled oats, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt in a large mixing bowl.
- Next, combine the unsweetened applesauce, milk of your choice, coconut oil, and vanilla extract in a medium-sized mixing bowl.
- Slowly add the dry mixture into the wet mixture, while mixing, until everything is fully combined.
- Place mixture into the lined 8x8 baking dish.
- Bake for 40-45 minutes or until the bars are a light golden brown.
- Once cooked, allow the bars to cool in the pan for an additional 20-30 minutes.
- Once completely cooled, cut into 12 bars and top with a drizzle of your favorite nut butter or yogurt and a dash of cinnamon.
Notes
Store bars in an airtight container for up to 5 days in the fridge
Nutrition Facts
Calories
92Fat
3Sat. Fat
2Carbs
14Fiber
2Net carbs
12Sugar
4Protein
2Sodium
34Cholesterol
0
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