These oat based snack bars are both healthy and taste incredible, and they’re super simple to make as well.
The bars are a great source of soluble fibre (which optimises cholesterol levels) thanks to the wholegrain oats and dried fruit, as well as healthy fats from the seeds. Oats, fruit and seeds release their energy slowly, meaning that these bars help to keep you fuller and more energised for longer!
My oat & apple breakfast bars make the perfect snack, lunchbox treat, or breakfast on the go and are super easy to make too. You could even add dark chocolate chips to the mix to make them more of a ‘dessert’ type snack 🙂
For variety, I’ve also included how to use bananas instead of apples and how to make a protein bar version too (see the notes below the ingredients list!).
Do let me know if you make them!
P.S If you want to make a ‘protein-packed’ crunchier version of these snack bars check out my Healthy Protein Flapjacks!
Healthy Oat & Apple Snack Bars
Ingredients
- 1.5 cups (150g) oats*
- 1/4 cup (45g) dried fruit e.g. chopped apricots
- 1/4 cup (40g) seeds/chopped nuts - optional
- 2 apples - chopped (or 2 mashed bananas)
- 1 tbsp oil/butter - I used melted coconut oil
- 2 tbsp honey/agave nectar/maple syrup
- 1 tbsp cinnamon or ginger
- 1 tsp vanilla essence
- pinch of salt
Instructions
- Pre heat your oven to 190 degrees C
- Add the chopped apples to a food processor & pulse until they are finely chopped and turned 'mushy'
- Mix together the oil, honey & vanilla in a pan over a medium heat before adding the diced apples & mixing well
- Mix together the oats, dried fruit, seeds/nuts, salt & cinnamon in a seperate bowl before adding to them the apple, oil, honey & vanilla mix
- Press the mixture into a baking tin lined with baking paper & bake for 15-20 minutes until golden
- Allow to cool before cutting into 9 bars & enjoy! I wrapped my bars in cling film and kept them in the fridge or freezer until I wanted them!
Notes
*For a higher protein snack bar swap 1/2 a cup of the oats for protein powder!
Nutrition Facts
Amount Per Serving | ||
|---|---|---|
Calories 110 | ||
% Daily Value | ||
Total Fat 4 g | 6% | |
Total Carbohydrates 15 g | 5% | |
Protein 2 g | 4% | |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
P.S Here is what the bars looked like when I made them with mashed banana instead of apple (no food processor required!), butter instead of coconut oil, protein powder instead of some of the oats & sultanas as the dried fruit (no seeds).. yum!
Wow my pic is on here I feel privileged ! Made a fresh batch this morning of these and they were so yummy ! So hard to believe there’s no extra sugar or baddies in these they are that good. Love the apple and cinnamon flavouring – another great recipe Nic thanks very much ! I added some extra rice malt syrup to bind these and some chia seeds, mixed chopped nuts and dried cranberries as I had no dried fruit or seeds in the house – the possibilities are endless ! x x
Author
Hi Jade! Oh thank you so much for your lovely picture and comment 🙂 Love your little tweaks and so glad that you enjoyed it!! Thank you!! xx
So easy to make and really tasty too!
Another hit with the other half, always a bonus 😉
Author
Hurray! Thank you so much for the lovely feedback!!
hi is there anywhere i can find the nutrition breakdown how many calories carbs and sugars? im trying to lose weight and dieabetic so this ionfo would be helpfull thanks they all look delish!
Author
Hello! It’s in the blue box at the top right 🙂 You need to look at total carbs not sugars as all carbs bread down into glucose 🙂 xx
Made these at 10.30pm to ensure a healthy snack the next day. So quick & Easy. I used raisins and gluten free oatd and they turned out great. I will definitely use some more/different fruit next time for natural sweetness. Definitely make these again. Great to use up bits in the cupboard too. Might try done frozen blueberries next time.
Author
Oooh love your suggestions!! Thank you so much for your comment Stephanie! xx
Mine crumbled as dont think I make them thick enough, however i will have it mixed with some yoghurt for breakfast 🙂 still tastes yum!
Author
Aw fab! Did you use all the same ingredients? You have to allow them to cool fully before slicing – good luck for next time if you make them!!
Making these babies using up the left over fruit and nuts bought for a Christmas cake and it certainly smells amazing! Will post a pic on twitter when they’re done.
Author
Thank you so much Laura!! LOVED your pic!!! xx
Another fantastic recipe Nic, used up dried fruit
And nuts left over from previous recipes,
No waste which is great
Author
Hurray! xx
Hi Nic
I tried to make these but mine are really crumbly and don’t stick together enough to cut into squares. Any ideas what I’m doing wrong?
Sophie
Author
Hi Sophie! Did you allow them to cool completely before slicing? And use all the ingredients/same method? Nic xx
Love the flavor, but mine did not bind either. Do you really have to make the apple mushy? I chopped mine in small pieces, i felt it will be to juicy. Or is that is helps to stick together?
Author
Hi Blanka, yes you really need to use a food processor so that the apple almost turns into a puree.. I hope this helps!
So easy quick & easy to make & totally delicious! I’ve had them as snacks this week & I’m in the process of making more. Convenient & nutritious, what more could you ask for?! (Mine are in the pic with the cake stand, they looked so pretty I couldn’t not display them) 😀
Author
Hehe I LOVED your pic! Better than any of mine 😉 Thanks Sarah!! xx
This recipe is so quick and simple, plus it tastes amazing! I make them for taking to work or after the gym for a healthiest snack rather than eating shop bought ones =)
Author
Aw thank you for your lovely comment Kirsty!
Just made them for next week pre-workout snacks. Haven’t tried them yet but I’m hoping they will taste as good as they smell!!
Author
Give them a try! You won’t be disappointed 🙂 x
Made these tonight at same time as doing dinner, very easy and taste delicious! ! Got couple wrapped up in freezer and couple in the fridge for next few days. Thanks would really like some more ideas like these.
Author
That’s great to hear!! I’ll work on it 🙂 thank you!! xx
Hello, I like the sound of this recipe, and am going to make them soon, Just wondering (I am new to baking of any description!), how long do they keep?
Thanks!
Author
Hello! For a good few days/week – or freeze them to make them last longer 🙂 Good luck, do let me know how they turn out! x
H, I’ve just made a batch of the apple breakfast bars,they are super tasty but they are so crumbly, they not stayin together at all! Could I maybe add an egg to help bind it? Or what else could I use? I also added sesame seeds and pumpkin seeds with chia seeds! Yum
Author
Hello! You could do yes, or more moisture e.g. honey.. pack them down tight before baking! Good luck! xx
Hi! For those of you who don’t have a food processor, don’t worry! I grated apples and just mixed into oats. Worked fine! I added dates as my dried fruit and used a scoop of protein powder and a scoop of peanut butter powder (just because I like the taste!) and sone flax, reduced oats by 1/4 cup. These are tasty! Good for kids too. Thanks Nic.
Author
Aw that sounds great thank you Emily for the tips!!
Hi, Thanks for this recipe. I’ve been looking at buying some granola bars, but sugar is nearly always 2nd ingredient on the list! I’ll be making these this week with my 3 year old too as she loves baking
Author
Aw amazing! These are great for kids too!! Enjoy!! xx
Could I use homemade applesauce in place of the chopped apples/food processor? If so, about how much?
Author
Hey! I would use 150g-200g.. start with the lower amount and add more if the mix is dry. Good luck!
These are delicious! Used sultanas for the apricots and sunflower and pumpkin seeds. Will definitely make again! Thanks!
Author
Aw thank you!!