Peanut Butter and Apple Oatmeal Breakfast Bars

Start your mornings off right with these wholesome and delicious Peanut Butter and Apple Oatmeal Breakfast Bars! Packed with hearty rolled oats, creamy peanut butter, and naturally sweetened with honey or maple syrup, these bars are the perfect grab-and-go option for busy mornings. Grated apple adds a delightful burst of freshness, while optional mix-ins like chopped nuts and dried cranberries provide a satisfying crunch and chew. This recipe is effortlessly customizable and can be made vegan with a simple flax egg substitution. Easy to prepare in just 15 minutes, these soft-baked bars strike the perfect balance of flavor and nutrition, making them ideal for breakfast, a midday snack, or a post-workout energy boost.

Nutriscore Rating: 75/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:25 mins

Total Time:40 mins

Servings: 9

Ingredients

• 2 cups rolled oats
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 0.25 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 cup unsweetened applesauce
• 0.5 cup peanut butter
• 0.33 cup honey (or maple syrup for vegan alternative)
• 1 large egg (or flax egg for vegan alternative)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup grated apple (from 1 medium-sized apple)
• 0.25 cup chopped nuts (optional, e.g. walnuts, pecans)
• 0.25 cup raisins or dried cranberries (optional)

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line an 8x8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, allowing the edges to hang over the sides for easy removal.

Step 2

In a large mixing bowl, combine the rolled oats, ground cinnamon, baking powder, and salt. Stir well to ensure all the dry ingredients are evenly distributed.

Step 3

In a separate bowl, whisk together the unsweetened applesauce, peanut butter, honey (or maple syrup), egg (or flax egg), and vanilla extract until smooth and well combined.

Step 4

Pour the wet ingredients into the bowl of dry ingredients and mix until fully incorporated.

Step 5

Fold in the grated apple, chopped nuts (if using), and raisins or dried cranberries (if using), ensuring they are evenly distributed throughout the batter.

Step 6

Transfer the batter to the prepared baking pan and spread it out evenly using a spatula. Press the mixture firmly into the pan to ensure the bars hold together after baking.

Step 7

Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden and the center is set.

Step 8

Remove the pan from the oven and let the bars cool completely in the pan before lifting them out using the parchment paper overhang.

Step 9

Once cooled, cut into 9 equal squares or bars. Store the bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the refrigerator for up to a week.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(860.2g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2206.9

Total Fat 100.5g	0%
Saturated Fat 18.3g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 16.0g
Cholesterol 186mg	0%
Sodium 1140.2mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 288.3g	0%
Dietary Fiber 35.6g	0%
Total Sugars 144.0g
Protein 67.7g	0%

Vitamin D 41IU	0%
Calcium 264.8mg	0%
Iron 13.4mg	0%
Potassium 2311.1mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 38.8%

Protein: 11.6%

Carbs: 49.5%