Apple Cinnamon Oat Bars (View Print Version)

Soft oat bars with tangy apple and warm cinnamon, perfect for breakfast or a nutritious snack.

# What You'll Need:

→ Oat Base & Topping

01 - 2 cups rolled oats
02 - 1 cup all-purpose flour
03 - 1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed
04 - 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
05 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
06 - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
07 - 2 tablespoons milk (dairy or plant-based)
08 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

→ Apple Cinnamon Jam

09 - 2 cups peeled, cored, and diced apples (about 2 medium)
10 - 2 tablespoons lemon juice
11 - 1/2 cup granulated sugar
12 - 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
13 - 1/8 teaspoon salt
14 - 1 tablespoon water
15 - 2 teaspoons cornstarch

# Method:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Line an 8x8-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
02 - Combine diced apples, lemon juice, sugar, cinnamon, salt, and water in a medium saucepan. Cook over medium heat until apples soften, about 6 to 8 minutes.
03 - Dissolve cornstarch in 1 tablespoon water. Stir into the apple mixture and cook until thickened, about 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly.
04 - In a mixing bowl, combine rolled oats, flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Add melted butter, milk, and vanilla extract, mixing until crumbly.
05 - Press two-thirds of the oat mixture evenly into the prepared baking pan to form the base layer.
06 - Spread the prepared apple cinnamon jam evenly over the oat base.
07 - Crumble the remaining oat mixture over the apple layer evenly.
08 - Bake in the preheated oven for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the topping is lightly golden.
09 - Allow bars to cool completely in the pan before cutting into 12 bars.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • If you love desserts that double as breakfast, these bars feel like a treat but are wholesome enough for a morning pick-me-up.
  • The apple cinnamon jam is genuinely easy, and the topping comes together in one bowl—no fancy gadgets or tricky steps.
02 -
  • If you skip cooling the bars before slicing, you’ll end up with tasty crumbs instead of tidy bars—I learned that the sticky way!
  • Choosing apples that are too sweet can make the jam layer bland, so always go for apples with a bit of tang.
03 -
  • Always check your jam thickness before layering—if it’s runny, cook it another minute.
  • Toasted oats deepen the flavor, so for extra nuttiness, toast them briefly before mixing.
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