Maple Cinnamon Oatmeal Bars (Printable Version)

Soft bars with oats, cinnamon, and maple syrup, perfect for a wholesome portable snack or breakfast.

# What You'll Need:

→ Dry Ingredients

01 - 2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
02 - 1 cup whole wheat flour
03 - 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
04 - 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
05 - 1/4 teaspoon salt

→ Wet Ingredients

06 - 1/2 cup pure maple syrup
07 - 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted (or coconut oil for dairy-free)
08 - 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
09 - 1 large egg
10 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

→ Add-Ins

11 - 1/3 cup chopped nuts (walnuts or pecans, optional)
12 - 1/3 cup raisins or dried cranberries (optional)

# How to Make It:

01 - Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line an 8x8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang for easy removal.
02 - In a large bowl, mix rolled oats, whole wheat flour, cinnamon, baking powder, and salt until thoroughly combined.
03 - In a separate bowl, whisk together maple syrup, melted butter or coconut oil, applesauce, egg, and vanilla extract until smooth.
04 - Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients and stir gently until just combined.
05 - Fold in chopped nuts and dried fruit, if using.
06 - Spread the batter evenly in the prepared pan and smooth the surface with a spatula.
07 - Bake for 22 to 25 minutes, until edges are golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
08 - Allow to cool completely in the pan, then lift out using the parchment paper and cut into 12 bars.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • They're hearty enough to keep you satisfied but don't feel heavy, which is harder to pull off than it sounds.
  • No special equipment or mysterious techniques, just honest kitchen work that actually succeeds.
  • The maple flavor tastes like you care, but the applesauce is doing most of the soft, chewy work.
02 -
  • Don't skip the cooling step or you'll have delicious crumbles instead of bars—I learned this the hard way when impatience won.
  • Whole wheat flour can absorb more liquid than all-purpose, so if your batter feels very thick, that's normal and actually what you want.
03 -
  • Melting the butter warm helps it distribute evenly through the batter and prevents pockets of greasiness later.
  • If you're doubling the recipe, use a 9x13-inch pan and extend the baking time by about 5 minutes, checking at 28 minutes.
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