Maple Cinnamon Oatmeal Bars (Print version)

Wholesome bars combining oats, cinnamon, and maple for a soft, chewy, and portable snack option.

# What You 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:

01 - Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line an 8x8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, allowing some overhang for easy removal.
02 - In a large bowl, mix rolled oats, whole wheat flour, cinnamon, baking powder, and salt until evenly blended.
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 just until combined, avoiding overmixing.
05 - Gently fold in chopped nuts and dried fruit if using.
06 - Spread the batter evenly in the prepared pan, smoothing the top. Bake for 22 to 25 minutes until edges are golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
07 - Allow bars to cool completely in the pan. Use parchment paper to lift them out and cut into 12 bars.

# Expert tips:

01 -
  • They taste like a cozy bowl of oatmeal you can hold in your hand.
  • One batch lasts all week and saves you from the coffee shop muffin trap.
  • The maple and cinnamon make your kitchen smell like a hug.
02 -
  • Don't skip the cooling step, cutting too soon makes the bars crumble and fall apart.
  • Real maple syrup makes a noticeable difference, the fake stuff tastes flat in comparison.
  • Press the batter firmly into the pan so the bars hold their shape when you slice them.
03 -
  • Line your pan with parchment even if it's nonstick, it saves you from scrubbing later.
  • If the batter seems too thick, add a tablespoon of milk or water to loosen it slightly.
  • Toast the nuts beforehand for deeper flavor and a more pronounced crunch.
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