It’s been a rainy, cool few days around here, but we managed to get our gardens started this weekend during a brief pause in the rain. Since this is our first full summer at this house, we’re excited to see what kind of a yield we’ll get from the gardens. Though I’m not getting too excited, I’m pretty sure I have the exact opposite of a green thumb!
We also noticed this weekend that our apple trees are budding and looking a lot better after a major pruning earlier this spring. I’m really hoping that we get some decent apples. Of course, after seeing the buds on the apple trees, I couldn’t stop thinking about baking with apples. It wasn’t long before these soft baked apple peanut butter oat bars were coming out of the oven!
Loaded with wholesome ingredients such as oats, whole wheat flour, ground flaxseed, honey, and peanut butter, these oat bars not only taste good, but they’re good for you! A whole cup of chopped apple is mixed in to give the bars a fresh flavor and a bit of texture. A simple cinnamon glaze is drizzled over the top to boost the sweetness and cinnamon flavor, but feel free to leave it off if you want to avoid any refined sugar. The bars are sweet enough without it!
Because these oat bars are made with fresh apples, it’s best to eat these up within a week. I can’t guarantee that they’ll last much longer than that, and I don’t know from personal experience, because these bars kept disappearing before I could see how long they’d keep!
- 1½ C regular or quick oats
- 1 C whole wheat flour
- ¼ C ground flaxseed
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- ½ tsp baking powder
- ¼ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp nutmeg
- 1 C milk of your choice
- ½ C no-stir natural creamy peanut butter
- ¼ C honey
- 3 tbsp coconut oil, melted (or olive/canola oil)
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 C finely chopped apples
- ½ C peanut butter chips
- ¾ C confectioner's sugar
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1 tbsp milk
- Preheat oven to 350. Lightly spray a 9x9 inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.
- In a large bowl, whisk together oats, flour, flaxseed, cinnamon, baking powder, salt, and nutmeg.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together, milk, peanut butter, honey, coconut oil, egg, and vanilla extract. Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients. Stir until combined. Stir in chopped apples and peanut butter chips.
- Spread batter into prepared baking dish. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Remove dish to a wire rack to cool. While bars are cooling, stir together confectioner's sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl. Stir in milk. Add additional milk as needed to reach desired consistency.
- Drizzle over cooled bars. Allow glaze to harden and serve.
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Ashley | Spoonful of Flavor says
These sweet bars remind me of something my grandmother used to make when I was a child. I used to eat them for breakfast and snack often. I’ll have to try this recipe because they look incredible!
Catherine says
Dear Jessica, I cannot wait to get outside and start my garden this year! Apples are a year round favorite…I love your bars. They look wonderful with that drizzle. xo, Catherine
Kristen Chidsey says
You are so lucky to have apple trees!! These bars are going on my must make list!
Maria says
These oat bars would not last long in my house, haha!
Marye says
These look so delicious, I love apple and peanut butter together!
Danae @ Recipe Runner says
I’m so jealous that you have apple trees and were able to start your garden! I have to wait at least a few more weeks to start mine since we get freak May snow storms. These bars will be perfect to make this weekend since it’s supposed to be cold, rainy and maybe even snow!
Jen | Baked by an Introvert says
Apples and peanut butter are a childhood favorite snack! I just know I would love these bars. They would be gone in no time!!
Roxana says
I love that you add both peanut butter and peanut butter chips. I’d never be able to see how long they last either. They’d be gone too quickly!
Medha @ Whiak & Shout says
These look amazing! I cannot wait to start picking my own apples 🙂
Heather Kinnaird says
oh these bars make me miss apple season 🙂 looks SO good and perfect for afternoon snacking
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Having just packed lunches I can tell you that these would have the perfect addition to today’s lunch. I need to make these ASAP!
Ashley says
I am itching to get our herb garden started for the year … I think the weather is finally warm enough for us to get going!
And these oat bars sound soo good – apple + peanut butter is just the best combo!
Allison - Celebrating Sweets says
These would be perfect for my son’s lunchbox. Pinning to try! 🙂