3 Ingredient Apple Oatmeal Bars Recipe

Introduction

These 3 Ingredient Apple Oatmeal Bars are a simple, wholesome snack made with just applesauce, peanut butter, and rolled oats. Perfect for a quick breakfast or a healthy treat, they’re naturally gluten-free and free of added sugars or flour. You can easily customize them with mix-ins to suit your taste.

Ingredients

• 1 cup (251 g) unsweetened applesauce
• 6 tbsp (100 g) unsweetened natural peanut butter
• 2 cups (175 g) rolled oats

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C) and line an 8 inch by 8 inch baking pan with parchment paper.
2. Step 2: In a large mixing bowl, stir together the applesauce and peanut butter until fully combined and uniform in color.
3. Step 3: Add the rolled oats to the mixture and stir until evenly incorporated. If desired, add any mix-ins now, such as chocolate chips, dried fruit, or nuts.
4. Step 4: Pour the batter into the prepared pan and use a spatula to spread it evenly and smooth the surface.
5. Step 5: Bake for 13 to 15 minutes, or until the bars look set and cooked through.
6. Step 6: Allow the bars to cool completely before slicing and serving.

Tips & Variations

• If you prefer sweeter bars, stir in 1–2 tablespoons of honey with the oats before baking.
• Add your favorite mix-ins such as cinnamon, chocolate chips, dried cranberries, or chopped nuts for extra flavor and texture.
• Use natural, unsweetened nut butters like almond or cashew as alternatives to peanut butter.
• Make sure to use rolled oats (old-fashioned oats) rather than instant oats, as they absorb moisture better and provide the right texture.

Storage

Store any leftover bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week. These bars also freeze well; wrap tightly and freeze for up to three months. To enjoy, thaw in the fridge overnight and warm slightly if desired.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I substitute peanut butter with another nut or seed butter?

Yes, natural unsweetened almond butter, cashew butter, or sunflower seed butter can be used as alternatives. Avoid using nut butters with added oils as they may affect the texture.

Can I add protein powder to this recipe?

This recipe has not been tested with protein powder, so results may vary. If you try it, add the powder with the oats and adjust the moisture as needed for consistency.

3 Ingredient Apple Oatmeal Bars Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.9 from 119 reviews

These 3 Ingredient Apple Oatmeal Bars are a quick, healthy, and delicious snack or breakfast option made with just applesauce, natural peanut butter, and rolled oats. They are easy to prepare, gluten-free, and contain no added sugar, eggs, flour, or butter, making them a wholesome and satisfying treat for all ages.

• Author: lea
• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Yield: 9 bars 1x
• Category: Snack, Breakfast, Bar
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Gluten Free

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Base Ingredients

• 1 cup (251 g) unsweetened applesauce
• 6 tbsp (100 g) unsweetened natural peanut butter
• 2 cups (175 g) rolled oats (old fashioned oats)

Instructions

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C). Line an 8-inch by 8-inch baking pan with parchment paper to prevent sticking and make bar removal easier.
2. Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, add the unsweetened applesauce and natural peanut butter. Stir well until the mixture is fully combined and a uniform color and texture is achieved.
3. Add Oats: Add the rolled oats to the wet mixture. Stir until the oats are evenly distributed throughout the batter. If you want to add any mix-ins like chocolate chips, dried fruit, or nuts, fold them in at this stage.
4. Transfer to Pan: Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan. Use a spatula to spread the mixture evenly and smooth the surface for even baking.
5. Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for about 13-15 minutes, or until the bars look set and cooked through. They should be firm to the touch.
6. Cool and Serve: Let the bars cool completely in the pan before lifting them out using the parchment paper. Cut into bars and serve. Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge or freezer.

Notes

• These bars have a low natural sweetness. To increase sweetness, add 1-2 tablespoons of honey when mixing in the oats and adjust to taste.
• Feel free to add mix-ins like unsweetened chocolate chips, dried fruits, or chopped nuts to customize flavors.
• Rolled oats, also known as old fashioned oats, work best as they absorb liquid better than instant oats, resulting in better texture and setting.
• Use natural unsweetened peanut butter without added oils for best results. Almond or cashew butter can be substituted if desired.
• The bars can be refrigerated or frozen for longer storage.

Keywords: apple oatmeal bars, 3 ingredient bars, healthy snack, gluten free snack, natural peanut butter bars, easy breakfast bars, no added sugar bars