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Chewy Apple Cinnamon Granola Bars

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These chewy apple cinnamon granola bars offer a perfect balance of soft yet firm texture with bursts of fresh apple and warm cinnamon, making them a wholesome and satisfying snack.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cups (180g) rolled oats
  • 1 medium apple, peeled and diced (about 150g) – Granny Smith or Fuji
  • 1 ½ tsp cinnamon, fresh ground
  • ⅓ cup (113g) honey
  • ½ cup (120g) unsweetened applesauce
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • ½ cup (60g) chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • ½ tsp baking powder

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8 inch (20×20 cm) baking pan with parchment paper, leaving some overhang on the sides for easy lifting.
  2. In a food processor, pulse ½ cup (45g) of the rolled oats until it becomes a fine flour-like consistency, about 2 minutes.
  3. In a large bowl, combine the remaining 1 ½ cups (135g) rolled oats with the oat flour, cinnamon, salt, and baking powder. Stir to combine evenly.
  4. In a smaller bowl, whisk together the honey, applesauce, and vanilla extract until smooth and slightly glossy, about 1 minute.
  5. Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients and stir gently with a wooden spoon until just combined. Fold in the diced apples and nuts until evenly distributed. The mixture should be sticky but not runny.
  6. Transfer the mixture into the prepared baking pan. Press firmly and evenly into the pan using a spatula or slightly wet hands.
  7. Bake for 18-22 minutes. Start checking at 18 minutes; edges should be golden and center still soft. Avoid overbaking to maintain chewiness.
  8. Remove from oven and let cool completely in the pan for at least 30 minutes. Use parchment overhang to lift out and slice into 10-12 bars.

Notes

Pulse some oats into oat flour to achieve chewy texture. Avoid overbaking to keep bars soft. Pat apples dry if very juicy to prevent soggy bars. Cool completely before slicing to avoid crumbling. Use parchment paper for easy removal.

Nutrition

Keywords: granola bars, apple cinnamon, chewy snack, healthy snack, homemade granola bars, easy snack, gluten-free option, nut-free option

Find it online: https://lumalunch.com/chewy-apple-cinnamon-granola-bars-recipe-5-easy-steps-for-a-wholesome-snack/