Apple season is here! For a satisfying, healthy, delicious snack, try my Chewy Apple Granola Bars recipe!
Living in the Pacific Northwest, we're so spoiled with hundreds of varieties and an abundance of apples that are locally grown each year. My family didn't go apple picking this year, and I'm kicking myself because we have such a fun time when we've gone in the past! And, of course, I can't resist baking up a storm with all of our juicy, delectable Northwest-grown apples.
From apple pies to apple fritters the most amazing apple cinnamon muffins EVER, I adore baking and cooking with apples. Today, I'm excited to share my latest apple recipe: Chewy Apple Granola Bars.
Perfect snack for the whole family
My family is constantly on-the-go, so I make a lot of healthy snack recipes that are easily transportable, and last long.
Granola bars are perfect portable snacks. And it's so easy to make healthier versions of homemade granola bars.
We'll often enjoy chocolate chip/peanut butter/honey bars, but I wanted these bars to have the flavors and aroma of fall. And while I love crunchy granola bars, I like to make chewy granola bars too (they make less of a mess in the car!).
Autumn Glory Apples are perfect for these treats! I love that you can make a batch of these and cut them into rectangular bars, or just even eat them by the spoonful from the baking dish. I decided to cut ours into squares, because for some reason that seems to fit more with a chewy bar.
These apple snacks are delicious, easy to wrap up and take along with you for road trips (maybe next week to Grandmother's house you go for Thanksgiving??), to pack for after-school activities, to toss into your kid's lunchbox as a healthier snack alternative, and to keep on hand for daytime snacking. They will keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 5-7 days!
Autumn Glory apples
The apples used in this recipe and shown in these photos are Autumn Glory Apples. SuperFresh Growers sent me two cases packed with apples to try, which made my family so happy! My son LOVES apples. It used to be his favorite food; now it's pizza - go figure, teenagers! He still eats a ton of apples every week.
Autumn Glory Apples are grown in Washington. They are petite apples that pack a flavorful punch of sweet caramel and cinnamon flavors. This makes them perfect for baking in apple pies, apple hand pies, and also breakfast granola, fruit salads, and sauces for pork and chicken.
The cinnamon and caramel flavor really lent themselves to this Chewy Apple Granola Bars recipe!
Chewy apple granola bars
Ingredients
- 2 cups rolled oats
- ½ cup chopped almonds
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup finely diced apples
- ½ cup applesauce
- ¼ cup packed brown sugar
- ½ cup almond milk
- ¼ cup agave nectar or honey
- ¼ cup creamy peanut butter softened in the microwave
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Grease an 8 x 8 baking dish
- In a large bowl, mix together oats, almonds, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt. Add apples, applesauce, milk, agave nectar, and softened peanut butter until all ingredients are well mixed.
- Spread the granola mix evenly into the prepared pan.
- Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.
- Allow to cool slightly before cutting into shapes.
Nutrition information is a general estimate. Actual nutrition details may vary depending on the exact foods & brands you use to make this recipe. It does not take into account any substitutions, toppings, or optional ingredients.
Many thanks to Autumn Glory Apples for sponsoring this post. They also provided the apples to create this Chewy Apple Granola Bar recipe! As always, all opinions and photos are my own.
Cathy M says
Yummy!!! I am going to need to pin this so I can make these bars after the holiday!
Marlynn Jayme Schotland says
Thanks, Cathy!
Jenna says
Mmm these granola bars sound so yummy! I'm luck to live in an area with lots of orchards around and grew up picking my own fruit. Apple season was always my favorite!
Marlynn Jayme Schotland says
Us, too! LOVE living near so many farms with apple orchards, and I love how close the Autumn Glory Apple farms are. Happy Apple Season, Jenna!
Leah says
These look so tasty, and so perfect for fall! Yum!
Marlynn Jayme Schotland says
Thanks so much, Leah!
Jolina says
I'm all about apples too, I think they're one of the best things about fall! I love this granola bar, we don't buy ready-made granola bars anymore so this will definitely go into our recipe box (though, we still love Costco lol!)
Marlynn Jayme Schotland says
Aren't apples the best right now? Thanks so much for stopping by, Jolina!
Pamela Arsena says
This looks so tasty and healthy looking. I am constantly looking for healthy snack options for my teenager. I saved this on yum to try later. I am looking forward to trying this recipe this weekend.
Marlynn Jayme Schotland says
If you try it, let me know how it goes, Pamela!
Laura Rike says
I love this! It's totally healthy and looks delicious at the same time. I really love apples and this is a great way to eat it. :)
Marlynn Jayme Schotland says
Thanks so much, Laura!
Lew Siow Chei says
Love this idea. Makes great breakfast for kids too. Pinning this for later. Thanks for sharing Marlynn!
Marlynn Jayme Schotland says
I admit: I ate a couple of squares for breakfast, too! ;) Thanks, Lew!
Pech says
Eating half of this by the spoonful from the dish before cutting up squares sounds right to me...
Marlynn Jayme Schotland says
Exactly! ;) Thanks, Pech!
Erin @ Platings and Pairings says
I just tried the new Autumn Glory Apples last week and I am hooked! I love the caramel/cinnamon sweet flavor! I'm on the lookout for them in stores because I can't wait to get my hands on more! These granola bars look just perfect for fall morning grab and go breakfasts!
Marlynn Jayme Schotland says
Isn't the flavor of Autumn Glory Apples amazing, Erin?! They're the perfect fall treat by themselves! But these are a great way to enjoy them too :) Thanks, Erin!