Apple Pie Oat Bars
These Apple Pie Oat Bars make a rotation in my kitchen every fall - I’ve been making them ever since my kids were babies!
I started making these when I was looking for quick-grab breastfeeding snacks that I could also share with my daughters - something healthy, super easy to make, and batch-friendly for the freezer.
I liked them so much (and so did my kids!) that this recipe appeared in my first book, The Food Doula Cookbook!
They’re soft, warming and naturally sweetened with apple sauce and maple syrup (or honey, but only for little ones over 1). And the best part? They make your house smell like fall!
If you’re breastfeeding like I was when I first developed this recipe, not only are these a wholesome, energy-boosting and one-handed snack for the season, but they have two of the most popular galactogogue foods inside - oats and flax, which may support your milk supply (and definitely support your nourishment!).
If you make these in your kitchen, send me a message on instagram and let me know what you think!
How to Make Apple Pie Oat Bars (Step-by-Step)
Prep the pan.
Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C). Line an 8 × 8-inch baking pan with parchment paper. Tip: leave a little parchment “overhang” on two sides so you can lift the bars out easily once baked.Mix the dry ingredients.
In a large bowl, combine the oat flour, rolled oats, ground flax, cinnamon, nutmeg, and sea salt. Stir well so the spices are evenly distributed. This helps prevent “pockets” of cinnamon or nutmeg.Mix the wet ingredients.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the melted coconut oil, applesauce, maple syrup (or honey), and vanilla extract until smooth and glossy.Combine wet and dry.
Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients. Stir with a spatula until everything is just combined. The batter should be thick but spreadable.Smooth the top.
Scrape the mixture into your prepared pan. Smooth the top with a spatula, or lay another piece of parchment on top and press lightly to even out the surface.Bake.
Bake for about 25 minutes, or until the edges are just turning golden and the center is set.Cool and slice.
Remove from the oven and let cool slightly. Score into bars with a serrated knife while still warm for easier cutting. Let cool completely before storing.Storage tip: Keep in an airtight container at room temperature for a couple of days, in the fridge for up to 1 week, or in the freezer for 2–3 months.
Apple Pie Oat Bars FAQ
1. Can I make these gluten-free?
The Apple Pie Oat Bars are naturally gluten-free! Just make sure to use certified gluten-free rolled oats and oat flour.
2. Can I add mix-ins?
Absolutely! Try folding in raisins, dried cranberries, walnuts or pecans for extra flavour and texture.
3. Are these good for breastfeeding moms?
Yes — oats and flax are classic lactation-supporting foods. Oats have a soluble fibre called beta-glucan that may help increase levels of prolactin, a hormone that plays a key role in milk production. More importantly, these Apple Pie Oats Bars provide slow-digesting carbs and healthy fats that help keep your energy steady.
4. Are these good for babies and toddlers?
Yes! They’re soft, naturally sweetened, and made from wholesome ingredients - perfect for little ones! If you will be making these for babies under the age of 1, be sure to use maple syrup instead of honey in the wet mix, as honey (even in baking) should only be used after the age of 1.
Apple Pie Oat Bars Recipe
Wet ingredients
2 1⁄2 tbsp (37 mL) coconut oil, melted
1 cup (250 mL) apple sauce
3 tbsp (45 mL) maple syrup or honey
1⁄2 tsp (2 mL) vanilla extract
Dry Ingredients
1 cup (250mL) oat flour (or substitute whole wheat flour for non-GF)
1 cup (250 mL) thick rolled oats
2 1⁄2 tbsp (37 mL) ground flax
2 tsp (10 mL) cinnamon
1⁄2 tsp (2 mL) nutmeg
1⁄2 tsp (2 mL) fine sea salt
How to make it:
1. Heat oven to 350°F (180°C), and line an 8 × 8-inch pan with parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl, mix together dry ingredients.
3. In a medium bowl, combine wet ingredients.
4. Pour wet mix into dry bowl and stir to combine until smooth. Using a spatula, slide mixture into prepared pan. To even out the top of the oat bars, smooth mixture out with spatula, or place another sheet of parchment paper on top and press lightly
5. Move pan to oven and bake, about 25 minutes, or until edges are just starting to turn golden.
6. Remove from oven, and score into bars with a serrated knife. Store in airtight container on the counter for a few days, in the fridge for about a week, or a couple of months in the freezer.
More Nourishing Recipes For Pregnancy, Breastfeeding, Postpartum + Family Life
If cozy, one-handed snacks like these Apple Pie Oat Bars are what you’re looking for, check out The Food Doula Cookbook for more recipes customized for pregnancy and postpartum, and get excited for my new book, The Nourished Mother, a collection of recipes to support your body, family, and real life in postpartum and the early years of motherhood coming soon!