10-Ingredient Apple Pie Granola Bars
Today’s recipe is sponsored by KitchenAid and their very sleek new line of black stainless steel appliances. As always, all opinions and text are my own. I adore my KitchenAid appliances.
It may still be in the mid-high 90s where we’re staying in Sonoma County, California, but I’m already thinking about crisp Fall air, warming spices, and all things apple. It seems that gravenstein apples, in particular, get a lot of attention in Sebastopol (where we spent the last few weeks). There were big signs announcing them and even a town fair, but we found the best gravensteins of all in trees right outside our tiny studio! There are fruits and veggies growing like weeds on properties and public spaces everywhere. It makes me oh-so happy and I keep wishing more places would plant strawberries in place of potted flowers or pear trees in place of birch. They’re pretty and delicious, like feeding two birds with one scone. ← use that phrase in conversation and just try not to smile. (Impossible.)
When I think about Fall and apples, my mind immediately goes to apple pie. But when you’re on a road trip with only the most basic of kitchen setups, apple pie is maybe not the most appropriate of recipes to attempt. Instead, I channelled those same cozy flavors in a form I knew I could successfully make and that we could easily enjoy on the road. Enter: apple pie granola bars.
These vegan granola bars are made from ten very simple ingredients and you can even bake them in a countertop oven, which is what I’m working with at our current place. We only had a loaf pan, so that’s also what I used. And you know what? The loaf pan worked out even better than the larger 8 x 8 inch baking dish I initially thought I needed. Every bar has crispy edges on at least two sides and chewy centers all studded with dried apple pieces.
These bars deliver apple pie flavor that’s great for breakfast, hiking fuel, an afternoon snack, or a wholesome dessert. We devoured them in less than 24 hours, which I’m taking as a solid sign that this recipe is a winner.
This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of KitchenAid.
10-Ingredient Apple Pie Granola Bars
10-Ingredient Apple Pie Granola Bars
Serves: 5 granola bars
Prep Time: 5 mins
Cook Time: 30 mins
Total Time: 35 mins
Apple pie meets granola bars! Just 10 simple, wholesome ingredients, mix, and bake. These vegan granola bars make the perfect light breakfast, snack, or healthier dessert.
Cuisine: Vegan Servings: 5 granola bars
Prep Time: 5 mins Cook Time: 30 mins Total Time: 35 mins
Apple pie meets granola bars! Just 10 simple, wholesome ingredients, mix, and bake. These vegan granola bars make the perfect light breakfast, snack, or healthier dessert.
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease a 9 x 5 inch loaf pan with coconut oil; set aside.
- In a large bowl, stir together the oats, flour, coconut sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and sea salt. Fold in the dried apple pieces. Add in the applesauce, coconut oil, and vanilla and mix once more until fully incorporated. Transfer to your prepared baking pan and use a spatula to flatten it into a packed, even layer. It's important to pack the mixture down so that the bars will hold their shape after they bake.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the top is lightly browned.
- Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely. Flip the pan upside down to release the bars onto a cutting board (they should pop out relatively easily), then slice into 5 even pieces.
- Store leftover granola bars in the fridge in an air-tight container or individually wrapped for easy access. They also freeze well.
Notes [1]
To make these bars gluten-free, use gluten-free rolled oats and replace the spelt flour with an equal amount of gluten-free oat flour.
Copyright © 2023 Amanda Maguire for Pickles & Honey
