Discover the perfect blend of wholesome nutrition and indulgent flavor with Sara Snow's Oatmeal Fruit Nut Bars! These soft, chewy bars bring together the earthy goodness of old-fashioned rolled oats and whole wheat flour with the natural sweetness of honey and unsweetened applesauce. Packed with dried cranberries, crunchy chopped almonds and walnuts, and optional dark chocolate chips, each bite is brimming with texture and taste. Lightly spiced with cinnamon and a hint of vanilla, these bars are easy to make in just 40 minutes and are perfect for breakfast on-the-go, hiking snacks, or a healthy dessert. High in fiber and free from refined white sugar, these oatmeal fruit nut bars are a guilt-free way to fuel your day.
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9x9-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving some overhang for easy removal later.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the rolled oats, whole wheat flour, brown sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt. Mix well to evenly distribute the dry ingredients.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the applesauce, honey, and vanilla extract until smooth.
Pour the wet ingredients into the dry mixture and stir until fully combined. The mixture should be thick and sticky.
Fold in the dried cranberries, chopped almonds, chopped walnuts, and optional dark chocolate chips, ensuring they are evenly distributed throughout the mixture.
Transfer the mixture into the prepared baking pan. Use a spatula or the back of a spoon to press it firmly and evenly into the pan.
Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and the center is set.
Remove the pan from the oven and allow the bars to cool completely in the pan. Once cool, use the parchment paper to lift the bars out of the pan.
Place the bars on a cutting board and slice into 12 evenly sized portions. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days or in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
Calories |
3195 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 128.1 g | 164% | |
| Saturated Fat | 20.3 g | 102% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% | |
| Sodium | 1328 mg | 58% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 480.6 g | 175% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 58.3 g | 208% | |
| Total Sugars | 240.6 g | ||
| Protein | 74.6 g | 149% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 564 mg | 43% | |
| Iron | 22.2 mg | 123% | |
| Potassium | 2814 mg | 60% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.