Ingredients:

  • 2 cups (180g) rolled oats (old-fashioned, not instant)
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 large egg (or 1 flax egg: 1 tbsp flaxseed meal mixed with 3 tbsp water, left to sit for 5 minutes)
  • 1/3 cup (80ml) maple syrup (or honey)
  • 1/4 cup (60g) almond butter (or any nut/seed butter)
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup (120ml) milk (dairy or non-dairy)
  • 1 1/4 cups (approx. 1 medium) diced apples (peeled or unpeeled, Granny Smith or Honeycrisp work well)
  • 1/4 cup (30g) chopped walnuts (optional, can substitute with raisins or chocolate chips)

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8x8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides for easy removal, or grease the pan lightly.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together rolled oats, cinnamon, baking powder, and salt until well combined.
  3. In a separate small bowl, whisk the egg (or flax egg), maple syrup, almond butter, vanilla extract, and milk until smooth and well combined.
  4. Pour the wet ingredients into the bowl with the dry ingredients and stir gently until just combined. Don't overmix.
  5. Gently fold in the diced apples and any optional add-ins (walnuts, raisins, or chocolate chips) until evenly distributed.
  6. Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan and spread into an even layer.
  7. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, or with a few moist crumbs clinging to it.
  8. Let cool in the pan for at least 10-15 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. Once cool, slice into 9 bars.