Maple Apple Breakfast Bars

Essential Ingredients for Perfect Maple Apple Breakfast Bars Main Dry Ingredients 2 cups rolled oats 1 cup whole wheat flour 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans 1/4 cup ground flaxseeds 1 tsp baking powder 1/2 tsp cinnamon 1/4 tsp salt Wet Ingredients 1/2 cup pure maple syrup 1/3 cup unsweetened applesauce 1 large egg (or flax egg for vegan option) 1 tsp vanilla extract Fresh Fruits and Additions 1 cup finely chopped fresh apples (preferably crisp varieties like Granny Smith or Fuji) 1/2 cup raisins or dried cranberries (optional) How to Make Maple Apple Breakfast Bars: A Step-By-Step Guide Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease or line a 9×9 inch baking pan with parchment paper. In a large mixing bowl, combine the rolled oats, whole wheat flour, chopped nuts, ground flaxseeds, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt. Whisk until all dry ingredients are evenly incorporated. In a separate bowl, whisk together the maple syrup, applesauce, egg, and vanilla extract until smooth and well combined. Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients and stir gently until just combined. Avoid over-mixing to keep the texture light. Fold in the chopped apples and dried fruit if using, distributing them evenly throughout the batter. Spread the batter evenly into the prepared baking pan, smoothing the top with a spatula. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the edges are golden and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan before cutting into squares to ensure they hold together well. Timing and Serving Facts for Your Maple Apple Breakfast Bars Preparation Time: 10 minutes Cooking Time: 25-30 minutes Total Time: Approximately 40 minutes Calories per Bar: Roughly 180-210 calories (depending on portion size and optional ingredients) Number of Servings: Makes about 12 bars Nutritional Breakdown of Maple Apple Breakfast Bars Nutrient Amount per Serving Calories 195 kcal Protein 4.5 g Carbohydrates 32 g Dietary Fiber 5 g Total Fat 6 g Saturated Fat 0.5 g Vitamin C 3 mg Calcium 40 mg Iron 1.2 mg