(No Sugar, No Flour! Sweetened Naturally with Fruit)
Recipe Card
Hook – Quick Description:
Naturally sweet, chewy apple oat bars made with oats, fresh fruit, and dried berries — no sugar, no flour, just wholesome ingredients!
Servings & Timing:
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35–40 minutes
- Total Time: ~50 minutes
- Yield: 8–10 bars
Dietary Badges:
- 🌾 Flourless
- 🍌 Naturally Sweetened (no sugar added)
- 🌱 Vegan-Friendly
- 🥗 Whole-Food Snack
Ingredients (Checklist Style):
- Oatmeal (rolled oats preferred)
- Medium apples (peeled & chopped or grated)
- Ripe banana
- Water
- Dried blueberries
- Raisins
Instructions (Concise & Numbered):
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking dish with parchment.
- Peel and chop or grate apples. Mash banana in a bowl.
- In a saucepan, cook apples with ½ cup water until soft (about 5–7 minutes).
- Mix cooked apples with mashed banana, oats, blueberries, and raisins.
- Stir until well combined — mixture will be thick and sticky.
- Spread evenly into prepared dish, pressing down firmly.
- Bake 35–40 minutes until golden and set.
- Cool completely before slicing into bars.
Additional Notes:
- Bars will be soft and chewy — not overly sweet, but fruity.
- For extra texture, keep apple chunks instead of fully cooking down.
- Store chilled for best texture.
Brief Introduction
These Sugar-Free Apple Oatmeal Bars are the perfect answer for anyone avoiding sugar and flour but still craving a wholesome snack. Sweetened only with apples, banana, raisins, and blueberries, they’re chewy, fruity, and packed with natural goodness. Whether you enjoy them for breakfast, as an afternoon bite, or a healthy dessert, these bars fit right into a clean, simple lifestyle.
Step-by-Step Cooking Guide
Prepping the Fruit
- Peel and chop apples (or grate if you want smoother texture).
- Cook briefly with water until softened.
- Mash banana until smooth.
Mixing the Batter
- Stir together oats, apples, banana, blueberries, and raisins.
- Combine until oats are coated and mixture sticks together.
Baking
- Press into lined baking dish.
- Bake until golden and edges are slightly crisp.
- Cool fully to set before cutting into bars.
Tip: For firmer bars, refrigerate for an hour before slicing.
Ingredient Details & Substitutions
- Oats: Rolled oats give chewy texture; quick oats make bars softer.
- Apples: Choose naturally sweet apples (Fuji, Gala, Honeycrisp).
- Banana: The riper, the sweeter — essential for binding.
- Blueberries & Raisins: Provide bursts of sweetness. You can swap with chopped dates, cranberries, or figs.
- Optional Add-ins: Cinnamon, nutmeg, or unsweetened shredded coconut.
Variations & Serving Suggestions
- Cinnamon Spice Bars: Add 1 tsp cinnamon for apple pie vibes.
- Nutty Boost: Stir in chopped walnuts or almonds.
- Breakfast Bowl: Crumble bar over plain yogurt with fresh fruit.
- On-the-Go Snack: Wrap individually for lunchboxes or travel.
Storage & Make-Ahead
- Storage: Keep in airtight container in fridge up to 5 days.
- Freezing: Freeze slices up to 2 months. Thaw overnight before eating.
- Make-Ahead: Can be baked the night before — flavors develop more after chilling.
Nutrition Facts (Estimated, per 1 of 10 bars)
- Calories: ~160 kcal
- Protein: 3g
- Carbs: 35g (from fruit + oats, naturally sweet)
- Fat: 2g
- 🌾 Flourless | 🍌 No Sugar Added | 🌱 Vegan
FAQs
Q: Are these bars sweet enough without sugar?
A: Yes — ripe bananas, apples, raisins, and blueberries give plenty of natural sweetness.
Q: Can I skip the banana?
A: The banana helps bind. If skipped, add an extra apple + 2 tbsp nut butter.
Q: Can I make these gluten-free?
A: Yes — just use certified gluten-free oats.
Q: Are these like cookies?
A: They’re softer and chewier, closer to a fruity oat bar.
Personal Story (Optional)
After cutting out sugar and flour, I wanted a snack that felt like a treat but didn’t break my rules. These oat bars became my solution — they’re fruity, filling, and naturally sweetened with nothing but fruit. I bake them often and enjoy them with tea or as a quick grab-and-go bite.
