Apple & Cinnamon Baked Oatmeal Bars

These are breakfast, but also a snack, and they’re brilliant for batch cooking. Soft, chewy bars made with oats, grated apple, and cinnamon. They keep in the fridge for a week and freeze perfectly. Grab one on your way out the door, or eat it standing in your room avoiding the kitchen.

Ingredients (Makes 8–10 bars):

• 200g rolled oats
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• Pinch of salt
• 2 large apples, grated (no need to peel)
• 2 eggs
• 100ml milk
• 3 tbsp maple syrup
• 50g raisins or chopped walnuts (optional)

Method:

1. Preheat oven to 180°C (160°C fan). Line a small baking tin (about 20cm square) with parchment.
2. Mix the oats, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt in a large bowl.
3. Stir in the grated apple, eggs, milk, maple syrup, and raisins or walnuts if using.
4. Pour into the tin and spread evenly. Bake for 25–30 minutes until golden and firm to the touch.
5. Cool completely in the tin before slicing into bars. Store in the fridge for up to a week, or freeze.

Why it’s gut‑friendly: Oats are packed with beta‑glucan. Apples provide pectin. Cinnamon helps stabilise blood sugar. No refined sugar.

Freezing: Wrap individually and freeze. Defrost overnight or microwave from frozen for 30 seconds.