These cinnamon oatmeal granola bars are soft and sweet. And you only need 5 ingredients to make them.
I wanted to create a no-bake granola bar that would stay together at room temperature, so it would be one of my adventure-ready snacks. I was inspired by the Quaker Oats cinnamon bun granola bars, but I wanted to make a healthy version with less sugar and no additives to give my kids.
I've made these bars many times, and it takes me about 7 minutes. So so fast! Enjoy the newest favorite oatmeal bar at our house!
I'm a huge fan of homemade granola bars because, from my experience, it's super hard to find affordable AND wholesome granola bars at the grocery store - but they are easy to make!
These cinnamon granola bars are a good source of protein, fiber, and fat, making them a balanced snack. These are made with whole (non-processed) ingredients that you can pronounce, and are great for high-energy activities.
If you need granola bars without nuts for the school lunch box, try these chewy honey bars made with rolled oats instead, or these pumpkin seed granola bars that are nutrient-dense and sweetened with honey.
Ingredients and my recommended substitutions
For this recipe, you will need 5 simple whole ingredients. There's a high chance they are in your cupboard right now, and if not, they are easy to come by (no brown rice syrup in these bars!).
- Almond butter: Creating a soft texture, almond butter provides the main protein in these bars. One bar contains 5 grams of protein. I often buy my almond butter from Costco or The Real Canadian Superstore - that is where it is the most cost-effective. Try my no-bake protein bars if you are looking for another packable bar using almond butter. I haven't tried these bars with peanut butter as a replacement for almond butter, since I am allergic. However, I believe it would work fine to replace it with the same amount.
- Maple syrup: These are sweetened with maple syrup instead of white sugar or brown rice syrup. As an alternative, use honey instead of maple syrup. It will make these bars sweeter and will change the flavor somewhat; however, honey and cinnamon make a great combo.
- Sea salt: I choose to use sea salt in all my recipes as it is rich in minerals. For this recipe, the salt balances the taste and boosts the flavor.
- Quick oats: In these cinnamon granola bars, the main substance is quick oats, creating a chewy bar. Oats are a good source of fiber. Rolled oats could work in a pinch, but first blitz them in a food processor or blender for easier digestion. Then use the same amount of blended rolled oats for quick oats. This recipe will not work with steel-cut oats or oat groats.
- Cinnamon: After testing this recipe, I found quite a bit of ground cinnamon is needed to get an actual good cinnamon bun flavor! These bars use 2 tablespoons of cinnamon. The idea for these bars came from the Quaker Oat cinnamon roll oatmeal bars, which I don't think are sold anymore, but I loved the taste! If you love cinnamon like me, next try these chewy cinnamon cookies with whole wheat flour!
- Ground Flax (optional): Adding ground flax seeds makes these bars more nutrient-dense. Flax is a great source of healthy fats, and I think it's an awesome way to include more omega-3s in the everyday diet - hiding it in recipes for your kids to eat. If you don't have ground flax seeds in your house, no stress, you can make them without!
I like to buy my pantry ingredients from the organic bulk store: Organic Matters. They are high quality, ship fast, and are at a good price if you buy a larger amount. This is where I get my organic cinnamon! (You can use the code DANIKA for $10 off your first order from Organic Matters).
How I make these cinnamon bars
These bars are quite simple to make! I tested these bars over the last year since I had the idea to make a cinnamon roll oat bar. I wanted to create something that wouldn't crumble and something that could be taken out of the fridge for extended periods - like for hiking or to pack in a lunch box.
It took me quite a few times to test, but this is now a soft, chewy, flavorful recipe that I am proud to share with you! Follow the steps and photos below to make these oatmeal bars!
In a medium pot, place the almond butter and maple syrup. Place over medium heat. Stir until melted and everything is mixed together, then remove from the heat.
In the pot with the maple syrup and almond butter - or another bowl - add all other ingredients together. Stir well until everything is incorporated.
This is what the cinnamon oatmeal granola bars will look like when all the ingredients are mixed together.
In a greased 8x8 square pan, spread the cinnamon oatmeal granola bar mixture. Spread with a spatula and press down until the mix is evenly distributed in the pan.
Lastly, cut into 12 skinny bars (2 rows by 6 rows). It's up to you if you want to wrap them individually for healthy bars on the go! Enjoy!
More healthy granola bars
I'm super into snack-prepping bars for my kids' weekly snacks. After making these, I can recommend my chewy date granola bars with crunchy almonds and chia seeds, and my friends' favourite: carrot cake bars with cream cheese glaze.
🪵 Did you make these cinnamon oatmeal granola bars? Please let me know below in the comments section and leave a star rating because this helps others find my recipes! Xx, Danika
Cinnamon Oatmeal Granola Bars
Equipment
- 1 8x8 pan
Ingredients
- 1 cup almond butter
- ½ cup maple syrup
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- 2 cups quick oats
- 2 tablesppons cinnamon
- 2 tablespoons ground flax seeds optional
Instructions
- In a medium pot, place the almond butter and maple syrup. Place over medium heat. Stir until melted and everything is mixed together (about 2-4 minutes). Remove from heat.
- In the pot or another bowl, add all other ingredients (salt, quick oats, cinnamon, and ground flax if using). Stir well until everything is incorporated. In a greased 8x8 square pan, spread the cinnamon oatmeal granola bars mixture. Spread with a spatula and press down until the mix is evenly distributed in the pan.
- Cut into 12 skinny bars (2 rows, by 6 rows). These oatmeal granola bars are fine at room temperature(about 3 days), however, they will stay fresh longer if they are kept in the fridge (up to 2 weeks). Freeze these bars for up to 3 months. Keep the granola bars in an airtight container or sealed bag.
Notes
- Alternative Ingredients:
- Peanut Butter - I haven't tried these bars with peanut butter as a replacement for almond butter (as I am allergic). However, I believe it would work just fine to replace it for the same amount.
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- Rolled Oats - If you only have rolled oats, you will need to pulse them in the blender or food processor until they are smaller flakes like quick oats. Then use the same amount of blended rolled oats for quick oats.
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- Honey - Using honey instead of maple syrup will make these bars even sweeter and will change the flavor.
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- Double batch - These bars can be made in a larger batch. Just double all the ingredients, then press into two 8x8 baking pans or one 9x13 baking pan.
Erma says
There are two different kinds of cinnamon cassia and ceylon. An MD calls cassia Walmart cinnamon because it has an ingredient in it that if taken too much can be harmful but ceylon is a better quality then because it has less of that ingredient which then makes it more diabetic friendly as well because ceylon cinnamon then helps control blood sugar levels as well. A tip for the day!
Danika Vanderpyl says
Erma! Yes thanks for taking the time to share this, I've heard this too about cinnamon. It's so amazing that it can support blood sugar levels!
Megan says
These were so easy to make! I swapped the almond butter for peanut butter & did half maple syrup/half honey (I didn’t have enough of either to do just one). They taste like a peanut butter & honey sandwich. Super tasty!
Danika Vanderpyl says
Oooo that sounds so delicious! I am always hoping my recipes are easy to make swaps as needed. Thank you for sharing what you did.
Lindsay Cashion says
I love bringing these to work, hiking, a quick day trip to the beach. They have such a next texture and are so easy to make! Would recommend 💜
danikavanderpyl says
Thanks for sharing this Lindsay!
Denise says
Wow these Cinnamon Oatmeal Granola Bars are delicious! I mixed them fast with substituting the last 1/4 cup homemade Granola as I ran out of oats.
Larissa Layton says
So delicious! I love the amount of cinnamon in this recipe. The whole family loved these. They make a great morning snack at home or on the go! I find they are best kept in the freezer and eaten right away (I used peanut butter and they keep a nice consistency in the freezer!).
danikavanderpyl says
Great to hear Larissa! Yessss all the cinnamon in this though, I love it too!