Apple Cinnamon Oat Crunch Bars with Stevia Sweetener
These homemade apple cinnamon oat bars feature a buttery oat crumb base topped with tender spiced apples and a golden crumble topping. Sweetened with stevia instead of sugar, they offer the warm flavors of apple pie in a convenient bar form. The combination of quick oats and flour creates a satisfying texture that holds together well while remaining tender. Perfect for fall gatherings, lunch boxes, or an afternoon snack with coffee. The natural sweetness of apples paired with cinnamon makes these bars feel indulgent without being overly sweet.
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flouralmond flour1:1gluten-freelow-carbgluten-free
use blanched almond flour for best texture
- 1 ½ cups quick cooking oats
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- 1 cup butter, softened
- 8 packets SPLENDA Naturals Stevia Sweetenerbrown sugar1 packet:2 tablespoonstraditional
will increase sweetness and calories significantly
- 4 ½ cups apples, peeled and chopped
- 6 packets SPLENDA Naturals Stevia Sweetenerbrown sugar1 packet:2 tablespoonstraditional
will increase sweetness and calories significantly
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
Instructions
- 1
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F
- 2
Combine flour, oats, salt and baking soda in a mixing bowl
- 3
Blend butter and stevia sweetener with electric mixer on medium speed until smooth
- 4
Add dry ingredients and blend to form crumbly mixture
- 5
Measure and set aside 2 cups of crumbs
- 6
Press remaining crumbs into 9x9 inch pan
- 7
Spread apples in even layer over crust
- 8
Combine stevia sweetener and cinnamon in small bowl
- 9
Sprinkle cinnamon mixture over apples
- 10
Bake 30 to 40 minutes
Tips
Use firm apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp that hold their shape during baking and won't become mushy
Press the bottom crust firmly into the pan to prevent crumbling when cutting the finished bars
Let bars cool completely before cutting to ensure clean slices and proper setting
Good to Know
Store covered at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to 1 week
Can be made 1 day ahead and stored covered at room temperature
Serve at room temperature cut into squares
Common Mistakes
Press bottom crust firmly to avoid crumbling when cutting
Don't overbake or bars will become dry and hard
Substitutions
Dairy-Free Swaps
Gluten-Free Swaps
General Alternatives
will increase sweetness and calories significantly
Full guide →FAQ
Can I use regular sugar instead of stevia sweetener?
Yes, substitute 1/2 cup granulated sugar for the 8 packets and 1/3 cup for the 6 packets, though this will increase calories and sweetness significantly.
What type of apples work best for these bars?
Firm varieties like Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Braeburn work best as they hold their shape during baking and provide good texture contrast.
How long do these bars keep and can I freeze them?
Store covered for up to 3 days at room temperature or 1 week refrigerated. They can be frozen for up to 3 months wrapped tightly.