Gluten Free Cinnamon Apple Quinoa Oatmeal Breakfast Bars

This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy.

Apple Cinnamon Quinoa Breakfast Bars are a healthy whole grain and protein-packed breakfast you can make ahead and grab on the go. Packed with oatmeal and quinoa, plus tons of tender apples and crunchy walnuts, this easy recipe is also naturally gluten free. Perfect for meal prep because you can make a batch or two and keep these apple breakfast bars in the fridge or freezer to grab anytime.

If you love these, you’ve gotta try variations like Pumpkin Breakfast Bars and Banana Breakfast Bars!

Originally published on Sep 22, 2016

Cinnamon Apple Quinoa Breakfast Bars Recipe

These healthy breakfast bars are simple to make ahead. The kids love the sweet, soft, chewy goodness, and the classic irresistible apple cinnamon flavor. You’ll love that they are packed with whole grains, fiber, and protein. And you can keep them on hand for a portable breakfast on busy mornings or quick and easy after school snacks. Plus they are naturally gluten free and dairy free.

Kids always seem to love apple cinnamon anything. And mine happily gobble up these apple bars, even though they don’t always like quinoa. In fact, they are always ready to devour them so quickly that I usually stash some in the freezer so I have a little stockpile for when life gets busy. 

Or, you know, since my kids wake up and eat breakfast so early that they require second breakfast before school. Yes, I am apparently raising Hobbits.

So it’s important that I’ve got some nutritious and satisfying options on hand that we can grab on our way to the bus stop, like Healthy Carrot Zucchini Muffins (or Gluten Free Carrot Zucchini Muffins, energy balls, trail mix, and these!

Ingredients for Healthy Breakfast Bars

• Maple Syrup – use the REAL stuff, not pancake syrup.
• Unsweetened Applesauce
• Egg – you can also use two egg whites or 1/3 cup liquid egg white substitute 
• Almond Butter – or any other nut butter or even a seed butter for a nut-free option
• Vanilla Extract
• Quick Cooking Oats – these are the ones that cook in about five minutes, NOT the packets of instant oats, and not old-fashioned oats that take longer to cook.
• Quinoa – cooked as per package instructions and cooled to room temperature.
• Baking Powder
• Ground Flax Seed  – aka flax meal or flax seed meal
• Cinnamon
• Apples – peeled and chopped into about 1/4-inch pieces
• Pecans – can substitute walnuts or pumpkin seeds, or omit entirely.

How to Make Apple Breakfast Bars

Here is a brief overview so you can see just how easy it is to make. Scroll down to the printable recipe card for the full quantities and details. But don’t skip my PRO TIPS below!

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F. Line a square baking pan with parchment paper and spray with nonstick cooking spray.
2. Whisk together the wet ingredients in a small bowl.
3. Combine the dry ingredients in a laerge bowl and stir until evenly distributed.
4. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, and stir to combine.
5. Mix in the apples and pecans.
6. Press firmly into the prepared baking pan.
7. Bake for 25-35 minutes, or until browned and firm to the touch.
8. Cool completely and cut into squares.

Tips for Success

Cook your quinoa in advance: This recipe uses cooked and cooled quinoa. Follow the package instructions, or check out how to cook quinoa using other methods like your Instant Pot or slow cooker.

Make them nut-free: You can substitute the almond butter with sunflower seed butter or another seed butter or even date paste. Then either omit the pecans or replace them with pumpkin seeds for crunch. You can even try white chocolate chips, if you like.

Lower the cholesterol: If you are concerned about the eggs, you can use an egg, egg whites, or liquid egg or egg white substitute in this recipe and it will turn out fine. Use the equivalent of one egg or two egg whites.

Don’t overbake: You’ll know they are done when they are browned on the top and feel firm when you press in the middle.

Serving ideas: It’s perfect for a portable breakfast on-the-go. But my kids actually like to eat them on a plate slightly warmed with a bit of butter or even a drizzle of maple syrup or a smear of almond butter.

Are these breakfast bars gluten free?

Yes, you can make these as gluten free breakfast bars as the ingredients are all naturally gluten free or are available that way. A few items to watch out for:

• Oats – be sure to buy certified gluten free quick oats.
• Flax seed – read the labels, as occasionally flax seed or flax seed meal is processed in a facility with wheat-containing ingredients, so if you are highly sensitive or have celiac, there may be a risk of cross-contamination.
• Baking powder – again, most brands are gluten free, but read labels or use a brand you trust.
• Vanilla Extract – if you are highly sensitive, be sure there are no additives that may contain gluten (like caramel coloring)

Storing Apple Breakfast Bars

You can keep the bars at room temperature in an airtight container for a day or so, but I would recommend storing them in the refrigerator where they will last several days to a week.

Freezing Instructions

These bars freeze well in an airtight container or plastic freezer storage bag. For long-term storage, I’d recommend wrapping the container in plastic wrap, or the bars in plastic wrap before putting them in a plastic storage bag. If you wrap them individually, it’s easy to remove one at a time without cause frost or freezer burn on the others.

Then take one or more out the night before and thaw it overnight in the fridge. Or pop in the microwave for a few seconds if you take it out at the last minute. 

Things You’ll Need

3.8 from 6 votes

Cinnamon Apple Quinoa Breakfast Bars

An sweet and chewy easy make-ahead breakfast to grab on the go, packed with plenty of protein and whole grains to keep you satisfied till lunch.

Prep: 10 mins

Cook: 30 mins

Total: 40 mins

Servings: 16

Print Rate

Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark

Ingredients

• 1½ cups quick cooking oats
• 1 cup cooked quinoa, cooled to room temperature
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 cup ground flax seed
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/2 cup maple syrup
• 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
• 1 egg or 2 egg whites or 1/3 cup liquid egg whites
• 2 Tablespoons almond butter or other nut butter
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 cups chopped apples, about 1/4 inch pieces
• 1/2 cup chopped pecans

Instructions

• Preheat your oven to 350°F. Line a 9×9 in. square baking pan with parchment paper and spray with nonstick cooking spray.
• In a large bowl, combine the oats, quinoa, baking powder, flax seed, and cinnamon and stir until evenly distributed.
• In another bowl, whisk together the maple syrup, applesauce, egg, almond butter, and vanilla.
• Pour the wet ingredients over the dry ingredients and stir until mixed thoroughly to form a thick batter.
• Fold in the apples and pecans.
• Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth with a spatula.
• Bake on the center rack of the oven for 25 – 35 minutes until the bars are golden brown and firm to the touch.
• Remove and cool completely in the pan. Slice into bars and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for several days, or freeze to keep longer.

Notes

Adapted from Simply Quinoa.

Nutrition Facts

Cinnamon Apple Quinoa Breakfast Bars

Amount Per Serving (1 bar)

Calories 129 Calories from Fat 45

% Daily Value*

Fat 5g8%

Sodium 12mg1%

Potassium 157mg4%

Carbohydrates 18g6%

Fiber 2g8%

Sugar 8g9%

Protein 3g6%

Vitamin A 45IU1%

Vitamin C 0.4mg0%

Calcium 44mg4%

Iron 0.9mg5%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Author: Brianne @ Cupcakes & Kale Chips

Course: Breakfast, Snack

Cuisine: American

Keywords: quinoa breakfast bars

Did you make this?

Leave a rating below and tag @cupcakekalechip on Instagram and hashtag it #cupcakesandkalechips

Leave a Rating Instagram

More gluten free meal-prep breakfast recipes

• Mixed Berry Oatmeal Bake
• Blueberry Peach Yogurt Quinoa Parfait
• Nut-Free Granola Bars
• Make Ahead Frozen Oatmeal Cups
• Apple Cinnamon Granola