Raspberry Apple Granola Bars
Homemade granola bars are fresh, delicious and easy to whip up. Add raspberries and apples and you have a nutritious snack kids will love.


Homemade Granola Bars
If you haven’t ever made homemade granola bars, it is a lot easier than you might think. They are a snack that is filling, easy to grab, and have tons of options so you don’t get sick of them easily. The kind we like are soft and chewy – we think they are the most delicious – and they are easier for kids to eat than the crunchy kind. You can make a big batch all at once and store them so you aren’t making a big mess in your kitchen every day!
This recipe only calls for 1 tablespoon of honey. If you like your granola bars a little more sticky, then you can definitely add more. The applesauce in this recipe adds a really great sweetness, but also moisture to these bars. If they seem too ‘fluffy’ then you can melt the coconut oil and honey together and boil for just a minute. This will help to create a denser texture.
The recipe says you can cut them after 10 minutes, and you can! But if you chill these in the fridge for an hour or so, they will hold together a lot better. Also, it is important to press the granola bar mixture into the pan really well. The longer and harder you press, the better your bars will stick together.

Are Granola Bars Healthy?
If you think about the ingredients you put into your granola bars, that is really what determines if they are healthy are not. Let’s take a closer look at the main ingredients in this recipe:
- Coconut Oil: Contains a higher amount of MCT than other oils which are harder for our bodies to convert into stored fat and easier to burn off. Plus coconut oil gives baked goods an amazing hint of coconut flavor.
- Applesauce: Contains a good amount of fiber in the form of pectin making it a substantial ingredient and good oil replacement. Has a high amount of Vitamin C.
- Oats: Whole grain high in fiber, manganese, B vitamins and also have good protein.
- Raspberries: High levels of antioxidants, flavonoids (memory improvement) and Vitamin C.
When you combine these ingredients together, then these granola bars are basically a powerhouse of nutrition. Parents would agree a great afternoon snack, lunch box snack, or even yummy with breakfast!

Granola Bar Kids Snack
Sometimes granola bars get a bad wrap because kids can eat them in 1.2 seconds and then want 5 more. The great thing about making your own is that they are usually a lot more filling because they have ingredients that have a lot more nutrition. Dried fruit, flax, nuts and seeds are all great add-in options that provide fiber and protein.

More Great Granola Bar Recipes:
- Quinoa Coconut Granola Bars
- Healthy Carrot Cake Granola Bars
- Peanut Butter Chocolate Trail Mix Granola Bars
- Chewy and Delicious Nut-Free Granola Bars
Raspberry Apple Granola Bars
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon coconut oil
- 1/2 cup applesauce, unsweetened
- 1/3 cup milk
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 2 1/2 cup oats, dry
- 1 cup, unthawed raspberries, frozen
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 F. Spray an 8 inch baking dish with cooking spray and set aside.
- Melt coconut oil without heating it. Set aside.
- Whisk together room temperature applesauce, milk and honey. Add to a large mixing bowl and whisk in the coconut oil.
- Add cinnamon and oats, blend until combined. Fold in the raspberries without over-mixing.
- Spread batter into prepared baking dish and press into dish with back of spoon.
- Bake for 15-18 minutes. Cool for 10 minutes and cut into 8 bars.
Nutrition
www.superhealthykids.com


Natalie Monson
I'm a registered dietitian, mom of 4, avid lover of food and strong promoter of healthy habits. Here you will find lots of delicious recipes full of fruits and veggies, tips for getting your kids to eat better and become intuitive eaters and lots of resources for feeding your family.
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Hello, I love all your recipes, just a quick question about this one… how do I melt coconut oil without heating it?
Could this be done wth another type of frozen berry?
Did you use 1-minute quick oats or “old fashioned” large flake oats?
We used old-fashioned oats. We like the texture of those best.
Do these need to be refrigerated?
They don’t have to be, but will cut easier if you chill them first.
Can you use fresh raspberries? Would you use the same amount? Why does it call for frozen?
You can use fresh! it’s just that frozen is cheaper and easier to get.
What can you substitute for coconut oil? I don’t have any and haven’t been able to find it in the stores lately. Any suggestions? This looks yummy and we have a surplus of raspberries!
Hi Kristin, butter would work just fine!
After reading some of the comments I desided to upp the coconut oil (2tbs)and honey (3tbs). I still consider them healthy and not a cake. My kid is not a fan of cinnamon so I substituted with some vanilla. Came out great! Next time I will maybe use a bit more raspberries and even try them with strawberries. Thanks for the recipe!
Thanks for sharing!
I haven’t made these yet but I’m wondering can you use almond milk or would it alter the consistency somehow?
Almond milk works fine!