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Apple Oat Bars

These apple oat bars show you that a little bit can go a long way! The butter in these bars make them decadent, while their high fibre and protein content make for the perfect grab and go breakfast snack.

Makes 9 bars

Chef Tip: Prep time: 20 min | Cooking time: 15 min

Variety Tip: Ontario Honeycrisp, Gala or Cortland work well

Ingredients

Oat bars:
3 cups	quick cooking oats, divided	(750 mL)
1/2 cup	almond flour	(125 mL)
1/4 cup	butter	(60 mL)
1/2 cup	brown sugar, packed	(125 mL)
1 tsp	ground cinnamon, divided	(5 mL)
1 tsp	vanilla	(5 mL)
1/3 cup	2% milk	(80 mL)

Apple topping:
1 tbsp	butter	(15 mL)
2 cups	diced Ontario apples*	(500 mL)
1/4 cup	prunes, diced	(60 mL)
1/4 cup	cold water, divided	(60 mL)
1 tsp	cornstarch	(5 mL)

Directions

Oat bars: Preheat oven to 325°F (160°C) and line an 8 x 8-inch glass dish with parchment paper. In a food processor, grind 1 1/2 cups (375 mL) of the oats until it resembles a course flour, about a minute on high speed. Transfer to a large bowl and stir in the remaining oats and almond flour.

In a small microwavable bowl, combine butter and brown sugar. Microwave for 1 minute; whisk together. Whisk in 1/2 tsp (2 mL) cinnamon, vanilla and milk.

Mix wet ingredients into dry ingredients using a wooden spoon. Press the oat mixture into the prepared glass dish and bake for 15 minutes.

Apple topping: Meanwhile, In a small pot melt butter over medium heat. Stir in apples, prunes and the remaining 1/2 tsp (2 mL) cinnamon. Cook for 2 minutes stirring. Stir in half of the water and cook for 3 minutes. Mix cornstarch with remaining water and stir into the apple mixture. Cook for 30 seconds or until thickened.

Remove oatmeal bake from oven and spoon apple mixture evenly over top of the oatmeal. Allow oat bars to cool fully before slicing. Enjoy!