Apple Cinnamon Oat Bites (Like Pie, But Portable)
There’s a certain type of hunger that hits between 3 and 5 p.m. — somewhere between “I need a snack” and “I need a small miracle.” These Apple Cinnamon Oat Bites were made for that exact window. They’re soft and chewy, warmly spiced, and taste suspiciously like pie. But you don’t need a fork. Or a plan.
Made with pantry staples like oats, nut butter, and applesauce, these snack balls come together in one bowl, no baking required. They’re cozy enough for kids, but dressed up with a dusting of cinnamon sugar, they pass as grown-up treats too — perfect for stashing in your fridge or serving on a cheese board when guests swing by unannounced (the audacity).
The Texture Is the Mood
There’s something about the way the oats soften just enough in the applesauce — like they’ve let their guard down. The dried apples bring chew. The cinnamon sugar coating? That’s the flourish that makes them feel like you tried. You didn’t. But it feels like you did.
Why We Love Them
- They’re fast. Stir, roll, chill (if you feel like it).
- They’re forgiving. No oven. No sticky dough tantrums. No exact science.
- They’re adaptable. Go sugar-free for the lunchbox crowd. Add a pinch of flaky salt for your wine hour alter ego.
- They hold up. In the fridge. In a tote bag. In your emotional state.
If you’re feeling extra, stack them like truffles in a shallow dish and serve with an absurdly small spoon. Or just eat them straight from the container while standing in front of the fridge, staring into the abyss. Both are valid.
On the Flavor Spectrum
Imagine biting into the soft middle of an apple crumble — the kind with oat topping that’s more butter than flour. Now shrink it into a two-bite snack with just enough maple and spice to feel like fall without trying to be a scented candle. That’s the vibe.
These aren’t meant to impress anyone. But somehow, they do.
Apple Cinnamon Oat Bites
Ingredients
- 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
- 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
- 1/2 cup almond butter or peanut butter
- 1/4 cup finely chopped dried apples
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Optional: cinnamon sugar for rolling 2 tbsp sugar + 1/2 tsp cinnamon
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, mix together oats, applesauce, nut butter, maple syrup, chopped dried apples, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, and vanilla until fully combined.
- Let sit for 5–10 minutes so the oats can hydrate slightly.
- Scoop and roll into 1-inch balls using damp hands or a cookie scoop.
- For grown-up sparkle, roll each ball in cinnamon sugar until lightly coated.
- Chill in the fridge for 20 minutes to firm up, or eat immediately if you’re emotionally unwell (relatable).
- Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days — if they last that long.
Notes
• Subs: Use any nut or seed butter, and swap the maple syrup for honey or agave if needed. Can sub chopped dates or raisins if dried apples are MIA.
• For toddlers: Skip the cinnamon sugar and add a tiny pinch of extra salt for contrast.
• Apéro angle: Serve these on a wooden board next to Manchego and prosciutto. Watch your guests assume you have your life together.