Gluten Free Caramel Apple Oat Squares Recipe

There is nothing not to like about apples and caramel. From caramel apples to apple tarts with caramel sauce – it is just a winning combination.

These gooey, soft, delectable Gluten Free Caramel Apple Oat Squares are just as winning, with a little bonus – they are packed with whole grain goodness and protein. They make for a sinfully delicious yet surprisingly wholesome way to start your day or have a quick pick me up in the afternoon.

These bars keep for a few days, stored in an airtight container in the fridge. Although I cannot guarantee they will last that long before being gobbled up.

Recipe Notes: For added protein and to help these bars stick together without flour, I used Sunbutter which keeps the recipe nut free. Make sure you use certified gluten free oats – even though oats don’t naturally contain gluten many brands are contaminated with wheat during processing. As always, use pure vanilla extract, not only is the flavor superior, some imitation extracts contain gluten. Dairy free substitutions are listed in the recipe.

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Gluten Free Caramel Apple Oat Squares Recipe

Prep Time10 mins

Cook Time40 mins

Total Time2 hrs 50 mins

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Servings: 16 pieces

Calories: 207kcal

Author: Gluten Free & More

Ingredients

Apple Oat Squares

• ▢ Gluten free non-stick cooking spray
• ▢ ¾ cup Creamy Sunbutter
• ▢ ½ cup unsweetened applesauce
• ▢ ¼ cup unsalted butter or dairy free buttery sticks at room temperature
• ▢ 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• ▢ 2½ cups gluten free rolled oats
• ▢ ½ cup brown sugar packed
• ▢ 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ▢ ½ teaspoon kosher or fine sea salt
• ▢ 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• ▢ 2 medium apples peeled, cored, and chopped

Caramel Sauce

• ▢ 4 tablespoons brown sugar
• ▢ 1 tablespoon unsalted butter or dairy free butter
• ▢ 2 tablespoons cream or full fat coconut milk

Instructions

• ▢
  Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Generously spray an 8 by 8 inch baking pan with cooking spray. Line the pan with parchment paper so that it hangs over the sides of the pan.
• ▢
  In a mixing bowl, stir together the Sunbutter, applesauce, ¼ cup butter, and lemon juice until smooth. Add the oats, brown sugar, cinnamon, salt, and vanilla. Stir in the chopped apples. Pour the batter into the prepared pan. Level the top with a spatula. Bake for 35 – 40 minutes or until golden brown and fairly firm (they will firm up more after cooling but will always be on the soft side).
• ▢
  Let cool to room temperature then refrigerate for 2 hours or up to a day ahead.
• ▢
  Remove the bars from the pan by lifting the parchment out. Place on a cutting board and cut into 16 squares.

Make the sauce:

• ▢
  In a small skillet or saucepan, mix all the sauce ingredients and cook over low heat, stirring,  until smooth and thickened - about 2 minutes. Drizzle over the top of the bars.

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts

Gluten Free Caramel Apple Oat Squares Recipe

Amount Per Serving

Calories 207 Calories from Fat 90

% Daily Value*

Fat 10g15%

Saturated Fat 3g15%

Cholesterol 9mg3%

Sodium 83mg3%

Potassium 101mg3%

Carbohydrates 25g8%

Fiber 1g4%

Sugar 12g13%

Protein 4g8%

Vitamin A 130IU3%

Vitamin C 1.6mg2%

Calcium 33mg3%

Iron 1.3mg7%

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

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