If you’re looking for a simple snack that you can make in no time, these gluten free apple cinnamon granola bites are exactly what you need.

They’re chewy, lightly sweet, and have that cozy apple cinnamon flavor that just works any time of year. Great for meal prep, lunchboxes, or just having something ready to grab when you’re hungry.

The recipe is completely gluten free, which is great if you’re avoiding gluten or cooking for someone who does. And honestly, no one would even notice the difference.

You only need a handful of ingredients to make these, and chances are you already have most of them at home. No fancy equipment or complicated steps either.

Let me show you how to make them.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Packed with Good Stuff – Between the rolled oats, walnuts, and applesauce, these bites give you fiber, healthy fats, and natural fruit goodness all in one little snack. They actually keep you full instead of leaving you hungry ten minutes later.

Budget Friendly – Oats, applesauce, honey, cinnamon, and walnuts are all affordable pantry staples. You can make a whole batch of these granola bites for just a couple of dollars, which is way cheaper than buying gluten free snack bars at the store.

No Baking Required – You don’t need to turn on your oven for these granola bites. They come together with just mixing and rolling, which makes them perfect for hot days or when you just don’t feel like baking.

Great On-the-Go Snack – These little bites are easy to toss into a lunchbox, backpack, or gym bag. They hold their shape nicely, so they travel well without turning into a crumbly mess.

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups Gluten Free Rolled Oats
1/2 cup Applesauce (unsweetened)
1/4 cup Honey
1 tsp Cinnamon
1/4 cup Chopped Walnuts

How to Make

Step 1

Preheat oven to 350F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Step 2

In a large mixing bowl, combine the gluten free rolled oats, unsweetened applesauce, honey, cinnamon, and chopped walnuts, stirring until a sticky dough forms.

Step 3

Let the mixture sit for 10 minutes so the oats can absorb some of the moisture.

Step 4

Scoop out tablespoon sized portions and roll them tightly into small balls with your hands.

Step 5

Place the bites on the baking sheet and gently press them down just a little bit.

Step 6

Bake for 15 to 18 minutes until golden and firm, then let cool completely before snacking.

Helpful Tips

Use Certified Gluten Free Oats

Not all rolled oats are safe for a gluten free diet. Regular oats are often processed in facilities that also handle wheat, so there’s a real risk of cross contamination.

Look for oats that are specifically labeled “certified gluten free” on the packaging. This matters a lot if you’re making this recipe for someone with celiac disease or a serious gluten sensitivity.

The recipe works the same no matter which brand you pick, as long as they’re rolled oats and not quick oats or steel cut oats.

Make Sure Your Applesauce Is Unsweetened

The recipe calls for unsweetened applesauce for a reason. Sweetened applesauce has added sugar in it, and combined with the honey, your bites will end up way too sweet.

Unsweetened applesauce also has the right moisture level for this dough. Sweetened versions sometimes have a thinner consistency, which can make the mixture too wet and harder to roll into balls.

If you only have sweetened applesauce on hand, you can still use it, but cut the honey down to about 2 tablespoons instead of a full quarter cup.

Don’t Skip the Resting Time

After you mix everything together, the recipe says to let the mixture sit for 10 minutes. This step is really important because the oats need time to soak up the moisture from the applesauce and honey.

If you try to roll the balls right away, the dough will be too wet and sticky and it won’t hold its shape very well. After those 10 minutes, you’ll notice the texture is thicker and much easier to work with.

If it still feels a little too wet after 10 minutes, give it another 5 minutes. Different oat brands absorb liquid at slightly different rates.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I store these gluten free apple cinnamon granola bites?

Keep them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, or in the fridge for up to a week. The fridge will firm them up a bit, which some people actually prefer.

You can also freeze them in a zip-top bag for up to 2 months. Just let them thaw for about 10 minutes before eating, and they’ll taste just as good as the day you made them.