ABC Breakfast Bars (Apple, Banana, Carrot)

If you’re looking for an easy, nutritious breakfast that you can make all in one bowl, these ABC breakfast bars are it! ABC stands for Apple, Banana & Carrot. They are soft, naturally sweet breakfast bars are packed with simple ingredients that make them perfect for babies, toddlers, kids, and adults.

These are great for 9 months and up and make such an easy breakfast for busy mornings. They’re soft enough for little ones learning to self-feed, but they’re also hearty and filling enough for older kids and adults.

And the best part? They’re sweetened only with fruit. No refined sugar, no complicated ingredients, and no separate recipe for the baby and the rest of the family.

The combination of ripe bananas, applesauce, and carrots gives these bars plenty of natural sweetness, while oats make them hearty and filling. Add some cinnamon and peanut butter, and you get this delicious combination of flavors that honestly tastes more like a treat than a nutritious breakfast.

I especially love topping mine with a little yogurt. Wow. So good. It turns these simple breakfast bars into something that feels a little more special, and the creamy yogurt pairs perfectly with the soft, naturally sweet bars.

Why You’ll Love These ABC Breakfast Bars (Apple, Banana, Carrot)

• 🍎 Made with apple, banana & carrot
• 🍌 Naturally sweetened with fruit
• 🌾 Made with wholesome oats
• 🥕 An easy way to add vegetables to breakfast
• 🥜 Peanut butter adds healthy fats and protein
• 🥛 Can be made with dairy or non-dairy milk
• 👶 Great for babies 9 months+
• ✋ Soft and easy for little hands to self-feed
• 🥣 Made in one bowl
• 🧁 No complicated prep
• 🍦 Delicious topped with yogurt
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Great for the whole family
• ❄️ Easy to make ahead and freeze

Simple Ingredients

You only need a handful of ingredients to make these:

• 🍌 Ripe bananas
• 🍎 Unsweetened applesauce
• 🥕 Finely grated carrot
• 🌾 Oats
• 🥛 Milk or non-dairy milk
• 🥜 Peanut butter
• 🍂 Cinnamon

That’s it!

I love recipes with ingredients like these because they’re foods I usually already have in the kitchen. You don’t need specialty ingredients or a long grocery list to make a nutritious breakfast your kids will actually enjoy.

Naturally Sweetened With Fruit

One of my favorite things about these breakfast bars is that there’s no added sugar needed.

The ripe banana and applesauce provide natural sweetness, while the carrot adds another subtle layer of sweetness. The cinnamon brings everything together and makes the whole kitchen smell amazing while these bake.

If your bananas are very ripe and spotty, even better! The riper the banana, the sweeter and more flavorful your bars will be.

You can absolutely add a little maple syrup if you prefer a sweeter bar for older kids, but I personally don’t think they need it.

Perfect for Babies 9 Months+

These bars are soft, tender, and easy to hold, which makes them a great option for babies who are learning to self-feed.

At around 9 months, many babies are becoming more confident with finger foods and working on their pincer grasp. Cutting these into small bars or age-appropriate pieces gives little ones an opportunity to practice picking up food and feeding themselves.

They’re also soft enough to easily break apart when pressed between your fingers, which is exactly the kind of texture I love for younger eaters.

As always, make sure your baby is developmentally ready for the texture you’re offering and supervise them closely while eating.

How to Serve by Age

9–12 months:
Cut the baked bars into soft, manageable pieces appropriate for your baby’s eating skills. You can serve them plain or with a thin layer of plain full-fat yogurt.

12+ months:
Serve the bars whole or cut into smaller squares depending on your child’s preference. You can add yogurt, berries, nut butter, or a drizzle of maple syrup.

Toddlers & older kids:
These make an easy breakfast alongside fruit, yogurt, eggs, or another protein. They’re also great for lunchboxes and snacks.

How to Serve ABC Breakfast Bars (Apple, Banana, Carrot)

There are so many ways to enjoy these!

For babies:
Serve a soft bar alongside plain full-fat yogurt and soft fruit.

For toddlers:
Cut into squares and serve with yogurt, berries, or banana.

For older kids:
Add a little peanut butter, yogurt, strawberries, or granola on the side.

For adults:
Honestly, just eat them as they are or warm one up and top it with yogurt and berries. They’re delicious!

Easy Substitutions

Peanut butter:
Use almond butter, cashew butter, sunflower seed butter, or another nut/seed butter your family enjoys.

Milk:
Use whole milk or your favorite unsweetened non-dairy milk such as oat or almond milk.

Applesauce:
Unsweetened applesauce works best since the bananas already provide plenty of sweetness. Homemade applesauce works too.

Oats:
Old-fashioned rolled oats or quick oats can work. I don’t recommend replacing the oats with another grain or flour.

Carrot:
Freshly grated carrot works best. Make sure it is finely grated so it softens properly while baking.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can babies eat these breakfast bars?

Yes! These are designed for 9 months and up and have a soft, tender texture that’s great for babies learning to self-feed.

Make sure your baby is developmentally ready for finger foods and always supervise while eating.

Are these bars sweetened?

They’re sweetened only with fruit. The ripe banana and applesauce provide natural sweetness, so there is no need for refined sugar.

Can I use a less-ripe banana?

You can, but I recommend using a ripe or very ripe banana. It will give the bars more natural sweetness, moisture, and banana flavor.

Can I make these without peanut butter?

Yes. You can substitute another nut or seed butter, or use sunflower seed butter for a nut-free option.

Can I add chocolate chips?

Absolutely! For older toddlers and kids, you can add a small handful of chocolate chips to the batter. I would leave them out when making these specifically for younger babies.

Can I add other toppings?

Definitely! Try yogurt, blueberries, strawberries, sliced banana, nut or seed butter, shredded coconut, or a sprinkle of cinnamon.

Can I make these ahead of time?

Yes! That’s one of the reasons I love them. Bake a batch ahead of time and keep them in the fridge for easy breakfasts throughout the week.

Can I freeze ABC breakfast bars?

Yes! Once completely cooled, slice them into bars and freeze in a freezer-safe container or bag. Place parchment paper between layers if needed.

Thaw in the refrigerator or warm gently before serving.

What You Need:

9′ square baking dish 

If you enjoyed this recipe, here are more baby & toddler breakfast ideas:

Banana Yogurt Slice 

Apple Banana Oat Cookies 

Banana Oat Bars 

Apple Carrot Tots