All Photos By Gail

Granola-based snacks have come a long way since I grew up eating them in —gasp—the 1970s. Back then, they were hard, brittle bars that posed a real threat to anyone with expensive dental work. These days, granola snacks have evolved into something softer and chewier by design, with far more interesting ingredients and textures. Of course, in the quest for better flavor and added kid-appeal, many “better-for-you” snacks drift into candy bar or cookie territory. And honestly? That’s not necessarily a bad thing—especially if a sweet snack can redeem itself with recognizable, natural ingredients. Because when it comes to snacking, isn’t it really all about the taste? You know it is.

Recently, I received a couple of boxes of Cooper Street Snacks’ new Apple Cinnamon Granola Bakes, and after sampling just one alongside my morning coffee, consider my interest in the once lowly granola bar officially reinvigorated.

Like all of Cooper Street’s snacks, the Apple Cinnamon Granola Bakes are made with simple, natural ingredients — real apples, warm cinnamon, and ancient grains like oats, quinoa, chia, and flax. They’re also allergy-friendly, with no nuts, dairy, or soy. Sounds great on paper — but how do they taste?

First off, these truly look baked, not pressed or molded. The texture is soft and cake-like, with a pleasant tart-sweet apple chew that’s noticeable from the very first bite. What surprised me most was the added light crunch from the toasted grains, which creates an unexpectedly lively mix of textures. The white chocolate chips seal the deal, adding a creamy contrast that plays beautifully with the chewy and crunchy elements. The result? A snack that feels indulgent yet balanced—and yes, it’s very hard to eat just one.

I also love that these bars are individually wrapped, making them perfect for grab-and-go snacking or stashing in your desk drawer for an afternoon pick-me-up. At just 110 calories per bar, they clock in at a very reasonable calorie count for something that tastes far more indulgent than you’d expect.

In addition the new Apple Cinnamon variety, Cooper Street Granola Bakes come in other tempting flavors, including Blueberry Pomegranate, Oatmeal Cranberry, Banana Bread (which sounds amazing), and Chocolate Cherry. If choosing just one feels impossible, there’s also a variety pack with all five flavors. Visit Cooper Street online to shop and find your favorite.

Above Image Courtesy of Cooper Street Snacks