Apple Oat Date Bars Recipe

Introduction

These Apple Oat Date Bars are a wholesome and naturally sweet snack perfect for any time of day. Packed with chewy dates, crunchy walnuts, and fresh apples, they offer a delightful balance of flavors and textures without any refined sugars.

Ingredients

• 3 cups pitted dates, soaked in warm water for 20 minutes if dry, then drained
• 2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats, divided
• 1 cup raw, unsalted walnuts
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon ground ginger
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 1 cup diced apples

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8-inch baking dish with parchment paper, letting the ends hang over the sides to act as handles for easy removal later. Set aside.
2. Step 2: In a food processor, pulse the dates, 1 cup of oats, walnuts, cinnamon, ginger, and salt until a pasty dough forms. The mixture should be sticky but still have some texture—avoid overprocessing.
3. Step 3: Add the remaining 1 cup of oats and the diced apples to the processor. Pulse a few times just to combine. If the mixture doesn’t blend well, transfer it to a bowl and mix gently with a wooden spoon or your hands until just incorporated.
4. Step 4: Slightly dampen your hands to prevent sticking and firmly press the mixture into the prepared baking dish, compacting it as much as possible.
5. Step 5: Bake for 20 minutes or until the bars darken slightly in color. Remove from the oven and let cool completely in the pan on a wire rack.
6. Step 6: Once cooled, lift the bars out using the parchment paper handles and cut into 16 small squares.

Tips & Variations

• Check dates carefully for any pit fragments, even if labeled pitted, to avoid surprises when eating.
• Press the mixture firmly into the pan to help the bars hold together well after baking.
• If your food processor is small, mixing the apples and oats by hand helps incorporate them evenly without overprocessing.
• Spraying a thin layer of cooking spray on the pan before placing parchment paper helps it stay in place while pressing the dough.
• Try substituting walnuts with pecans or almonds for a different nutty flavor.

Storage

Store the bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. For longer storage, keep them in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks or freeze for up to 3 months. Reheat briefly in the microwave or enjoy chilled as a ready-to-eat snack.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use other dried fruits instead of dates?

Yes, you can substitute dates with dried figs, apricots, or raisins, but soak them beforehand to achieve the right texture for binding the bars.

Can I make these bars gluten-free?

Absolutely. Just make sure to use certified gluten-free rolled oats to keep the recipe gluten-free.

Apple Oat Date Bars Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.7 from 102 reviews

These Apple Oat Date Bars are a wholesome and naturally sweet snack, made with soaked dates, rolled oats, walnuts, and fresh diced apples. They are easy to prepare, requiring minimal mixing and baking, resulting in chewy, flavorful bars perfect for a healthy treat or on-the-go breakfast.

• Author: Hannah
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 16 bars 1x
• Category: Baking
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

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Dry Ingredients

• 3 cups pitted dates, soaked in warm water for 20 minutes if dry, then drained
• 2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats, divided
• 1 cup raw, unsalted walnuts
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon ground ginger
• ¼ teaspoon salt

Produce

• 1 cup diced apples

Instructions

1. Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C). Line an 8×8-inch baking dish with parchment paper, allowing the ends to hang over the sides to serve as handles for easy removal of the bars after baking. Optionally, spray the bottom of the pan with cooking spray before adding parchment paper to keep it in place.
2. Process Base Mixture: In a food processor, pulse the soaked and drained dates, 1 cup of oats, walnuts, ground cinnamon, and ground ginger until a sticky, pasty dough forms. Ensure not to over-process; some texture should remain so the mixture holds well.
3. Add Apples and Remaining Oats: Add the remaining 1 cup of oats and the diced apples to the food processor and pulse a few times just to combine. If the mixture doesn’t incorporate easily, transfer it to a mixing bowl and gently mix with a wooden spoon or clean hands until evenly mixed.
4. Press Mixture into Pan: Slightly dampen your hands to prevent sticking, then press the dough firmly and evenly into the prepared baking dish. Compacting the mixture well helps the bars hold together after baking.
5. Bake the Bars: Bake in the preheated oven for about 20 minutes, or until the mixture darkens slightly in color.
6. Cool and Slice: Remove the baking dish from the oven and allow the bars to cool completely on a cooling rack. Once cool, use the parchment overhang to lift the bars from the pan and cut into 16 small squares.

Notes

• Check dates carefully for any remaining pits or fragments to avoid unpleasant bites.
• Pulse the mixture until it becomes sticky but retains some texture; this helps bind the bars while maintaining chewiness.
• Mix diced apples and remaining oats gently to avoid overworking the dough; using your hands can be more effective than a small food processor.
• Spraying the pan before lining with parchment paper prevents the liner from shifting during the pressing and baking process.
• Pressing the mixture firmly into the pan is key to bars holding together; the denser, the better.
• Ensure bars are fully cooled before cutting to prevent crumbling and to maintain shape.

Keywords: apple bars, oat bars, date bars, healthy snack, homemade granola bars, no refined sugar, easy snack recipes