These almost no bake chewy apple pie bars are nutrient dense and ideal for a snack you can pack and take with you on a hike or on the go. They are naturally sweetened by dates, coconut, and cinnamon coated apples. They have protein from the nuts so will keep you satisfied for a while and are easy to make in 30 minutes. They make enough for a week’s worth of snacking and can be made into bars or balls!
For this recipe, you will need:
- Dates: these need to be soaked first to soften the dates, making them easier to blend. This recipe calls for pitted dates, but if you have ones with pits, just make sure to remove them after they soak.
- Apple: any variety of apple will work for this. I suggest a sweeter variety if possible
- Cinnamon
- Pecans: these nuts add a great flavor and protein! If you don’t have pecans, just double the amount of almonds
- Almonds: these pair perfectly with pecans, but if you don’t have almonds, just double the amount of pecans
- Coconut: use unsweetened coconut so you do not get unnecessary added sugar
- Vanilla Extract
- Salt
- Coconut Butter: this ingredient makes the glaze creamy and delicious and is made from dehydrated coconut pulp. It can also be founded as coconut manna
- Coconut Oil: make sure you melt this prior to adding it into the glaze
- Maple Syrup: it’s best to use pure maple syrup for best flavor and most nutrient dense ingredients
Tips:
- If you do not have an air fryer, you can roast the apples in the oven at 375 for 10-15 minutes, shaking halfway, until the apples are soft
- You can use 1 cup of either pecans or almonds instead of ½ of each
How to Store:
Store in a sealed airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. You can also store these in the freezer for up to 2 months and take them out as you need them and let them defrost on at room temperature for 10-15 minutes.
Other apple recipes to try:
Apple Maple Cinnamon Coconut Cake
Apple Pie Date Bars
Cooking & Baking Supplies
- Food Processor
- Air Fryer
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups pitted dates
- 1 apple ( approx 1 cup), cored, peeled and chopped into small pieces
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon (for apples)
- 1/2 cup pecans
- 1/2 cup almonds
- 1/2 cup coconut
- 1/2 tbsp water
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 tbsp cinnamon
- sprinkle of salt (optional)
Glaze
- 1/2 cup coconut butter
- 3 tbsp water
- 3 tbsp coconut oil, melted
- 2 tbsp maple syrup
Instructions
- Soak dates in warm water for 10 minutes.
- While the dates soak, preheat the air fryer to 370 for 4 minutes.
- Chop apples into small diced pieces (about ¼ inch to ½ inch big). Add apples to a mixing bowl and coat with ½ tsp cinnamon.
- Place tin foil down on the base of the air fryer (leaving some holes exposed) and add apples. Cook for 10 minutes at 370 degrees, shaking halfway.
- Add nuts to the food processor and blend until they become small pieces.
- Add coconut and dates to the food processor and blend for about 15 seconds, then add in water, vanilla extract, ½ tbsp of cinnamon, salt, and ¾ of the cooked apples and blend until a dough forms.
- Line a 8x8 pan with parchment paper and add date dough, spreading it evenly with a spatula (the layer should be about 1 inch thick and might not take up the whole pan).
- Place bars into the freezer for 5-10 minutes.
- Clean out the food processor and make the glaze by adding all ingredients into the food processor and blending until an icing forms.
- Remove the bars from the freezer and spread the glaze over the bars, then sprinkle the remaining ¼ cup of apples on top.
- Place the bars back in the freezer for 20-30 minutes and then cut these into squares or bars! Store the bars in the refrigerator and ENJOY!
Did you make this recipe?Tag @girlswhoeat!
