If you’ve been looking for an easy homemade oat bar recipe without bananas, then these Apple & Date Oat Bars are just what you need! They’re soft, naturally sweet, full of lovely wholesome ingredients and perfect for breakfast on the go, school lunchboxes or a homemade afternoon snack.
I’ve had so many requests for an oat bar recipe without banana, so I was delighted to get these made! Bananas are often used in homemade oat bars to bind everything together and add sweetness, but you really don’t need them to make a delicious, soft and tasty snack.
These Apple & Date Oat Bars are made with simple ingredients you might already have in your kitchen, including porridge oats, sweet eating apples, dates, eggs, milk and a little warming cinnamon. The dates add natural sweetness, while the grated apple keeps the bars lovely and moist. A little honey or maple syrup brings everything together, making these a delicious alternative to shop-bought snack bars.
I’m always trying to keep a stash of homemade snacks in the freezer, especially when it comes to school lunchboxes and those busy days when everyone seems to be hungry at once! Having something ready to grab makes mornings that little bit easier, and I love knowing I have homemade options available rather than always reaching for packaged snacks.
These bars are also a brilliant way to use up those apples sitting in the fruit bowl that really need to be eaten. We all have them! Rather than letting them go to waste, simply peel and grate them before adding them to the mixture. It’s an easy, budget-friendly way to make something delicious with ingredients you already have.
The best thing about this recipe is how versatile it is. You can add pumpkin seeds for a little crunch or drizzle melted chocolate over the top if you fancy making them a little more of a treat. They’re delicious just as they are, too!
Whether you’re looking for an easy breakfast, a lunchbox-friendly snack or something homemade to keep in the freezer, these Easy Apple & Date Oat Bars are a lovely recipe to have in your collection.
And yes, there’s absolutely no banana in sight!
Why You’ll Love These Apple & Date Oat Bars
- No banana needed: Perfect if you’re not a fan of banana in baked oat bars.
- Simple ingredients: Made with everyday cupboard staples and a few fresh apples.
- Naturally sweet: Dates and apples provide lovely natural sweetness, with a little honey or maple syrup if desired.
- Great for lunchboxes: A handy homemade snack for school, work or days out.
- Budget-friendly: An excellent way to use up apples and ingredients you already have.
- Freezer-friendly: Make a batch ahead of time and freeze for busy mornings and snack emergencies.
- Easy to customise: Add pumpkin seeds, your favourite spices or a drizzle of melted chocolate.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Dried dates: These add sweetness and help create a lovely soft texture. If your dates are quite dry, soak them in warm water first to soften them.
- Porridge oats: The main ingredient in these bars, providing texture and helping make them filling.
- Sweet eating apples: Peeled and grated, these add moisture and natural sweetness. You’ll need approximately 200g of grated apple.
- Eggs: Help bind the ingredients together so the bars hold their shape.
- Milk: Adds moisture and helps bring the mixture together.
- Ground cinnamon: Adds a lovely warming flavour that works beautifully with the apple and dates.
- Baking powder: Gives the bars a little lift.
- Honey or maple syrup: Adds extra sweetness. You can adjust the amount to suit your taste.
- Pumpkin seeds (optional): For a little crunch.
- Melted chocolate (optional): For drizzling over the bars once cooled.
If you’re looking for an easy, budget-friendly homemade snack, give these a try. They’re simple, versatile and a lovely way to keep the snack cupboard stocked without much effort. Don’t forget to tag @littleloucooks if you make this recipe, I’d love to see them all packed up in your lunch boxes and ready to go!
Easy Apple & Date Oat Bars (No Banana)
Equipment
Ingredients
- 120 g dried dates
- 200 g porridge oats
- 2 medium sweet eating apples peeled & grated (approximately 200g)
- 3 large eggs
- 125 ml milk
- 1½ tsp ground cinnamon
- 1½ tsp baking powder
- 2-3 tbsp honey or maple syrup
- 30 g pumpkin seeds optional
- 80 g chocolate melted optional
Instructions
- Soak the dried dates in boiling water for 10 minutes. Discard the water.
- Preheat the oven to 180°C fan. Line a 20cm (8-inch) square baking tin with parchment paper.
- Add the porridge oats, cinnamon and baking powder to a large mixing bowl, stir to combine.
- Finely chop the softened dates and add them to the bowl, along with the grated apple.
- Whisk the eggs, milk and honey together then pour into the bowl.
- Transfer the mixture to the prepared tin and spread evenly, pressing down gently with the back of a spoon. Sprinkle with pumpkin seeds if using.
- Bake for 30 minutes, until golden and set in the centre.
- Allow to cool completely in the tin before cutting into 12 bars.
- Optional topping: Melt the chocolate in short bursts in the microwave or in a bowl over hot water. Drizzle the tops of bars melted chocolate. Chill to set, and enjoy.
- Fridge: Store the cooled oat bars in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Because they contain fresh apple, eggs and milk, I recommend the fridge rather than storing at room temperature.
- Freezer: Freeze individually or layer between sheets of parchment paper in a freezer-safe container or reusable food bag. Freeze for up to 3 months.
- Defrosting: Remove the required number of bars from the freezer and defrost overnight in the fridge. They're delicious served cold or gently warmed.
- Lunchbox Tip: These make a lovely homemade school snack. Leave out the optional pumpkin seeds if your school has specific seed restrictions, and pack chilled with an ice pack.
- Meal Prep Tip: Make a double batch, slice into individual portions and freeze. They're perfect for those busy mornings when you need something homemade ready to go.
