Incredibly delicious Cinnamon Apple Granola Bars. Such a delicious mix of chewy & crispy and really quick & easy to make. No baking required!
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These Cinnamon Apple Granola bars are wholesome and perfect and everything you need for a delicious feel-good snack.
They couldn't be easier to make, require no baking, and are very transportable. Great for lunch boxes, on-the-run snacks, or breakfasts!
In this post - Everything you need to make Cinnamon Apple Granola Bars:
Ingredients
Here are the ingredients you will be needing to make no bake Cinnamon Apple Granola Bars:
Success tip - If your Medjool dates feel a bit hard I recommend soaking them in some hot water for 10 minutes after pitting to soften them up.
Ingredient Notes & Substitutions
- Medjool dates - These are what hold the bars together and they are an essential ingredient.
- Nut/seed butter - I like to use either almond butter or cashew butter because they are quite mild and don't overpower the other flavours like peanut butter would. Any nut or seed butter will technically work though.
- Dried apple - These often come in rings. Most big grocery stores sell them, such as Walmart, Target, and Trader Joe's. If you are in Canada Bulk Barn is a great place to pick them up. In the UK, Holland & Barrett.
- Brown rice syrup - The best choice for great texture and flavour. It makes the bars nice and chewy without being overly sweet. Golden syrup and corn syrup are great alternatives but they will make your bars much sweeter. Maple syrup will also work but it will change the texture and the bars won't be as chewy.
- Ground flax - This makes the bars firmer and more sturdy, while also adding lots of nutrition. You could use chia seeds instead. Almond flour is a good alternative but the bars won't be quite as sturdy.
- Puffed rice - A game changer in granola bars. It gives amazing texture! I like to use either Nature's Path Organic Crispy Rice Cereal or One Degree Sprouted Brown Rice Crisps. Note that Kellogg's Rice Krispies cereal is not vegan. It contains animal-derived vitamin D3.
- Oats - You can use old-fashioned/rolled oats, or quick oats. This recipe has not been tested with anything other than oats and I don't recommend subbing anything else.
How To Make Apple Granola Bars
The whole process is super simple! Here's how:
- Process the pitted dates in a food processor until they are chopped up into little pieces and starting to ball up.
- Put the dates and the other wet ingredients into a pan and melt together.
- Mix the melty date mixture with the dry ingredients.
- Press it all tightly into an 8 x 8-inch pan. Wait for it to set up in the fridge then cut into bars.
(For detailed measurements and instructions, see the printable recipe card).
Tips For Storing
Store the cut bars in an airtight container, in a single layer, or with parchment paper between layers to stop them from sticking together. They will last for up to 3 weeks in the refrigerator or the freezer for up to 3 months.
Recipe
Cinnamon Apple Granola Bars
Author:WATCH HOW TO MAKE IT
Ingredients
- 1 packed cup (200 grams or about 11 large) medjool dates
- ½ cup (125 grams) almond butter , or cashew butter (use seed butter for nut-free)
- ⅓ cup (80 ml) brown rice syrup , or golden syrup or corn syrup
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 4 tablespoons ground flax seed
- ¾ cup (80 grams) chopped dried apple
- 1½ cup (55 grams) puffed rice
- 1¼ cup (125 grams) rolled, old fashioned, or quick oats , GF if necessary
RECOMMENDED EQUIPMENT
INSTRUCTIONS
- If your dates are not soft and a bit hard and dry, soak them in boiling water for 10-15 minutes before you begin. Drain well.
- Line an 8 x 8-inch pan with parchment paper.
- Add the oats to a food processor and blend until they are small, coarse flour textured pieces. Transfer to a large mixing bowl and set aside.
- Put the dates in the food processor (no need to wash it) and process until really finely chopped and starting to ball up.
- To a small saucepan, add the chopped dates, almond butter, brown rice syrup, vanilla, salt and cinnamon.
- Warm over a low to medium heat until everything is melting together then give it a really good mix so everything is combined, smushing the dates up a bit in the mixture.
- To the oats in the bowl add the flax, chopped dried apple, puffed rice and oats. Stir well.
- Pour/spoon in the warm mixture from the pan. Be sure to scrape the pan out well and not leave any behind.
- Stir everything together until all the dry ingredients are coated. It does take a bit of elbow grease as the mixture is very stiff. Be sure to scrape into the bottom of the bowl so you don't miss any dry bits.
- Spoon into the prepared pan and press down really, really, well all over so it's flat and compacted then cover and put in the fridge to set for 3 to 4 hours.
- Once set, cut into bars or squares.
NOTES
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Madhu Thanvi says
Sub corn syrup? Can I use honey or maple syrup?
Melanie McDonald says
The recipe calls for brown rice syrup, golden syrup, or corn syrup. They have all been tested and work well in the recipe. Maple syrup won't work as it isn't gloopy and sticky enough to glue these bars together. Honey hasn't been tested because it's not vegan. Hope that helps!
Sylvia W says
These are right up my alley, and a good excuse to dust off my dehydrator and make some dried apple rings with the slightly sad apples in my fridge!!
Sarah says
These are so yummy! I love making homemade bars too—so much better and cheaper!!!
Jenn says
Yum!!These are great granola bars! So much better and more flavor than store bought.