Apple Date Bars Recipe

An easy apple date bars recipe featuring wholesome ingredients like rolled oats, raisins, walnuts, and pitted dates. These homemade date squares make a satisfying autumn treat!

Why Make This Apple Date Bars Recipe?

Balancing tart Granny Smith apples with the natural sweetness of dates, these easy-to-make apple date bars are one of my favorite early fall treats.

This recipe begins with a mixture of chopped apples, dates, and granulated sugar, which I’ve cooked until just slightly soft. Then, I’ve combined dark brown sugar, all purpose flour, baking soda, rolled oats, and melted butter to make a soft, oaty bar cookie. This mixture serves as both the base and the topping! I’ve also added shredded coconut and raisins for additional sweetness, plus chopped walnuts for a bit of crunch. To assemble, simply press half of the oat mixture into a square tin, top with the cooked dates and apples, add the remaining oat mixture, and bake until puffy and golden brown.

These date bares are incredibly easy to make, with few bowls or fancy tools required. You’ll really just need a medium saucepan to cook the apples, a mixing bowl for the oat layer, and an 8×8-inch tin to bake the bars, plus some kitchen staples like a whisk and a spoon. No mixer required!

Whether you’re in need of an afternoon snack, bake sale treat, or on-the-go breakfast, these apple date bars provide a wholesome option packed with nourishing ingredients and some of the best flavors of fall.

Ingredients for Making Date and Apple Squares

To make these apple date bars, start by gathering the following ingredients:

• Granny Smith Apples – You’ll need 1-2 apples, or about 2 cups diced apples
• Dates – Choose pitted dates, and chop them into small (about 1/4 to 1/2-inch pices)
• Sugars – You’ll need granulated sugar to cook the apple mixture, and dark brown sugar for the oat layer.
• Unsalted Butter – Melt the butter prior to preparing the oat layer. It does not need to be completely cool.
• All Purpose Flour – Also known as plain flour in the UK.
• Baking Soda – Since there are no eggs in this recipe, the baking soda acts as a leavening agent.
• Rolled Oats – This date bars recipe using rolled oats (old fashioned oats), not quick or instant oats.
• Raisins – I used black raisins, but golden raisins or sultanas will also work. You can also substitute dried cranberries.
• Walnuts- You can omit the walnuts if baking for someone with a nut allergy. Pecans also work well in this recipe.
• Shredded Coconut – Be sure to choose unsweetened shredded coconut, not a sweetened coconut like Baker’s.

Preparing the Tin

To make these date bars, it’s important to take the time to line your baking tin with parchment. Without it, you’ll find it difficult to the bars from the tin after baking, and the slices will crumble or stick to the pan.

To line, cut two 8-inch wide strips of baking parchment, making sure they’re long enough to allow at least a 1-inch overhang on all sides. Spritz the bottom of the tin with nonstick spray. Add one strip of parchment. Spritz again. Add the second sheet of parchment in a criss-cross pattern. Finish with more nonstick spray.

Your prepared tin should look something like this:

Tips and Tricks for Making Apple Date Bars

When preparing the apples, I suggest dicing them into 1/4 to 1/2-inch cubes—no bigger or they won’t cook quickly enough, and no smaller or they’ll turn mushy. You do not need to peel the apples, just wash and remove the stem and core.

Use an 8×8-inch tin to make these date bars. While glass works well for some recipes, for this one I suggest opting for a metal or aluminum pan rather than a glass baking dish, to make sure the bottoms of the bars cook properly.

Don’t skip the tin lining step! Lining the tin with parchment makes it easy to remove the baked bars in one big slab, then place it on a cutting board for slicing. See my detailed instructions above.

Make-Ahead and Storage Suggestions

These apple date bars taste best on the day they are made, but the leftovers will keep well for up to three days when stored in an airtight container at room temperature.

Apple date bars can also be frozen for up to three months. To freeze, layer bars between sheets of parchment or wax paper and freeze in an airtight container, or wrap individual squares in foil. Thaw at room temperature.

Other recipes you might enjoy:

Raspberry Crumble Bars
Cherry Almond Blondies

And if you do make these, or any of my recipes, don’t forget to tag me @bastecutfold or use the hashtag #bastecutfold on Instagram. I always love to see what you’re making!

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