1 cup pitted dates
1 cup unsweetened apple juice
1 1/2 cups quick oats
1/4 cups whole wheat flour
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tbsp flaxseed meal
1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 cup unsweetened apple juice
1 1/2 cups shredded apple (leave peels on for more fibre)
1/4 cup quick oats
In a small saucepan, combine dates and apple juice. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 10-15 minutes. Use a masher to mash up the dates.
While the dates are simmering, combine oats, flour, cinnamon, flax, walnuts, salt. In another bowl combine juice and apple. Add in oat mixture and stir. Let sit for 10 minutes.
Pour oat mixture into a greased square 8″ pan. Spread evenly on the bottom of the pan. Spread date mixture on top. Sprinkle with 1/4 cup of oats.
Bake at 375 for 25 minutes.
I am so happy with how these turned out. They’re a wonderful healthy alternative to the store-bought granola bars that are full of sugar. They only have the natural sweetness of the dates and apples, and trust me, they’re plenty sweet! My kids devoured them and so did the adults.
Food and Whine 
I know nothing about dates. Do I have to pit them myself or can I buy them pre-pitted?
LikeLike
You can buy them pre-pitted, thank goodness! I found them at Safeway next to the raisins.
LikeLike
Great recipe! I’ve made these before, but only with added sugar, so this is preferable to me. Thank you for posting!
LikeLike
If you have eaten a date then you know it IS sugar! The very important and desired nutrients in flaxseed are ruined at high heat. If you use flax seed or powder you should cook the item at 325 degrees…not 350 or 375. Just leave it out because at those temps it just adds a nasty flavor and no great nutritional value.
LikeLike
Yes dates contain natural sugar. I said no ADDED sugar (as in refined, processed sugar). Also, research has shown that flax seeds are quite heat stable (http://whfoods.org/genpage.php?tname=dailytip&dbid=18). I bake with them often and have never noticed a ‘nasty flavor.’ You may want to use whole flax seeds if you’re really concerned about it.
LikeLike
I know you published this awhile ago but I thought I would ask anyway. Have you ever made these with regular oats verses the quick oats?
Thanks 🙂
LikeLike
I can’t remember but it would probably be fine with regular oats, just a slightly different texture.
LikeLike