These vegan, gluten-free, and Paleo-friendly snack bars are chewy, tasty, and incredibly easy to make!
Who doesn’t love a no-bake dessert recipe? Sure, this chai apple bars recipe asks you to toast some almonds and coconut flakes in the oven—but after that bit, all the work falls to your food processor and freezer. Plus, it only takes 20 minutes of effort to put them together before you get a whole lot of free time waiting for them to chill. That’s great news for our busy household!
My gluten-free niece and her friends just love these bars as an afternoon snack. And I understand why! They’re sweet without being cloying, chewy with a little bit of crunch, and spicy in a nonconfrontational way. The cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, ginger, and coriander bring a feeling of cozy warmth to the table. The slightly nutty sweetness of the dates melds perfectly with the earthiness of the almonds. And when you bite into one, you get a silky almond butter center that stays gooey even straight from the freezer!
I’ll often make these on a Sunday afternoon so they’re ready to grab and go throughout the week. I’ve also served them at family game nights and movie marathons, where they tend to be more popular than the popcorn. If you’ve never tried deglet noor dates, this recipe is your golden opportunity! I promise you won’t be disappointed.
Are These Chai Apple Bars Healthy?
These chai apple bars are a nutritious snack made from wholesome ingredients. They’re rich in fiber and healthy fats, low in sodium, and free from refined sugar and processed ingredients. The dates and apple provide fiber, minerals, and antioxidants, while the almonds, coconut, and almond butter supply heart-healthy fats.
The recipe is naturally gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan, and Paleo-friendly—though some very strict Paleo followers may limit the use of almond butter or coconut flakes. All in all, these bars can be a healthy snack choice as part of an overall well-balanced diet.
Deglet Noor vs. Medjool Dates
These two types of dates are both popular, but they’re very different from each other. The name deglet noor comes from Arabic, meaning “date of light.” It refers to the golden, almost translucent appearance of these dates when held up to the light. The name medjool comes from the Arabic word majhūl, which means “unknown” or “mystery.” This etymology highlights the variety’s unique standing and somewhat mysterious origins among date cultivars—a once unknown Moroccan gem that became a luxury fruit, historically reserved for royalty and special occasions.
Besides their unique names, the two are distinct in terms of texture, flavor, and culinary uses. While deglet noor dates have a semi-dry, firm, and chewy texture, medjool dates tend to be much larger, softer, and moister. Medjools also taste very rich, with a caramel-like sweetness often compared to toffee or brown sugar. Because of this luxurious sweetness and soft bite, Medjool dates are often eaten as a snack on their own.
By contrast, the flavor of a deglet noor date is more delicate, with subtle nutty and honey-like notes that make them less intensely sweet than medjools. Deglet noor dates are prized for their ability to hold their shape and texture during cooking and baking. Their firmness makes them easy to chop, stuff, or blend, so they’re a go-to choice for energy bars, baked goods, granola, salads, pilafs, and savory dishes. Their subtle flavor is especially valued in recipes where a touch of sweetness is wanted without overwhelming the dish.
How do I Store Leftovers?
The secret to storing these apple bars is in the freezer. Because they contain no flour or stabilizers, they’re quite sticky and can get soft pretty quickly at room temp. Store them in an airtight container—in a single layer or separated by wax paper—in the freezer for up to 3 months. They won’t freeze solid, so you can take out one or two whenever you’re ready to enjoy them! If you prefer, you can keep them in the fridge for up to 1 week, but expect them to be very soft and sticky.
Serving Suggestions
These chai apple bars make a delightful afternoon snack, perhaps alongside a Chai Latte. They’d also make an excellent addition to a finger-food spread that includes both savory and sweet options, like these Healthy California Roll Sushi Bites, Air-Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower, Bacon-Wrapped Dates, and—of course—Taylor Swift’s Chai Sugar Cookies.
Recipe
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons unsweetened coconut flakes
- 1 1/4 cups almonds slivered
- 1 1/2 cups deglet noor dates halved
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 large apple roughly chopped
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil melted
- 1/3 cup plus 2 tablespoons creamy almond butter
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F. Spread the almonds and coconut flakes on separate baking sheets and toast until golden brown. The coconut will only take a couple minutes, so watch it closely. The almonds take a little longer, but keep an eye on them, too!
- Place 3/4 cup of the almonds in a large food processor and process until broken down. Add the dates and spices. Process until the dates are broken down and everything is mixed well. Add the coconut and process until well mixed.
- Add the apple and coconut oil. Process until the mixture begins to come together, scraping the sides with a spatula as necessary.
- Line an 8×8-inch pan with parchment paper. Spread half the mixture in the bottom and press it down firmly.
- Gently spread the almond butter over the layer of date mixture.
- Drop the remaining date mixture over the almond butter and smooth it out evenly with a piece of parchment paper or your slightly wet hands. Press the remaining almonds into the top of the bars.
- Cover and freeze for at least 4 hours.
- Slice and serve.
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