These No-Bake Whole30 Apple-Almond Butter Bars are an easy salty-sweet snack that’s great for kids and adults alike.
Ain’t no room for boring snacks on my watch! And let me go ahead and say that I’ve never really been much of a “snack person.” I was firmly on the side of only eating big, substantial meals for years. Snack drawers were just not my thing. Grazing seemed pointless. But. Once I whipped up a batch of these chewy, sweet, salty little squares, they changed the game. All you need to do is throw some almonds, dried apples, dates, and cinnamon in a food processor with a little water and almond butter. Then you simply press it all into a pan, and you’re left immediately with a foolproof, Whole30-friendly bar you can’t help but want to snack on.
There’s a richness from the roasted almonds, a comforting warmth from the cinnamon, and a sticky-sweet apple-date combo that tastes like the autumns of your childhood. Oh—and did I mention there’s extra almond butter slathered on top with a sprinkling of crunchy, flaky sea salt? I made one pan, and that pan lasted less time than it took me to upload a photo of it to Instagram. I have no shame.
Are No-Bake Whole30 Apple-Almond Butter Bars Healthy?
These snacks definitely pull their weight. You have healthy fats and protein from the almonds and almond butter, and natural sweetness plus fiber and antioxidants from the dates and dried apples. You also get some magnesium and iron! Not too bad for something designated a “snack.”
These bars are Whole30 and Paleo-friendly (absolutely no refined sugar). They’re also gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegan.
Salt Elevates Sweet
So, what’s the deal with the sea salt? I’ll fill you in. Salt actually enhances the sweet notes in baked goods and desserty treats. You’ve probably heard of sea salt and caramel, right? It’s the same idea. Salt helps to create balance, counteracting the overly cloying flavors of something sugary. It gives the treat depth and complexity and can actually decrease the perception of bitterness. So, whatever you do, don’t skip this step! It makes all the difference.
How Do I Store Leftovers?
Store your bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. You can also freeze them in a Ziploc bag (with a piece of parchment paper between them to prevent sticking) for up to 3 months.
Serving Suggestions
If you want to get fancy with it, you could make your own Almond Butter to use in this recipe. And when you’re in the mood to whip up other varieties of snack and dessert bars, I recommend these Key Lime Bars, Vegan Granola Bars, and Paleo Pecan Pie Bars.
Ingredients
- 1 cup almonds
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon plus additional, for topping
- flaky sea salt for topping
- 1 1/3 cups dates loosely packed
- 1 cup dried apples firmly packed
- 1 1/2 tablespoons water
- 5 tablespoons creamy almond butter melted, divided
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Roast the almonds until lightly brown and nutty smelling, about 10-12 minutes.
- Add the almonds, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt into a large food processor and process until broken down and crumbly.
- Add in the dates and dried apples and process until well mixed and the mixture begins to form a ball.
- With the food processor running, stream in the water and 1 tablespoon of the almond butter until well mixed.
- Transfer the mixture to a square 8×8-inch pan and press out evenly along the bottom. Spread the remaining almond butter over top.
- Chill for 1 hour or until the almond butter is tacky. Sprinkle with extra cinnamon and sea salt flakes.
- Cut and enjoy!
Tips & Notes:
Store bars in an air-tight container in the refrigerator.
Nutrition Info:
Nutrition information are estimates only and may vary based on the specific brands, ingredients, and portion sizes you use. This data is provided for informational purposes only.
Can the No Bake Whole30 Apple Almond Butter Bars be frozen?
Hi Barb, you certainly can, ensure that the bars are completely cooled first though.
These were delicious! I was out of cinnamon so I substituted 1/4 of the amount of cinnamon the recipe called for with nutmeg. It was still delicious! Perfect for a sweet treat during whole30
So glad to hear you enjoyed! Thanks for reading.