Zucchini Apple Bars

🍎 Why You’ll Fall in Love with Zucchini Apple Bars

When zucchini and apples meet in one recipe, you get a beautifully balanced bar that’s soft, warmly spiced, and full of wholesome ingredients. These Zucchini Apple Bars are a cross between apple cake and zucchini bread—moist, subtly sweet, and just the right amount of comforting.

Whether you’re harvesting late-summer zucchini or diving into fall baking with fresh apples, this easy snack bar will be your new favorite:

• Packed with fruit and veggie goodness

• Made with warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg

• No refined sugar (unless you choose the optional glaze)

• Dairy-free and easy to make vegan or gluten-free

• Perfect for breakfast, lunchboxes, or an afternoon snack

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🌿 What Makes These Bars So Special?

Apples + Zucchini = The Ultimate Moisture Duo

Grated zucchini and chopped apples add unbeatable texture and natural moisture to these bars—no dry bites here.

Naturally Sweetened

Using maple syrup and apples provides plenty of sweetness without needing refined sugars. A banana can even be swapped in for extra sweetness.

Fall Spices Make It Irresistible

Cinnamon, nutmeg, and a touch of clove (optional) bring out the natural warmth of the apple and zucchini combination.

Family-Approved & Freezer-Friendly

This is a healthy treat that kids love, adults devour, and you can freeze for busy weeks.

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📋 Ingredients for Zucchini Apple Bars

Dry Ingredients:

• 1 ¼ cups whole wheat flour (or all-purpose or 1:1 gluten-free blend)

• ¾ cup rolled oats

• 1 tsp baking soda

• 1 tsp cinnamon

• ¼ tsp nutmeg

• ¼ tsp ground ginger (optional)

• ¼ tsp salt

Wet Ingredients:

• 1 cup finely grated zucchini (lightly squeezed)

• 1 cup peeled, finely diced or grated apple (firm, sweet variety like Fuji or Honeycrisp)

• 2 large eggs (or flax eggs for vegan version)

• ⅓ cup maple syrup

• ¼ cup unsweetened applesauce (or mashed banana)

• ¼ cup avocado oil or melted coconut oil

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Optional Add-ins:

• ¼ cup chopped walnuts or pecans

• 2 tbsp raisins or chopped dates

• 2 tbsp shredded coconut

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Optional Glaze (for a treat-like finish):

• ½ cup powdered sugar

• 1–2 tbsp non-dairy milk or water

• ½ tsp vanilla

• Dash of cinnamon

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🧁 How to Make Zucchini Apple Bars

🔥 Step 1: Preheat and Prep

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper or grease lightly with oil.

🥣 Step 2: Mix the Wet Ingredients

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together:

• Eggs

• Maple syrup

• Applesauce

• Oil

• Vanilla

Stir in the grated zucchini and diced apple.

🥄 Step 3: Combine Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, combine:

• Flour

• Oats

• Baking soda

• Cinnamon

• Nutmeg

• Salt

Mix the dry ingredients into the wet mixture until just combined.

🌰 Step 4: Add Optional Ingredients

Fold in nuts, raisins, or coconut if using.

🧱 Step 5: Bake

Spread batter evenly into your prepared pan. Bake for 28–34 minutes, or until the top is golden and a toothpick comes out mostly clean.

❄️ Step 6: Cool and Glaze (Optional)

Allow bars to cool completely before adding glaze. For the glaze, whisk ingredients together and drizzle over the cooled bars.

✅ Pro Tips for Perfect Bars

Lightly Squeeze the Zucchini

Zucchini contains a lot of water. Gently squeeze it using a clean towel or paper towel to avoid overly wet batter.

Use a Sweet, Firm Apple

Honeycrisp, Fuji, or Gala apples add a touch of sweetness and hold their shape well during baking.

Don’t Overmix

Once you combine wet and dry ingredients, stir just until incorporated to avoid dense bars.

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🌀 Variations & Substitutions

• Gluten-Free: Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend and certified gluten-free oats.

• Vegan: Replace eggs with flax eggs (2 tbsp flaxseed meal + 6 tbsp water).

• Nut-Free: Skip nuts or replace with sunflower or pumpkin seeds.

• Sugar-Free: Omit maple syrup and add a ripe mashed banana or date paste.

• Mini Muffins: Scoop into muffin tins and bake for 18–22 minutes.

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❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: Can I make these zucchini apple bars ahead of time?

Yes! These bars are great for meal prep. Store them in the fridge for up to 5 days, or freeze for up to 3 months.

Q2: Do I need to peel the zucchini or apple?

You don’t need to peel the zucchini, but peeling the apple helps create a smoother texture. For rustic texture, leave the peel on.

Q3: Can I turn this recipe into a loaf?

Absolutely. Bake in a 9×5-inch loaf pan for 45–55 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.

Q4: Are these bars kid-friendly?

Definitely! Kids love the natural sweetness and soft texture. You can even leave out the nuts and glaze to make them lunchbox-safe.

Q5: Can I reduce the oil in this recipe?

Yes. You can use more applesauce or mashed banana in place of some or all of the oil—just know the bars will be softer and slightly less rich.

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🍽 Serving Suggestions

• Serve with a warm mug of chai or herbal tea

• Crumble over yogurt for breakfast

• Add a drizzle of almond butter for a protein-packed snack

• Serve slightly warm with a dollop of coconut whipped cream as a healthy dessert

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🌟 Final Thoughts

These Zucchini Apple Bars are a cozy, clean-eating treat that’s naturally sweet, spiced just right, and bursting with apple-zucchini flavor. Perfect for fall (or any season), they’re a healthy way to enjoy dessert—or even breakfast—without sacrificing flavor or texture.

Whether you enjoy them with or without the glaze, these bars deliver big flavor with simple, wholesome ingredients. No pork, no alcohol—just plants, spice, and everything nice.