Mediterranean Apple, Carrot & Oat Olive-Oil Pastry Bars
These Apple, Carrot & Oat Olive-Oil Pastry Bars are a rustic Mediterranean dessert inspired by countryside baking. Naturally sweetened with apples and carrots, bound with hearty oats and fragrant olive oil, then gently spiced with cinnamon and orange zest. No yogurt, no refined sugar, no butter-heavy cake — just a soft, pastry-like texture with crisp edges and warm aroma. Perfect with tea or coffee.
⏱ Time Required
Prep time: 15 minutes
Bake time: 30–35 minutes
Total time: 45–50 minutes
🛒 Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
1½ cups rolled oats
½ cup whole wheat flour (or oat flour)
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon cinnamon
¼ teaspoon nutmeg (optional)
Pinch of salt
Wet & Natural Sweeteners
1 medium apple, grated (with peel)
1 medium carrot, finely grated
¼ cup olive oil (light or extra-virgin)
¼ cup honey or date syrup
1 egg (or 1 flax egg for vegan)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Zest of 1 orange or lemon
Optional Mediterranean Add-ins
2 tablespoons chopped walnuts or almonds
2 tablespoons raisins or chopped dates
👩🍳 Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F). Line a small baking pan with parchment.
2. Prepare fruit & veg:
Grate apple and carrot. Lightly squeeze excess liquid (do NOT dry completely).
3. Mix dry ingredients:
In a bowl, combine oats, flour, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
4. Mix wet ingredients:
In another bowl whisk olive oil, honey, egg, vanilla, and citrus zest.
5. Combine:
Fold grated apple & carrot into wet mixture, then mix into dry ingredients. Batter will be thick and slightly sticky.
6. Bake:
Spread evenly in pan. Bake for 30–35 minutes until golden and firm.
7. Cool & slice:
Let cool completely before slicing into pastry-style bars.
💡 Tips (Very Important)
Use sweet apple (Gala / Fuji) so you don’t need extra sugar
Olive oil gives Mediterranean aroma — don’t replace with butter
For crisp top: sprinkle a little oats before baking
Best texture after resting 1–2 hours
❓ frequently Asked Questions FAQs
Q: Is this cake or pastry?
More like a soft Mediterranean pastry bar, not sponge cake.
Q: Can I make it without egg?
Yes — use 1 tbsp ground flax + 3 tbsp water.
Q: Can I make it no-bake?
This version is baked for authentic pastry texture.
Q: Is it healthy?
Yes — whole grains, fruit-sweetened, no refined sugar.
🌿 Mediterranean Serving Idea
Serve slightly warm with:
Herbal tea
Black coffee
A drizzle of honey or date syrup (optional)
🥗 Nutritional Information
Calories: 180 kcal
Carbs: 24 g
Fiber: 4 g
Protein: 4 g
Fat: 8 g