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    Home » My Latest Recipes

    Oatmeal Date Bars Recipe with Vegan Option

    Jun 3, 2022 · 19 Comments

    Jump to Recipe Jump to Video Print Recipe

    Cookie bars are always great for summer gatherings, pot luck dinners and casual parties. They are easily portable and your guests can just eat them with their hands. This Oatmeal Date Bars recipe is two layers of a cookie crust sandwiched with a gooey layer of sweet dates.

    oatmeal date bars from dessertswithstephanie.com

    This post may contain affiliate links. Please refer to the terms page for more information.

    Jump to:
    • Why use dates in desserts
    • Ingredients
    • Variations
    • FAQs
    • Oatmeal Date Bars Recipe

    Why use dates in desserts

    Dates are the fruit of the date palm tree. These little wonders have increased in popularity as a dessert ingredient. They have a chewy texture and a naturally sweet flavor - making it easier to use less processed sugar in recipes. As an added bonus they contain antioxidants, fiber, vitamins and minerals.

    date fruits in a bowl

    Ingredients

    The date filling for this recipe is sandwiched between an oatmeal dough. For the two components you need the following ingredients:

    Filling

    • Dates: pitted and chopped finely
    • Granulated Sugar
    • Water
    • Pure Vanilla Extract: use a high-quality extract, not imitation vanilla
    • Almond Flour: use a finely ground almond flour. Replace with all-purpose flour if a nut-free version is desired.

    Dough

    • Unsalted Butter, room temperature (¾ Cup or 1 ½ Sticks)
    • Light Brown Sugar
    • All-Purpose flour - I recommend unbleached flour but any will work
    • Baking soda and salt
    • Old-fashioned oatmeal: don't use quick-cooking oats which may result in a mushy dough
    old fashioned oats for cookies in a spoon

    Variations

    Want a vegan oatmeal date bar? No problem. Replace the butter in the recipe with margarine! Want a nut-free option? Again, no problem, replace the almond flour with all-purpose flour.

    FAQs

    How do I store the date bars?

    These treats do not need refrigeration. Place the bars in an airtight container and leave at room temperature. The bars may also be frozen for up to three months.

    Can I make these gluten-free date bars? or dairy-free? or vegan?

    Absolutely! I have family members and friends who are gluten and dairy intolerant. Simply replace ingredients with the following:
    Gluten-Free: There are many good gluten-free flour substitutes available. I typically use Bob's Red Mill, but there are many others.
    Vegan or Dairy-Free: These oatmeal date bars don't use eggs, so simply replace the butter in the recipe with a vegan butter substitute. There are many good ones available - my favorite is Miyoko's.

    Oatmeal Date Bars

    Oatmeal Date Bars Recipe

    Oatmeal Date Bars recipe: two layers of a cookie crust sandwiched with a gooey layer of sweet dates.
    4.96 from 48 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Course Dessert
    Servings 18

    Equipment

    • Hand Mixer or
    • Stand Mixer
    • 10 Inch Square Pan or
    • 9 inch by 13 inch Pan

    Ingredients
      

    Filling

    • 2 Cups Dates, pitted and chopped
    • 66 Grams Granulated Sugar (⅓ Cup)
    • 1 Cup Water (8 fluid ounces)
    • 1 teaspoon Pure Vanilla Extract
    • 50 Grams Almond Flour (use all purpose flour if nut-free is desired) (½ Cup)

    Dough

    • 170 Grams Unsalted Butter, room temperature (¾ Cup or 1 ½ Sticks)
    • 213 Grams Brown Sugar (1 Cup, packed)
    • 150 Grams All-Purpose flour (1 ¼ Cup)
    • 1 teaspoon Baking Soda
    • ½ teaspoon Salt
    • 100 Grams Oatmeal, Old Fashioned (1 ¼ Cup)

    Instructions
     

    Prepare Pan

    • Spray pan with nonstick baking spray and place strips of parchment paper in bottom of pan so the parchment extends over the four pan sides.

    Prepare Date Filling

    • Chop dates into small chunks.
    • Place dates, water and granulated sugar in a medium-size saucepan.
    • Bring to a boil, stir often. Reduce to a simmer and cook until mixture is thickened, stirring occasionally (approximately 4 - 6 minutes)
    • Remove from heat and add the almond flour and vanilla. Stir until absorbed.
    • Set aside to cool completely.

    Make Cookie Base

    • Preheat oven to 350° F
    • Sift or whisk together flour, baking soda and salt.
    • Place softened butter and brown sugar in the bowl of a stand mixer. Using the paddle attachment begin mixing on medium speed. Continue to mix until the butter and sugar mixture is light and fluffy (approximately 2 - 3 minutes). Note: a hand mixer may also be used
    • Add the flour, baking soda and salt mixture. Mix for 20 - 30 seconds.
    • Remove the bowl from the mixer and mix in the oatmeal. Note: the dough will be crumbly.
    • Pour half of the dough into the bottom of the prepared pan. Using your hands, lightly press the dough down so it evenly covers the bottom of the pan.
    • Pour the date mixture over the dough in the pan and spread evenly.
    • Sprinkle the second half of the dough over the dates so it is evenly distributed.

    Bake

    • Bake for 25 - 30 minutes. Cool completely before removing from pan.
    • Unmold by pulling up on sides of parchment paper and transfer to a cutting board. Remove parchment from bottom of the bar. Cut into desired shapes.

    Video

    Keyword date bars, desserts with dates, oatmeal date bars
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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    Recipe to Make Chocolate Coconut Dessert Bars
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Umaima Talha says

      May 27, 2023 at 12:09 pm

      5 stars
      Thank you for this amazing recipe.

      Reply
    2. Susan JoyAmongChaos says

      May 23, 2023 at 5:28 pm

      5 stars
      I love that these goodies have healthy oatmeal and dates in them! Plus they’re gluten free! I’m sold!

      Reply
    3. Roseline Beusch says

      May 16, 2023 at 4:00 pm

      5 stars
      You are brilliant, im a lousy cook but even a more terrible baker, but since I started watching your baking videos, I find that I can mix the ingredients when trying to bake.
      Thanks so much for your generosity in always sharing.But, i just wanted to ask one question that may seem out of place, will this recipe work without dates?" they are my nightmare" when it comes to fruits, I totally do not like them.

      Reply
      • dessertswithstephanie says

        May 16, 2023 at 4:05 pm

        5 stars
        LOL - nightmare? Most other dried fruits will work in this recipe (e.g. raisins, apricots, cherries, etc...). Thank you for your feedback on the videos!

        Reply
    4. Ankita says

      May 06, 2023 at 11:47 am

      5 stars
      Your recipes are always mouth watering Stephanie. Will try this soon.

      Reply
    5. Emily says

      April 15, 2023 at 9:17 pm

      5 stars
      I am so glad I found this recipe - these were perfect for taking up to the cabin for snacking! Everyone loved them. Next time I'll make more and freeze the rest for later!

      Reply
      • dessertswithstephanie says

        April 16, 2023 at 11:59 am

        5 stars
        Thank you for your review on the date bars! Happy to hear our gang enjoyed the treats.

        Reply
    6. Megane says

      April 10, 2023 at 4:29 am

      5 stars
      This recipe really takes me back to when I was kid. Good old-fashioned date slice after school. Thanks so much for the recipe everyone loved them.

      Reply
    7. Oscar says

      April 05, 2023 at 11:10 pm

      5 stars
      I brought these as a treat to a friend's brunch party and everyone devoured them. Im going to make them again so I can have them all to myself this time. Great recipe.

      Reply
      • dessertswithstephanie says

        April 06, 2023 at 9:56 am

        5 stars
        Thank you for your feedback. Good to know!

        Reply
    8. Sarah James says

      April 05, 2023 at 2:07 pm

      5 stars
      What a delicious combination, oatmeal and dates. My family loved them, thanks for the recipe.

      Reply
      • dessertswithstephanie says

        April 05, 2023 at 2:11 pm

        5 stars
        Thank you for stopping by and letting me know!

        Reply
    9. Jerika says

      April 05, 2023 at 1:05 pm

      5 stars
      I love oatmeal bars!:) I like to combo this with my favorite coffee. These Oatmeal Date Bars are perfect for family gatherings.:) Thanks!

      Reply
      • dessertswithstephanie says

        April 05, 2023 at 1:53 pm

        5 stars
        Thank you for the input and for stopping by!

        Reply
    10. kath says

      March 06, 2023 at 9:29 pm

      5 stars
      Can I substitute almond flour for the regular flour in the dough? Thanks for the info.

      Reply
      • dessertswithstephanie says

        March 07, 2023 at 1:06 pm

        5 stars
        Yes, all purpose flour will work well also. Thank you for stopping by!

        Reply
    11. Tara Pittman says

      February 23, 2023 at 10:16 pm

      5 stars
      I am glad that I can make these bars vegan. I have a dairy allergy so good info.

      Reply
    12. Shana M says

      November 10, 2022 at 12:17 pm

      5 stars
      Just what I was looking for to make for the vegan people in my house. They gobbled em up. Love the gooey date filling.

      Reply
    13. Selijna says

      September 19, 2022 at 1:03 pm

      5 stars
      So happy I found this recipe - was looking for a vegan option. My veggie friends liked it.

      Reply

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