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Home » My Latest Recipes

Oatmeal Date Bars Recipe with Vegan Option

Jun 3, 2022 · 36 Comments

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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

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Jump to:
  • Why use dates in desserts
  • Ingredients
  • Variations
  • FAQs
  • More desserts with oatmeal
  • 📋 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.

More desserts with oatmeal

Love desserts with oatmeal? Check out these yummy recipes:

  • inside of old fashioned baked apples filled with oatmeal crumble
    Old Fashioned Baked Apples with Oatmeal Filling
  • slice of walnut oatmeal pie with ice cream
    Walnut Oatmeal Pie Recipe
  • stack of crunchy oatmeal apricot cookies
    Crunchy Oatmeal Apricot Cookies
  • four apple crisps in small cast iron skillets for individual servings
    Individual Apple Crisp

📋 Recipe

Oatmeal Date Bars

Oatmeal Date Bars Recipe

Oatmeal Date Bars recipe: two layers of a cookie crust sandwiching a gooey layer of sweet dates.
5 from 24 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 25 minutes mins
Cook Time 30 minutes mins
Cooling 1 hour hr
Total Time 1 hour hr 55 minutes mins
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 18
Calories 267 kcal

Equipment

  • Hand Mixer or stand mixer
  • 10" Square Pan or 9" x 13" pan
  • Bowls, measuring cups and spoons
  • Parchment paper
  • Silicone spatula

Ingredients
 
 

Filling

  • 2 Cups Dates, pitted and chopped
  • ⅓ Cup Granulated Sugar
  • 1 Cup Water
  • 1 teaspoon Pure Vanilla Extract
  • ½ Cup Almond Flour use all purpose flour if nut-free is desired

Dough

  • ¾ Cup Unsalted Butter softened
  • 1 Cup Brown Sugar light or dark brown sugar (packed)
  • 1 ¼ Cup All-Purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon Baking Soda
  • ½ teaspoon Salt
  • 1 ¼ Cup Oatmeal, Old Fashioned

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.
    2 Cups Dates, pitted and chopped
  • Place dates, water and granulated sugar in a medium-size saucepan.
    ⅓ Cup Granulated Sugar, 1 Cup Water
  • 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.
    ½ Cup Almond Flour, 1 teaspoon Pure Vanilla Extract
  • Set aside to cool completely.

Make Cookie Base

  • Preheat oven to 350℉ (180℃)
  • Sift or whisk together flour, baking soda and salt. Set aside for later.
    1 ¼ Cup All-Purpose flour, 1 teaspoon Baking Soda, ½ teaspoon 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.
    ¾ Cup Unsalted Butter, 1 Cup Brown Sugar
  • Add the flour, baking soda and salt mixture. Mix for 20 - 30 seconds.
  • Remove bowl from the mixer and stir in the oatmeal. Note: the dough will be crumbly.
    1 ¼ Cup Oatmeal, Old Fashioned
  • 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 cooled date mixture over the dough in the pan. Spread it out evenly with a spatula, making sure it reaches all the edges.
  • 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

Notes

Storage - Place the bars in an airtight container and leave at room temperature. The bars may also be frozen for up to three months.

Nutrition

Calories: 267kcalCarbohydrates: 43gProtein: 4gFat: 10gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.3gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0.3gCholesterol: 20mgSodium: 191mgPotassium: 135mgFiber: 3gSugar: 26gVitamin A: 238IUVitamin C: 0.1mgCalcium: 33mgIron: 1mg
Keyword date bars, desserts with dates, oatmeal date bars
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Linya says

    May 20, 2025 at 2:36 pm

    5 stars
    Can I use another dried fruit like raisins

    Reply
    • dessertswithstephanie says

      May 20, 2025 at 7:10 pm

      Yes - raisins will work nicely

      Reply
  2. Jerry says

    February 10, 2025 at 4:49 pm

    5 stars
    Yummy treat. I eliminated the sugar in the date filling. Still found it sweet enough.

    Reply
    • dessertswithstephanie says

      February 10, 2025 at 7:29 pm

      Hi Jerry, Thank you for the feedback. Will have to try it without the sugar in the filling!

      Reply
  3. Joy says

    July 29, 2024 at 4:55 am

    5 stars
    Hi Stephanie! I just tried your oatmeal date bars recipe, and shared with my vegan friends! We love that they're healthy yet indulgent. Thank you for sharing such a delicious and easy recipe!

    Reply
    • dessertswithstephanie says

      July 29, 2024 at 9:24 am

      Hi Joy, Thank you for letting me know!

      Reply
  4. Karen says

    November 29, 2023 at 10:17 pm

    5 stars
    I love date bars and these were delicious and easy to make.

    Reply
  5. elaine says

    August 26, 2023 at 1:49 pm

    5 stars
    I love this recipe, I add orange juice in mine. Nice picture

    Reply
  6. Giangi Townsend says

    July 23, 2023 at 6:23 pm

    5 stars
    Super delicious oatmeal dates bars. I love dates, and these bars are amazing.
    Thank you

    Reply
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5 from 24 votes (21 ratings without comment)

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Welcome to Desserts With Stephanie. I hope you enjoy your visit. All the recipes and techniques I discuss on this site have been fully tested in my bakery for more than 15 years. Let's have some fun in the kitchen and put a smile on someone's face with a little sweetness.

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