Healthier Date Bars | Homemade + Naturally Sweet - Health And Fitness Video Tutorials

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If you happen to’re in search of a date bar recipe that tastes like Grandma’s baking however nonetheless matches your wholesome objectives— say hi there to those chewy date bars. They ship caramel-like goodness with hearty oatmeal and 0 refined sugar. Right here’s a number of extra causes you’ll love them:

Freezer-friendly: Bake as soon as, freeze, and luxuriate in grab-and-go bars all week.
Naturally sweetened: Dates, maple syrup and coconut sugar for fiber-rich, energy-boosting sweetness (no crash).
Excellent texture: Chewy oatmeal with a golden, crisp crumb topping.
Anytime deal with: Breakfast, afternoon pick-me-up, or healthful dessert.

What are Date Bars?

Date bars are an old style dessert made with a candy, sticky date filling sandwiched between a flour-and-oat crumb topping. The heavenly filling is often made by mixing dates with a little bit of liquid, which creates a caramel-like layer that pairs completely with the hearty oat crust.

Conventional recipes usually name for dates, flour, oats, sugar, and butter (whereas my recipe makes use of coconut oil and maple syrup for a richer taste). Vanilla and pecans are sometimes combined into the crust or filling for further richness.

Labeled ingredients for oatmeal date bar recipe

Components You’ll Want

All the elements for this date bar recipe are easy, healthful pantry staples you may be ok with. Most of them might be discovered at your native grocery retailer, well being meals store, or ordered on-line in the event you prefer to top off on natural and specialty objects. Right here’s what you’ll have to make these bars:

Medjool dates: Naturally candy, sticky, and the important thing to binding the filling. Discover them within the produce part (close to the bananas) or in resealable baggage within the dried fruit aisle.
Coconut sugar (palm sugar): Provides a light-weight, caramel-like sweetness with much less processing than white sugar. Search for it within the baking aisle of most grocery shops or within the bulk part at pure meals markets.
Rolled oats: The hearty base that provides these bars their signature chew. You’ll discover rolled oats within the cereal aisle, select old style gluten-free oats, not fast oats, for the most effective texture.
Almond butter: Brings richness and a nutty depth of taste that pairs superbly with dates. Examine the nut butter part and choose an unsweetened one for the cleanest taste. It’s also possible to take a look at my information on homemade nut butter to make your individual at residence.
Maple syrup: A healthful natural sweetener that blends easily into the filling. Often discovered close to honey or pancake syrups, go for pure maple syrup for the most effective taste.
Flaxseed meal: Provides fiber and helps maintain all the things collectively, like a flax egg. Search for floor flaxseed within the baking or complement part at most supermarkets.
Coconut flakes and coconut oil: A tropical contact that provides chew, delicate crunch, and moisture. Discover unsweetened flakes within the baking aisle and coconut oil close to different cooking oils.

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Old-fashioned date bars on a plate ready to eat with whole dates beside them

The way to Make Date Bars

Making date bars is less complicated than it seems, and when you’ve tried it, you’ll be hooked. The layers come collectively shortly with a food processor, and the oven does the remainder of the work. Right here’s the easy course of:

Add all-purpose flour, baking soda and a pinch of sea salt right into a meals processor. Pulse to combine.
Pour in thick coconut oil. That is what binds the dry elements collectively, provides richness, and provides the crust that buttery-like texture.

Toss within the rolled oats, coconut sugar, flaxseed meal, and shredded coconut flakes.
Pulse all the things collectively till it seems crumbly. The combination ought to maintain collectively when pressed between your fingers however nonetheless look unfastened sufficient to sprinkle.

Add extra coconut oil if the combination feels too dry. You’re aiming for a texture much like damp clay, simple to press however not sticky.
Press half of the oat-flour combination firmly into the ready baking pan. Use the again of a spoon or your fingers to press it down evenly. Switch the remaining oat combination right into a bowl.

Add pitted Medjool dates, maple syrup and water into the meals processor. Mix till they start to interrupt down right into a sticky paste.
Spoon in almond butter. Course of all the things collectively till the combination turns into thick, easy, and spreadable. Add extra water if wanted.

Unfold the date-almond combination evenly over the pressed crust within the pan. Use a spatula to easy it out so the filling is totally stage and reaches the perimeters.
Sprinkle the reserved oat combination evenly over the date filling. Bake it at 350° for 25 minutes, or till the highest is golden brown. Let cool utterly earlier than slicing into bars and serving.

Date Filling Variation

If you happen to favor your bars much less candy, cut back the coconut sugar barely or skip the maple syrup within the filling. The pure sweetness of Medjool dates is often sufficient to steadiness the flavors. Spices like cinnamon or nutmeg additionally improve taste with out including sugar, whereas a pinch of sea salt helps steadiness all of it out.

Baking pan filled with golden-brown oatmeal date bars ready to be cut

Useful Date Bar Recipe Ideas

This recipe is scrumptious as is, however don’t be afraid to make it your individual. Attempt these easy swaps and baking ideas that will help you really get pleasure from this recipe:

Use a gluten-free flour various: You need to use a gluten-free flour mix or almond flour as a substitute of all-purpose flour. Each work superbly and preserve the bars chewy. Additionally, be sure you double examine the label on the oats to ensure they’re licensed gluten-free as effectively.
Customise the date filling with different add-ins: Swap almond butter for sunflower seed butter or tahini. You’ll nonetheless get that creamy, wealthy texture with out the allergens. For further heat and comfortable vibes, combine in a touch of cinnamon, nutmeg, or a splash of vanilla extract. These little touches make the bars style like fall in each chunk. Combine in chopped pecans or sprinkle darkish chocolate chunks on high earlier than baking for a decadent improve.
Press the oat-flour combination into the pan very effectively: Use a separate piece of parchment paper that will help you press down on the combination together with your palms. Because it bakes, this further compression will assist it maintain collectively properly and are available out like a bar (as a substitute of a crumble).

Storing Solutions

The easiest way to retailer date bars is in an air-tight container or zip-top storage bag. Place them out of the daylight, in a room temperature space, for as much as 2 days or within the fridge for as much as 5 days.

Extra Wholesome Bar Recipes

If you happen to’re loving the chewy, naturally candy goodness of this date bar recipe, listed below are a number of extra choices which might be simply as healthful, scrumptious, and ideal for snacking any time of day:

Once I want a grab-and-go snack that’s hearty and satisfying, my homemade granola bars are my go-to. They’re filled with oats, nuts, and dried fruit, and so they maintain up superbly in lunchboxes or fitness center baggage.
On busy days once I need a snack that doubles as gasoline, vegan protein bars hit the spot. They’re tender, nourishing, and provide you with that further enhance of plant-based protein with out processed elements.
And generally I simply preserve it easy with basic healthy breakfast bars. They’re versatile, customizable, and at all times a dependable solution to begin the day with healthful vitality.

If you happen to make my oatmeal date bars, I’d love to listen to the way it turned out within the remark field under. Your suggestions helps me and all of the readers on this group. And in the event you’re focused on extra plant-based recipes (and unique content material), join my weekly recipe newsletter.

Activate prepare dinner modePrevents display from going darkish

Preheat oven to 350° and put together an 8×8 pan with parchment paper or grease it.
Mix floor flaxseed and water in a small dish. Permit to soak for 10 minutes.
In a meals processor, mix flour, baking soda and salt. Pulse to combine.
Add in coconut oil and pulse simply sufficient to combine and create coarse clumps.
Add in coconut sugar, flaxseed combination, rolled oats and coconut flakes and pulse simply to combine all of it up. Combination shouldn’t be dry— whether it is, add extra coconut oil.
Press half the crumb combination over backside of pan. Scrape out the remaining combination right into a bowl.
In the identical meals processor (simply wipe out the chunks), mix dates, maple syrup, almond butter and water. Puree on excessive pace till it creates a creamy paste. Add extra water, if wanted.
Unfold date filling over backside of crust
Sprinkle remaining oat combination on high of date filling and evenly push down.
Bake for 25 minutes at 350°.
Cool utterly and minimize into squares.

Make forward: These oatmeal date bars preserve effectively in an hermetic container at room temperature for as much as 3 days, or within the fridge for as much as per week.
Freezer-friendly: Wrap particular person bars in parchment and freeze for as much as 3 months. Simply thaw at room temp (or heat within the microwave) earlier than having fun with.
Customise the flavour: Add a sprinkle of cinnamon, nutmeg, or perhaps a splash of vanilla extract to the oat combination for further heat and depth.
Combine-ins: Chopped nuts, shredded coconut, or darkish chocolate chips make enjoyable add-ins if you need slightly texture or indulgence.

Widespread Questions

Do I have to soak the dates earlier than making the filling for date bars?

In case your Medjool dates are tender and sticky, you may mix them immediately. In the event that they really feel dry or powerful, soak them in heat water for 10 minutes first, then drain earlier than utilizing. This helps your date bar filling mix right into a easy, caramel-like paste.

Is a date bar wholesome?

Date bars generally is a wholesome choice, particularly when made with complete elements like oats, nuts, and naturally candy dates. They provide fiber, wholesome fat, and slow-digesting carbs for regular vitality. Simply be aware of portion measurement, since dates are naturally excessive in pure sugars.

Can I exploit fast oats as a substitute of rolled oats on this date bar recipe?

Rolled oats work greatest for texture, however fast oats can be utilized in a pinch. The date bars might end up a bit softer and fewer chewy, however they’ll nonetheless style nice.

Can I exchange the flaxseed egg in these date bars with a daily egg

Sure! If you happen to’re not vegan, you may swap the flaxseed meal + water combination for 1 common egg. The feel of the date bars will nonetheless end up chewy and scrumptious.

How do I do know when my date bars are totally baked?

The topping ought to look evenly golden and set. The date bars will proceed to agency up as they cool, so don’t fear if they appear slightly tender when first out of the oven.

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