Description
Delicious no-bake oat bars made with whole dried dates and a blend of natural ingredients, perfect for a healthy snack or dessert.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup whole dried dates (pitted)
- ¼ cup maple syrup (or honey)
- 2 tablespoons coconut oil (melted and cooled)
- 3 tablespoons creamy nut butter (all-natural is best)
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon sea salt (omit if you are using salted nut butter)
- 2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
- ½ cup optional add ins (chopped nuts, raisins, mini chocolate chips, dried fruit, sesame seeds, chia seeds, etc.)
Instructions
- Line an 8×8 square baking dish with parchment paper or wax paper.
- If needed, cut the dates in half lengthwise and remove the pit. Unless your dates are incredibly soft, place them in a large heat-safe bowl and cover with hot water. Let soak for 5 to 30 minutes. Drain the dates, reserving the liquid.
- Place the dates into a food processor fitted with an s-blade. Process until a thick paste forms. Add in ¼ cup maple syrup, 2 tablespoons coconut oil, 3 tablespoons creamy nut butter, ½ teaspoon vanilla extract, and ½ teaspoon sea salt. Pulse until combined and creamy.
- Add in 2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats and pulse until just combined and all the oats are moistened. If needed, add some of the reserved liquid from soaking the dates, 1 tablespoon at a time, until the mixture comes together.
- If desired, add optional add-ins like chocolate chips, chopped nuts, etc. Pulse 1-2 times briefly to incorporate, but not breakdown the additions.
- Transfer the oat mixture into prepared pan. Using another piece of parchment paper, press the mixture into the pan into an even layer. Place in fridge or freezer for 15 minutes until set up.
- After chilling, use the parchment paper to lift the bars out of the pan. Cut into bars.
- Store the bars in an airtight container, separated by layers of parchment paper.
Notes
- Bars are best stored in the fridge to maintain firmness.
- Feel free to customize the optional add-ins based on your preference.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Snacks
- Method: No-bake
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 50mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 0mg