This date bar recipe is a yummy snack or breakfast since it’s easy to eat and seriously satisfying. It’s lightly sweet and has the most delicious flavor combo from almond butter and dates. It’s made with a base of rolled oats, eggs, and almond butter—and blueberries and dates—so you’ll know the kids are getting a nice mix of nutrients in each bite. It’s easy to make this date bars recipe gluten-free if you use GF oats, and it is packed with protein and beneficial fats for the little ones … though I love it just as much for myself! It works great as a toddler breakfast or preschool snack, too. (You may also like my Blueberry Oatmeal Bars, Healthy Breakfast Bars, Cereal Bars, and my Oatmeal Bars.)
Ingredients You Need
Here’s a look at the ingredients you need to make this easy date bars recipe. Sign up for our email updates to get tips and ideas sent to your inbox.
Medjool dates: I use Medjool or Deglet Noor dates here, pits removed, as they are nicely sweet and moist, which makes them easy to blend. Rolled oats: Instead of flour in this recipe, we use whole grain rolled oats, which are sometimes called “old-fashioned oats” at the store. Baking powder: A little baking powder helps these bars rise nicely and bake through evenly. Ground flaxseed: I like to put a little flaxseed in this recipe for added nutrition. You can use additional oats if you don’t have any on hand, though. Eggs: Eggs help the batter stay moist and the bars bake through. If you can’t do eggs in your family, the best option in this recipe is a liquid egg replacer. Almond butter: I prefer the flavor of almond butter with dates and blueberries, but you can also use peanut butter or sunflower seed butter if needed. You could use melted coconut oil, too. Vanilla extract: A little vanilla adds pleasant flavor to the mix. Blueberries: I like to add fresh or frozen berries to the top of this batter to bake through and add flavor. We love blueberries, but see what your family enjoys most.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Below is an overview of how to make this date bars recipe so you know what to expect. Scroll down to the end of the post for the full information, including timing and amounts.
How to Store
This simple date bars recipe stores in the fridge for up to 5 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months. You can put the date bars into an airtight container or wrap each bar individually and store in a zip-top bag. Either way works! You can eat it cold, at room temp, or slightly warmed, depending on your preference.
Best Tips for Success
Soak the dates to be sure they soften up nicely and are easy to blend into date bars. Use fresh or frozen blueberries. Trade in chocolate chips or chopped walnuts for the blueberries. Bake just until golden brown. If it starts to brown more deeply, cover with foil for the last 10 minutes of baking. Sub in peanut butter or sunflower seed butter for the almond butter if desired. Let cool completely before slicing. Add ¼ cup honey, maple syrup, or sugar to the batter to make slightly sweeter bars.
If you make this recipe, please let me know what you think below in the comments!
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This post was first published January 2018.
