Oatmeal Date Bars

Soft and flavorful with a little chewiness from hearty oats, oatmeal date bars are one of those treats that can be served up for so many cravings. While there are hundreds of varieties of dates cultivated across the world, Medjool and Deglet Noor are the two most popular types in the U.S. Both are packed with essential vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. You can use either, but Deglet Noor are best for baking. They provide the perfect amount of sweetness for the bars.

These fruit and oat bars are a tasty little snack for the kids after school or to set out with afternoon coffee. The bars are also a lovely dessert, whether for the family after dinner or a work-party potluck. Recipes with dates are always sweet and satisfying.

Oatmeal Date Bar Ingredients

• Dates: Dates are the star ingredient in these bars. Deglet Noor dates are smaller and drier, and they have slightly smoother skin than Medjools, so they’re great for baking into these oat bars.
• Oats: Use quick-cooking oats to create the sweet bar mixture that sandwiches the date layer.
• Granulated sugar: A little granulated sugar sweetens and thickens the fruit.
• Brown sugar: Brown sugar sweetens the oat bar layer and adds caramel flavors. Light or dark brown sugar works; the latter adds a more intense molasses flavor.
• Flour: All-purpose flour provides structure for the date bars.
• Butter: Melted butter binds the dry ingredients and dates together. Use your favorite butter brand; if you go with salted butter, you may want to adjust the extra salt added.
• Baking soda: The acidity in the brown sugar activates the baking soda, lightening the texture of the oat layers.
• Egg white: Blended into the oat bar mixture, a room-temperature egg white helps with the structure during baking.
• Salt: Just a pinch of salt in the mixture helps enhance the flavors in the bars.

Directions

Step 1: Simmer the dates

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Place the chopped dates and granulated sugar in a small saucepan with 1/2 cup of water. Bring the mixture to a boil, stirring constantly. Reduce the heat, continue stirring and simmer the dates, uncovered, until the mixture is thickened, about five minutes.

Step 2: Make the oat mixture

Mix the oats, flour, brown sugar, baking soda and salt in a large bowl. Stir in the melted butter and egg white.

Press half this mixture into a greased 8-inch square baking dish.

Step 3: Add the dates

Carefully spread the warm date mixture over the oat layer in the pan. Then, top the date layer with the remaining oat mixture.

Step 4: Bake the bars

Bake the bars for 20 to 25 minutes, until lightly browned. Move the pan to a wire rack and allow the bars to cool completely in the pan.

Cut into bars and serve.

Oatmeal Date Bar Variations

• Add a glaze: A simple confectioners’ sugar glaze takes minutes; spread or drizzle it over the cooled oatmeal and date bars.
• Make a heartier version: Use a blend of whole wheat and all-purpose flour in the bar dough. Also, try old-fashioned oats instead of quick-cooking for more texture in the bars.
• Mix in nuts: Blend 1/2 cup of chopped walnuts, almonds or hazelnuts into the oat mixture to give the baked bars a nutty flavor and crunch.
• Include cinnamon: The brown sugar, oat and date flavors in these bars are delicious with cinnamon; blend a teaspoon of the spice into the oat mixture.

How to Store Oatmeal Date Bars

Keep your date bars fresh and soft by storing them in an airtight container; add pieces of waxed paper or parchment between layers so the bars don’t stick to one another. Store the bars at room temperature.

How long do oatmeal date bars last?

When properly stored, these date bars last up to four days at room temperature. For longer storage, place the container in the refrigerator and store the bars chilled for up to six days.

Can you freeze oatmeal date bars?

Yes, you can freeze oatmeal and date bars. Place the bars in a freezer-proof container with waxed paper between the layers, and seal the container tightly. Store the bars in the freezer for up to three months. When ready to enjoy them, move the bars to the fridge to thaw overnight.

Oatmeal Date Bar Tips

Should you wait for the date mixture to cool before spreading it onto the dough?

You do not need to let the date mixture cool before spreading it onto the dough. Since we use melted butter in the bar mixture, there’s no risk from adding the fruit layer while it’s still warm. Plus, the date mixture will be easier to spread while warm than if allowed to cool first.

How do you flatten the sticky oatmeal date bar dough into the pan?

One of our favorite hacks for making a flat, even layer of oatmeal bar dough in the baking pan is to use butter wrappers. Use the buttery side of the wrapper to press the oat mixture down into the pan. Another option is to use a piece of parchment coated with cooking spray. Or, grease your hands with butter or cooking spray so the dough won’t stick to your fingers.