Date Bars

These Date Bars are a classic recipe made with a sweet Medjool date filling between two layers of oat crumble crust. Their texture is perfectly thick, chewy, and tender.

Looking for more date recipes? Try my date nut bread, almond joy stuffed dates, bacon wrapped dates, and date balls.

Easy Date Bars Recipe

Dates, in my opinion, are one of the most underrated fruits. We love them, and this easy date bar recipe is another reason why!

Made with a sweet Medjool date filling sandwiched between an oatmeal crust and crumble topping, these oatmeal date bars are simple to prepare and packed with flavor. They make a great addition to holiday parties but can be enjoyed anytime.

Why You’ll Love These Oatmeal Date Bars

• Quick and easy. These date oatmeal bars require just 10 minutes or so of prep, then you can just pop them in the oven.
• Incredible flavor. In addition to the Medjool dates, you also have orange juice to add a bit of acidity and vanilla (or rum) for added flavor. If desired, you can even swap the water with brewed coffee for a more complex flavor.
• Store well. Date bars can be stored in the fridge for up to a week or in the freezer for months. You may want to make a double batch to freeze one.

Ingredients Needed

Both the date filling and the oat layers are made with just a few ingredients.
(Scroll down to the recipe card below for measurements.)

For the Filling

• Medjool dates – Pitted and finely diced.
• Water – You can also use brewed coffee if you want a more complex flavor.
• Orange juice – Freshly squeezed or from the carton will work.
• Butter – Adds richness and provides creaminess to the filling.
• Vanilla – For added flavor. You can also use a splash of rum.
• Salt – Helps to balance the sweetness.
• Baking soda – Balances the acidity from the juice.

For the Crumble

• Oats – Be sure to use quick-cooking oats for the best texture.
• Flour – Use the spoon and level technique to ensure accurate measuring.
• Brown sugar – Sweetens the crumble and adds a light molasses flavor.
• Baking powder – Provides a bit of lift.
• Cinnamon – Adds a warm flavor.
• Butter – Softened to room temperature so it’s easy to blend.

How to Make Date Bars

Here’s an overview of how to make this date bars recipe.
(Scroll down to the recipe card below for more detailed instructions and don’t miss the video below.)

1. Make the filling. Bring the dates, water, orange juice, butter, vanilla, and salt to a boil then add the baking soda. Reduce the heat and simmer for 5 minutes, stirring constantly, until the dates break down. Let cool.
2. Make the crumble. Combine the crumble ingredients in a bowl, cutting in the butter until it resembles coarse crumbs.
3. Assemble. Press half of the crumb mixture into the bottom of a parchment lined 8×8 square baking dish then top with the date filling. Sprinkle the remaining crumble on top, pressing lightly so some of the date mixture still shows.
4. Bake. Bake at 350F for 40 to 45 minutes, until the crumble is golden brown.
5. Cool before slicing. Let your oatmeal date bars cool before you try to slice them. This will ensure clean cuts and that the date filling doesn’t run out.

Variations and Substitutions

• Replace the water. Replace the water with coffee for another layer of flavor.
• Add in nuts. Pulse 1/3 cup toasted pecans in a food processor, then divide the crumble mixture in half and add the pecans to the top half.
• Add spices to the crumble. In addition to the cinnamon, you can add in a pinch of nutmeg, cardamom, or ground ginger for added spicy warmth.
• Include more orange flavor. A teaspoon or so of orange zest mixed into the crumble adds even more citrus flavor.

Video: Date Bars

Proper Storage

• Room temperature. You can store these date bars at room temperature for 2 to 3 days. Just keep them in an airtight container with parchment paper between layers.
• Fridge. If you’d like to keep your date oatmeal bars for longer, you can store them in the fridge for up to 5 days.
• Freezer. These bars also freeze well up to 3 months. You can either layer them with parchment paper in a freezer-safe container or wrap each bar individually in plastic wrap.

More Easy Bar Recipes:

• Cranberry Crumble Bar
• Snickerdoodle Bars
• Apple Pie Bars
• Berry Crumble Bars
• Praline Crunch Bars

I hope you love this delicious and easy recipe – be sure to give it a review below! Also don’t forget to follow Belly Full on TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and YouTube!

Date Bars

5 from 2 Ratings

These Date Bars are a classic recipe made with a sweet Medjool date filling between two layers of oat crumble crust. Their texture is perfectly thick, chewy, and tender.

Print Recipe Rate Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time 45 minutes minutes

Total Time 1 hour hour

Servings: 16 (or 9 larger bars)

Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark

Ingredients

FOR THE FILLING

• 2 & 1/2 cups Medjool dates , pitted and finely diced
• 1 cup water (or brewed coffee)
• 2 tablespoons orange juice
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 teaspoons vanilla (or rum)
• pinch of salt
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda

FOR THE CRUMBLE

• 1 & 3/4 cups quick-cooking oats
• 1 cup all-purpose flour , spooned and leveled
• 3/4 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
• 3/4 cup + 2 tablespoons butter , softened to room temperature

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F with the rack in the center. Line an 8-inch square baking dish with parchment paper, with a slight overhang on 2 sides.
• In a medium sized pot, add the dates, water, orange juice, butter, vanilla, and salt. Bring to a boil, then add in the baking soda. Reduce heat to a gentle bubble and simmer for 5 minutes, or until the dates have broken down, stirring constantly. Let cool.
• Make the crumble. In a bowl, combine the oats, flour, brown sugar, baking powder, and cinnamon. Cut in the butter with a fork or pastry blender (or your hands) until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
• Press half the crumb mixture firmly and evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Spread the date mixture on top in an even layer. Sprinkle with the remaining crumble and press lightly (allowing some of the date mixture to still show.)
• Bake for 40 to 45 minutes or until the crumble is golden brown. Let cool completely before slicing into bars.

Video

Notes

Replace the water. Replace the water with coffee for a more complex layer of flavor.

Add in nuts. Pulse 1/3 cup toasted pecans in a food processor, then divide the crumble mixture in half and add the pecans to the top half.

Add spices to the crumble. In addition to the cinnamon, you can add in a pinch of nutmeg, cardamom, or ground ginger for added spicy warmth.

Include more orange flavor. A teaspoon or so of orange zest mixed into the crumble adds even more citrus flavor.

Nutrition

Calories: 240kcal | Carbohydrates: 37g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0.4g | Cholesterol: 27mg | Sodium: 131mg | Potassium: 212mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 26g | Vitamin A: 459IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 52mg | Iron: 2mg

Nutritional information given is an automatic calculation and can vary based on the exact products you use and any changes you make to the recipe. If these numbers are very important to you, I would recommend calculating them yourself.

Other Notes

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Keyword: date bars, date bars recipe, oatmeal date bars

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