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Oatmeal Date Bars

24 reviews
Test Kitchen Approved
Total Time

Prep: 20 min. Bake: 20 min. + cooling

Makes

16 servings

Updated: Jun. 30, 2023
In no time at all, these oatmeal date bars will be ready for your family. They'll be surprised at how light and tasty these treats are. —Helen Cluts, Eden Prairie, Minnesota
Oatmeal Date Bars
Oatmeal Date Bars Recipe photo by Taste of Home
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Ingredients

  • 1 cup chopped dates
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 1-1/2 cups quick-cooking oats
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/3 cup butter, melted
  • 1 large egg white, room temperature

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°. Place dates, water and sugar in a small saucepan; bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, until thickened, about 5 minutes, stirring constantly.
  2. In a large bowl, mix oats, flour, brown sugar, baking soda and salt; stir in melted butter and egg white. Press half the mixture into an 8-in. square baking pan coated with cooking spray. Spread carefully with date mixture; top with remaining oat mixture.
  3. Bake until lightly browned, 20-25 minutes. Cool in pan on a wire rack. Cut into bars.

Oatmeal Date Bar Tips

Do you have to 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. This would only be a concern if you did not want to risk melting the butter in the dough. Since the butter added is already melted, you can go ahead with assembling these bars all at once.

How do you store oatmeal date bars?

Store your oatmeal date bars in an airtight container at room temperature with pieces of waxed or parchment between layers, so they don't stick to one another. When you store your baked goods properly this way, they'll last up to 4 days at room temperature, or up to 6 days in the refrigerator.

How can you make date oatmeal bars your own?

Once they're completely cool, dress your bars up with a drizzle of simple vanilla glaze. Try using old-fashioned oats instead of quick-cooking oats, or use a combination of whole wheat and all-purpose flour in the dough for a heartier oatmeal date bar. Next, bake one of these fantastic recipes made with dates!

—Mark Neufang, Taste of Home Culinary Assistant

Nutrition Facts

1 bar: 182 calories, 4g fat (3g saturated fat), 10mg cholesterol, 114mg sodium, 35g carbohydrate (23g sugars, 2g fiber), 2g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1-1/2 starch, 1 fat, 1/2 fruit.