Quick and easy date and oat squares are a delicious vegan snack or dessert. The perfect potluck dish or lunchbox snack! They can be made nut-free or with nuts.
The basic ingredients for these squares are equal parts dates and rolled oats, blended until finely ground, plus liquid (peanut butter or other nut butter, or maple syrup and coconut milk for nut-free squares).
Once the squares are made, the mixture can be rolled out or pressed thin and the squares are ready to cut and serve, or additional ingredients may be added. I like to sprinkle chocolate chips over the top and press them into the squares for a quick and simple dessert. You can also add various nuts, seeds, and dried fruit before rolling out these date and oat bars. Alternatively, the mixture can be rolled into balls to make quick and portable energy ball snacks.
These date and oat squares are easy, healthy, naturally sweetened, and great for breakfast, dessert, or a snack. This is also an easy and portable potluck dish.
Healthy 4-Ingredient Oat and Date Squares
Equipment
- High powered blender or food processor
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup Dates Pitted dates, any variety
- 3/4 cup Rolled oats
- 1/2 cup Peanut butter, almond butter, sunflower seed butter, or other nut or seed butter For nut-free squares, replace with 2 tbsp maple syrup and 2 tbsp water, juice, or coconut milk.
- 1 tbsp Vanilla extract
Optional add ins
- 1/4 cup Semisweet chocolate chips
- 2 tbsp Quinoa Dry, toasted
- 1/4 cup Dried fruit such as cranberries
- 1/4 cup Seeds such as pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, or chia seeds
- 1 tbsp Ground flaxseeds
- 1 tbsp Additional liquid as needed to ensure the squares stick together well (such as nut butter, maple syrup, or coconut milk). Add 1 tbsp at a time if squares are crumbly. The squares should stick together well with 1 of the above add-ins. If more items are added, additional liquid will help keep the squares from crumbling.
Instructions
- Blend dates and oats in a food processor or high-powered blender until fine and smooth. The texture will be a bit powdery but will start to stick together.
- Pour the mixture into a bowl and stir in peanut butter and vanilla extract. Replace peanut butter with any nut butter, or use maple syrup and water, juice, or coconut milk to make nut-free squares.
- Add any desired additional ingredients such as chocolate chips, nuts, seeds, or dried fruit. Mix thoroughly, and add a bit more liquid (maple syrup, coconut milk, or nut butter) as needed to make the squares stick together.
- Press firmly into a pan lined with parchment paper. Cut into squares and serve. Keeps in the refrigerator for up to a week.
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