These decadent vegan date squares are easy to make, packed with sweet flavor from the wholesome dates and they are rich in fiber. The creamy date filling paired with a buttery and crunchy oat layer makes for such a delicious combo! They are 100% vegan + dairy-free, and you can easily make them gluten-free.
These vegan date squares are a perfect compromise between a decadent treat and a healthier dessert recipe.
They remind me of these chocolate peanut butter oatmeal bars, but they are lighter and made with wholesome dates instead of chocolate. Dates are naturally so sweet, this healthy date square recipe does not need much-added sugar!
The combination of buttery oat crust, crunchy topping and sweet creamy date filling is absolutely addictive!
Prepare a pan during the weekend and enjoy it as a dessert or snack during the week. Make for a fiber-packed recipe your whole family will enjoy, even your kids!
Let me know if you give them a try! ❤️
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❤️ Why you will love this recipe
- Easy classic dessert recipe with a delicious rustic look and flavor
- Perfect make-ahead sweet treat (and freezer-friendly!)
- Made with less added sugar, thanks to the naturally very sweet dates
- High fiber treat from dates and rolled oats
- Vegan, dairy-free and easy-to-make gluten-free
🗒 Ingredient notes (+ substitutions)
- Dates: I recommend using large and soft Medjool dates to make the date squares. They are very sweet and super creamy, making the date layer ultra decadent. You will have to pit the dates and roughly chop them first. Medjool dates are usually found in the produce section in most grocery stores.
- Lemon juice: adds a fresh tangy taste and helps activate the baking soda when making the date layer (which breaks down the dates into a creamy texture). You can also use orange juice or apple cider vinegar.
- Vegan butter: you can use vegan butter (like the one from the brand Earth Balance) or refined coconut oil, both will work. Use cold or solid butter/oil for the best result (place in the fridge an hour ahead of time if necessary).
- Rolled oats: thick old-fashioned oats are best as they give an amazing chewy bite. I haven't tried it, but quick cooking oat should be fine too.
- Brown sugar: used in the oat layer, you can also use regular sugar or coconut sugar.
- Baking soda: it reacts with the lemon juice when cooking the dates to help break down the fiber and make the mixture smooth.
⭐️ Full list of ingredients (+ quantities) down below in the recipe card!
📝 Variations
- Spices: for a spiced flavor, add some cinnamon, nutmeg or cardamom.
- Citrusy: instead of using water when making the date layer, use half water and half orange juice instead!
- High-protein: swap some of the rolled oats with some quinoa flakes. Or, add a few spoonfuls of nut butter to the oat mix!
- Crunchy: add a handful of chopped walnuts, almonds or pecans to the oat mix for a more crunchy texture.
🍽 How to make vegan date squares
Step 1: To a large bowl, add the rolled oats, flour, brown sugar and salt. Then, stir to combine.
Step 2: Add the solid vegan butter or coconut oil.
Step 3: Use a pastry cutter and/or your hands to crush the butter into the oat mix until crumbly and uniform. Set aside.
Step 4: In a small pot, add the pitted and roughly chopped dates, then add the lemon juice and water.
Step 5: Cover, turn on the heat to medium-high and bring to a gentle simmer. Then keep cooking covered for 5-10 minutes. Then, add the balking soda (lots of bubbles will form, this is normal).
Step 6: Keep stirring and use the back of a spoon to roughly mash the dates while cooking for another 5 minutes. You should end up with a paste consistency. Remove from the heat and let it cool down for a few minutes.
Step 7: Transfer half of the oat mixture to the bottom of a parchment-covered 8 x 8 or 9 x 9 inches square dish (like a brownie pan), then press using your hand.
Step 8: Transfer the date mixture over the oat layer, and use a spoon to spread it evenly all over the surface.
Step 9: Transfer the rest of the oat mixture over the date layer.
Step 10: Use your hands to gently press over the top to create an even layer, then bake at 350ºF for 40-45 minutes or until golden brown. Once done baking, let the date square completely cool down before unmolding and slicing.
⭐️ Detailed recipe (+ video) down below in the recipe card!
💡 Baking tips
- If your dates are whole (meaning intact with still their stone inside), then you will have to first remove the pit. To do so, simply create a slice lengthwise to allow the date to open up and be able to remove the pit.
- I used Medjool dates, which are technically not dried and usually found in the produce section. If you use dried dates that are harder, then I recommend first soaking them in plenty of water for a few hours. Then, drain and continue with the recipe.
- It is best to allow the date mix to cool down before transferring over to the bottom layer.
- Make sure to press over the bottom layer so a tight crust forms while balking. This will help the squares hold well!
- Cooling down the date squares before slicing will make sure they hold well together.
🍴 Serving suggestions
These vegan date squares make for the perfect treat in the afternoon to serve with a cup of tea or coffee, and our kids love them with a tall glass of cold oat milk.
For a treat, serve garnished with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, coconut whipped cream or a drizzle of peanut butter caramel.
❗️ Storage tips
Keep the vegan date squares in an airtight container at room temperature for 2-3 days. For longer storage (up to 5 days), then transfer to the fridge.
You can also freeze them for up to 3 months! In that case, place a small sheet of parchment paper (reuse the one you used to bake the squares) in between each square so it is easy to grab one at a time. Thaw them in the fridge overnight or at room temperature for one hour before enjoying.
❓ FAQs
For a gluten-free recipe, then simply use a certified AGF flour (1:1) such as the one from Bob's Red Mill.
This is a healthier dessert made mostly with wholesome ingredients that are packed with fiber (like dates and oats), so yes, considering this is a dessert, you can say that they are good for you! That being said, dates are high in sugar (even if natural sugar) and there is some vegan butter in the crust to help the mix hold well, so keep in mind that they should be enjoyed in moderation.
🌱 More vegan dessert recipes with dates you might like!
I hope you enjoyed this vegan date square recipe! If you have any questions, please leave them in the comment section below. Your feedback is so helpful!
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📖 Recipe
Vegan Date Square (Healthy Recipe)
Equipment
- 8 x 8 or 9 x 9 inch Square pan
- Parchment paper
- Small sauce pot
- Mixing bowl and mixing spoon
- Small kitchen scale (or measuring cups)
- Measuring spoons
Ingredients
Date filling
- 360 g large Medjool dates 360 g = about 2 packed cups, pitted and rtoughly chopped
- 245 g water 245 g = about 1 cup
- 2 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Topping
- 200 g rolled oats 200 g = about 2 cups
- 130 g all-purpose flour 130 g = about 1 cup, oat flour works too
- 130 g vegan butter or refined coconut oil 130 g = about ½ cup
- 110 g brown sugar 110g = about ½ cup
- ½ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350ºF and line an 8 x8 or 9 x 9-inch square pan with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, combine the rolled oats, flour, brown sugar and salt. Then, add the solid vegan butter and use your hands or a pasty cutter to crush it into the dry ingredients until it forms a crumbly and uniform mixture. Set aside.
- To a small saucepan, add the pitted dates, lemon juice and water. Cover and bring to a simmer, then let the dates cook on a gentle simmer covered for 5-10 minutes. Then, stir in the vanilla extract and add the baking soda. Lots of bubbles should form, this is normal. Keep cooking while stirring and mashing the dates until it forms a coarse pasty consistency. Remove from the heat.
- Transfer about half the oat mixture into the prepared square pan and use your hands to press it to the bottom of the pan (press it tightly, so the squares hold well). Then, scatter the date mix over and use the back of a spoon to spread it out evenly over the bottom crust layer.
- Transfer the second half of the oat mix over the dates and gently press it to an even layer. Bake for 40-45 minutes or until golden brown. Then, let the dish completely cool down before unmolding and slicing. Enjoy!
Video
Notes
- If your dates are whole (meaning intact with still their stone inside), then you will have to first remove the pit. To do so, simply create a slice lengthwise to allow the date to open up and be able to remove the pit.
- I used Medjool dates, which are technically not dried and usually found in the produce section. If you use dried dates that are harder, then I recommend first soaking them in plenty of water for a few hours. Then, drain and continue with the recipe.
- It is best to allow the date mix to cool down before transferring over to the bottom layer.
- Make sure to press over the bottom layer so a tight crust forms while balking. This will help the squares hold well!
- Cooling down the date squares before slicing will make sure they hold well together.
- This recipe makes for 9 large squares or 16 smaller ones.
- Nutrition: please note that the nutritional information is an estimate per serving provided for informational purposes only (calculated by software) and accuracy is not guaranteed. Consult with your healthcare provider or a registered dietitian if you need precise nutrition calculations for health reasons.
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