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Home » Recipes » Snacks

Modified: Sep 16, 2022 | Categories: Recipes

Walnut Oat Bars with Dates

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These walnut oat bars with dates are made with dates, coconut, walnuts, honey, coconut oil and chia seeds.

They're naturally sweet and packed with fiber. You'll love them, I just know it!

My favorite raw granola bars are about to become your favorite, too!

A side shot of a raw oat bar with a bite out of it.
PIN THIS RECIPE FOR LATER!

How to make walnut oat bars with dates

Featured Ingredients

  • Medjool dates: The star of the show, if you ask me.
    • Their stickiness brings everything together and also add sweetness while providing that classic date flavor.
    • Make sure to get the pitted kind unless you want to dig the pits out.
  • Rolled oats: The old-fashioned kind work great, but you could also use quick oats.
  • Coconut flakes: I use the unsweetened flakes.
  • Walnuts: A ½ cup adds nuttiness and a boost of omega 3 fatty acids.
  • Coconut oil: This is a crucial ingredient for this recipe. When you make the bars, melt the coconut oil so it will evenly distribute throughout the bar "dough".
    • Then, when it cools in the refrigerator it will become hard and hold the bars together.
    • Other oils that are liquid at room temperature will not work for this recipe; you must use an oil that is solid at room temp like coconut oil (I use it for recipes like this one and for granola; otherwise, coconut oil is not my first choice).
  • Honey: Adds a bit of sweetness and the stickiness brings things together.
  • Chia seeds: A tablespoon adds texture and, like walnuts, adds a boost of omega 3s.
A side shot of stacked walnut oat bars with dates.

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Line a 9x9 baking dish with parchment paper.
  2. Place all ingredients in the bowl of a food processor and pulse until a sticky dough forms.
  3. Transfer dough to the parchment-lined dish and press evenly into a square.
  4. Refrigerate at least 2 hours. 
  5. Lift the bars out of the baking dish using the edges of the parchment paper and place on a cutting board.
  6. Cut into 12 bars. 
  7. Store in the refrigerator in an airtight container or bag.
An overhead shot of a date nut bar with a bite out of it.

Recipe Substitutions and Alterations

  • Instead of dates: You can use any type of date (pitted), dried figs or prunes.
  • For the rolled oats: Old-fashioned rolled oats or quick oats will work.
  • For the coconut flakes: You can skip them if you don't like them; just add a bit more walnuts and oats to make up for it.
  • For the walnuts: Use pecans instead.
  • For the honey: Use maple syrup.
  • For the chia seeds: You can leave them out or use a tablespoon of ground flax seed if you want.

Nutrition Considerations

  • To make them gluten free: Use certified gluten free oats. Be sure all other ingredients are gluten free.
  • To make them dairy free: These bars are dairy free.
  • To make them vegan: Use maple syrup instead of honey.
  • To make them egg free: This recipe does not contain eggs.
An overhead shot of sliced date bars.
PIN THIS RECIPE FOR LATER!

Scrumptious snack recipes:

  • Pumpkin Cookie Dough Bites
  • Healthy Chex Mix
  • Dill Veggie Dip
  • Broccoli Cheddar Bites
  • Honey Nut Granola
  • Banana Peach Smoothies
  • Mini Chocolate Chip Muffins
Print

Walnut Oat Bars with Dates

Print Recipe

Raw bars made with dates, oats, coconut, walnuts, honey, coconut oil and chia seeds.

  • Author: Julie Andrews
  • Prep Time: 10-15 mins
  • Cook Time: 0 min
  • Total Time: 10-15 mins + 2 hrs refrigeration
  • Yield: Makes 12 bars 1x
  • Category: Snacks
  • Method: No-cook
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale
  • 7-ounce package pitted Medjool dates
  • 2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
  • 1 cup unsweetened coconut flakes
  • ½ cup chopped walnuts
  • 5 tablespoons melted coconut oil
  • 3 tablespoons honey
  • 1 tablespoon chia seeds

Instructions

  1. Line a 9x9 baking dish with parchment paper.
  2. Place all ingredients in the bowl of a food processor and pulse until a sticky dough forms. Transfer dough to the parchment-lined dish and press evenly into a square. Refrigerate at least 2 hours. 
  3. Lift the bars out of the baking dish using the edges of the parchment paper and place on a cutting board. Cut into 12 bars. 
  4. Store in the refrigerator in an airtight container or bag.

Notes

Storage Tip: Bars can be frozen in an airtight container or plastic bag for up to 2 months.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1/12 of recipe
  • Calories: 210
  • Sugar: 15g
  • Sodium: 1mg
  • Fat: 10g
  • Saturated Fat: 5g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 5g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 27g
  • Fiber: 4g
  • Protein: 3g
  • Cholesterol: 0mg

Keywords: healthy, easy, quick, delicious, simple, on-the-go, lunchbox ideas, kid-friendly, dairy free

Did you make this recipe?

Did you make this recipe? Share a photo and tag us on Instagram and Facebook @thegourmetRD. We can't wait to see your creation!


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hi, i’m julie!

chef, registered dietitian & mom
passionate about simple, healthy cooking

*formerly the gourmet RD*

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