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Introducing Sweet & Healthy Oatmeal Date Banana Bars – the perfect recipe for those looking for a guilt-free treat. Bursting with natural sweetness from dates and bananas, these bars are not only delicious but also packed with nutrients to fuel your body.

More Healthy Delights? You’ll love these Vegan Banana Oatmeal Cookies, this Homemade Granola with Dried Fruit and these Soft Baked Peanut Butter Banana Oatmeal Bars as well!

Why You’ll Love These Sweet & Healthy Oatmeal Date Banana Bars

Say goodbye to processed sugar and hello to these sweet and healthy oatmeal date banana bars! These bars have no flour, added sugar, or oil! This makes for a healthy, delicious recipe that we can enjoy, guilt-free, plus they’re vegan!
These yummy, gooey, and filling bars are so easy to make quickly. They’ll easily help you power through your morning as they’re packed with energy-providing amino acids (yay flax!), protein, fiber, and essential vitamins.
Dates are the star of this dish. They help bind the bars together and add a gooey sweetness, along with the delicious additions of bananas, peanut butter, flaxseed, oats, with a touch of vanilla, cinnamon, salt and chocolate chips!
These oatmeal date banana bars are a delicious and healthy snack that can satisfy your sweet tooth without compromising your health. By combining the natural sweetness of dates and bananas with the nutritional benefits of oats, these bars are a guilt-free indulgence.
Plus, this vegan Oatmeal Date Banana Bars recipe is easy to make and can be customized to suit your taste preferences. So why not give these oatmeal date banana bars a try? They are the perfect dessert or snack anytime of day!

Nutritious Benefits of Dates

While dates may not have the flashy appeal of other superfoods, they pack a powerful punch when it comes to nutrition. Not only are they high in fiber and antioxidants, but they also contain a variety of important vitamins and minerals such as potassium, magnesium, and vitamin B6. In fact, just one cup of this sweet fruit provides over 12 grams of fiber, which is almost half of the daily recommended amount for adults.
These tasty snack fruits can help your heart and belly stay healthy.
They are sweet, chewy, and can be used in many ways. They taste like caramel and can be used in sweet or savory dishes. Make sure to remove the pit before eating and enjoy the benefits! I like to buy mine already pitted and they can be found online or in your favorite grocery.
Dates are grown in many places like Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Iran, California, and Arizona. You can easily find it fresh or dried, and both ways taste great.
Dates are known for being high in natural sugars and are used easily to replace sugar in baking and cooking. So, if you’re looking for a sweet treat that won’t spike your blood sugar, may help promote digestive health and can also provide a good serving of antioxidants, you may want to try adding dates to your daily diet.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Sweet & Healthy Oatmeal Date Banana Bars Recipe

ripe bananas
medjool pitted dates
vanilla extract
ground flax
rolled oats or gluten-free oats, can be used for gluten-free option
cinnamon
salt
peanut butter, or any nut butter, like almond butter, cashew butter, or for nut-free use sunflower seed butter
chocolate chips (optional) non-dairy! dark is preferred

Instructions How to Make Sweet & Healthy Oatmeal Date Banana Bars

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a 9×5 loaf pan with parchment paper and spray with non-stick spray. (I used parchment for easy removal of the bars).
Combine ripe bananas, dates, and vanilla in a food processor. Process until you get a smooth thick paste.
In a large bowl, combine the remaining ingredients of oats, flax, cinnamon, salt and peanut butter with the banana/date paste and stir everything together with a fork or rubber spatula.
Smooth the mixture the prepared pan and top with mini chocolate chips. Bake for 20-25 minutes. Edges should be starting to begin to get golden brown.
Once cooled, cut banana oat bars and enjoy!

Storing Healthy Oatmeal Date Banana Bars

These homemade Healthy Oatmeal Date Banana Bars can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week or two. You can also store them at room temperature for up to 3-4 days.
You can also store these vegan date bars individually in plastic wrap and store them in a bag in the freezer for up to 2-3 months. To thaw, let them come to room temperature or thaw in the fridge overnight.

More Variations

Add some nutty texture by adding some walnuts or pecans to bump up the protein in these healthy breakfast bars!
We feel there is enough sweetness in these bars with the ripe bananas and dates, but if you wanted to add some extra sweetness, feel free to add a couple of dabs of maple syrup.
Add some raisins, dried blueberries or cranberries for a bumped up chewy texture.
If you want thinner bars, you can make these in an 8-inch pan as well.

Healthy Oatmeal Date Banana Bars recipe

Dates are a true fruit superfood, rich in antioxidants and high in fiber. It’s no wonder why middle-eastern countries rely on dates as a staple-food in their everyday diets. They have healing properties, provide energy, and taste so good!

Do yourself a favor, go get some dates and try this vegan Oatmeal Date Banana Bars recipe for yourself. Your mind and body will thank you and you have yourself a delicious, healthy snack for the kids and adults as well.

FAQ for Sweet & Healthy Oatmeal Date Banana Bars

1. Can I use a different type of nut butter?

Yes, you can use any nut butter or seed butter you prefer! Peanut butter is a popular choice, but almond butter, cashew butter, or sunflower seed butter work great too. For a nut-free option, sunflower seed butter is a delicious alternative.

2. Are these bars gluten-free?

These bars can be made gluten-free by using gluten-free rolled oats. Just make sure to check the packaging to ensure the oats are certified gluten-free.

3. How can I make these bars less sweet?

If you prefer a less sweet version, you can reduce the number of dates or use a less ripe banana. Keep in mind that this may slightly alter the texture and moisture of the bars.

4. Can I add protein powder to these bars?

Yes, you can add a scoop of your favorite plant-based protein powder to boost the protein content. If adding protein powder, you might need to add a little more liquid, like a splash of non-dairy milk, to maintain the right consistency.

5. How should I store these oatmeal date banana bars?

Store the bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. You can also freeze them individually wrapped in plastic wrap or in a freezer-safe bag for up to 2-3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight or at room temperature before eating.

6. Can I make these bars without a food processor?

Yes, if you don’t have a food processor, you can mash the bananas and dates by hand. Just chop the dates finely and mash them with the bananas using a fork or potato masher until you get a thick paste. This may take a bit more effort, but it works!

7. What can I use instead of chocolate chips?

If you want a different flavor or prefer not to use chocolate chips, you can try adding dried fruit like raisins, cranberries, or blueberries. You could also add coconut flakes or chopped nuts for extra texture and flavor.

8. Can I bake these bars in a different size pan?

Yes, you can bake these bars in a different size pan. If you prefer thinner bars, use an 8×8-inch pan and adjust the baking time to ensure they do not overcook. Keep an eye on them and test with a toothpick to ensure they are done.

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Sweet & Healthy Oatmeal Date Banana Bars

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