Soft, chewy, and made with simple pantry ingredients! A timeless dessert everyone loves!

What You’ll Love About this Recipe

Feel Homemade – Rustic, not fussy, and full of warmth.

Not Overly Sweet – Comforting sweetness from dates, balanced by a buttery oat crumb.

A Recipe People Ask For – Because dates are familiar… but not everyone has this version!

Simple, Old-Fashioned Ingredients – Nothing fancy or trendy, just pantry staples that work.

Ingredients You’ll Need for the Crumb Coating

1 1/2 cups Quick Oats

1/2 cup + 2 tbsp Butter

1 cup Brown Sugar

1 cup Flour

1 tsp Vanilla

And the Date Filling

1 1/2 cups Dates, Pitted

1/2 cup Honey

3/4 cup Water

3/4 – 1 cup Walnuts, Optional

How to Make Old-Fashioned Date Bars

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

Spray a 9 x 9 pan with non-stick spray.

Combine 1 1/2 cups quick oats, 1/2 cup + 2 tbsp cold butter, 1 cup brown sugar, 1 cup flour, and 1 tsp vanilla. Cover pan with half of the mixture and pat down firmly. Set aside.

In a saucepan over medium heat, make the filling by combining 1 1/2 cups pitted dates, 1/2 cup honey, and 3/4 cup water by stirring until thick and creamy. Stir in 3/4 – 1 cup walnuts if desired. Pour over crust and distribute evenly.

Sprinkle remaining oat mixture over the filling and pat down.

Bake for 30-35 minutes.

Are Date Bars healthy?

Date Bars contain natural sweetness from dates, but they are still a dessert. Think of them as a wholesome treat rather than a health food.

Can you freeze Date Bars?

Yes! Date Bars freeze well in a freezer safe bag or container for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.

Can I make Date Bars ahead of time?

Yes. These are a great make-ahead dessert. In fact, they often taste even better the next day once the flavors have had time to settle.

Why is my date filling too thick or dry?

If the filling is too thick, it may need more water while cooking. Dates absorb liquid quickly, so adding water a little at a time helps keep the filling spreadable.

Butter – The original recipe calls for shortening, which is Crisco. The difference? Butter gives you a soft crust and Crisco gives you a crispier crust.

Freeze – To freeze, let the bars cool completely, cut into bars, and place in a freezer safe bag.