Kid friendly, allergy free banana and date granola bars. Nut free, gluten free, dairy free.
Today has been a day of recipe successes and failures. These banana and date granola bars = success. The banana and zucchini muffins I made earlier = failure. One of these days I will figure out how to make a grain/soy free vegan muffin rise if it’s the last thing I do! Vegan friends – what’s your secret?
But hey, that’s why recipe testing is important. I actually feel pretty bad about that failed venture for my sister-in-law’s sake. She walked into the house to the smell of banana bread only to realize that they made their way to the bin before she could try any for herself….Sorry, Kathryn! I’ve got a reputation to uphold. Next time.
These banana and date granola bars though are another story. They’re soft, they’re chewy, and they’re a snap to make. I really love how straight forward these are and I know you will too! There’s not a whole lot of prep involved other than boiling a bit of water to soften the dates. Then all you have to do is basically just throw everything in the blender and stir in the oats. Fast and easy – that’s my kind of recipes. Actually, fast + easy + chocolate is more like it.
There’s not a whole lot to this recipe ingredient wise. In the future I’ll play around some more with the recipe to add some almonds or dried fruit etc, but today I just wanted a simple, allergy free recipe that almost anyone can enjoy. With school back in session for a lot of people, I thought it would be helpful to share an easy, nut free treat that’s safe to pack away for school lunches.
Not only are these banana and date granola bars gluten, dairy, and nut free, but they’re also sugar free as well! Natural sugars > all other sugar, you feel me? The banana/date combo also provides not only the sweetness, but the stickiness needed to hold these bars together.
Banana Date Granola Bars
Kid friendly, allergy free banana and date granola bars. Nut free, gluten free, dairy free.
Ingredients
- 100 grams (about 8) dates with the pit removed
- 1 cup (250 ml) boiling water
- 1 banana
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup (60 ml) coconut oil + 1 teaspoon
- 2 3/4 cup (250 g) certified gluten free oats
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 cup (45 g) dairy free melted chocolate chips
Instructions
- Heat your oven to 350°F/180°C
- Place the dates in a bowl and cover with the boiling water and leave to soak for at least 5 minutes
- After the dates are done soaking, drain the water and throw the dates in a blender or food processor with the banana, 1/4 cup melted coconut oil, vanilla extract and baking soda. Blend until smooth.
- Pour the banana/date mixture into a bowl and add the oats.
- Stir until combined, then place the mixture in a greased oven-proof baking dish measuring about 8in x 8inch or smaller or .if you'd like thicker bars
- Bake for 25 minutes until golden and firm. Remove from the oven and allow to cool for a bit before adding the chocolate.
- While the bars are cooling, melt the chocolate chips and 1 teaspoon of the coconut oil. Once melted,go crazy and just drizzle all over the bars.
- Allow the chocolate to set and store in an airtight container.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
12Serving Size:
barAmount Per Serving: Calories: 161Saturated Fat: 4gSodium: 53mgCarbohydrates: 23gFiber: 2gSugar: 8gProtein: 2g
Recipe adapted from one I found in the August 2015 issue of the Gluten-Free Heaven magazine.
Used dried apricots instead of dates and white instead of dark chocolate. delicious.
Oooh love the sound of that! Thanks Tina!
Hello!
Do you use quick oats or regular oats?
(And I think the ratio for weight of dates to number of dates is incorrect— it took more than 5 dates to get 100 grams 😉 )
Thanks for this recipe! I’m excited to try it
Hi Holly! I use quick oats but you can use rolled oats if you need – you might just need to add a few more minutes to the cook time. As for the dates I’ve double checked just now and you’re right! I think I must have weighed them before removing the pits – oops! Thanks for pointing that out to me!
What could I substitute coconut oil for to reduce cholesterol?
Hi Beth! I haven’t tried this without the oil so I’m not positive what else would work here. If you have another type of oil/butter substitute that you prefer to use you should be able to use that instead without much trouble. Other wise you might be able to try using something like applesauce or yogurt instead? Sorry I can’t be more help here!
Thank you for the recipe. They’re delicious and a healthy snack for the whole family!
So glad you enjoyed it! Thanks so much for coming back to leave a review!
Are these bars freezeable?
Yes! Just wait until they are completely cooled and then wrap them up tight and you’re good to go!
Hi.Dose anyone know proximately how much protein there is in one square?Thank you.
These are delicious & SOO easy to make! I made a batch for pre-birth so I could have something ready to snack on while nursing that was healthy and nutritious. I added a scoop of whey protein, and crushed hazelnuts for a nuttier consistency. Thank you!
Oooh I love the sound of the hazelnuts! So glad you liked them! Congrats on your new family member 🙂
Hello! These look lovely! I’m wondering if substituting the dates for date syrup might work? Thank you, Lydia
I haven’t tried date syrup in this particular recipe, but I’m pretty sure it would work. I can’t say how much you would need to use. I’d suggest adding the syrup to the banana-oat mixture a little bit at a time until it starts to all stick together. Since there are no eggs in this you can always taste along the way to make sure it’s not too sweet.
If you try it let me know how it goes! Good luck 🙂
How long do these last? I have made some granola with dates in the past and it did not turn out well. On the first day, the Granola was delicious! But after that the dates fermented and it was terrible!
Every time I make them they’ve never lasted more than about four days because everyone would eat them. I’d keep them in the fridge if you want them to last longer – especially if you live in a warm place. Hope that helps!
Yum, pinned so I can make later.
Thanks, Mel! I love granola bars – they’re such an easy/tasty snack and they’re so easy to make. Hope you love them!
Wow! Love these! Actually made them yesterday and there is only two pieces left! My picky husband even liked them! I was lazy so I just tossed the chocolate chips in the batter before cooking and it is phenomenal! Will definitely make these again! Found your blog through Foodgawker.
That makes me so happy to hear! I’m glad your husband liked them too – I know all about picky husbands haha
Thanks for stopping by, Karin!
These look and sound wonderful! I love that they are so natural and still so appealing!
Thanks, Chris!
Thank you so much! You flatter me 🙂
I needed an inspiring back to school recipe like this. Will try asap!
Excellent! Thanks, Claudia!
I love how simple this sounds, and I bet it’s delicious, I love these snack bars, perfect for a mid-morning cravinga nd energy boost!
Thanks, Stella! Simple recipes are everything!
I agree, fast easy and with chocolate always wins! They look amazing, and I would definitely add nuts next time!
Thanks, Pauala! Chocolate makes everything better, doesn’t it?
This is exactly something that I would want to eat, yumming this recipe!
Thanks, Sarah – that means a lot to me 🙂
I came back to do do some pinning, loving this recipe!
Aww, thanks Sara!
These look amazing!
Thanks, Emily!
I love having recipes for healthy alternatives to store-bought snack bars! These sound so yummy!
Thanks, Tempie! Me too – whenever I get the chance I love trying to make my own snack bars
Sarah,
I am pinning this recipe! I absolutely love it! Adding banana to these bars is just brilliant!
Oh, thank you so much, Sandhya! I love using banana to sweeten things!
These look like a great snack/breakfast-on-the-go to make for the back-to-school season! XO
http://everydaysarahjane.com
Thanks, Sarah!
I love that these are nut free. I have family members who can’t eat nuts. They look yummy!
Thanks, Willow!
Fast + Easy+ Chocolate – that is my language! This looks amazing! I have family members who can’t have dairy products so this would be perfect to make for them (and for me) too!
Thanks, Dini! These are good no matter what you can/can’t eat!
I found your post on Facebook, pinned it, then needed to comment to compliment you not only on the AMAZING photos but the amazing-looking recipe! I can’t wait to make these and devour!
Oh my gosh, that means so much to me! Thank you so much!
these look too good to eat! but i gladly will, pinned!
Haha, thanks, Lindsay!
It is so hard to find any granola bars that are nut free. This recipe is perfect and my little ones will love it.
Thank yo so much, Ali! That makes me so happy to hear that your kids will be able to enjoy them! I know how limiting food in tolerances can be. Enjoy!
This bar has some of my ultimate favourite things – date, chocolate, banana! And to learn that it’s so easy and quick to make, I can’t wait to give it a try! Awesome recipe Sarah!
Right?! I love all the things that can be done with dates! Thanks, Gabriel!
Looks delicious! I have to make it soon. Pinning:)
Thanks, Llona! You’re going to love it!