Growing up, date squares we a thing to behold. For some reason, it always felt like a “healthier” treat compared to a cake or cookie. We didn’t know that it was full to the brim of sugar and butter, and was likely 5x the size it needed to be. It feels like anything with the word “oat” automatically gets the thumbs up for being a little healthier than other snacks. That all feels like a sham now, especially after making these delicious (and somewhat nutritious) cherry sesame oat bars.
If, like younger me, you’re partial to a coffee shop pastry, that date square that’s bigger than your face is likely better shared, or eaten until you’re satisfied. No one is forcing you to eat the entire thing. If you love date oat squares, you do you, but if you find yourself on a downward sugar crash, it’s possible it stems from your date square. My suggestion? Make these cherry sesame oat bars. Seriously, in the WHOLE recipe, there’s just 1/4 cup maple syrup. And when you break it into 12 portions, that’s 1 tsp per bar in addition to the whole grains and healthy fats, meaning these bars won’t cause that dreaded crash.
To make these, you start off my making a super simple cherry chia jam. I know that sounds FANCY, but it’s super simple and uses ones 3 ingredients. If you don’t have frozen cherries, use any other frozen berry (think blueberries, blackberries, raspberries or strawberries). Frozen fruit, chia seeds, and a touch of lemon juice make up a super quick and easy jam – I suggest doubling that portion of the recipe to have a little leftover for your morning PB+J.
The base of my oat bars is made up of oat flour, almond flour, tahini, coconut oil, and maple syrup for a simple mix, dock (aka poke holes) and bake. After it’s cooled, top it with the jam, and your crumble, and bake again! Simple as that.
PRO TIP: no tahini? Use peanut or almond butter. It’s just as delicious.
If you grew up eating date squares, this recipe is for you.
#almondflour #glutenfreebaking #glutenfree #almond #chiajam #oatbars #frozencherries #vegan #veganbaking
Cherry Sesame Oat Bars
Author: Micah Siva
Total time: 60 minutes
Serves: 12
Ingredients
Cherry jam
- 2 cups frozen cherries
- 2 tbsp chia seeds
- 1 tsp lemon juice
Base
- 1 cup oat flour
- 1/3 cup almond flour
- 1/4 cup coconut oil, melted
- 2 tbsp maple syrup
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/3 cup tahini
Crumble
- 1/2 cup rolled oats
- 1/4 cup oat flour
- 2 tbsp maple syrup
- 1 tbsp coconut oil, melted
- 1 tbsp sesame seeds
- pinch sea salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F/167C. Line an 8×8 baking tray with parchment paper.
- In a saucepan, combine frozen cherries, bring to a boil. Mash with a fork or potato masher until cherries are broken down. Remove from heat, add chia seeds and lemon juice. Set aside.
- Meanwhile, prepare the base: combine oat flour, almond flour, coconut oil, maple syrup, vanilla, and tahini a bowl until fully mixed. Press into the pan into an even layer. Use a fork to poke holes on top.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes or until it begins to become golden. Let cool.
- Make the crumble: combine oats, oat flour, maple syrup, oil, sesame seeds and salt.
- Once the base is cooled, top with a layer of the cherry jam. Top with crumble mixture.
- Bake for an additional 15-20 minutes or until golden.
- Slices into 8 squares.
- Enjoy!