What to do with dried dates?

Dates are, in a word, delicious. The Coachella Valley is famous for its Date Shakes, and they are also used to make date sugar which can be used as an alternative to other sugars. Dates can also be baked into cookies, bars and breads . Because dates are sticky, they are ideal as a binder for energy balls and snack bars.

How to chop dates without a food processor?

A serrated or paring knife is probably your best bet if you're going to chop the date by hand. So long as you take the pit out, you can pulse dates in a food processor. If you don't have a processor, you can put the pit-free dates in a blender with a dash of water to break them down into tiny pieces.

Where do date squares come from?

Date Squares recipes first started appearing in bakeries and in brand-sponsored cookbooks like the Purity Cookbook and the Five Roses flour cookbook as early as the 1920s , but rose in popularity in the 1930s, particularly in the prairie provinces where the dessert is known as Matrimonial Cake.

How to make oat flour?

Fill your blender or food processor up to half-way with oats. Keep in mind that one cup old-fashioned or quick-cooking oats yields about one cup flour, whereas one cup steel-cut oats yields about two cups flour. Blend until the oats have turned into a fine flour, about 20 seconds to 1 minute.

Are dried dates a laxative?

Dates provide a laxative effect that can help deal with constipation and other digestive issues. Constipation is a common health issue. This can occur due to various reasons, such as not drinking enough water, not eating enough fruits and vegetables or not being physically active.

Should dried dates be soaked before eating?

If you enjoy the natural chewiness of dates, eating them without soaking is perfectly fine as well. Soaking dates before eating is optional . Some people prefer to soak them to soften the texture, while others enjoy the natural chewiness. It's a matter of personal preference.

Are dried chopped dates healthy?

Dried dates are also rich in polyphenols . These compounds provide a wide variety of health benefits, such as better digestion, diabetes management, and even cancer prevention. While many dried fruits have high polyphenol content, dried dates are the richest source.

What is so special about Medjool dates?

Medjool dates can help you increase the potassium in your diet, supporting these nervous system functions . The B vitamins in Medjool dates, such as pantothenic acid, folate, and niacin, help manage the metabolic processes that convert food to energy. Research shows this can help fight tiredness and fatigue.

Are eating dried dates good for you?

Medjool dates are a great way to sweeten up your diet while adding vitamins and minerals . Sweet snacks often have little nutritional value and are loaded with “empty calories” from sugar and fat. But Medjool dates' high fiber content helps you feel fuller for longer, which can aid in weight management goals.

Should you refrigerate dried dates?

Dates should be kept in an air-tight container and can be stored at room temperature or refrigerated up to 6 months , and frozen for up to 1 year. If purchasing dates in bulk meets your personal needs, you may opt to refrigerate or freeze any excess dates.

Can you eat dried dates by itself?

It's easy to enjoy dried dates plain! Simply bite into each date and remove the pit if there is one for a delicious snack . You can also use dried dates in smoothies to help sweeten them without adding refined sugar.

Date and Oat Slice Recipe (2024)

Published: Feb 9, 2021 · Modified: Jan 24, 2023 by Marianne Rogerson · This post may contain affiliate links.

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

This date and oat slice recipe gives you a sticky, sweet and scrumptious oat slice that is perfect for an afternoon snack or putting in school lunch boxes.

I think a rolled oat slice always makes a great afternoon snack. It's filling enough to get you through to dinner time and this chewy date slice is sticky and sweet, so perfect for fulfilling those afternoon sweet-tooth cravings.

I have my friend Claire to thank for this recipe. She didn't give me the recipe - rather she gave me a date and coconut slice she had bought at a cafe and asked me if I could recreate it!

Well I love a challenge, and it took me a few goes... but I think I have finally got it right. Enjoy!

Ingredients for oat and date slice

This oat and date slice recipe uses the following ingredients:

Rolled oats
All purpose flour / plain flour
Brown sugar (see below)
Shredded coconut
Pitted dates
Butter
Honey

If you are looking for a really healthy oat slice recipe, you may be put off by the amount of sugar in this recipe (½ cup). I have tried reducing it but it made the oat slice a bit too dry and crumbly for my liking.

You could try substituting it with maple syrup if you prefer to have no refined sugar.

How to make a date oat slice

This is really such a simple recipe - it takes just minutes to mix all the ingredients together.

First mix the dry ingredients together in a large bowl.

Next melt together the butter, honey and dates until the dates are soft.

Next mix this mixture into the dry ingredients and put into the tin to bake.

I use a loaf tin for this as it fits the ingredients perfectly. You could also double the recipe and use a larger tin.

Line the loaf tin with baking paper to make sure it doesn't stick. This also makes it easy to lift it out for cutting.

Bake for 18-20 minutes then allow it to cool in the tin before cutting the sticky date slice into squares.

Like this recipe? You may also like these:

ANZAC Slice
Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies
ANZAC Biscuits
Nut Free Chocolate Bliss Balls

Did you try this recipe?Please leave me a ⭐review below!

Don’t forget totag me on Instagram@mamalovestocookblogand follow along on Pinterest and Facebook! Enjoy!!!

Pin it for Later!

Mama Loves to Cook is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com