Moroccan · Snack
Moroccan Date & Oat Snack Bars
These no-bake bars bind Moroccan dates, toasted oats, almonds and sesame with a little honey and orange-blossom water into a chewy, wholesome snack that is popular with children and anyone needing quick energy. They take the flavours of a traditional date-and-nut sweet and press them into an easy, lunchbox-friendly bar.
- Prep
- 20 min
- Cook
- 5 min
- Total
- 25 min
- Serves
- 10
- Level
- Easy
Ingredients
- 250 g soft pitted dates
- 120 g rolled oats
- 60 g almonds, chopped
- 2 tbsp sesame seeds
- 2 tbsp honey
- 1 tbsp orange-blossom water
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- Pinch of salt
Method
- 1
Toast the dry bits
Toast the oats, almonds and sesame in a dry pan until fragrant and lightly golden, then cool a little.
- 2
Make the date paste
Blitz the dates with the honey, orange-blossom water, cinnamon and salt into a thick, sticky paste, adding a spoon of warm water if needed.
- 3
Combine
Mix the date paste thoroughly through the toasted oats, almonds and sesame until it all clumps together.
- 4
Press
Press firmly and evenly into a lined tin — the harder you press, the better the bars hold.
- 5
Chill and cut
Chill for an hour to firm up, then lift out and cut into bars.
Chef's tips
- Press the mixture down really firmly so the bars do not crumble when cut.
- Use genuinely soft dates, or soak firm ones in warm water first, for a paste that binds.
- Chilling before cutting is what gives clean, sturdy bars.
Frequently asked questions
Can I make them nut-free?
Yes. Swap the almonds for extra oats and sesame or some sunflower seeds, keeping the total quantity similar so the bars still bind and hold.
How long do they keep?
About a week in an airtight container in the fridge, and they freeze well too. Wrap individually for grab-and-go snacks.