This Healthy Oat and Date Slice is so quick and easy to prepare! Filled with oats, chia seeds and dates... it's refined sugar-free, and there's a dairy-free option too...
The perfect guilt-free treat to enjoy in well under an hour.
Hello there! Let me introduce you to this deliciously healthy Oat and Date Slice. It's packed full of fibre, and with a sweet drizzle of melted dark chocolate over the top (or carob if you prefer) - an optional extra, but highly recommended!
I have to tell you that this slice isn't overly sweet at all - in fact it's quite the opposite!! If you're after a sweeter treat, then my Date Crumble Slice is a total gem of a slice, and it also makes a most fabulous dessert with a scoop of vanilla ice-cream on the side.
But if you're after a healthy guilt-free treat, then this little slice is for you!!
Why You're Going To Love This Recipe
Oats & dates just seem to go hand in hand - a popular combo that is chewy, crunchy and sweet, not to mention how budget friendly they are as ingredients.
- It's healthy! - this slice is full of fibre packed rolled oats, naturally sweet dates, honey, nutritious chia seeds and LSA (linseed, sunflower seeds and almonds).
- Budget friendly - plain rolled oats are filling, nutritious and cheap to purchase, and pitted dates can be purchased at a very reasonable price at any supermarket.
- Goes a long way - being a fibre packed slice, a small piece is really satisfying, and it will keep you going a long way too, as the natural sweetness of dates offer slow release energy.
- One pot - that's it! Simmer the dates until softened, add the rest, and then bake - too easy!
What You Need
If you'd like this healthy Oat & Date slice to be dairy-free, just substitute the dark chocolate drizzled over the top for a dairy-free chocolate or carob (or leave it off completely).
Note: Scroll to the recipe card at the bottom for the ingredients quantities and full detailed method!
- Pitted dates - these are easily available at all supermarkets or health food shops.
- Water
- Bi-carbonate of soda - also known as baking soda. Australia, New Zealand and the UK use the term bicarb soda, while the US refers to it as baking soda.
- Rolled oats - or 'quick oats' if you have these on hand, either are fine to use.
- Chia seeds - are incredibly easy to incorporate into many dishes as they are rather bland tasting, and yet full of health benefits, being loaded with vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. They were a staple in ancient Aztec and Maya diets - so they must be good for you!
- LSA - a ground mixture of linseeds, sunflower seeds and almonds, and a good source of vitamin B and fibre. LSA is readily available in health food stores and can now be found in most supermarkets (find ready-ground LSA in the baking aisle, or with the seeds and nuts), or you can make your own.
- Honey - use whatever brand your favourite honey is.
- Dark chocolate - or substitute this with dairy-free chocolate or carob, if you prefer.
Step By Step Instructions
I love a recipe that doesn't end up with a kitchen bench full of dishes! Just one pot and spoon required here!
Note: Scroll to the recipe card at the bottom for the ingredients quantities and full detailed method!
Step 1 - Simmer The Dates
Chop your dates and pop in the saucepan with the water. Bring to the boil, then simmer for approx 15 minutes, until the consistency thickens.
When the dates have softened and the mixture is quite thick, add the bi-carb soda and stir to combine (the mixture will froth up a little).
Step 2 - Add Other Ingredients
Add your rolled oats, chia seeds, LSA and honey, and mix well to combine.
If the mixture seems too wet, add a little more rolled oats, or if the mixture seems too dry, add a touch more water.
Step 3 - Bake
Press your mixture firmly into a paper lined slice tray and bake at 180 degrees celcius for 30 minutes, until golden on top and firm to touch.
Allow the Oat & Date Slice to cool in the tray, then once cooled, drizzle over some melted dark chocolate - go on, you can treat yourself here!
Note: If you'd like this slice to be dairy-free, simply drizzle dairy-free chocolate or carob over the top (or leave it off completely).
Expert Tips & FAQ's
Absolutely, either are fine to use, just whatever you have on hand works well in this healthy oat & date slice.
LSA is a ground mixture of linseeds, sunflower seeds and almonds. This blend creates a tasty, nutty mixture that contains essential fats (omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids), as well as Vitamin B and fibre. You can blend your own if you wish.
I love what the little drizzle of dark chocolate adds to this slice, however, if you want to go 'dairy-free', then you could source a 'dairy-free' chocolate. Another alternative would be to use carob instead of chocolate.
This slice can be kept in an airtight container at room temperature or in the fridge for up to a week. You can also wrap it well, either whole or as pieces, place in an airtight container and freeze for up to 3 months. Defrost completely before consuming.
More Healthy Options
My Honey, Date, Oat and Nut Energy Bars and Nutty Date & Oat Energy Balls are simply great as a post-workout boost or a mid-afternoon 'pick-me-up' as well as these healthy options!
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Oat and Date Slice
Ingredients
- 300 g pitted dates roughly chopped
- 500 g (2 cups) water
- 1 ½ teaspoon bi-carb soda
- 180 g (2 cups) rolled oats or quick oats
- 2 tablespoons chia seeds
- 2 tablespoons LSA ground linseed, almond and sunflower seeds (optional)
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 50 g dark chocolate to drizzle
Instructions
Conventional Method
- Preheat the oven to 160 degrees fan forced (or 180 degrees conventional). Grease and line a 18cm x 28cm rectangular slice tin and set aside.
- Place the chopped dates into a saucepan with the water. Simmer for approximately 15 minutes or until softened and the consistency has started to thicken.
- Add the bi-carb soda and stir to combine (it will froth up).
- Add the rolled oats, chia seeds, LSA and honey and stir to combine. If the slice is a little too dry or wet, simply add more oats or water.
- Press the mixture firmly into the slice tin.
- Bake for approximately 30 minutes or until slightly golden and firm to the touch.
- Allow to cool in the tray.
- Drizzle over the dark chocolate.
Thermomix Method
- Preheat the oven to 160 degrees fan forced (or 180 degrees conventional). Grease and line a 18cm x 28cm rectangular slice tin and set aside.
- Place the dates into the Thermomix bowl and chop for 2 seconds, Speed 10. Scrape down the sides of the bowl and repeat.
- Add the water and cook for 6 minutes, Reverse, 90 degrees, Speed 3.
- Add the bi-carb soda and mix for 2 seconds, Reverse, Speed 2.
- Add the honey, oats, chia seeds and LSA and mix on Reverse, Speed 4 until combined (use the spatula to assist). If the slice is a little too dry or wet, simply add more oats or water.
- Press the mixture firmly into the slice tin.
- Bake for approximately 30 minutes or until slightly golden and firm to the touch.
- Allow to cool in the tray.
- Drizzle over the dark chocolate.
Notes
- Rolled oats or quick oats - either are fine to use in this recipe.
- LSA is a ground mixture of linseeds, sunflower seeds and almonds.This blend creates a tasty, nutty mixture that contains essential fats (omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids), as well as Vitamin B and fibre. You can blend your own if you wish.
- Dairy free option - you could source a 'dairy-free' chocolate. Another alternative would be to use carob instead of chocolate.
- This slice is not overly sweet - and it will stay soft as it has a similar texture to a dense banana bread.
- Storing - this slice can be kept in an airtight container at room temperature or in the fridge for up to a week.
- Freezing - wrap well in foil, either whole or as pieces, in an airtight container and freeze for up to 3 months. Defrost completely before consuming.
Sully says
Excellent.
Easy and absolutely delicious. Just follow the recipe.
I did add a few shavings of crystallized ginger and was rather more generous with chocolate topping the first piece.
Sarah Mackenzie says
Delicious and freezes well
Bhavana Ash says
Love this recipe… healthy, delicious and fun
Kim says
Could you replace the LSA with flaxseed powder?
Lucy says
I haven't tried that but I can't see why not!