Deliciously Easy 5-Ingredient SunButter Date Squares: Your Go-To Vegan & Gluten-Free Recipe

Experience the delightful simplicity of these 5-ingredient SunButter Date Squares, crafted with creamy sunflower seed butter, luscious Medjool dates, wholesome oats, and delicate almond flour, all naturally sweetened with pure maple syrup.

Life can throw unexpected curveballs, sometimes in the form of tiny, uninvited houseguests. Over the past few days, I’d been catching fleeting glimpses of black out of the corner of my eye. Initially, I dismissed them as a trick of my peripheral vision or glare on my glasses. However, last night, as I prepared to turn off the lights and head to bed, the mystery was solved. A distinct flash of black, complete with a tail, scurried across my living room rug and disappeared behind the AC unit.

The good news? My eyes are perfectly fine, and I’m not hallucinating after marathon sessions behind the camera. The less-than-good news? It seems I’m now cohabiting with a mouse—or perhaps even a rat, as I didn’t get a close enough look for a definitive species identification. As someone who has never shared her home with anything larger than an occasional spider, the sudden presence of a four-legged tenant I didn’t invite (or purchase!) was quite a shock.

He’s probably scouring the house for any lingering crumbs from my recent recipe shoot, which, coincidentally, involved a generous amount of SunButter and dates. And while I’m figuring out my rodent situation, it seems like the perfect moment for you to dive into something far more delightful and less stressful: these incredible SunButter Date Squares. This recipe offers a sweet escape, requiring just 5 ingredients and about 30 minutes of your time, resulting in a naturally vegan and gluten-free treat that’s perfect for breakfast, a quick snack, or a satisfying dessert!

Was that a smooth enough pivot from pest control to scrumptious breakfast bars? Let’s find out, and more importantly, let’s get baking!

The Enduring Appeal of Oat Bars: A Healthier Indulgence

One of the most beloved recipes on my blog is undoubtedly my Raspberry Oat Crumble Bars. If you haven’t had the pleasure of trying them yet, I highly recommend adding them to your baking list! For quite some time, I’ve been eager to explore different variations of this popular classic, experimenting with new flavor combinations and ingredient twists.

This particular recipe for SunButter Date Squares is a delicious adaptation, specifically designed around the rich, creamy goodness of No-Sugar-Added SunButter and the natural sweetness of Medjool dates. I envisioned another soon-to-be classic, and I believe these squares hit the mark perfectly. In this delightful variation, a hearty, nutty base and a crumbly topping beautifully envelop a thick, sticky, and wonderfully sweet date paste center. It’s a symphony of textures and flavors that will tantalize your taste buds.

Beyond their amazing taste, these SunButter Date Squares are a powerhouse of nutrition. They’re absolutely packed with wholesome plant-based protein from the SunButter and oats, providing sustained energy for your day. You’ll also benefit from healthy fats, crucial for brain function and overall well-being. Best of all, they’re naturally sweetened exclusively with dates and pure maple syrup, meaning no refined sugars are needed to achieve their delectable sweetness. They offer a guilt-free indulgence that you can feel good about enjoying at any time of day.

Crafting the Perfect Date Filling: Sweetness from Nature

The heart of these SunButter Date Squares is undeniably the luscious date filling. I find it’s easiest to prepare this component first, allowing you to have it ready to go as soon as your crust mixture is prepared. This step ensures a seamless and efficient baking process.

For this incredibly simple yet flavorful date filling, you only need three core ingredients:

• Plump, soft Medjool dates
• A touch of filtered water
• And of course, creamy No-Sugar-Added SunButter

Medjool dates are naturally soft and caramel-like, but if yours happen to be a bit dry or stiff, a quick soak can work wonders. Simply place them in a bowl of hot water for about 10 minutes. Afterward, drain them thoroughly, rinse, and they’ll be perfectly softened and ready to blend. This ensures a smooth, consistent paste. Add the softened dates to a high-speed blender or food processor, along with a generous spoonful of SunButter. The SunButter not only enhances the flavor but also adds an incredible creaminess, helping the dates break down into a wonderfully smooth consistency. Begin blending, and if the mixture seems too thick or the blades struggle to move, add filtered water, one to two tablespoons at a time, re-blending after each addition. Use a spatula to scrape down the sides of the blender as needed to ensure everything is thoroughly combined. The goal is a thick, sticky, and luxuriously smooth paste, with minimal, if any, date pieces remaining. Once achieved, set this irresistible filling aside.

Building the Foundation: The Wholesome Crust and Crumble

One of the beauties of this recipe is the ingenious simplicity of using the same mixture for both the crust and the crumble topping. This streamlines the preparation process significantly, making for incredibly easy assembly. It’s a smart way to achieve cohesive flavor and texture throughout the entire bar.

For this versatile crust and crumble mixture, you’ll need:

• Hearty rolled oats
• Fine almond flour
• More of that delicious No-Sugar-Added SunButter
• And pure maple syrup as a natural sweetener

The combination of rolled oats and almond flour is absolutely magical, creating a delightful “cereal” like flavor and a perfect texture that’s both substantial and tender. The oats provide a satisfying chewiness and an excellent source of fiber, while the almond flour adds a delicate, nutty depth and helps bind everything together. In this recipe, the No-Sugar-Added SunButter truly shines, acting as a wonderfully creamy, flavorful, and nutrient-rich alternative to traditional oils or butter. Its natural oils and robust flavor contribute significantly to the overall deliciousness and moistness of the bars.

If you’re looking to make an entirely nut-free variation, which is a fantastic option for those with allergies, simply substitute oat flour for the almond flour. This will maintain the structure and texture beautifully while keeping the recipe safe for nut-free diets. The best part about this crust and crumble? No fancy blending equipment is required here! Just combine all the ingredients in a large mixing bowl and stir until everything is thick and perfectly incorporated. The mixture will be wonderfully thick and delightfully sticky, signaling it’s ready for the pan.

Once your mixture is ready, transfer approximately two-thirds of it into a parchment-lined (or lightly greased with coconut oil) square baking dish. Press this portion firmly and evenly into the bottom of the pan to form the base. The remaining one-third of the mixture will be reserved for crumbling generously over the date paste later, adding that irresistible textural contrast.

The Grand Finale: Baking and Enjoying Your Squares

With all three delicious layers – the sturdy oat-almond crust, the decadent date filling, and the crunchy crumble topping – beautifully assembled, it’s time to bring these SunButter Date Squares to life in the oven! Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C), and your patience will soon be rewarded.

These delightful bars typically bake to golden perfection in under 30 minutes, though baking times can vary slightly depending on your specific oven. You’ll know they are done when the edges of the date filling appear slightly browned and caramelized, and the crumble topping has achieved a beautiful golden-brown hue and feels crisp to the touch. This indicates a perfectly baked interior and a delightful crunch on top.

Once baked, the most crucial step (and arguably the hardest!) is to allow the pan to cool almost completely before attempting to slice them. This cooling period is essential for the squares to set properly, ensuring clean, even cuts and preventing them from falling apart. Patience here will yield beautifully structured bars. Once cooled, slice them into your desired number of squares.

These SunButter Date Squares are incredibly convenient for meal prepping. They store exceptionally well in an airtight container at room temperature for several days, or in the refrigerator for up to one week, making them perfect for grab-and-go breakfasts or snacks throughout your busy workweek. For longer-term storage, they also freeze beautifully, allowing you to enjoy these wholesome treats whenever a craving strikes.

Versatile Ways to Savor Your SunButter Date Squares

These SunButter Date Squares are truly a versatile delight, perfect for a myriad of occasions. They are an absolute lifesaver for easy, make-ahead breakfasts, providing a nutritious and satisfying start to your workweek. Just grab one (or two!) and you’re out the door, fueled and ready to tackle your day. Beyond breakfast, they excel as a quick, wholesome snack when you need a concise burst of energy and flavor, or as a surprisingly nutritious dessert that truly tastes like a decadent pie.

You can enjoy them cooled, straight from the fridge for a firm, chewy texture, or gently reheat them for a few seconds in the microwave for a wonderfully gooey, melt-in-your-mouth experience. Imagine the warm, soft date filling combined with the slightly crisp crumble – pure bliss! As summer approaches, I can envision these squares being absolutely fantastic served warm with a scoop of dairy-free vanilla ice cream. The contrast of warm and cold, soft and creamy, would create an unforgettable dessert experience. However you choose to enjoy them, these squares promise wholesome deliciousness in every bite.

Enjoy every delightful moment of these SunButter Date Squares!

If You Start Your Day with These SunButter Date Squares, Let Me Know!

Your feedback is incredibly valuable! If you try these easy 5-ingredient SunButter Date Squares, please be sure to leave me a comment, rating, and review below. Your insights help me create even more delicious and satisfying recipes for you to enjoy.

I’d love to see your beautiful creations! Give me a shout on Instagram and don’t forget to use the hashtag #floraandvino when you share your photos. You can also check out my Pinterest page to pin more amazing plant-based recipes like this one to make later!

Love this post and hungry for more? Head over to my homepage and subscribe to get delicious updates and new recipes delivered straight to your inbox! For more fantastic grab-and-go breakfast and snack bar ideas, you’ll definitely love my Blueberry Maple Baked Breakfast Bars, my comforting PB&J Baked Breakfast Bars, and of course, the original Raspberry Oat Crumble Bars.

XO Lauren

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