Healthy Date Squares (Gluten-Free)

Healthy Date Squares are a gluten-free twist on traditional date squares made with oats, quinoa flakes and a naturally sweetened date filling.

Course Dessert

Cuisine Canadian

Diet Gluten Free

Prep Time 20

Cook Time 25

Total Time 45

Servings squares

Calories 285kcal

Preheat oven to 350F. Lightly grease a 9-inch square pan and line the bottom and sides with overhanging parchment paper.
Add the dates and water to a small sauce pan, cover and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and let simmer for 7-8 minutes, or until the dates have softened. Towards the end of the cook time, start mashing the dates with a fork which helps absorb any remaining liquid. Cover and set aside.
In a large bowl, whisk together the oats, quinoa flakes, almond flour, coconut sugar, cinnamon and salt.
In a small microwave safe bowl, add the almond butter, maple syrup and coconut oil and microwave on two 30-second intervals, stirring in between and after until smooth.
Add the wet mixture to the dry ingredients, and stir until wet and crumbly.
Press a little over half of the crumb mixture into the bottom of the prepared pan.
Spread on the warm date filling.
Sprinkle on the remaining crumb mixture and press it lightly into the date filling.
Bake for 23-28 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and crispy. Let cool completely on a wire rack.
Using the edges of the parchment paper, lift the date squares out of the pan and cut into 16 pieces.
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for 2-3 days, or in the fridge for 6-7 days. Freeze for up to 3 months.

Date filling. Stir the dates and water frequently so the dates don't burn on the sauce pan. Be careful not to cook the dates for too long or mash them too much. They'll just end up mushy. You want a sticky paste, and some clumps of dates are perfectly fine.
Gluten-free oats. While oats are naturally gluten-free, there may be cross-contamination with wheat products, so just make sure your oats are certified gluten-free.
Toast quinoa flakes. If you want to enhance the nutty flavor, you can toast the quinoa flakes in a skillet over low heat on the stove top. They'll take about 10 minutes to lightly toast and become fragrant. Just make sure to stir constantly so they don't burn.
Thicker date square. This recipe was made in a 9-inch square pan. If you prefer a thicker date square, just use an 8-inch square pan and bake the squares for an extra 5 minutes.