1-Getting these bars just right is easier than you think let’s walk through it step by step! Start by pulling together all your ingredients to keep things smooth. This ensures you don’t miss a beat and can focus on the fun of mixing.

2-First, if your dates aren’t soft, soak them in hot water for 5 minutes, then drain and pat dry. Next, process the rolled oats in a food processor to make fine oat flour, or use store-bought if that’s handy. This step is key for that perfect doughy feel.

3-Now, add the pitted dates, tahini or your chosen substitute, maple syrup, vanilla, and salt to the oat flour. Blend everything until it forms a sticky dough that holds together nicely. Once that’s done, transfer the dough to a bowl and fold in half a cup of the vegan chocolate chips by hand.

4-If the dough feels too sticky, pop it in the fridge for 15-20 minutes to firm up. Line an 8×4 or 9×5 inch loaf pan with parchment paper and press the dough evenly into it, making sure to fill the corners. Freeze for 30 minutes until it’s firm, then melt the remaining half cup of vegan chocolate chips with the optional coconut oil.

5-Drizzle that melted chocolate over the chilled dough and sprinkle with flaky sea salt if you like. If the chocolate needs to set faster, freeze for another 5-10 minutes. Finally, slice into bars or squares and enjoy! For added variety, try pairing these with ideas from health benefits of oats, which can inspire more oat-based treats.