Melissa’s Tropical Bars

Name: Melissa’s Tropical Bars
Total time: 20 min
Ingredients: ½ teaspoon sea salt; ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg; 150 g/5½ oz/generous 1 cup dates; ½ teaspoon any oil, to grease the loaf pan; Boiling water, to cover; 100 g/3½ oz/1 cup rolled oats; ½ teaspoon any oil, to grease the loaf pan; 1–2 teaspoons ground ginger; 150 g/5½ oz dried tropical fruit trail mix (or any fruit and nut mix works)

Preparation info

Serves:
4
(make 8 bars/2 bars each)

Difficulty
Easy
Ready in
20 min

Appears in

We Cook Plants

By Sarah Bentley

Published 2025

About

“I created this quick recipe as a lover of dried fruit, which allows for a snack full of healthy fats and fibre whilst satisfying the desire for something sweet. A great addition to any lunchbox.”

Ingredients

150 g/5½ oz/generous 1 cup dates
Boiling water, to cover

Lunch
Snack
Gluten-free
Vegan

Method

Soak the dates in enough boiling water to cover for about 20 minutes.
While the dates are soaking, use a pastry brush to lightly grease a 20 x 10cm/8 x 4in loaf pan with the oil and line it with baking parchment.
Blend the oats into a flour in a blender.
Using a sharp knife, cut any chunkier elements of the trail mix into smaller pieces and