I am typically wary of any products specifically marketed as “kids food” as they are often loaded with sugar, sodium, preservatives, artificial color and flavors, and all other sorts of gobbledy-gook. Adding insult to injury, the packaging is excessive and replete with an slick advertising overkill.
But exceptions exist, like Annie’s (full disclosure: (a) my brother works for Annie’s, and (b) I have probably eaten more cheddar bunny cracker than my son and two nephews combined). I also like Zbars, which are made by Clifbar; they feature whole grains, organic ingredients, and are sweetened mostly with dried fruit (figs). The fact that both companies are in Berkeley, and literally located blocks from where I grew up, probably makes me prejudiced to the products of both companies, too. Might as well lay it all out on the table.
Nevertheless, because I am who I am, I decided to make my own from-scratch version of Zbars.
Nick rarely finishes an entire bar, so I made cookies instead; one cookie is just the right size for a treat or snack. I am a fan of crispy edges, too, and you get more of them in cookie form.
I think I’ve nailed it with both the taste and texture. I sweetened the cookies with dates alone, so they are only mildly sweet. The texture is soft, but with those crispy bits at the edges I mentioned. I cannot think of any reason why these should be limited to children; one is perfect for a blood sugar boost right around 4 o’clock (that’s my wilting hour) without the sugar jitters that accompany regular cookies or some energy bars.
I made this batch with a smattering of chocolate chips, but you can add dried fruit, nuts, seeds…you get the idea. Heads up: almond butter with a bit of almond extract in place of the vanilla is a smashing variation. Enjoy tweaking!
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Zee Bar Cookies (Date-Sweetened)
- Prep Time: 5 mins
- Cook Time: 11 mins
- Total Time: 16 mins
- Yield: 24 1x
Print Recipe
Pin RecipeIngredients
- 1 cup rolled oats (old-fashioned or quick-cooking)–GF if needed
- 2 tablespoons flaxseed meal (ground flaxseeds)
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 (semi-packed) cup whole, pitted dates
- 1/2 cup natural, unsweetened nut or seed butter of choice
- 1/2 cup plain nondairy or dairy milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Optional: 1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips or chopped dried fruit
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F. Line a cookie sheet with parchment or a silpat, or lightly spray with nonstick cooking spray.
- In a food processor, process the oats to a fine powder. Add the flaxseed meal and baking soda; pulse to combine.
- Add the dates to the processor bowl; process until the dates are very finely chopped. Add the nut butter, milk and vanilla; pulse, using on/off pulses, until well-blended. If adding chocolate chips or fruit, transfer dough to medium bowl and stir in one of the options.
- Scoop dough by heaping tablespoonfuls onto prepared baking sheet, spacing 2 inches apart. Dip the tines of fork in water and gently flatten each cookie.
- Bake for 10-11 minutes in the preheated oven until edges are golden brown. Cool 1 minute on sheets, then transfer to wire rack with spatula and cool completely.
Notes
Super-Dry/Tough Dates: If your dates feel like they have been unearthed from an Egyptian tomb, give them a 5 minute soak in warm water. Drain, then proceed with the recipe.
No Flaxseed? No problem: If you do not have flaxseed meal, you can use an equal amount of additional rolled oats, or or wheat germ, chia seeds, or…just about anything you like!
Even Better after a Day: If you can hold out, wait a day before eating (all/some of) the cookies. Unlike butter-rich cookies, which are best day of baking, these are even more flavorful on day two and three and four.
Storage: Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days at room temp or freeze for up to 1 month (thaw at room temp).
- Category: cookies, power bar, snack
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 82
- Sugar: 8.2 g
- Fat: 3.1 g
- Saturated Fat: 0.6
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 11.8 g
- Fiber: 1.5 g
- Protein: 2.6 g
- Cholesterol: 0
I made these as bars and they are very tasty. Almost the texture of cake. I love Clif Z bars, um, I mean my kiddo does- these don’t remind me of them really but are definitely a keeper!
Great, Stacy!
These are really healthy and taste just like the real Z bars. Thanks!
You are so wlecome, Anne!
I followed your recipe, however used whole dates we got from a friend, that I had to pit myself. Very time consuming for that. I chopped up about a cup of the dates along with the oatmeal in my vitamix. I used the plunger to work the mixture while the motor was running on variable speed. It was too much and I thought I killed the machine, no power. Then I opted for a stick blender, which worked great until the motor sparked, this little machine died unfortunately. But, I actually completed the task of chopping the dates before it died. I think your recipe would work better if you mentioned to chop the dates with the liquids, then maybe add the dry ingredients. This was a lot of work for only 15 cookies, but I was very impressed with the taste. If I do this again, I will probably buy the dates already chopped (the vitamix survived, it eventually reset after the motor cooled).
This recipe has been a life and money saver. My tiny picky toddler loves zbars, and few other things reliably, but at .50-.70 a piece it was a tough buy. I searched for a homemade version and found you! I have made them five or six times now with my priority being to get calories and protein in the kid as well as keep his tummy regular. At different times I have added protein powder, a blend of mostly dates and a few prunes, dried apples, dried blueberries, and my home ground quinoa (didn’t work that well). I have also added an egg just to see what would happen and they get cakey, which I liked. I also made an oatmeal raisin batch and stirred in additional unprocessed oats to give it the traditional texture. It has also been forgiving when I’ve added a lot of additional powders I just put in a little more milk or nut butter and everything turned out great. I think having these on hand has helped my little guy gain some numbers on the scale! Thank you so much.
I am thrilled! Thanks so much for taking the time to write your comment, Emily !!! 🙂
I just discovered your website and I couldn’t be happier! My kids love Z Bars, but I’m not thrilled about the soy in them. I made my first batch last week and they were gobbled up by everyone but the baby — he refused to eat them in cookie form. So today’s batch is now baking in a parchment-lined 8″ sq pan. I plan on cutting them into bars. Wish me luck! Thanks! (Oh, and the Z Bar taste was spot-on!)
wonderful, Jenni!!! 🙂
I just made these but I failed to read the bit in the directions that said to grind the oats into flour! so instead of cookies i made bars. They turned out incredibly gooey and amazing (though next time i will make the oat flour, cos i wanna see the texture of the cookies :p)
I put some dried blueberries in along with the chocolate chips which is an awesome combo
mmm, dried blueberries sounds super-delicious!
Hi Camilla, can 1/2 cup of coconut oil replace the nut butter? My son is allergic to nuts. Thanks!
Hi Thais! Coconut oil won’t work, but coconut butter definitely will. It is easy to make (just unsweetened coconut flakes!)–here is a link to a recipe on The Kitchn I don;t know if your son can tolerate seeds, but sunflower seed butter (I use Sunbutter brand) and tahini are also great!
Camilla! Why have I not heard of you! I am so over the moon that I have found your site! I just bought your book and can not wait to try all the bar recipes! I’m a mom of 5 and make 90% of our treats. I buy the Z bars for the kids when we travel because they have the least harmful ingredients, but now you have given me a recipe for my kids favorite flavor! I’ve book marked your site and will visit often for inspiration! Thank you for your generosity and kitchen experiments!
Julie, if you were trying to make my day, mission accomplished! I hope your kids enjoy these as much as Nick does–he actually does not like the zee bars anymore, he prefers these! Thank you thank you, too, for buying my book! Hope to see you around here again! 🙂
These are awesome. My kids and I love them. Such an easy and tasty snack.
Yay! Pleased as punch to hear it, Paula! 🙂
Just made these and they are DELICIOUS! Perfect snack for my 2 year old. I can’t wait to make them again with some fun additions like dried cranberries or coconut flakes or cacao :). Thank you!!!
Growing Naturals:Yes, it should wok like a charm! 🙂 I am going to look for your products–are they on amazon?
These look so good! Do you think our powdered rice milk would work in the recipe?
Fantastic, Katherine! I am so glad they were a success !!!
total success. delicious! my eight year old gives a thumbs up! 🙂
they are in the oven….
No problem at all! A little coconut extract, along with the vanilla is nice too 🙂
THESE IN COMBINATION WITH A SMALL GLASS OF MILK MAKE A WONDERFUL POST RUN SNACK!
Perfect, Cori!!! 🙂
Kerra, I am so appreciative, thank you so much! And thanks for your innovation to the recipe 🙂
I am so glad, Monica!!!
Camilla, I submitted my protein version (to your credit of course) on the Daily Burn Tracker. Those recording their calories can find it under Power Hungry Z-Bar Cookies 🙂
I made these today – super easy (which is a plus) and all three of my kids devoured them!! Honestly, I’ve got 2 major picky eaters…they absolutely loved them and that is the biggest compliment I could give. I went out for a couple hours this evening and they were ALL gone when I got home. My husband ate them too, and he doesn’t like “healthy stuff” like flax 😉 I’m making more tomorrow!
Anna: You can also get dates at a great price at Walgreens. 🙂
Brilliant, Kerra –I think I may have to try that variation TODAY! 🙂
Anna: I bought two gigantic bags at Sam’s Club for a song. Of course, now I have to make and eat a lot more cookies. It’s rough.
Added 1 scoop natural unflavored whey protein isolate with coconut and chocolate chips. Each cookie comes out to about 100 calories and a perfect 40/30/30 snack 🙂
Brilliant, Kerra–I think I may have to try that variation TODAY! 🙂
Looks like I have to go buy some dates! Emma loves Z Bars.
4th grade homework prohibited me from getting the ingredients yesterday…stay tuned…
These are AMAZING!!! In addition to breakfast bars for my daughter, this is my new go to choc. Chip cookie recipie! Thank you!!
I am thrilled, Stacy–you are so welcome!!!
Joyce! We are leading parallel lives; I had pumpkin oatmeal for breakfast just yesterday–so yum! I am going to have to try the molasses, though–I could (and have) eat molasses right out of the jar 🙂
Mary Jo–thanks for making my morning 🙂
Hope they turned out well, Monica!
Thanks Jennifer! And yes, no butter, oil, flour or eggs for these, Kelly! 🙂
So…your bars have 2 Weightwatchers points – the regular ones 3 to 4. I will try them. Oh! and my new super oatmeal o’ the morning (just to share) 1/3 cup oats, 1/2-2/3c almond milk (depending on how thick you like your oatmeal) heaping T of pumpkin puree, 1 tsp of molasses, packet of splenda, dash of cinnamon, splash of vanilla, sprinkle of dried cherries or craisins – nuke 2 minutes. That’s my groovy oatmeal!
U rock Camille !
Love these – we are big fans of z-bars around here too. Will have to try your cookies!!
Thanks!!
wonderful, hope you like them Tina!
So, no butter or flour? These look yummy!
no butter, no eggs, no flour, Kelly! 🙂
Baking some tonight!!!
whoohoo!
Hi ,
I’m making these yummy ( batter taste test) cookies now. Only question is…. Is the nutrition info based on adding the chocolate chips? So nice you add that at the end of all your amazing recipes. Thank you!
Amanda
Hi Amanda! Apologies, I will go back and note that it is w/o the chips. Adding the chips ups the calories by about 15-20 calories per cookie.
hi Camilla, Not a problem at all, I’m so happy you make time to share such great recipes! I
Factored in the extra calories since re-reading the recipe, it certainly seemed as though the chips were an add on. Big thanks from me and my husband. He says your ZBars are the best! And I’ve tried many recipes on him since we’ve both gotten so healthy. We have a list of yours to try next. We have a list of your recipes to try next. Can’t thank you enough for sharing!
Cheers,
Amanda
These look delicious! I can’t wait to try them.