Line a 9x13 inch baking dish with aluminum foil so that some aluminum foil hangs over the edges. Then spray the bottom with cooking spray. Set aside.

Place the 1 cup of dates into a bowl and cover with boiling water for about 5 minutes.

Once the dates have soaked, drain the water and place the softened dates into a small food processor or blender. Add in the maple syrup and process until a fairly smooth paste/syrup forms.

In a large mixing bowl, mix together all of the dry ingredients, from the old fashioned oats to the salt.

Add the peanut butter, melted coconut oil and date/syrup mixture into the mixing bowl with the dry ingredients. Stir everything together until a sticky, uniform dough forms.

Pour the mixture into your prepared baking dish and use your hands to spread the mixture out evenly. Then use the bottom of a flat measuring cup or glass to pack the mixture down even more so that it's flat and compact.

Place the baking dish into the oven and bake the bars for 18 minutes.

Remove the pan from the oven and allow the bars to cool completely before using the aluminum to remove them from the pan. Make sure everything is completely cool before cutting the rectangle into 16 uniform bars. If it hasn't cooled completely, the bars will break apart easier when you cut them.