Preheat the oven to 350F, and line an 8×8 baking pan with parchment paper and oil.
Whisk the dry ingredients: in a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, rolled oats, baking powder, baking soda, and sea salt. Set aside.
Mix the wet ingredients: in a bowl, cream together the vegan butter and date syrup, about 2-3 minutes. Then add in the applesauce and vanilla extract and mix again.
Fold in the dry ingredients: add the dry ingredients to the wet and use a rubber spatula to gently fold together. Then fold in the chocolate chips.
Bake the cookie bars: press the dough into the baking pan and bake for 25-27 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
