These no bake Healthy Date Nut Bars are made with whole ingredients for a healthy treat everyone will love. Gluten-free, vegan, and refined sugar-free treat!
This date nut bars recipe is not only made with healthier ingredients but it's also made with the ease of a loaf pan.
The perfect no bake granola bar to satisfy a sweet tooth.
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Why you'll love this recipe
- No bake
- Simple ingredients
- No refined sugar
Ingredients and substitutions
Here are a few quick notes about the ingredients in this recipe. You can see a complete list of ingredients and instructions in the recipe card below.
Medjool dates - I recommend using the large Medjool variety as they are larger and sweeter than others. (Perfect for making date paste.) You want soft dates so that they help bind.
You can use different varieties like Deglet Noor, but I would add a couple more than called for if doing so.
Cashews - Raw cashews are best for this recipe. They add healthy fats and protein to the base of our bar.
Don't have cashews? Sub in a half cup of walnuts or almonds.
Oats - Make sure you choose certified gluten-free oats if needed. Rolled oats (also known as old-fashioned oats) give our bar a great chewy texture.
Maple syrup - This natural sweetener adds a flavor profile closer to brown sugar but keeps things unrefined.
Coconut oil - Use refined coconut oil to avoid an additional "hint of coconut."
Cocoa powder - Unsweetened cocoa powder (or natural cocoa powder) mixed with coconut oil and maple syrup creates rich chocolate.
Cacao powder can be substituted but will have a more intense flavor.
Blackberries or berries of choice - Choose your favorite fresh berries to top these no bake date nut bars.
Step-by-step instruction
Before you start: Line a standard loaf pan with parchment paper.
Step 1: In the bowl of a food processor place whole dates, cashews, oats, and salt. Process until "dough" comes together and the cashews are in small pieces. If your mixture is not coming together, add a teaspoon of warm water.
Step 2: Press the date mixture into the bottom of the prepared pan into an even layer.
Step 3: In a small bowl add melted coconut oil, cocoa powder, and maple syrup. Stir until cocoa powder is dissolved. Pour the chocolate mixture over the top of the date layer.
Step 4: Press fruit on top of the chocolate layer until covered. Cover with plastic wrap or foil and refrigerate for at least 3 hours.
Recipe tips
- The best way to press the date-nut mixture into the pan is by using an extra piece of parchment paper.
- The longer the date squares chill in the refrigerator the better they will firm up.
- Due to the coconut oil in the chocolate layer, they will eventually get melty at room temperature. Keep chilled.
Storage
Store the no-bake bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-5 days if topped with fruit. If not topped with fruit, keep refrigerated in an airtight container for up to one week.
Variations
Don't have or want the berries on top? That's okay! Here are some ideas:
- You can easily omit the fruit and make it a date nut bar with dark chocolate.
- Sprinkle coconut flakes, shredded coconut, chocolate chips, chopped nuts, or sunflower or sesame seeds instead of berries.
Love fruit and chocolate? Try these chocolate covered blueberries!
FAQs
When it comes to storing dates, refrigeration is not required, but it can help extend their shelf life.
Yes! Feel free to substitute walnuts or almonds in these bars.
Yes! There are no gluten-containing ingredients in these healthy date granola bars.
More recipes with dates
Love this recipe? Please consider leaving a 5-star 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟rating on the recipe card below and let me know what you think in the comments!
📖 Recipe
No Bake Healthy Date Nut Bars
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups (195g) dates pitted and halved
- ½ cup (80g) raw cashews
- 2 tablespoons (10g) gluten-free oats
- 2-3 pinches salt
- 2 tablespoons coconut oil melted and cooled
- 2 tablespoons (12g) unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup room temperature
- 1 ½-2 cups (~6oz) fresh blackberries halved lengthwise
Instructions
- Line a loaf pan with parchment paper.
- In the bowl of a food processor, place dates, cashews, oats, and salt. Process until "dough" comes together and cashews are in small pieces. If your mixture is not coming together, add a teaspoon of water.
- Press mixture into the bottom of prepared pan into an even layer. In a small bowl add cooled coconut oil, cocoa powder, and maple syrup. Stir until cocoa powder is dissolved. Pour chocolate mixture over the nut mixture in the pan. Use the back of a spoon to spread into an even layer.
- Press berries on top of chocolate layer until covered. Refrigerate for at least 3 hours.
- Using the parchment as handles, remove from pan. Slice with a sharp knife into squares.
Notes
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- The best way to press the date-nut mixture into the pan is by using an extra piece of parchment paper.
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- The longer the date squares chill in the refrigerator the better they will firm up.
-
- Due to the coconut oil in the chocolate layer, they will eventually get melty at room temperature. Keep chilled.
Nutrition
genevieve @ gratitude and greens
These are such gorgeous bars, Tessa! We've got so many berries in season right now and these would be perfect for enjoying all the blackberries <3
Tessa
Thank you, Genevieve!! I can't get enough of the berries this summer. Just too good. Have a great week, lovely! xo.
Emily | Gather & Dine
Just beautiful, Tessa! I love raw bars like these- simple, no fuss, and yet still so stunning. Love how you added that chocolate layer too. Scrumptious! Hope you are having a great start to the school year!
Tessa
Thank you, Emily!! I am all about no fuss at the moment. Back to school brings that out in me. Haha ;) The chocolate layer is my favorite part! Have a wonderful week, my friend! <3
Aysegul
I think this recipe is MAGICAL. Truly.. I am so SO inspired that I think I am going to try to make this with almonds ( I recently ran out of cashews) today.
And the photos.. Breathtaking. LOVE!!!! :)
Tessa
Ohh, I would love to know how you like it with almonds. I bet that would be fantastic! Thank you for your kind words, Aysegul - it means so much!! <3
Mary Ann | The Beach House Kitchen
Wow Tessa, I'm lovin' these bars AND lovin' the fact that my oven doesn't need to go on to make them! It's scorching here too!
Tessa
Oh my gosh, so hot. And why am I so surprised?! Haha. Not turning on the oven is a total win! Have a great weekend, Mary Ann! <3
Alison @ Foodbymars
Oh how pretty these little no-bake bars are! And so simple. Beautiful job as always, Tessa. Xo
Tessa
Thank you, Alison!! I'm all about simple these days (when I can be!). Hope NYC is a little cooler this weekend than what we are experiencing! xoxo