Make these healthy no-bake date and nut bars with simple ingredients like dates, almond butter, and dark chocolate. An easy homemade snack that's perfect for kids and busy moms.
Recipe Summary
- ✅ Recipe Name: Date & Nuts Bars
- 🕒 Prep Time: 10 minutes + 1 hour chill time
- 🧑🧒🧒 Serves: 6-7 bars
- 🍽️ Calories: 361 kcal per bar
- 🥣 Ingredients: dates, almonds, almond butter, cacao nibs, chocolate, coconut oil.
- 👏 Why You'll Love It: Kid-friendly, simple ingredients, great for meal prep.
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Date and Nut Bars Recipe Notes
- Tip: Soften dry dates in warm water for 5-10 minutes before blending.
- Tip: Press the mixture firmly so the bars hold together.
- Storage: Store in an airtight container for up to 1 week.
- Freezing: Store for up to 2-3 months.
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If your kids are always asking for snacks, you're not alone.
As a nutrition coach and a mom of three, I feel like I hear "Can I have a snack?" all day long. After school, before training, and even before bed, they're always hungry.
That's exactly why I started making these date and nut bars at home.
Instead of reaching for ultra-processed snacks, I like having something ready in the fridge that's made with simple, real ingredients.
These bars are naturally sweetened with dates, made with nuts and almond butter, and topped with a layer of dark chocolate for that perfect balance.
They're quick to grab, satisfying, and something I feel good about giving to my kids. Just like my Chocolate Covered Banana Pops with Nuts or my One Bowl Chocolate Chip Banana Bread
Why You'll Love These Healthy Date and Nut Bars
⏱️ No-bake recipe: quick and easy, no oven needed
🍫 Kid-friendly: sweet and chocolatey, just how kids love it 😉
🥣 Simple ingredients: things you probably already have at home
🗓️ Great for meal prep: make once and enjoy all week (if they last that long)
🌿 Naturally sweetened: no added sugar
💪 Rich in fiber and healthy fats: keeps you full longer
🌰 Peanut-free option: made with almond butter instead
Nutrition per serving
- Protein: 8 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 7 g
Ingredients for Date and Nut Bars
- Pitted dates: The base of the recipe. They provide natural sweetness and help bind everything together. Love dates? Try my 5-Ingredients Date Energy Balls!
- Almond butter: Adds creaminess and healthy fats. It's also a great alternative for those avoiding peanuts.
- Almonds: Give texture, crunch, and a boost of plant-based protein.
- Cacao nibs: Add a rich chocolate flavor with a slight crunch and are less processed than regular chocolate.
- Dark chocolate: Creates that delicious top layer that makes these bars feel like a treat.
- Coconut oil: Helps melt the chocolate smoothly and gives it a nice finish once set.
How to Make Date and Nut Bars
Step 1
Add pitted dates, almond butter, almonds, and cacao nibs to a food processor.
Step 2
Blend until the mixture becomes sticky and well combined.
Step 4
Melt dark chocolate with coconut oil until smooth. Pour the melted chocolate over each bar.
Step 5
Place in the freezer for about 1 hour, or until firm. Remove from molds, slice if needed, and enjoy.
Nena's Pro tip
The Secret to Perfect Taste
If your dates feel dry, soak them in warm water for 5-10 minutes before blending. It makes the mixture softer and easier to work with.
How to Store Homemade Date and Nut Bars
- Refrigerator: Store in an airtight container for up to 1 week.
- Freezer: Store for up to 2-3 months. Keep chilled in the fridge for best texture and freshness.
Date and Nut Bars FAQs
A food processor works best, but you can finely chop ingredients and mix by hand if needed.
Yes, you can use walnuts, cashews, or a mix of your favorite nuts.
Looking for other healthy snack recipes like this? Try these:
⭐ If you try this No-Bake Date and Nut Bars, I would love to hear what you think. Leave a comment below and let me know how it turned out for you. You can also tag me on social media if you make this recipe. Find me on YouTube, Pinterest, Instagram or TikTok.
📖 Recipe
Healthy No-Bake Date and Nut Bars with Chocolate
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups dates pitted
- ½ cup almond butter
- ½ cup almonds
- 2 tablespoons cacao nibs
- ½ cup dark chocolate
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil
Instructions
- Add the pitted dates, almond butter, raw almonds, and cacao nibs to a food processor.
- Blend until the mixture becomes sticky and well combined.
- Press the mixture firmly into bar molds or a lined pan.
- In a small bowl, melt the dark chocolate with coconut oil until smooth.
- Spoon or pour the melted chocolate over each bar.
- Place the bars in the freezer for about 1 hour, or until fully set.
- Remove from molds, slice if needed, and enjoy.
Notes
- Soft dates work best: If your dates are dry, soak them in warm water for 5-10 minutes, then drain well.
- Press firmly: This helps the bars hold together and not crumble.
- Texture tip: Blend less for chunkier bars, more for a smoother texture.
- Nut swaps: You can use walnuts, cashews, or a mix instead of almonds.
- Storage: Keep in the fridge for up to 1 week or freeze for up to 3 months.
- Serving tip: Let bars sit at room temperature for a few minutes before eating for the best texture.
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