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These Healthy Snack Bars are made with just 5 wholesome ingredients including dates, nuts, and peanut butter. No added sugar, no baking required—perfect for anyone looking for nutritious homemade snacks!
Quick Recipe Overview
WHAT: No-bake healthy snack bars made with dates, nuts, coconut, cocoa powder, and nut butter for naturally sweet energy bites.
WHY: These bars skip the added sugar and artificial sweeteners you’ll find in store-bought protein bars while delivering real whole food nutrition.
HOW: Simply blend ingredients in a food processor, press into a pan, chill for 30 minutes, then cut into bars and enjoy.
Table of Contents
- Quick Recipe Overview
- Why I Love Making Healthy Snack Bars
- Ingredient Notes
- Homemade Healthy Snack Bars Recipe Recipe
- How To Make Healthy Snack Bars
- Substitutions & Variations
- FAQs for Snack Bars
- My Best Tips for Making Healthy Snack Bars
- What to Serve With Snack Bars
- Storage & Make Ahead Tips
- Similar Recipes to Try
- More Healthy Snack Recipes To Try
Why I Love Making Healthy Snack Bars
I started making these healthy snack bars after reading one too many ingredient lists on store-bought varieties. Between the artificial sweeteners, mysterious preservatives, and prices that made my wallet cry, I knew there had to be a better way.
The dates provide natural sweetness and act as the binding agent, while the nuts add that satisfying crunch and grams of protein. Each bar also delivers grams of fiber to keep you satisfied longer. I’ve packed these in my kids’ lunchboxes, grabbed them before morning workouts, and even served them to guests who couldn’t believe they were homemade. They have a bit of a chewy texture so they work best for older kids’ lunchboxes, not toddlers.
The best part? You control exactly what goes into each bar. No weird additives, no added sugar, just pure ingredients you can pronounce. They’re so rich and chocolatey that they remind me of a candy bar—except this version actually nourishes your body instead of just spiking your blood sugar. My family has been munching on these treat for years, and they’ve become our answer to those expensive protein bars at the grocery store that sometimes lack essential vitamins.
🩷 Melissa
Forget everything you thought you knew about healthy snacks being boring. These no-bake energy bars are about to become your new obsession—packed with natural ingredients, bursting with flavor, a crunchy texture and so simple that you’ll actually make them on repeat.
We’re talking dates for sweetness, nuts for that satisfying crunch, and zero compromises on taste. Whether you need a pre-workout boost, an afternoon pick-me-up, or something to toss in the kids’ lunchboxes, these bars deliver.
Best part? They come together in minutes and cost a fraction of what you’d pay at the store. Your taste buds (and your wallet) will thank you!
Ingredient Notes
Dates: Look for soft, moist dates without added sugar or preservatives.
Nut butter: Natural peanut butter works best (the kind where oil separates on top). Almond butter, cashew butter, or tahini are great alternatives.
Unsweetened shredded coconut: The unsweetened variety is essential since dates provide plenty of natural sweetness.
Cocoa powder: Use natural unsweetened cocoa powder for the best chocolate flavor. Dutch-processed works too, though it produces a slightly different flavor.
See the recipe card below for full information on ingredients and quantities.
Homemade Healthy Snack Bars Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 cups pitted dates
- 3/4 cup raw cashews or almonds
- 1/4 cup nut butter, (I used natural peanut butter)
- 1/2 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
- 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
- 1 pinch salt
Instructions
- Toss everything into a food processor and process until the mixture starts to go smooth and clump into a ball. The dates will be all chopped up but you’ll still have bits of nut.2 cups pitted dates, 3/4 cup raw cashews or almonds, 1/4 cup nut butter, 1/2 cup unsweetened shredded coconut, 2 tablespoons cocoa powder, 1 pinch salt
- Turn the mixture out into an 8 or 9 inch square dish lined with parchment paper. Use your hands to firmly press the mixture into the bottom of the dish. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
- Remove the bars from the pan and cut into pieces using a sharp knife.
- Store in an air-tight container in the fridge or freezer.
- Enjoy these bars cold or frozen.
Notes
- I think a high power blender could be used to make these, but I haven’t tried it myself.
- If your dates are very dry or starting to turn a little white (happens when they dry out) let them soak in warm water for 10 minutes before using, strain well and then use.
Nutrition
How To Make Healthy Snack Bars
- Step 1: Toss everything into a food processor and process until the mixture starts to go smooth and clump into a ball. The dates will be all chopped up but you’ll still have bits of nut.
- Step 2: Turn the mixture out into an 8 or 9 inch square dish lined with parchment paper. Use your hands to firmly press the mixture into the bottom of the dish. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
- Step 3: Remove the bars from the pan and cut into pieces using a sharp knife.
- Step 4: Store in an air-tight container in the fridge or freezer.
- Step 5: Enjoy these bars cold or frozen.
Substitutions & Variations
Chocolate Chip Variation
Fold in 1/4 cup dark chocolate chips or cacao nibs after processing for extra chocolate bursts throughout the bars.
Protein Power Version
Add 2-3 tablespoons of your favorite protein powder to the mixture for an extra protein boost. You may need to add a splash of water to help bind everything together.
Tropical Twist
Swap the cocoa powder for 2 tablespoons of dried pineapple or mango, chopped fine. Add 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract for a tropical flavor profile. For extra creaminess, blend in 1/4 cup dried banana chips.
Cinnamon Spice
Replace cocoa powder with 1 tablespoon cinnamon and add 1/4 teaspoon each of nutmeg and ginger for warming seasonal flavors perfect for fall.
Seed Butter Swap
For nut-free versions, use sunflower seed butter or pumpkin seed butter instead of peanut butter. The bars will have a slightly different taste but work just as well. If the mixture seems too dry, add a tablespoon of maple syrup to help bind everything together.
FAQs for Snack Bars
Yes! Almonds, walnuts, pecans, or cashews all work beautifully. Each nut brings a slightly different flavor profile—almonds offer a mild sweetness, walnuts add earthiness, and pecans bring buttery richness. You can also add hemp seeds for an extra boost of nutrition. Feel free to mix different nuts for variety or use whatever you have on hand.
This usually happens when the dates are too dry. Dates need to be soft and pliable to act as the “glue” holding everything together. If your dates feel hard or have white crystals on them, soak them in warm water for 10 minutes, drain well, and pat dry before using.
Yes! Replace the nuts with sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds, and use sunflower seed butter instead of peanut butter. The texture will be slightly different but still delicious and nutritious. This makes them perfect for school snacks where nuts aren’t allowed.
While they’re technically shelf-stable for short periods, I highly recommend storing them in the fridge or freezer. The cold temperature keeps them firm and easier to handle—perfect if you’ve cut them into minis. If they warm up to room temperature, they become quite sticky but are still perfectly safe and tasty to eat.
My Best Tips for Making Healthy Snack Bars
☞Choose the right dates: Medjool dates work best because they’re naturally soft, sweet, and create a caramel-like consistency. Deglet Noor dates can work but may need longer soaking since they’re typically drier.
☞Process in stages: Don’t dump everything in at once! Start by processing the dates and nuts together until finely chopped, then add the nut butter, coconut, and cocoa. This ensures even mixing and prevents overprocessing.
☞Press firmly and evenly: When pressing the mixture into your pan, use the back of a measuring cup or your palm wrapped in plastic wrap to compress it tightly. This step is crucial for bars that hold together well when cut.
☞Let them chill completely: That 30-minute refrigerator time isn’t optional! It allows the dates to firm up and bind everything together. For cleaner cuts, chill for a full hour or even overnight.
☞Cut with confidence: Use a sharp, slightly warm knife to cut through the bars. Wipe the blade clean between cuts for neat edges. If the mixture sticks to your knife, run it under hot water, dry it, and continue cutting.
What to Serve With Snack Bars
Morning Fuel: Pair these bars with your morning coffee or tea for a quick breakfast alongside fresh fruit. They’re substantial enough to keep you satisfied until lunch without weighing you down.
Pre or Post-Workout: Enjoy one bar about 30 minutes before exercise for sustained energy, or immediately after your workout with a protein shake to aid recovery.
Afternoon Pick-Me-Up: Combat the 3 PM slump by enjoying a bar with a handful of fresh berries and a glass of cold milk or your favorite non-dairy alternative.
Lunchbox Addition: Pack these in your kids’ lunches alongside veggies, hummus, and sliced apples for balanced nutrition they’ll actually eat.
Travel Companion: These bars are perfect for road trips, hiking, or airplane snacks. Pack them in a small cooler bag with an ice pack to keep them firm.
Storage & Make Ahead Tips
Room Temperature Snack Bars
These bars can sit at room temperature for 2-3 hours during serving or travel, but they’ll become softer and stickier. If transporting them on a hot day, use an insulated lunch bag with an ice pack.
Refrigerator Storage
Store bars in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. Place parchment or wax paper between layers if stacking to prevent sticking. The cold temperature keeps them firm and easy to grab on busy mornings.
Freezing Snack Bars
These bars freeze beautifully for up to 3 months! Wrap individual bars in parchment paper, then place in a freezer-safe container or bag. You can eat them straight from the freezer for a firmer, almost fudge-like texture, or let them thaw for 10-15 minutes at room temperature.
Make-Ahead Tips for Snack Bars
This recipe is perfect for meal prep! Make a double batch on Sunday and you’ll have healthy snacks ready all week. You can even prep the mixture, press it into the pan, and freeze it uncut. When you’re ready, thaw slightly and slice into fresh bars.
Individual Wrapping
For grab-and-go convenience, wrap each bar individually in parchment paper or plastic wrap before storing. This makes them perfect for tossing in purses, gym bags, or lunchboxes without worrying about them sticking together.
Similar Recipes to Try
- No-Bake Peanut Butter Energy Balls – Another quick snack using similar ingredients rolled into bite-sized portions.
- Homemade Granola Bars – Baked bars with oats, honey, and dried fruit for a different texture.
- Almond Butter Protein Bars – Slightly more complex bars with added protein powder, healthy fats and seeds.
- Coconut Date Energy Bites – Simple two-ingredient balls perfect for quick snacking
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Did you make this recipe? Leave a ⭐️ review and share it on Instagram, Facebook, or Pinterest!
I will admit my initial skepticism, but I was determined to make a healthy snack bar so I made these anyway. Can I tell you how much I LOVE them? I’ve been converted. I am a believer. Oh my heavens they are delicious. I eat a little piece in place of dessert sometimes and it fills the craving perfectly. I’m also a college student (I believe they call me a “mature” college student but I don’t fee terribly mature *snicker*) and so I wanted to find a healthy option that I could eat on the go. I do not want to succumb to the vending machines or other fast food options when I am hungry, so these are a perfect addition to my healthy portable snack options. I’m also a distance runner and I was thinking these will be perfect after a long run. Thank you for sharing this recipe. I love it and I will be making it for years to come.
Love this!! Thank you for taking the time to write a great comment, totally made my day!
Are you supposed to use dry dates or fresh?
Are the dates they sell at Costco dried? I assume that’s what they are, they are all dark and raisin like. I’m not sure I’ve ever even seen a fresh date!
Ended up making them with dried. You can get fresh some places.
These are amazing! I loved them. Will for sure be making them again. Thanks!
Hi there, these look yummy! I am hoping you can help me, when you say 2 cups, can you tell me how much that weighs? I’m in Europe so not familiar with cups 🙂
I would love to make something like this to throw in my daughter’s lunch kit for snack time….but our school has a no nut policy! Any ideas on how to make something like this that is nut-free?
Ugh. I’ve heard about that kind of things and it sounds hard! I live in a tiny town and we are still allowed to bring homemade treats for brithdays 🙂 It helps when the grades have about 20 kids in each, total! That being said, I’m no help. It’s so nut heavy…. You could just try chocolate and dates but it would be really stick and I think the taste would be too much of one thing. I’m going to ponder this. What about coconut? Maybe you could go really heave on coconut?
Are you allowed seeds? You may want to add sesame, flax seed, chia, sunflowe seeds, pumpkin seeds…. all of the kind, and the bars will be yummie and healthy
I made something similar to these for my daughters lunch using raisins and shredded coconut and sunflower seeds. I rolled them into balls instead of cutting into squares but they were a hit! I like the date/nut combo more personally but as a nut free version the raisin was great.
Can I use dried figs instead of dates? (Just wondering because I have figs on hand.)
I tried the figs. I think they are a little dryer than dates but I love the flavour. (Sometimes dates can be just too much.) I will maybe add more peanut butter next time.
I am for sure going to try these. Getting back on the eating healthy bandwagon! Thanks for all your great ideas and recipes! Now…what to make for dinner??? 🙂
Steak Fajitas!!! They are always on the menu 🙂
I’ve done dates, 1 cup almonds and 1 cup pecans. They taste like pecan pie! So yummy!
Mine didnt get hard… even in the freezer. Any tips?
Hmmm. What kind of dates did you use? Those are kind of the “glue”. I’d add more PB personally until it was sticky!
These were delicious ! They were like a cross between Almond Joys and Reese’s cups: my two favorites!! Thank you!!
Does anyone have the nutrition facts by chance?
These look wonderful! Larabars are my favorite, and I love making homemade versions of store-bought items. I bet they are so good with the cocoa powder!
I love Larabars always looking for new recipes. Thank you! Love your stuff!
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Than you friend! So glad to connect!