If you love healthy treats that taste indulgent but keep your nutrition goals firmly on track, Date Tahini Protein Bars are about to become your new go-to snack. These bars combine decadent dates, rich tahini, and quality protein powder to create a satisfying, nutrient-dense bar that delivers long-lasting energy – perfect for gym bags, office snacks, or afternoon cravings.
Dates are the backbone of this recipe, offering natural sweetness, essential minerals, and a caramel-like flavour without any refined sugars. They pair beautifully with tahini, a creamy paste made from ground sesame seeds.
Tahini, is pure sesame seed paste, which adds a slightly bitter, nutty flavor. It adds healthy fats, a subtle nutty depth, and a rich texture that helps bind the bars together. When mixed with protein powder, the combination becomes a balanced trifecta of carbohydrates, fats, and protein – supporting muscle recovery, stabilising energy, and keeping hunger at bay.
It’s a wonderful thing that healthy fats have become popular with the keto movement. No longer is eating a mouthful of fatty goodness frowned upon. After decades of playing the villain, humans once again embraced healthy, real food fats.
To elevate the flavour even further, these bars are topped or drizzled with melted dark chocolate. Not only does this give them a decadent finish, but dark chocolate also brings antioxidants and a satisfying snap that contrasts perfectly with the soft, chewy interior.
What makes this recipe especially appealing is that it’s completely no-bake. All you need is a food processor, a bowl, and a few minutes of hands-on time. The bars are freezer-friendly, travel well, and can be customised with add-ins such as chia seeds, hemp seeds, coconut, or chopped nuts depending on your taste and nutritional needs.
Whether you enjoy them as a pre-workout energy boost, a post-exercise recovery snack, or a wholesome sweet treat after dinner, these bars hit the perfect balance between delicious and functional. They are ideal for meal prep Sundays and great for anyone who wants real-food ingredients with a protein punch.
Below is the simple recipe so you can whip up your own batch today.
Date Tahini Protein Bars
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups dates, soaked 30 minutes and drained
- 1 1/2 cups rolled oats or oat flour
- 1/2 cup tahini (sesame seed paste)
- 1/4 cup protein powder, vanilla or chocolate
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Chocolate Topping
- 1 cup chocolate chips, dark, milk or semi-sweet
- 1 teaspoon coconut oil
Add Ins Optional
- 1/2 cup nuts of choice
- 1/2 cup seeds like hemp, chia or sunflower
Instructions
- Line a 7 x 5-inch loaf pan or dish with parchment paper on the bottom and sides leaving some overhanging to act as a handle to get the bars out easier for cutting.Add dates to a food processor and blend until sticky.Add oats, tahini, protein powder and vanilla. Pulse until mixture forms a thick dough. Lastly, add nuts or seeds (optional) and pulse a couple of times so as to keep them mainly whole to add texture and crunch.Press into the lined pan the spread out evenly with a spatula or back of a spoon.
Chocolate Topping
- Place chocolate chips and coconut oil in small dish and microwave with 20 second bursts stirring between each one until melted and smooth.Or use double boiler method - (pot of boiling water with a bowl resting on top) melt the chocolate chips and the coconut oil together.Once melted, spread the chocolate over the top of the bars.Chill for 1–2 hours,slice into 10-12 bars, squares or rectangles as you prefer.Store in the fridge for up 1 week or freezer for up to 3 months.
If you are looking for more delicious, healthy, protein-rich, no bake desserts and treats to help you reach your health, wellness and fitness goals, you will love my collection here: Blended Bites
