Choc Topped Fruit & Nut Bars
An easy no-bake bar recipe featuring nuts and dried fruit for a ‘healthified’ take on traditional sugar-loaded energy or candy bars but made with wholesome ingredients. For those days where you are craving a candy bar, but want a healthy, delicious, low-effort way to enjoy the same sweet treat, I have got you covered with this recipe. With just a few healthy ingredients you can create a truly delectable bar that tastes better than any store bought version.Decadent but healthy, homemade nut and fruit chocolate bars are a breeze to make. They are packed full of nutrient rich ingredients and are chewy, crunchy and delicious, perfect after a workout, during a hike, or as a guilt-free afternoon sweet treat or for lunch boxes.These no-bake bars are created with wholesome clean ingredients like nuts, fruit, seeds and nut butter, AND they have no added sugar. They come together in minutes, so you can always keep a batch in your refrigerator or freezer.I love easy slice recipes and this nut and fruit recipe is just that. Infused with honey, nut butter and coconut oil to stick it all together!Its crunchy, chewy and slightly sweet all at once,and tastes just like a candy bar. Simply smash some nuts and dates, add some fruit and other healthy whole foods, pour some chocolate on top, chill to set, then enjoy!Every time I make this recipe, it doesn’t last in my house for more than two days. My family just can’t get enough of it! Whether you need a quick snack or an energy boost during the day, this nutty fruity bar is the perfect choice for indulgence.It’s a perfect portion-controlled treat for an any time healthy snack or dessert! Or any time you are craving a little something sweet.It makes me excited that such a beautiful and delicious creation can be made purely from natural ingredients. I love that you don’t have to use your oven, and you can cut the bars just the right size to satisfy a sweet tooth without over-indulging. These bars also make a delicious hand-held, four bite, sweet treat for parties, brunch, potlucks, family gatherings and are a real crowd pleaser. This recipe is a favourite, they will not last long once you make them!
Servings 16
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups almonds, walnuts or a mix
- 1 cup dates, soaked 30 minutes and drained
- 1 cup dried fruit, raisins, apricots, cranberries
- 1/2 cup desiccated coconut
- 1/2 cup oats, instant or quick
- 1/2 cup peanut (or any other nut) butter
- 1/4 cup coconut oil, melted
- 2 tablespoons honey or maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Chocolate Topping
- 1 cup chocolate chips
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil
Instructions
- Line an 8 x 8” baking 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.Place almonds (save a few to add some texture to the bar later) into a food processer and process until broken down and crumbly. Add dates, oats, coconut, honey, peanut butter, coconut oil and vanilla extract and continue to process until mixture is sticky and well combined. Add dried fruit and the saved almonds and pulse a few times to break them up a little and incorporate into the mixture. I like my bars chunky so I chop them with a knife so that there is lots of texture variance and different sized “bits” in the bars. But you can choose how much texture or how little to have in your bars.Press the base mixture into the bottom of your pan or dish evenly. Place in fridge while you melt the chocolate topping.
Chocolate Topping
- Place chocolate chips and coconut oil in small dish and microwave at 50% power with 30 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 topping over the slice with a spatula or back of a spoon and place in the fridge to set.Once firmed up and set, slice into 16 bars or more smaller squares to serve. Keep in the fridge for up to a week, or freezer for up to 3 months.
If you are looking for more delicious, healthy, no bake desserts and treats to help you reach your health, wellness and fitness goals, you will love my collection here: Blended Bites
