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’ve 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.
This recipe is a ‘healthified’ take on traditional sugar-loaded candy bars but made with wholesome ingredients. As well as being a much healthier version its also much easier to make!
These bars are crunchy, chewy, sweet, and salty all at once, and taste just like a candy bar. So easy to throw together. Simply blend some dates, coconut, protein powder and cocoa powder for the base layer. Melt some chocolate, add it as a topping to form the top layer and chill until firm.
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! These delightful bars offer a creamy and crunchy experience like no other, packed with healthy whole food ingredients. With their smooth texture and balanced sweetness, they are sure to tantalize your taste buds and satisfy your cravings.
I love to use dates as a base in most of my snack balls, no-bake bars, or if I need a natural sweetener in a cookie or frosting. They are little morsels of natural sugar and a great alternative to refined sugars. You don’t need many dates to make something sweet!
Dates are a great snack on their own and they are high in fiber, rich in antioxidants, great for heart health and they provide a little energy boost thanks to the natural sugars. They are little morsels of natural sugar and a great alternative to refined sugars.
The dried fruit has a caramel-like sweetness that can also help reduce cravings for sugary snacks. I’m always on the hunt though for creative ways to dress up my dates, and I just knew these bars would be delicious! If you haven’t cooked with dates yet, you have so many delicious uses just waiting to be discovered!
These are some serious ‘healthified’ bars that can be used as dessert or snacking. And you know what? They just make you happy when you eat them. I mean, who doesn’t love feeling like you are on a tropical island every time you take a bite? (*Raising both hands here*).
Your mind can rest as you enjoy your favorite flavors combined to make one heck of a junk-free, no bake snack bar! Basically, these chocolate coconut bars are going to make you a superstar at the next gathering you bring their nutty, crunchy little selves to.
OR, if you are a realistic-thinking person like myself who knows that you struggle with the mentality of sharing delicious food, you will be the SUPERSTAR of your own taste buds/life/WHOLE WORLD.
And there you have it. It’s all about that moment where your teeth sink into a nutty, coconutty crust, then ends with the chocolatey crunch of the top layer. Full on yumminess! I love the flavours of chocolate and coconut together. If you look at my chocolate recipes, a lot of them have coconut in it. It adds crunchy texture we have all grown to love and enjoy in our healthy eating repertoire.
Coconut has a natural fat that our body can easily digest. So by adding some to your recipe is one to not worry about. It improves heart health, digestion and helps weight loss.
My favorite way to eat these bars is to leave them out of the refrigerator for 5-10 minutes. They also store great in the freezer for weeks (or months…if they even last that long!) These bars are a perfect snack to indulge in anytime of the day. Often times I crave for something to snack on that isn’t overly sweet and a few ingredients with some nutritional value. This recipe definitely was a perfect combination of flavours and didn’t require a lot of work or time, it was a win-win!
Whether you are looking for a healthier recipe to replace your typical energy bars or just want a great snack to add to your rotation, you are sure to love these chocolate coconut date bars as much as I do.
I usually cut these bars into smaller pieces when I am packing them into lunches. They are super chocolatey, rich, and sweet. It makes them a perfect fix for a chocolate bar craving! Perfect for bar-be-ques, pot lucks, family gatherings of all kinds, desserts, or even a breakfast to go bar! What I like to call, little slices of heaven!
Chocolate Coconut Date Protein Bars
Ingredients
Bar Base
- 1 1/2 cups dates, soaked 30 minutes and drained
- 1 1/2 cups desiccated coconut
- 1/4 cup protein or collagen peptides powder
- 1/4 cup cocoa powder
- 2 tablespoons coconut oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Chocolate Topping
- 1 cup chocolate chips
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil
Instructions
- Line an 8 x 8-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.Combine bar base ingredients in a food processor and process until a crumbly dough forms. Scoop the mixture out into the lined pan and spread out evenly with a spatula or back of a spoon.Melt the chocolate topping next.
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, pour over the bars and place back in freezer or fridge for an hour or more to set.Remove from pan using the parchment paper handles and cut into 16 bars or more smaller squares.Store in fridge for up to1 week or freezer for up to 3 months.If frozen, allow to sit on the counter for 10 minutes to soften for the best eating texture.
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
