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, nuts and coconut for the base layer. Melt some chocolate, add some nuts, coconut and protein powder 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.
Whether you need a quick snack or an energy boost during the day, this Chocolate Coconut Protein Bars recipe is the perfect choice for indulgence.
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!
But because it’s a no bake dessert, you can taste and adjust as you go. Remember that you are not baking these, so when you taste them, that’s what the finished product will taste like.
Perfect for summer 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!
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.
To note, these gorgeous bars are sweetened naturally with dates, and coconut, and coconut oil. You can make these no-bake bars in under 10 minutes, refrigerate and enjoy an hour to two later.
Chocolate and coconut is probably my family’s favorite flavor combination, which is why I’ve come up with so many chocolate and coconut recipes over the years.
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!
Chocolate Coconut Protein Bars
Ingredients
Base Crust
- 1 cup dates, soaked 30 minutes and drained
- 1 cup walnuts or almonds
- 1/2 cup desiccated coconut
- 2 tablespoons coconut oil, melted
Top Layer
- 1 cup chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup chopped nuts, walnuts, hazelnuts, almonds or a combination
- 1/2 cup desiccated coconut
- 1/4 cup protein or collagen peptides powder
Topping
- 1/2 cup nuts, chopped
- 1/4 cup desiccated coconut
Instructions
- Line a 8 x 8-inch 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.
Base Crust
- Add all base layer ingredients to a food processor and process until a sticky dough is formed. Be careful not to over process as its nice to have texture variance and different sized “bits” in your base crust.Scoop out into the lined pan and spread out evenly with the back of a spoon.
Top Layer
- Melt chocolate in a saucepan over low heat, stirring occasionally. Once melted, stir in chopped nuts, coconut and protein powder. Mix until well combined then scoop out onto base crust and spread out evenly with the back of a spoon.
Topping
- Sprinkle nuts and coconut over the chocolate layer and lightly press with the back of a spoon. Place in the refrigerator for an hour to set before cutting into bars.Using a sharp knife, cut into 16 bars. Store these bars in fridge for up to 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
