You are going to love these chocolate date walnut bars if you are looking for a naturally sweetened treat that is no bake, requires minimal prep/skill and tastes amazing! Peanut butter and dates are PERFECT together. And when you throw in some walnuts and super smooth, super dark chocolate, things get even better.

These simple bars are perfect for an after-lunch treat or even a snack since they are so wholesome. I use natural, unsweetened peanut butter when pairing with dates since dates are already sweet.

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!

They are just one of those snack cabinet staples I can’t live without. In my quest to find healthier snacks, I have started buying more dates as 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 date bars would be delicious!

This recipe is a ‘healthified’ take on traditional sugar-loaded candy bars. 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 that tastes better than any store bought version.

As well as being really easy to make, these cups are healthier than your average treat as they are made with wholesome REAL food ingredients. With the added protein powder it makes them more balanced than the traditional high carb recipe. Old fashioned baked recipes always had tons of sugar, carbs and fats. The new modern way it to add protein making the recipe more balanced and healthy.

Eating high-protein foods has many health and fitness benefits, including:

Speeding recovery after exercise and/or injury.

Reducing muscle loss

Building lean muscle

Helping maintain a healthy weight

Curbing hunger

The whole family LOVED these bars; they were gone in under 24 hours.

They passed the test of some of the hardest dessert critics (my family!) Most said that their chewy texture reminded them of a candy bar.

I know it’s hard to believe, but don’t doubt this recipe. It’s so good, and every bite feels like it’s a sinful dessert you are sinking your teeth into.

Here is my tip. Make these tonight as a healthy snack or dessert. But…double the batch so you can have a healthy bars on hand for snacks throughout next week. These will last 1-2 weeks when kept in the fridge and they are SO prefect for planning your snacks/desserts ahead of time.

For a quick and healthy way to satisfy your sweet tooth without eating refined sugar try these wonderfully rich and filling date walnut bars. It’s a perfectly sweet treat!

Chocolate Date Walnut Protein Bars

These Chocolate Date Walnut Bars are so yummy! They are simple, refined sugar free and require no baking! These are so delicious, you won’t believe they are such a wholesome treat.

Course Dessert, Snack

Cuisine Healthy Clean Eating

Keyword chocolate date protein bars, chocolate date walnut protein bars, clean eating dessert or snack, clean eating protein bars, date chocolate covered protein bites, healthy date candy with protein, healthy date nut bars no bake, no bake date protein bars

Servings 12

Ingredients

• 2 cups dates, soaked 30 minutes and drained
• 1 cup walnuts, roughly chopped
• 1/3 cup peanut (or any other nut or seed) butter
• 1 scoop protein or collagen peptides powder

Chocolate Coating

• 1 1/4 cups chocolate chips
• 1 tablespoon coconut oil
• Flaky salt – optional

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. Or use a silicon bar mold or 10-12 muffin cups.

  Put dates and peanut butter in a food processor and process until smooth. Add chopped walnuts and protein powder and pulse a couple of times to combine.

  Be careful not to over process as its nice to have texture variance and different sized “bits” in your date bars.

  Press the mixture into the lined pan in an even layer. Chill in the freezer for 1 hour.

Chocolate Coating

• Place chocolate chips and coconut oil in small dish and microwave 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.

  Remove the bars from the freezer and after checking they are firm and set, remove from pan using the parchment paper handles and cut into 10-12 bars or pop out of molds.

  Once melted use two forks to hold each bar and one by one, dip into the melted chocolate and roll around until fully coated, then place back on the parchment lined tray.

  Or hold each one with a fork over the melted chocolate and spoon it over letting the excess drip back into the bowl. 

  Drizzle any excess chocolate over the bars with a spoon.Sprinkle with flaky salt if desired, then chill until chocolate has set.

  Store leftover bars in the fridge in an airtight container for up to two weeks or freezer for up to 3 months.

Print Recipe

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