Name: No-Bake Date Bars Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Total time: 40 min
Cuisine: Vegan/Healthy
Ingredients: 225 g Medjool dates (pitted); 2 tablespoons runny almond butter; 2 tablespoons lucuma or maca powder (or vegan protein powder); 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; ½ teaspoon sea salt; 100 g cashew pieces (roughly chopped); 35 g toasted sesame seeds (plus extra for topping); 120 g 70% dark chocolate; 1 tablespoon coconut oil

Jump to Recipe

Introduction

No-bake date bars are a delicious and nutritious treat that combines naturally sweet dates with crunchy nuts and seeds. These bars are quick to prepare, require no baking, and make a perfect snack or dessert for any time of day.

A stack of six rectangular chocolate-coated bars sits on a piece of printed paper on a white marbled surface, with some sesame seeds scattered around. Each bar has a smooth dark chocolate outer layer, with a textured drizzle on the top and sprinkled sesame seeds. The bars are cut in half or whole, showing three visible layers inside: the outer dark chocolate shell, a dense middle layer full of chopped nuts and sesame seeds in a sticky, caramel-like base, and another thin chocolate coating underneath. The colors range from dark brown chocolate to light tan nuts and sesame seeds inside. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

225 g medjool dates (pitted)
2 tablespoons runny almond butter
2 tablespoons lucuma or maca powder (or vegan protein powder)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
½ teaspoon sea salt
100 g cashew pieces (roughly chopped)
35 g toasted sesame seeds (plus extra for topping)
120 g 70% dark chocolate
1 tablespoon coconut oil

Instructions

Step 1: Add the pitted dates, almond butter, lucuma or maca powder, vanilla extract, and sea salt to a food processor. Blitz for a few minutes until the mixture forms a smooth, uniform paste and holds together as a ball.
Step 2: Transfer the date paste to a large bowl. Use a spatula to mix in the roughly chopped cashew pieces and toasted sesame seeds evenly.
Step 3: Place the dough onto a sheet of parchment paper and shape it roughly into a log. Cover with a second sheet of parchment and roll with a rolling pin into a rectangle approximately 10 inches long and 4 inches wide.
Step 4: Trim any uneven edges and roll trimmed pieces back into the dough until you have a neat rectangle. Place the shaped log in the freezer for 10 minutes to firm up while you prepare the chocolate coating.
Step 5: Melt the dark chocolate and coconut oil together in a medium bowl over a saucepan of simmering water (bain-marie). Stir frequently until smooth, then remove from heat.
Step 6: Slice the firmed log into 10 bars and arrange them on a parchment-lined baking tray.
Step 7: Dip each bar into the melted chocolate, using a fork and spoon to lift and coat thoroughly. Place the coated bars back on the parchment and freeze for 10 minutes to set.
Step 8: Drizzle any remaining chocolate over the bars and sprinkle with extra toasted sesame seeds before the chocolate sets. Allow to firm completely in the freezer before serving.

Tips & Variations

For extra crunch, toast the cashews before adding them to the mixture.
Substitute almond butter with peanut or sunflower seed butter if preferred.
If you don’t have lucuma or maca powder, vegan protein powder or a little cinnamon can add a nice flavor.
Use a sharp knife dipped in hot water to slice the bars cleanly without sticking.

Storage

Store the date bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week. For longer storage, freeze the bars for up to one month. Thaw in the refrigerator before serving. They can be enjoyed chilled or at room temperature.

How to Serve

The image shows two rectangular chocolate bars placed on top of a beige piece of paper with black text, sitting on a white plate with a marbled texture. Each chocolate bar is covered in dark chocolate with a smooth, slightly glossy finish and small ridged lines running lengthwise on top. Light brown sesame seeds sprinkle the bars, especially clustered along the center of the top surface. One bar has a bite taken out of one corner, revealing a crunchy interior made of light golden cereal or nut pieces. In the blurred background, there are two dark brown dates and a white bowl with light tan contents. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use other nuts instead of cashews?

Yes, you can substitute cashews with almonds, walnuts, or pecans. Just chop them roughly to maintain the texture.

Are these bars suitable for vegans?

Absolutely. The recipe uses plant-based ingredients and dark chocolate, making it completely vegan-friendly.