These no bake Chocolate Granola Bars and are full of lovely wholesome ingredients. Easy to make and filling enough to keep you full for hours. They are vegan as well as gluten and dairy free.
The dates and raisins provide the sweetness without the need for more refined sugars. The nuts and nut butter give you healthy fats and protein to keep you full for longer. Oats are there to provide carbs and fibre, and the chocolate flavour comes from cacao powder, which is a great source of magnesium and iron as well as antioxidants. When they are blended together, they create the most amazing snack.
The bars are no-bake so even quicker to make. However, if you like to cook your oats then toast in the oven for 10 mins before using.
How to make chocolate granola bars
Firstly, pit the medjool dates and add to a food processor with the raisins, almond butter and cacao power. Once you have blended for a minute or two, it should come together in a lovely soft paste. If your dates are on the hard side or your nut butter isn’t very runny, you may need to add a tbsp or two of water to get it to come together.
Add in the almonds, pistachios and oats. Pulse to break these down a little bit and fully mix them in. Alternatively, you can chop the nuts and mix everything in by hand.
Press down into a baking tray and refrigerate to harden. They are ready to eat straightaway, however, I think they taste better once they have hardened a bit.
Are granola bars healthy?
This is a question I get asked a lot! I think if you make them at home and use good wholesome ingredients then yes, they are. I think these ones definitely are.
Some shop-bought bars are ok, but most are made with cheaper ingredients and filled with cheap oils and fillers. I would suggest you just get in the habit of checking the ingredients and making up your own mind!
What’s the difference between cacao and cocoa powder?
They both come from the cacao bean. However, cacao powder is raw and minimally processed whereas cocoa has been roasted and further processed. This means that cocoa can be less bitter to taste but the roasting process can mean that some of the key nutrients and antioxidants can be lost.
Either one will work in this recipe, however, where possible I like to use cacao rather than cocoa.
What ingredients do you need to make Chocolate Granola Bars:
- Medjool dates
- Raisins
- Almond (or peanut) butter
- Cacao powder
- Almonds
- Pistachios
- Oats (use GF if needed)
Medjool dates
Medjool dates are large and soft and sticky. They blend well and make these bars stick together well. They are a good source of fibre and contain potassium, magnesium and vitamin B6. The natural sugars in dates provide a quick source of energy, making them perfect for these bars.
Raisins
You can actually use all dates if you prefer, however, raisins can be more accessible and a little cheaper, so I’ve added some in here. They are naturally sweet but are good as a fibre source and also contain minerals such as iron and calcium.
Almonds and almond butter
You can use any nut butter (or nuts!) for these bars. I like to use organic almond butter. It’s high in monounsaturated fats as well as fibre and protein to keep you full. Almond butter (and almonds) also contain some important micronutrients, like vitamin E, magnesium, and potassium. Choosing a natural, no-added-sugar almond butter keeps this recipe as nutritious as possible.
Cacao powder
Cacao powder isn’t heat treated like cocoa powder so retains most of its natural antioxidants. It is also rich in magnesium, iron, and calcium, making it a really nutritious.
Pistachios
High in protein, healthy fats, and potassium, pistachios are a fantastic addition. The colour looks amazing against the chocolatey brown too!
Oats
They can sometimes be a controversial ingredient these days and there are some real haters out there, but I’m a still a lover of oats! Oat contain soluble fibre and provide complex carbohydrates to keep your energy from flagging. They also contain micronutrients like magnesium, iron, and manganese so a great healthy choice.
Recipe Tips
Swap the oats: if you’re not a fan you can swap out for buckwheat flakes or millet flakes.
Raisins: I’ve added raisins as well as dates but if you would prefer just dates then go for it!
Soak the dates: I don’t soak my dates as the ones I use are generally soft. However, if yours are a little harder, soak in boiling water before using.
Swap the nuts: These bars are very customisable. Use any nuts to make them, but keep the quantities the same.
If you enjoyed these Chocolate Granola Bars why not try these other easy no bake recipes:
Chocolate Granola Bars
Equipment
- Magimix food processor *affiliate link
Ingredients
- 1¼ cups medjool dates pitted (165g)
- ½ cup raisins (75g)
- ½ cup natural peanut or almond butter (120g)
- 3 tbsp cacao powder
- 1 cup unsalted almonds (140g)
- ½ cup unsalted pistachios (70g)
- 1 cup rolled oats (80g)
- Optional – extra sprinkle of chopped pistachios and almonds
Instructions
- Add the pitted dates, raisins, cacao powder and nut butter to a food processor. Blend until they form a sticky ball. The mixture should be really soft and sticky. If it doesn’t seem sticky enough, add 1-2 tbsp of water and blend again. This will depend on the texture of the dates and how runny your nut butter is.
- Add the nuts and oats to the date mixture and pulse to combine. You want the nuts broken down a bit and mixed in, but not fully blended.
- Press down into an 20cm / 8-inch square tin (greased and lined). Add an optional sprinkle of nuts to the top and press down again. Refrigerate for 30 minutes to an hour to harden.
- Once harder, cut into 10-12 large bars or smaller squares.
Notes
- If you prefer, you can toast the nuts and oats for about 10 minutes before using. Add to a baking tray and roast for at 160C/320F.
- Any nut butter can be used to make these bars. I used organic smooth almond butter.
- They can be stored in the fridge for up to a week and freeze well too.
I tried this recipe and it’s delicious!! I used almond butter, I brought some sunflower butter and will make another batch!! I’m so happy to make my own snack bars!!Thanks so much for the recipe!!
Amazing – glad you enjoyed the recipe.
Hi can I add, seeds to this recipe? Like melon seeds, chia seeds, poppy seeds.
If you would like to yes. Just remove the same quantity of nuts so the texture remains the same.
Extraordinar de delicioase și sănătoase snack- suri ! Sunteți grozavă cu aceste minunate rețete.
Thank you! So glad you enjoyed them.
Hi
Many many thanks to you.
Your recipe is so delicious & energetic.
I give you recipe Rating
10 out of 5 ★★★★★★★★★★
You are my best fun.
Next time published a extra ordinary recipe of hormonal activity for a women.
Thank you madam.
You are very welcome! Glad you liked the recipe!