Want a breakfast that works with your on-the-go lifestyle, or a post-workout pick-me-up? With these Chocolate Energy Bars (No-Bake), you get all that and more!
I don’t know about you all, but my afternoons always have a chance of turning into a struggle-fest. Right around the time all the caffeine from my morning coffee wears off, I suddenly realize I have skipped lunch, and I’m desperately in need of something to keep me going through the rest of the day. The mid-afternoon slump is real, folks—and for those of us with sleep issues, another cup of coffee isn’t an option after noon.
While my brain often thinks an afternoon energy drink would be great, my body knows that’s the last thing I need. What’s happening is that I’m running out of fuel, and nutrition is usually the answer. Whole, unprocessed, plain-old nutrition! But who says a wholesome snack can’t be utterly delicious?
This recipe for chocolate energy bars is one way to deliciously fuel yourself. A couple of bites of one of these decadent, date-sweetened, coconutty oat bars will have you ready to finish your afternoon with flying colors. The cacao mixed into the bars gives a chocolaty flavor throughout, which adds to the richness of the melted dark chocolate drizzle on top! If you take these to work with you, make sure you take an extra one to give to your manager when they ask what’s gotten into you.
Are These Chocolate Energy Bars Healthy?
These energy bars not only taste great, but they’re also packed with protein, healthy fats, and fiber and are naturally sweetened by the dates. The dark chocolate drizzle on top doesn’t contain nearly as much sugar as milk chocolate, and it also contains lots of antioxidants. The pecans, hemp seeds, and hazelnuts are responsible for the protein and healthy fats in these tasty bars. This is an ideal snack for vegetarians, and the recipe is gluten-free, too. You can easily make them vegan by using vegan dark chocolate.
Fun Ways To Add More Nutrition To Your Energy Bars
These chocolaty energy bars are delicious as they are. But I never miss an opportunity to jazz up something that’s already good! Here are a few ways to add some pizzazz to your pick-me-ups!
- Dried cranberries, dried tart cherries, or golden raisins: Adding a little dried sweet (or tart) fruit will add a refreshing contrast to the chocolate and nutty flavors in these energy bars.
- Instant espresso powder: If you can have coffee in the afternoon, why not add it to your energy bars? You can even add a few spoonfuls to the chocolate drizzle on top for an incredible depth of flavor.
- Nut butter: If pecans, hazelnuts, and hemp seeds aren’t enough nutty flavors for you, add some of your favorite nut butter to the chocolate drizzle on top.
- Rice Krispies: The one thing I want a little more of in these energy bars is texture, and puffed rice cereal can do the trick. A little bit goes a long way, too!
How Do I Store Leftovers?
Store them in an airtight container or wrap them individually in plastic or foil. You can keep them in the fridge for up to 1 week or freeze them in freezer-safe bags for up to 3 months. Thaw them in the fridge or at room temperature before you break a tooth trying to bite into one!
Serving Suggestions
Serve these bars with a small portion of fruit, such as orange segments or sliced apples. Otherwise, they’re excellent served alone! If you want to try these for a healthy dessert, consider warming one up and serving a scoop of Cookie Dough Banana Ice Cream on top!
If this recipe has you excited about energy bars, we have some other amazing recipes to try. These Energy Quinoa Breakfast Bars In The Slow Cooker let your slow cooker do the work of making a healthy breakfast, while these Cookie Dough Energy Bites are a perfect snack item. Fans of pumpkin pie should definitely try these Pumpkin Protein Bars, too.
Ingredients
- ¼ cup hazelnuts
- 1 cup rolled oats
- ½ cup pecans
- ¼ cup coconut flakes
- 1½ cups dates pitted
- ¾ cup cacao powder
- ¼ cup hemp seeds
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt
- ¼ cup dark chocolate melted
Instructions
- Add the hazelnuts, rolled oats, pecans, and coconut flakes to the food processor, and blend until it forms a coarse crumb.
- Add the pitted dates, cacao powder, hemp seeds (set aside some for sprinkling later), and sea salt to the food processor. Blend until the mix gets sticky.
- Line a 6×6-inch dish with plastic wrap. Add the mixture from the food processor to the dish. Press it down into all the corners and flatten it out, compressing a little as you go.
- Drizzle on the dark chocolate and sprinkle on the reserved hemp seeds.
- Refrigerate the pan for 30 minutes (or freeze for 10 minutes) to let the mixture set, then cut into bars.
Nutrition Info:
Nutrition information are estimates only and may vary based on the specific brands, ingredients, and portion sizes you use. This data is provided for informational purposes only.
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