This date bar recipe is so simple and easy that even your children can make them. These are no-bake, dairy, and egg-free!
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Intro
What is a date bar?
A date bar is a snack that is made up of chopped dates. The most popular kind that you can find at the store is made by Larabar. When people give up processed sugar for Whole30, date bars and Larabars are a suggested way to curb those sugar cravings.
An Allergy-Friendly Energy Bar
I'm not much into energy bars. Granted, they are convenient and better than munching on junk food but many of them are made with a ton of sugar and unhealthy fats, not to mention, chemicals. What's 'healthy' about that? I do make granola bars with my granola recipe but lately, I'm trying to avoid oats too.
There are healthier options but many of them contain nuts, eggs, dairy, soy, and wheat.....all of which my family are allergic to. It's a harrowing experience to buy one little energy bar to 'hold me over'. So I don't bother eating them.
Until now.
Nut-Free Date Bar Recipes
I found some great recipes for nut-free "Larabar-like" energy bars that I can make at home!
- Honey Ghee And Me - Almonds and Coconuts
- A Spicy Perspective - Almonds, Walnuts, Raisins & More
- 100 Days of Real Food - Lara Bars 4 Different Ways
- Chocolate Covered Katie - Chocolates and Walnuts
Of course, I had to make my own version without using allergens for my family (the beauty of making your own energy bars) and leave out the stuff I don't want! And these are "no-bake!" Can't get simpler than that!
Ingredients
What're in these homemade chocolate Larabars?
The basic formula for Larabar is 1 Cup of Dates to 2 Cups of Dry ingredients, like nuts and seeds. You can adjust the 'wetness' by adding or subtracting more dates. Or chocolate, as in this case. If the mixture is too dry, the bars will crumble.
This is what I used in my date bars:
- Loosely-packed, pitted dates
- Semisweet chocolates
- Hemp seeds
- Black sesame seeds
- Sunflower seeds
- Honey
Here is my own Larabar recipe with Hemp, Sesame, Sunflower Seeds and Chocolate. They are nut-free, gluten-free, dairy-free, egg-free, and soy-free.
Instructions
Here are the step by step instructions:
Mix all the ingredients together in a mixer. Scrape the sides down and mix all the dates and seeds thoroughly. If you want to use nuts, mix the nuts with dates before adding seeds. If you pinch the mixture and it binds together, then, it's done.
Line a glass pan with parchment paper. Pour the mixture in.
Using your hands, push down the mixture into the pan to flatten it out.
Lift the parchment paper out of the pan, and place it on a cutting board. Using the flat side of the knife, compact it down more. And with the edge of the knife, push the edges in to shape it. Cut them in sizes you want and use a spatula to remove them.
Wrap them up individually and store them in an airlock container. The bars are good for one week in the fridge. You can freeze them too for a month. I wrap them up as pictured, then, stack them up and freeze them in glass lock containers.
FAQ
Dates are packed with nutrients, but they are also really high in calories. If you are counting calories to loose weight, you might want to avoid dates and date bars. However, if you aren't counting calories, these are an excellent choice if you are craving something sweet.
In just 3.5 ounces of dates there are 7 grams of fiber, 2 grams of protein, and plenty of potassium, magnesium, and vitamin B6.
Yes, these date bars will provide you with long-lasting energy. They are high in natural sugars but also high in fiber. Plus, these bars have lots of protein that will balance out your blood sugar and keep it from dipping.
No, these snack bars are not keto-friendly. There is far too much natural sugar and carbs in them. Plus, I used honey to sweeten them which is definitely going to throw off your macro count.
Yes, these bars are Paleo. They are made with whole ingredients and honey instead of processed sugar.
Related recipes
If you enjoyed my date bar recipe, then you should check out more of my favorite snack recipes.
I think we have a winner! Great for snacking or taking them on a trip. Make them today!
Recipe
Date Bar Recipe - Nut-Free Homemade Chocolate Larabars
Ingredients
- 1 Cup loosely packed pitted dates - about 20 or so dates. I used Medjool dates.
- ½ C Semisweet or Dark Chocolates.
- ½ C Hemp Seeds
- ½ C Black Sesame Seeds
- ½ C Sesame Seeds
- ½ C Sunflower Seeds
- ½ teaspoon Honey
Instructions
- Mix all the ingredients together in a mixer. Scrape the sides down and mix all the dates and seeds thoroughly.
- If you want to use nuts, mix the nuts with dates before adding seeds. If you pinch the mixture and it binds together, then, it's done.
- Line a glass pan with parchment paper.
- Pour the mixture in.
- Using your hands, push down the mixture into the pan to flatten it out.
- Lift the parchment paper out of the pan, and place it on a cutting board. Using the flat side of the knife, compact it down more.
- With the edge of the knife, push the edges in to shape it.
- Cut them in sizes you want and use a spatula to remove them.
- Wrap them up individually and store in an airlock container.
- The bars are good for one week in the fridge. You can freeze them too for a month. I wrap them up as pictured, then, stack them up and freeze them in glass lock containers.
Dr. Karen says
BReiman That sounds amazing! I love apricots! Gotta try that version. Thx!
BReiman says
I like to make them with apricots instead of dates sometimes!! Also very yummy!
LynnJohnsonHasselberger says
They look yummy!!
bethbot52 says
These look AMAZING! I love a Larabar but find some of their flavors can be hit or miss. Still, DIY is much better. This may be the recipe that finally forces me to buy a food processor!
Good Girl Gone Green says
Looks delish!
lorialper1 says
Those look amazing Karen! And the photos are beautiful. I love the color combination with the black sesame seeds. Dates are my favorite sweetener. Must try!
ecokaren says
NinaManolson I bet you'd make some amazing ones Nina! Can't wait to hear what you would use. And thanks for the kind words!
NinaManolson says
Gorgeous recipe and pics Karen! I can't wait to make it and then create some fun variations! Thanks!
Eco-Novice: Going Green Gradually says
What a great option for those with special diets!
Leigh Ann says
I really have to make these this weekend they look amazing
Anna Hackman says
How do you stop eating them?
ecokaren says
No. I cut them up, wrap them like pictured, then, put them in glasslock to freeze.
Jen Eyers-McLaughlin says
Do you freeze individually on a flat tray and then once frozen put into a container (just so they don't stick together)
Sarah Pantaleo White says
Pinned! That looks good!
Sara Vartanian says
I am so trying these! My hubby and I both work at schools and we cannot take nuts. It's hard to find healthy snack replacements that don't require nuts! Thanks for this!
ecokaren says
I can't stop making them Donna!! So easy too!
Donna Cappiella DeForbes says
Ooh, that looks delish!
ecokaren says
[email protected] Talk what ingredients are you going to sub with?
[email protected] Talk says
I can't wait to try this recipe. Of course, I will have to sub too.