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Chocolate Hazelnut Energy Bars

by Nensi Beram
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Chocolate Hazelnut Energy Bars

Recipe characteristics

  • Easy to make
  • Nutty and chewy
  • Packed with nutritious and wholesome ingredients
  • Refined sugar free (sweetened with dates)
  • Great as a healthy snack, post workout snack or as an afternoon pick-me-up
  • Dietary requirements: plant-based (vegan), gluten-free, and soy-free

Notes on ingredients

You can find a complete list of ingredients with exact amounts and instructions in the recipe card below.
  • Dry roasted hazelnuts: Roasting hazelnuts deepens their flavor and gives them a crisper texture. Check How to roast hazelnuts for instructions.
  • Gluten-free rolled oats: Always make sure to buy certified gluten-free rolled oats to avoid possible cross-contamination. Check Oats and a gluten-free diet for more info.
  • Puffed rice: You can find puffed rice in the cereal section of the supermarket.
  • Sultanas: Dried currants, raisins, dried cherries, and dried cranberries are good substitutes for sultanas. 
  • Pitted dates: Put pitted dates in a bowl and cover them with water. Soak at room temperature for 1-2 hours or until soft.
  • Dark chocolate: Use dark chocolate with 85 percent cocoa solids.

Chocolate Hazelnut Energy Bars

Oats on a gluten-free diet

Most people with coeliac disease or gluten intolerance can tolerate gluten-free oats with no problems. However, a small percentage of people may still react to avenin – a protein in oats similar to gluten. For these people, even certified gluten-free oats may be unsafe.  If you develop any new symptoms after adding gluten-free oats to your diet, it’s best if you talk to your dietitian or a doctor.

Another problem can be cross-contamination. Even though oats are naturally gluten-free, they are often contaminated with gluten because they may be processed in the same facilities as gluten-containing grains like wheat, rye, and barley. Therefore, if you have celiac disease or gluten sensitivity, always make sure your oats are certified gluten-free to avoid any cross-contamination issues.

How to make it

You can find a complete list of ingredients with exact amounts and instructions in the recipe card below.
 
SOAKING DATES: Put pitted dates in a bowl and cover them with water. Soak at room temperature for 1-2 hours or until soft.
Step 1

Line the square cake pan (22 x 22 cm or approx. 9 inch) with baking paper.

Step 2

Combine dry ingredients in one bowl.

Step 3

Melt chocolate over low heat in a medium pot. 

Step 4

Drain dates really well after soaking them – you can use a fork to remove any excess water. Place the dates into a high-speed blender and blend briefly until you get a thick paste.

Step 5

Add date paste and melted chocolate to the bowl with dry ingredients and stir well until combined (or you can use a hand mixer and mix until all is well combined).

Step 6

Press the mixture down firmly into prepared pan. Place it in the fridge for a couple of hours to firm up (I usually leave it overnight).

Step 7

Remove it from the pan and chop it into bars or squares.

Chocolate Hazelnut Energy Bars

Serving suggestion

Sprinkle the bars with chopped hazelnuts and drizzle with melted dark chocolate.

Tips and how-tos

How to roast hazelnuts
  • Preheat oven to 180 °C.
  • Spread the hazelnuts in an even layer on the baking sheet.
  • Place in oven and roast for 10-15 minutes.
  • Stir or shake the tray every 5 minutes to help the hazelnuts to cook evenly.
  • When the hazelnuts are browned and smell nutty, remove from the oven, and immediately transfer onto a plate or another baking sheet.
  • Once they are cool enough, place them in a clean tea towel and gently rub together until most of the skins have come off.
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Chocolate Hazelnut Energy Bars
 
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Chocolate Hazelnut Energy Bars

Chocolate Hazelnut Energy Bars

Nensi Beram
Chocolate Hazelnut Energy Bars are nutty, chewy, refined sugar free and easy to make. Serve them as a healthy snack, post workout snack or as an afternoon pick-me-up.
Prep Time 45 minutes
Cuisine Gluten-free, Vegan
Servings 12
Calories 143 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 100 g dry roasted hazelnuts roughly chopped
  • 100 g rolled oats
  • 30 g puffed rice
  • 40 g sultanas
  • 100 g dark chocolate (85%)
  • 250 g dates Put pitted dates in a bowl and cover them with water. Soak at room temperature for 1-2 hours or until soft.

Topping (optional)

  • chopped dry roasted hazelnuts
  • melted dark chocolate

Instructions
 

  • SOAKING DATES: Put pitted dates in a bowl and cover them with water. Soak at room temperature for 1-2 hours or until soft.

Chocolate Hazelnut Energy Bars

  • Line the square cake pan (22 x 22 cm or approx. 9 inch) with baking paper.
  • Combine dry ingredients in one bowl.
  • Melt chocolate over low heat in a medium pot. 
  • Drain dates really well after soaking them – you can use a fork to remove any excess water. Place the dates into a high-speed blender and blend briefly until you get a thick paste.
  • Add date paste and melted chocolate to the bowl with dry ingredients and stir well until combined (or you can use a hand mixer and mix until all is well combined).
  • Press the mixture down firmly into prepared pan. Place it in the fridge for a couple of hours to firm up (I usually leave it overnight).
  • Remove it from the pan and chop it into bars or squares.

Serving suggestion

  • Sprinkle the bars with chopped hazelnuts and drizzle with melted dark chocolate.
Did you make this recipe?Please leave a comment below and let us know how it was. We are very grateful for your feedback.

Nutrition facts

Nutrition Facts
Chocolate Hazelnut Energy Bars
Serving Size
 
12
Amount per Serving
Calories
143
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
6
g
9
%
Sodium
 
1
mg
0
%
Carbohydrates
 
23
g
8
%
Fiber
 
3
g
13
%
Sugar
 
14
g
16
%
Protein
 
3
g
6
%

* The nutritional information provided is calculated automatically and should be used as an estimate.

Keyword best energy bars, gluten free granola bars

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4 comments

Regina October 23, 2022 - 8:30 am

This sounds awesome! One question though, do you process or chop the hazelnuts? The pictures don’t look like using whole nuts. Will try this recipe next weekend 🙂

Reply
Nensi Beram October 23, 2022 - 8:50 pm

Hi, Regina! Sorry, I forgot to mention it. Hazelnuts are roughly chopped.

Reply
Regina November 6, 2022 - 5:31 am

Made these and they were amazing. Definitely a keeper recipe, many thanks for sharing!

Reply
Nensi Beram November 8, 2022 - 1:48 pm

Thank you so much, Regina! I’m so happy that you like it.

Reply

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