Healthy No-Bake Squares

HOMEMADE ENERGY BARS

Most store-bought energy bars are loaded with sugar, saturated fat, sodium, and other ingredients that are neither healthy nor needed. That’s why I always make my own.

Homemade energy bars taste way better, you get to choose the ingredients, and they are super easy to make.

MEET THE KEY INGREDIENTS

These healthy no-bake squares are very nutritious and loaded with wholesome ingredients. They make the perfect healthy snack when you’re feeling hungry mid-day. 

This is what you’ll need (You can find instructions and the exact measurements in the recipe card below):

Squares: roasted almonds, dates, dried apple rings, dried apricots, shredded coconut, chia seeds, coconut oil.

Chocolate frosting: dark chocolate (85% cacao), coconut cream, agave syrup.

Almonds are roasted (check How to roast almonds) because roasting makes them extra nutty and gives them a more intense flavor and that is just what we need for this recipe. However, you can add raw almonds if you prefer, but the squares won’t be as flavorful. 

HOW TO MAKE HEALTHY NO-BAKE SQUARES

You can find instructions and the exact measurements in the recipe card below.

SQUARES

• Line the pan (I used 20 x 14 cm) with baking paper.
• Combine finely chopped roasted almonds, rolled oats, chopped dried apple rings, chopped dried apricots, shredded coconut, and chia seeds in one bowl.
• Drain dates and add them to the blender. Add in 4 tablespoons of melted coconut oil and blend until you get a thick paste.
• Transfer the date paste to the bowl with dry ingredients and stir until all is well combined and the mixture sticks together. You can use a hand mixer for this.
• Press the mixture down firmly into prepared pan.
• Place the squares in the fridge for a couple of hours to firm up.

CHOCOLATE FROSTING

• Melt chocolate over low heat in a medium pot. Stir until smooth.
• Place coconut cream (see Note on coconut cream), melted chocolate and agave to the blender, and blend briefly until smooth.
• Spread the frosting all over the top.
• Place it in the fridge for half an hour to allow the topping to firm up.
• Chop into bars or squares.

TIPS AND HOW-TOS

NOTE ON COCONUT CREAM

Always use full-fat canned coconut milk or the chocolate frosting won’t be as firm. Chill it in the refrigerator overnight so that you can easily separate cream from the liquid. The cream should be firm enough so that you can scoop it out with a spoon. 

HOW TO ROAST ALMONDS

Preheat oven to 180 °C. Spread the almonds 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 almonds to cook evenly.

When the almonds are browned and smell nutty, remove from the oven and immediately transfer onto a plate or another baking sheet.

HEALTHY NO-BAKE SQUARES ARE:

• Gluten-free
• Vegan
• Soy-free
• Delicious homemade treat
• Easy to make

INTERESTED IN MORE HEALTHY TREATS?

If you enjoyed these healthy no-bake squares, here are a few more favorites:

• Chickpea Chocolate Hazelnut Cookies
• Chickpea Chocolate Hazelnut Truffles
• Teff Tigernut Flour Cookies
• Breakfast Bars

Recipe index >>

Healthy No-Bake Squares

Nensi Beram

Healthy no-bake squares are loaded with wholesome ingredients. A great alternative to sugary store-bought energy bars. Vegan and gluten-free.

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Prep Time 20 mins

Cook Time 20 mins

Cuisine Gluten-free, Vegan

Servings 6

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

Squares

• 200 g dates previously soaked in water for 1-2 hours
• 100 g roasted almonds finely chopped
• 100 g rolled oats
• 30 g dried apple rings chopped
• 50 g dried apricots chopped
• 20 g shredded coconut
• 10 g chia seeds
• 3-4 tablespoons melted coconut oil

Chocolate frosting

• 80 g coconut cream the thickened cream from a can of full-fat coconut milk
• 80 g dark chocolate (85% cocoa)
• 2 tablespoons agave syrup

Instructions

 

Squares

• Line the pan (I used 20 x 14 cm) with baking paper.
• Combine the dry ingredients in one bowl.
• Drain dates and add them to the blender. Add in 4 tablespoons of melted coconut oil and blend until you get a thick paste.
• Transfer the date paste to the bowl with dry ingredients and stir until all is well combined and the mixture sticks together. You can use a hand mixer for this.
• Press the mixture down firmly into prepared pan.
• Place it in the fridge for a couple of hours to firm up.

Chocolate frosting

• Melt chocolate over low heat in a medium pot. Stir until smooth.
• Place coconut cream, melted chocolate and agave to the blender and blend briefly until smooth.
• Spread the frosting all over the top of the base.
• Place it in the fridge for half an hour to allow the topping to firm up.
• Chop into bars or squares.

Notes

NOTE ON COCONUT CREAM

Always use full-fat canned coconut milk or the chocolate frosting won't be as firm. Chill it in the refrigerator overnight so that you can easily separate cream from the liquid. The cream should be firm enough so that you can scoop it out with a spoon. 

Keyword best energy bars, gluten-free energy bars, no-bake energy bites

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