No-Bake Energy Bars & Bites Recipe (Ready in 15 Minutes!)

These no-bake energy bars & bites combine the natural sweetness of dates with the satisfying crunch of nuts and seeds. Additionally, they’re naturally gluten-free and easily customizable. Furthermore, they’re packed with fiber, healthy fats, and plant-based protein to keep you fueled throughout your day. As a result, you’ll experience sustained energy without the afternoon crash.

Energy Bars & Bites Ingredients

Before we begin, let’s gather all the ingredients. First and foremost, quality matters here—especially with the dates, which form the base of these bars. Therefore, look for soft, fresh Medjool dates for the best results.

• 1½cups pitted Medjool dates (about 12-15 dates)
• 1cup raw almonds
• ½cup raw cashews
• ½cup rolled oats (use gluten-free if needed)
• ⅓cup unsweetened shredded coconut
• ¼cup chia seeds
• ¼cup natural almond butter or peanut butter
• 2tablespoons pure maple syrup or honey
• 1teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• ½teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ¼teaspoon sea salt
• ⅓cup dark chocolate chips (optional but highly recommended!)

How to Make Energy Bars & Bites

Preparation Steps for Your Energy Bites

1. Prepare Your Pan First, line an 8×8 inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving some overhang on the sides for easy removal later. As a matter of fact, this is one of those simple steps that makes life so much easier when it’s time to cut your bars.
2. Process the Dates Next, add the pitted dates to your food processor and pulse until they form a sticky, thick paste. However, you might need to scrape down the sides a few times—that’s completely normal. Remember, the dates are what hold everything together, so consequently, take your time with this step.
3. Add Nuts and Oats After that, toss in the almonds, cashews, and rolled oats. Then, pulse about 10-15 times until the mixture is coarsely chopped but not completely smooth. Importantly, you want some texture here—those little chunks of nuts give each bite that satisfying crunch.
4. Mix in Remaining Ingredients Subsequently, add the shredded coconut, chia seeds, almond butter, maple syrup, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and sea salt. Process until everything comes together into a thick, sticky dough. Ideally, it should hold together when you press it between your fingers. However, if it seems too dry, simply add a tablespoon of water or more nut butter.

Assembly & Storage

5. Add Chocolate Chips Now, if you’re using chocolate chips (and I really hope you are!), pulse them in briefly—just 2-3 pulses so they’re mixed throughout but not completely chopped up. As a result, you’ll get pockets of melty chocolate in every bite.
6. Press Into Pan At this point, transfer the mixture to your prepared pan. Here’s my trick: wet your hands slightly or use a piece of parchment paper to press the mixture down firmly and evenly. Specifically, really pack it in there—this helps the bars hold together better when you cut them. Otherwise, they might crumble.
7. Chill and Cut Following that, refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or alternatively, freeze for 30 minutes if you’re impatient like me sometimes. Once firm, lift the entire slab out using the parchment paper overhang, and then cut into 16 bars using a sharp knife. Additionally, for cleaner cuts, wipe the knife between each slice.
8. Store and Enjoy Finally, store your energy bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks, or freeze them for up to 3 months. Personally, I like to wrap individual bars in parchment paper for grab-and-go convenience. Furthermore, they’re perfect straight from the fridge, though I sometimes let mine sit at room temperature for 5-10 minutes for a softer texture.

Energy Bars & Bites Nutrition Facts

These energy bars provide balanced nutrition to fuel your active lifestyle. Moreover, each bar delivers a satisfying combination of macronutrients that work together to keep you energized.

Nutritional Breakdown