These no-bake salted mocha coconut protein bars are easy to prepare in minutes with just 7 basic ingredients. Enjoy for a sweet treat or energizing snack anytime of day!

Stack of 4 energy bars on a small plate. More bars in foreground and background.

Features

  • dietary needs: vegan, gluten-free, can be oil-free, no added sugar
  • quick and easy: you’ll need 7 ingredients and about 10 minutes of prep time (plus a bit of time to firm in freezer)

Ingredient Notes

  • almonds – use plain, raw almonds with no added salt or oil
  • dates – any variety works as long as they’re soft and moist
  • protein powder – use vanilla, chocolate or mocha pea protein-based powder such as Vega or NuZest (you can also use mocha protein in this protein oatmeal recipe)
  • coconut – use unsweetened fine shredded coconut (may be labelled desiccated coconut)
  • sea salt – use a good quality sea salt such as Maldon, grey or pink if you want to go for the “salted mocha” flavour, do not use table salt
  • coconut oil – can be replaced with additional coffee for oil-free bars but I really like the texture coconut oil adds here
  • coffee – use good, strong coffee for the most flavour…be sure to use decaf if you’re sensitive to caffeine or plan to enjoy these later in the day!

Step by Step Method

Step 1. Add the almonds to a food processor and mix until broken down into a grainy, coarse flour. A few larger chunks left behind are ok but they should be mostly broken down.

Blended almonds in a food processor container.

Step 2. Add the dates to the food processor and mix into a crumbly dough.

Blended dates and almonds in a food processor.

Step 3. Add the rest of the ingredients and process into a thick dough you can press together between your fingers. You’ll need a fairly large and powerful food processor for this step. I use a Ninja food processor and it was able to handle it.

Quick Note: If you don’t have a somewhat large and powerful food processor, transfer everything to a large mixing bowl and use your hands to work the dough together.

A thick, crumbly dough blended up in a food processor container.

Step 4. Line a 7-8 inch square baking pan with parchment paper so the edges of the paper stick out of the sides of the pan. Firmly press the dough into the pan using your hands.

Take a few moments to really work it in, especially into the corners.

Two hands pressing dough into a square baking pan.
Parchment paper-lined square baking pan of energy bars.

Place the whole pan in the freezer for 30 minutes to firm, then lift out of the pan, slice into bars and enjoy!

10 sliced energy bars on a cutting board. Knife rests beside bars.

Notes and Tips

  • Almonds: Almonds can be subbed or mixed and matched with with cashews and pecans.
  • Oil-Free Option: Replace coconut oil with additional coffee or nut butter.
  • Storing: Store in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 2 months.
  • Serving Size: I like to cut these into 24 mini-bars so I can have a small serving or double up if I want more.
Stack of 3 energy bars sitting on a folded piece of parchment paper. More bars in background.

Did you try this recipe? I’d love to hear about it! Scroll down to the comment section to leave a star rating and review.
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Print
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Stack of 3 energy bars sitting on a folded piece of parchment paper. More bars in background.

Salted Mocha Protein Bar with Coconut

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 5 from 1 review
  • Author: Deryn Macey
  • Prep Time: 10 mins
  • Total Time: 40 mins
  • Yield: 12 bars
  • Category: Snack
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Vegan
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Description

Creamy, dreamy energy bars made with wholesome ingredients like dates, almonds, coconut and vegan protein powder.


Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 cup almonds (225 g)
  • 1 1/4 cup tightly packed soft, pitted dates (270 g)
  • 3/4 cup vegan chocolate, vanilla or mocha pea protein powder (75 g)
  • 1 cups unsweetened fine coconut (100 g)
  • 1/2 tsp sea salt
  • 1/3 cup coconut oil, melted
  • 1/3 cup strongly brewed coffee

Instructions

  1. Place the almonds in a food processor or high-powered blender. Process until broken down into a coarse flour consistency. A few larger pieces left behind are ok.
  2. Add the dates and process into a crumbly mixture.
  3. If you have a large, strong food processor, add the rest of the ingredients and blend into a thick dough you can press together between your fingers. If not, add the food processor mixture and the rest of the ingredients to a large mixing bowl and use your hands to work the dough together.
  4. Line a 7-8 inch square baking pan with parchment paper so the edges stick out over the sides of the pan. Use your hands to firmly press the dough into the lined pan, taking the time to really press it in and work it into the corners.
  5. Place in the freezer for at least 30 minutes.
  6. Lift out of the pan and cut into 12 bars. 

Notes

    Coffee: Be sure to use decaf coffee if you’re sensitive to caffeine or want to enjoy these later in the day.

    Almonds: Almonds can be subbed or mixed and matched with with cashews and pecans.

    Oil-Free Option: Replace coconut oil with additional coffee or nut butter.

    Storing: Store in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 2 months.

    Serving Size: I like to cut these into 24 mini-bars so I can have a small serving or double up if I wanted a larger bar.


      Nutrition

      • Serving Size: 1 bar
      • Calories: 299
      • Sugar: 18 g
      • Sodium: 107 mg
      • Fat: 21 g
      • Carbohydrates: 26 g
      • Fiber: 5 g
      • Protein: 6 g

      Updated with new text and photos on September 29, 2020.