These healthy yet decadent, no-bake chocolate chia energy bars are one of my favourite quick snacks for busy days, weekend adventures and pre-workout snacks. They’re easy to make in a blender or food processor, high in antioxidants, have no added sugar and taste incredible! Meet your new favourite snack: rich, decadent chocolate flavour, perfect soft but firm texture and wholesome, real food ingredients like walnuts, coconut, dark chocolate and chia seeds.
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Homemade Energy Bars
Would you rather homemade, vegan, all-natural energy bars or store-bought “energy” bars with a long list of hard-to-pronounce ingredients? It’s homemade all the way for me! These are absolutely one of my favourite all-time snacks. They’re soft and chewy with a little crunch from the chia seeds. The flavour is rich and decadent with hints of coconut, dark chocolate, walnut and sea salt. They are so good! I like to keep a stash in the freezer at all times for sweet but heathy pick-me-ups, and as a nourishing option to take care of any chocolate cravings.
These bars are very energizing and satisfying too. The healthy fats in the chia seeds, walnuts and coconut really help to keep you full and provide long-lasting energy. I love them for a pre-workout snack, post-workout recovery snack and to take on hikes and adventures. They travel well so they’re perfect for taking on the road.
The only downside is you might get a few chia seeds stuck in your teeth, but that’s not so bad is it?
Chocolate Chia Energy Bars
- high in antioxidants
- wrap individually and take to-go
- great for hiking, long walks and runs
- natural, whole food ingredients
- easy to make in minutes
- amazing, rich, chocolate flavour
- delicious soft and chewy texture
- perfect pre-workout for a natural energy boost
- healthy essential fats
- no baking required
- vegan and gluten-free
- naturally sweet with no added sugar
Ingredients Needed for Chia Energy Bars
To make these beautiful, nourishing, no-bake chocolate chia energy bars, you’ll need some of my favourite ingredients:
Medjool dates – Nature’s candy, plenty of health benefits and one of my favourite foods.
Chia seeds – One of my favourite superfood ingredients and a must-have for any healthy kitchen!
Unsweetened shredded coconut – A must for no-bake vegan energy bars! Energy for days.
Walnuts – A super-powered superfood packed with antioxidants, vitamins and minerals and perfect for no-bake bars.
Dark Chocolate – High in antioxidants and phytonutrients. I like Green & Black’s Organic Dark Chocolate.
Once you have everything you need, it’s simply a matter of creating the “dough” in a food processor or high-powered blender.
I use the Ninja Mega Kitchen System for all my no-bake bar recipes and I’ve been very happy with it. Then pressing into a baking pan, setting in the fridge then cutting into bars! Enjoy!
PrintNo-Bake Chocolate Chia Energy Bars
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Total Time: 10 mins
- Yield: 14 bars
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups packed, pitted dates (350 g)
- ⅓ cup raw cacoa powder or cocoa powder (35 g)
- 1/2 cup whole chia seeds (75 g)
- 1/2 cup unsweetened shredded coconut (45 g)
- 1 cup raw walnut pieces (125 g)
- 1/2 cup chopped dark chocolate (70 g)
- 1/2 cup oats (50 g)
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract, optional, enhances flavour
- 1/4 tsp unrefined sea salt, optional, enhances flavour
Instructions
- Place dates in blender or food processor and purée until they form a thick paste forms.
- Add the walnuts and mix to combine.
- Add the rest of the ingredients and mix until it forms a thick dough.
- Line a square baking pan with parchment paper. Firmly press the mixture into the pan, pressing tightly into all corners.
- Place in the freezer for at least a few hours up to overnight.
- Lift out of the pan and cut into 14 bars.
- Store in an air-tight container in the fridge or freezer.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 234 calories
- Sugar: 17 g
- Fat: 12 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 7 g
- Protein: 4.5 g
More Chia Seed Recipes:
- Chocolate Coconut Chia Seed Bars – No-bake, vegan, gluten-free chocolate chia seed goodness
- 15 Amazing Chia Seed Pudding Recipes – Awesome collection of chia seed pudding recipes from my fave bloggers
- Tropical Chia Seed Oats – Pineapple, oats and chia seeds for a tropical breakfast
- Chocolate Chip Chia Seed Granola Bars – One of the most popular recipes on the blog
- Chocolate Chia Protein Pudding – Delicious, healthy, filling chocolate chia seed breakfast
Jaclyn
I made these just now, and they are turning out perfect! I substituted a mixture of peanuts, almonds, and cashews instead of the walnuts, and I used almond extract in place of the vanilla. I also added 2 tablespoons or so of coconut oil and they taste delicious! Definitely a healthy on the go snack that I will use again, thanks!
Deryn
Awesome! So glad to hear that 🙂 Great idea on the substitutions!
Thanks for the comment! Enjoy!
Frances
almond extract is such a good shout!
Jewels
Thank youuuu!!! Sooo good!
Deryn
Yay! So glad you enjoyed them!!
Alice
I needed a recipe to use up chia seeds that I bought and don’t know what to do with. These were great. I plan on making them again today for a gathering tonight. Thanks for the wonderful recipe!
Deryn
You’re welcome. I’m so happy you enjoyed them! Thanks for letting me know 🙂
Manisha
These look delicious n so easy to make. I wanna give it try so wondering did you use quick oats since there’s no cooking involved?
★★★★★
Deryn
Yep, it would be quick oats 🙂
Elizabeth McDonald
Hi. Did you ever make these with steel-cut oats? Would that make them too gritty?
Deryn
I haven’t tried these with steel cut oats. They would definitely be a lot grittier. You could try blending the oats first so they break down more though. Haven’t tried…but let know if you do!
Samb
I only have a nutri bullet … Last time I blended dates it started smoking and broke. Should I add water?
Deryn
You could try soaking them in hot water for about 20-30 minutes first, then drain and blend. If that doesn’t work, you’d have to try a food processor or higher powered blender.
Amanda
Can these be frozen for longer storage?
Deryn
Yep, that should be no problem!
nelly
would steel cut oats or old fashioned oats from quaker oats work (not instant) ??? or would they have to be cooked first?
Deryn
Old fashioned oats should be okay, you definitely don’t want to cook them first! Thanks.
vegan555
what about oat groats? Would those work?
Andrea
I just finished making these and they seem a bit crumbly at the edges. I pressed really hard but wonder if that’s how they are until chilled? I pressed really hard and didn’t substitute. My dates formed a big clump of paste in the processor and the mixture was very crumbly until I squeezed a test clump into a ball. Just want to know if this sounds right or it needs some adjustment. Don’t want to waste such precious ingredients!
Thanks!
Andrea
Deryn
Hi Andrea, mine actually weren’t crumbly at all and held together very well. It could be that your dates were too dry? You could try soaking your dates in hot water for 10 minutes before using. Let me know.
Andrea
They were actually very moist….can you suggest how to rescue the batch? They’ve only been in the fridge about 30 minutes….
Deryn
I can’t guarantee it will work but you could try adding either a little water, maple syrup, almond milk or coconut oil, probably just 1-2 tsp at a time until everything holds together better. I hope it works for you. I’ve made this recipe numerous times with success and no crumbling, so I’m not sure what happened with yours unfortunately!
Andrea
I was thinking of trying coconut oil. Will do and let you know! Thanks!
Deryn
Sounds good! I hope it works!!
Kate
I just made these and they are phenomenal. You can’t even taste the dates. The just taste like chocolatey goodness. I added cocoa nibs instead of dark chocolate. Mine were a little crumbly too, but still come out in bar form. Thanks for the recipe!
★★★★★
sherrita
how many bars does this usually make for you?
Deryn
Either 8 larger bars or 16 squares.
Susan
Can I replace the dates to raisin?
Deryn
Sure, you just made need to soak them in hot water first.
vegan555
These sound super delicious and a great healthy snack but I’m not the biggest coconut fan, is there anything else you can substitute it with? What you would suggest?
Tammy L.
What does the box next to the word cup mean? is it 1 or 1/2. 1 c of cocoa seems like a lot
anne
when u click to print this recipe the amounts for the box symbol is 1/3rd of a cup…very strange. I assumed it was a cup as well.
Anne
if you click print the recipe the amount for the boxes if 1/3 cup…i thought it was a cup originally
Wishing U Well
These chocolate chia energy bars look delicious. Your kids and even adults will like this simple recipe of chocolate energy bars. Without baking, you can make these delicious energy bars.
★★★★★
Eric
How long do you think they last in an air tight container in the fridge for?
Deryn
Hi Eric, they should last up to 5 days no problem, I can’t way any longer because they’ve never lasted that long for me!
Joan
All I can say OMG delishhhhhhhh. They turned out perfect. Making batch number 3. Very tasty treat. Thank you so much for this.
★★★★★
Jasmin
Hi,
Do you have any suggestions instead of oats? (Grain free) or do you think The recipe would work if I just leave them out??
Thanks,
Jasmin
Aurora StoneHeart
Hello,
Just commenting to let you know this is a great recipe. My nephew is such a fussy little eater and it is hard to find things to feed him to boost his nutrition. He absolutely loves these! Thank you for sharing!
★★★★★
LinAe
Hi, do you think this would work in a Vitamix? I don’t have a food processor. Would I need to add some liquid (coconut oil or agave, etc), or do the hot water soaking if I did it in there? I’m not sure what the difference is between a Vitamix and food processor, and just don’t want to mess these up if I try it in there. Otherwise I could probly borrow my friend’s food processor. 🙂
Deryn
Blender will work fine, I sometimes use my blender sometimes my food processor. Enjoy!
Devon Rochester
These taste like brownie batter, IM DEAD!
★★★★★
Katie
I think the dates I used were not moist enough as the mixture seems very dry. Any suggestions to help save them so I don’t need to throw out the mixture? This seems to always happen with any similar recipes I’ve used and I’m thinking the dates might be the issue. I’ll need to find a more moist brand but for the time being I would appreciate a recommendation on how to salvage this batch!
Deryn
I usually use Natural Delights Medjool Dates, if I don’t have those I use bulk, fresh medjool dates I buy from my local natural food store. It’s definetely important that you use fresh and moist dates to help hold the mixture together. If you’ve already mixed it up but it’s dry, you could try adding some almond or other nut butter, or maybe a bit of coconut oil. Some applesauce or mashed banana might also work. If you haven’t find fresh dates, in the future you can soak dates in hot water for 20 minutes and drain before using.
Jenna
I made these this afternoon and I could only wait a few hours to try a bar! Wow, they are delicious! I will definitely be making these again. In fact, I plan on making these instead of buying bars every week from the grocery store! Thank you so much for this recipe. It’s the first one of yours that I have tried, but I will certainly be checking out your other recipes after this!
★★★★★
DJ
These look great. I saw a comment but not a reply for a substitute for coconut flakes. If there is no suggested sub can it just be omiyted?
★★★★
Deryn
You could try replacing them with a bit more walnuts, cocoa and/or chia seeds, just to make up the 1/3 cup of dry ingredients. I can’t guarantee the exact same result though, I haven’t tried it! Thanks 🙂
laura
Mine turn out crumbly too but I like them like that as have been using them to crumble into soya yoghurt for a pudding! Delicious, thank you!
★★★★★
Deryn
Sorry they were too crumbly but they do sound delicious crumbled in yogurt!!
Casey the College Celiac
I’m a sucker for chia seeds and chocolate, so this is definitely my kind of energy bar!
Deryn
Me too! These bars are my favourite, they’re so yummy! And I love how easy they are. Let me know if you try them!
!
S James
Definitely real food there folks. Chia seeds are one of those much touted “super” foods that actually delivers and sign me up for anything with chocolate or cocoa.
Yum
I’m particularly lazy so not having to cook this is just brownie points all day long (pun most definitely intended).
Thanks for the tasty treat
★★★★★
Deryn
You’re so welcome! I hope you enjoy them. Thanks for your comment.
Jessi
Wow, it looks so yummy on those beautiful pictures!!! Have to try making this great recipe. Thanks for sharing:)
Debbie
These are absolutely delicious. Thank you for your recipe 🙂
Deryn
Yay! So happy that you enjoyed them.
Tim @ Food Processor Reviewer
lovely and delicious. I have been looking for a promising recipe to experiment my new food processor I bought from a guide
Keep sharing useful recipies like this
THank you
★★★★★
Dawn @ Our Food Fix
These look great and right up my alley! I can even leave out the Oats to make them Paleo 🙂
Jordan | Read. Eat. Repeat.
Yes, yes, and yes to the dark chocolate and the no-bake and the healthy and all the things.
Susannah
Oh yum!!! These sound absolutely fantastic!!!
Kristine
Oh this sounds amazing! I love that these are no bake… win-win!!
Deryn
Yes, no-bake for the win, always!! 🙂
Suzanne Kent
I make these all the time!!! Love them!!! I do add about 1 TBSP coconut oil to recipe and they are not as dry!!
Deryn
Good to know! Happy to hear you’ve been making them!
homesteadorgus
Yummy Recipe!!!
Rose-marie
Excellent! Would definitely make these again. I did add a bit of melted coconut oil as they seemed a bit on the dry side when I mixed them up.
★★★★★
bigshaq
i was just wondering if a freezer was necessary or if i could just put them in the fridge overnight? i would love to make these but i don’t actually own a freezer!
Deryn
Ya, I think the fridge overnight should do it! They might not be quite as firm but should be no problem.
Mary
Hi, I really like this recipe. Only question that I have is how it is gluten-free if it has oats? Or you use gluten free oats?
Deryn
Oats are naturally gluten-free but you can use gluten-free certified oats if needed for celiac or gluten intolerance. 😀
Robin
I’m assuming you use an 8’8 square pan but could you confirm. I don’t want to use the wrong size and mess with the nutrition info.
Deryn
As long as you make 14 bars out of it, the nutritional info should be the same. 🙂 I used an approx. 8×8 pan, it might be a little smaller. Hope you enjoy them!
Sarah
These turned out well, although perhaps because I store my dates in an airtight container in the fridge, it was a little tough going at first in the food processor. I decided to add a few spoonfuls of coconut butter and that helped. ( Besides, it tastes good)! I eliminated the coconut. Mine too was a bit crumbly so I added about a teaspoon of coconut oil. It was still crumbly, but with all the oils in the nuts and seeds, I decided to go ahead and press it into my pan. No more crumbling!
These are not very sweet, which is a selling point for me. Nice texture and flavor.
★★★★
Deryn
Yes, it’s important that the dates are nice and soft so they can hold the recipe together. Next time, try soaking them in hot water and draining before using if your dates are dry. That should do the trick! I like how they’re not to sweet too, they’re just right! Thanks for the feedback!
Barbara Cohen
This looks fabulous, thanks so much!