Chocolate Chip Date Nut Bars

Granola bars and energy bars are handy. They’re great for a quick snack to tie me over until lunch or dinner. I also like to have one with a yogurt for breakfast once in a while. The only problem is that a lot of bars out there are full of junk or sugar, so then they’re that not that good for you any more. Then there are the actual healthy bars, but they can cost a lot per bar. So I thought, couldn’t I make my own bars? Why, yes, yes I can! And so can you! Enter Chocolate Chip Date Nut Bars!

It might seem like it would be difficult to make these bars. But it is easier than you think to throw together a batch. I used a knife to chop up the nuts and the dates, but if you’ve got a food processor, more power to you! A food processor will definitely help make these bars faster, but I also want to show that it can be done with a good ol’ knife and some elbow grease!

Like several recipes on my blog, you can customize these bars. Try tossing in some dried cranberries. I used chopped cashews and almonds, but use walnuts, pecans…whatever suits your fancy! Like dried coconut flakes? Go for it!

Let the bars set in the fridge before cutting them into bars. Then wrap each bar up individually for that grab-and-go convenience. I like to make a batch before we travel so we’ve got “emergency” food for the plane or hotel. They are also great to throw into the school lunch box for a break time snack. And yes, these are kid-approved. 😉

So save some money and make these Chocolate Chip Date Nut Bars. Who can complain about saving a dollar or two? And don’t forget, you know every ingredient going into these bars is healthy. Try making these bars and leave a comment below!

Chocolate Chip Date Nut Bars

Why spend money on energy bars when you can make them yourself? Perfect to hold you over until your next meal, these Chocolate Chip Date Nut Bars are an easy and healthy snack.

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Course: Snacks

Cuisine: Western

Keyword: date bars

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Makes: 8 bars

Author: Lisa from A Day in the Kitchen

Ingredients

• 1 cup nuts, chopped (I used cashews and almonds)
• 1 1/3 cups pitted dates, packed
• 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
• 3-4 tbs cocoa powder
• 3 tbs chocolate chips
• 1/8 tsp salt

Instructions

• Soak dates for 10 minutes to soften. Remove dates and reserve liquid.
• Chop nuts into fine pieces, whether using a knife or food processor.
  
• Chop dates into a paste, using a food processor or knife.
  
• Combine all ingredients in a bowl and mix well. If mixture is too dry, add some of the reserved date liquid, a teaspoon at a time until mixture sticks together, but is not too wet.
  
• Press mixture into parchment lined loaf pan. Pack down compactly.
• Refrigerate for at least one hour, or overnight.
• Remove from refrigerator and cut into bars. Wrap each bar in plastic wrap and store in fridge.

Notes

• Use whatever combination of nuts you'd like: cashews, almonds, walnuts, pecans, etc.
• Pepitas would make a nice crunchy addition to the mix!
• Skip the chocolate chips if you want for a more even texture.
• Add dried cranberries or dried coconut flakes.

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