Easy No Bake Date Nut Bars

Looking for an easy, no bake treat for your kids that is grain free, gluten free, and dairy free? We’ve got you covered with these yummy, No Bake Date Nut Bars.
No Bake Date Bars are chewy like brownies, but actually pretty healthy! They can be easily customized for just about any diet and you can really give them a nutritional boost with some great superfood add-ins, too.
We love these for our ADHD Diet – they are gluten-free, dairy-free, and very satiating. Dates are also metabolized slowly, so there is no sugar crash.
No Bake Date Nut Bar Ingredients
One of the best things about these No Bake Date Nut Bars is that they are so versatile and can be made with many different ingredients – which means you may already have everything you need.
The basic ingredients:
- 15 pitted Medjool Dates
- 1.5 cups of nuts (almonds, walnuts, pecans, or mix of all three.)
- 1/4 to 1/2 cup unsweetened coconut flakes
Optional add-ins:
- cacoa nibs
- chia seeds
- dried fruit
- protein powder
- pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds
- chocolate chips
I always try to buy the highest quality ingredients that fit my budget. These ingredients are very flexible, so it is fun to try different combinations of nuts and add ins.
This recipe is easily doubled if you have a 7 cup(or larger) food processor.

How to Make No Bake Date Nut Bars
These really are so easy. A few steps is all it takes to make these delicious No Bake Date bars.
1. Place 15 Medjool Dates (pitted!) and 1.5 cups of nuts in a food processor and chop until mixture is sticky.
2. Add in 1/2 cup coconut and/or a similar amount of an add-in (See below for ideas). Process until fully integrated into the date mixture.
You can play around with the amount to suit your taste. You may have to add a few more dates in if the add-ins make it less sticky.

3. Take out and press the mixture evenly in a 8″ square pan. The photo above is of a double batch, so the dish is closer to 9″ by 13″.
The size of the pan will determine the thickness of the bars, so it’s flexible. Line it with parchment to make serving easier. I find the back of a spoon or your hands! to be helpful in getting the mixture even.

4. Melt chocolate chips in a microwavable bowl and spread over your date mixture. We like Guittard dairy free chocolate chips or Enjoy Life chocolate chips. You can get fancy and sprinkle cacoa nibs, chopped nuts or kosher salt on top before the chocolate solidifies.
5. Chill the bars in the refrigerator to solidify for a bit before scoring the tops for easier cutting. Then place back in the fridge to cool completely.
6. Once chilled, slice the bars and store in an air tight container in the fridge for 5 to 7 days – if they even last that long. These are great to store in the freezer, as well, for up to 3 months.

A word about the ingredients
The amounts are a guideline. Dates vary in size and you may need to add a few less or more. You can always add in a few more nuts and continue mixing, if the mixture becomes to sticky or vice versa, if the mixture feels too dry. A splash of water can also help to get it a bit more sticky, if needed.
Use Add-Ins for a Nutritional Boost
There are so many things you can add to these No Bake Date Bars for an extra nutritional boost.
- Cacoa nibs for a mood boost, magnesium and iron
- Chia Seeds for Omega-3’s and bone health
- Pumpkin Seeds for healthy fats, magnesium and fiber
- Protein powder for an extra protein boost
- Collagen for protein boost
- JustThrive Probiotics – sprinkle on a capsule or two for better gut health
Add-ins can be processed in with the date mixture or added to the chocolate topping (collagen!), too.

Perfect for the lunch box or after school snack, these No Bake Date Bars will be your new favorite.