A stack of Date Energy Bars.

Energy bars can be quite expensive and often contain many filler ingredients or ingredients I can’t pronounce. That’s why I like making my own and have been doing so for years! These Date Energy Bars have a mix of nuts and seeds, cacao nibs, and are naturally sweetened by dates. They’re a satisfying snack for the whole family!

In my attempts to make homemade energy bars over the years, I have developed a history of breaking blenders. Many years ago, as I was trying to make Larabars at home in my blender, as I didn’t have a food processor, I actually broke the darn thing. If you want to avoid breaking your blender, like I’ve done multiple times, I would only recommend making these Date Energy Bars using a food processor – unless you have a very powerful blender, like a Vitamix.

Why You’ll Love These Date Energy Bars

Easy to make. Simply process all of the ingredients in a food processor and bake for 15 minutes!

No added sugar. These energy bars are sweetened solely by dates! Dates still contain a lot of sugar, and though it’s natural sugar, these bars should still be enjoyed in moderation.

Snack for the whole family. Our 1.5-year-old is able to eat these bars (and boy, does he love them!), as long as I make sure the nuts are ground well enough!

Date bars are in rows with one slightly turned sideways and with oats sprinkled on top of it. Some dates, pecans, and almonds are scattered between the energy bars.

Date Energy Bar Ingredients

Pecan

Almonds

Medjool dates

Reserved date water

Salt

Rolled oats

Vanilla extract

Chia seeds

Cacao nibs

Cinnamon

How to Make Energy Bars With Dates

STEP 1 – Process

Soak dates in hot water for 5 minutes to soften them. Be sure to reserve 3 tablespoons of the date water to add to the food processor. While the dates are soaking, add the remaining ingredients to a food processor. Once dates are done soaking, add the dates and reserved water to the food processor and process until mixture is well-processed and sticking together.

STEP 2 – Form into bars

Transfer date mixture to a baking dish lined with parchment paper. Push the mixture down using the palm of your hand and then spread the mixture out with your fingers and push down to make it flat.

STEP 3 – Bake

Bake in the oven for 15 minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Allow to cool slightly and slice into bars.

Date bars are in rows with one slightly turned sideways and with oats sprinkled on top of it. Some dates, and oats are scattered next to the energy bars.

How to Store Energy Bars

Store the energy bars in an air-tight container either at room temperature for a few days or in the fridge for up to two weeks.

More Date Recipes

Fudgy Vegan Date Brownies

Peanut Butter Date Cookies

Healthy Halloween Peanut Butter Date Spider Cookies

If you tried this Date Energy Bar recipe or any other recipe on the blog, let me know how you liked it by leaving a comment/rating below! Be sure to follow along on Pinterest, Instagram, and Facebook for even more deliciousness!

A stack of Date Energy Bars.
5 stars (2 ratings)

Date Energy Bars

Author: Kaileigh Gaffney
Yield: 10 bars
These Date Energy Bars have a mix of nuts and seeds, cacao nibs, and are naturally sweetened by dates. They're a satisfying snack for the whole family! 
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe Leave a Review

Ingredients
 

  • ½ cup raw pecans
  • ½ cup raw almonds
  • 1 ½ cups pitted medjool dates (about 15 dates), soaked in hot water for 5 minutes
  • 3 tablespoons reserved date water
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ½ cup rolled oats
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 2 tablespoons chia seeds
  • 1 tablespoon cacao nibs
  • Dash of cinnamon

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven. to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a small baking dish (I used an 8×8 inch) with parchment paper and set aside.
  • In a small bowl, cover dates with hot water and soak for 5 minutes to soften them.
  • While the dates are soaking, add the remaining ingredients to a food processor.
  • Once dates are done soaking, strain them, but be sure to reserve 3 tablespoons of the date water and add it to the food processor. Add the softened dates to the food processor and process until mixture is well-processed and sticking together.
  • Transfer date mixture to the lined baking dish. Push the mixture down using the palm of your hand and then spread the mixture out with your fingers and push down to make it flat.
  • Bake in the oven for 15 minutes. Allow to cool slightly and slice into bars.
Course: Snack
Did you make this recipe?Leave a COMMENT and STAR RATING below to help others find it, too! Thank you so much!