These delicious Healthy Date Energy Bars are so simple to prepare, are no-bake and taste like a Raw Salted Caramel Slice! They make for a great snack and are vegan, gluten and refined sugar-free.
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Why we love this recipe:
Inspired by my Salted Caramel Bliss Balls, these Healthy Date Energy Bars contain just 5 ingredients, and are one of my favourite snacks!
They are so simple to prepare. Aside from tasting delicious, they are also:
- Vegan, gluten and refined sugar-free – making them suitable for many people with special dietary requirements;
- Rich in dietary fibre;
- Made from raw ingredients, and do not require cooking;
- Suitable for freezing.
Ingredients in this recipe:
Please see the recipe card further along in the post for exact quantities of ingredients and the full method.
Medjool Dates – are fresh dates that have a rich, caramel-like flavour and a soft, chewy texture.
Almond Meal/Almond Flour – Almond meal and almond flour are similar ingredients. Either are suitable to use in this recipe, depending on what is available, and what your preference is.
Desiccated Coconut – the finely grated, unsweetened and dried flesh from the coconut.
Vanilla Extract – enhances the flavour of the Healthy Date Bars.
Sea Salt – optional, but adds that delicious salted element to the caramel flavour. I use sea salt flakes for the best flavour.
Step by Step Instructions:
- Wash the dates, dry them, and remove the pits. Roughly chop the dates and add to the bowl of a food processor along with the almond flour/meal, desiccated coconut, salt flakes and vanilla extract.
Process until the ingredients are combined as you would like them. I like to leave some texture, but you can blend them to be smooth if you prefer. Check that the mixture is sufficiently moist to be able to firmly flatten into your dish. If not, add another date or two, or a teaspoon of water, and blend again. - Line a dish 20 cm x 20 cm (8 inch x 8 inch) with cling wrap. Sprinkle with 1 tablespoon coconut.
- Add the mixture to the dish.
- Using the back of a spoon or a spatula, firmly flatten and smooth the mixture.
- Sprinkle the top with the remaining tablespoon of coconut. Cover and refrigerate for about one hour to firm up.
- Cut into bars, the size of your choice. I made 15, approximately 6.5 cm x 4 cm. Store the Raw Salted Caramel Slice in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Tips for Success and FAQs:
The dates that we use in these Healthy Date Bars are Medjool dates. These are fresh dates, available from the greengrocer or fruit and veg section of the supermarket. They are not the dried variety that is found in the baking aisle of the supermarket.
Once you have blended the mixture, check that the mixture is sufficiently moist to be able to compress into a bar. If not, add another date or two, or a teaspoon of water, and blend again.
They will last in the refrigerator, stored in an airtight container, for about one week.
To keep them longer, they can also be frozen in an airtight container for about 3 months.
More delicious recipes for you to try:
After some more delicious snack ideas? These are also vegan, gluten and refined sugar free, and very simple to prepare:
- Chocolate Orange Bliss Balls
- Soy Roasted Almonds
- Chocolate Mint Bliss Balls
- Spicy Roasted Almonds
- Apricot and Coconut Bliss Balls
- Tamari Roasted Pepitas
- Raw Chocolate Mint Slice
- Apricot Coconut Bars
I hope you’ll enjoy these delicious No-Bake Date Bars – I can never resist a sweet treat that tastes of salted caramel!
Alex xx
Raw Salted Caramel Slice
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups (330 g) Medjool dates See Note 1
- 1 1/2 cups (150 g) almond meal or flour See Note 2
- 1/3 cup (35 g) desiccated coconut See Note 3
- 1/2 tsp sea salt flakes See Note 4
- 3/4 tsp vanilla extract See Note 5
For coating the bars:
- 2 tbsp desiccated coconut See Note 6
Instructions
- Wash the dates, dry them, and remove the pits.
- Roughly chop the dates and add to the bowl of a food processor along with the almond flour/meal, desiccated coconut, salt flakes and vanilla extract.
- Process until the ingredients are combined as you would like them. I like to leave some texture, but you can blend them to be smooth if you prefer.Check that the mixture is sufficiently moist to be able to firmly flatten into your dish. If not, add a couple more dates or a teaspoon of water and blend again.
- Line a dish 20 cm x 20 cm (8 " x 8 ") with cling wrap. Sprinkle with 1 tablespoon coconut.
- Add the mixture to the dish and, using the back of a spoon or a spatula, firmly flatten and smooth the mixture. Sprinkle the top with the remaining tablespoon of coconut.
- Cover and refrigerate for about one hour to firm up.Cut into bars, the size of your choice. I made 15, approximately 6.5 cm x 4 cm (2.5" x 1.5")Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator, or freeze.
Notes
- Medjool dates are fresh dates available from greengrocers or the fruit and vegetable section of the supermarket. For accuracy, weigh the dates. (with the stones in.) If measuring by volume, the dates are firmly packed in the cup. The number will vary depending on the size of the date.
- Almond meal and almond flour are similar ingredients. I have used almond flour made from blanched almonds. If you prefer, you can use almond meal made from the whole almond. Either will work fine in this recipe.
- Desiccated Coconut is finely shredded coconut.
- For the best flavour, my preference is to use sea salt flakes.
- Use good quality vanilla which has been naturally extracted from vanilla beans, not vanilla which is synthetically flavoured.
- The Australian tablespoon is 20 ml or 4 teaspoons. In many other countries, the tablespoon is 15 ml or 3 teaspoons. Please adjust the measurement if necessary.
- Please note, the nutritional information is based on the slice being cut into 15 pieces. The nutritional information is for one piece, and is an estimate only.
My current favourite sweet treat.
Hi Abby, I am so pleased that you have enjoyed the Raw Salted Caramel Slice. It’s always good to keep a healthy, sweet treat on hand. 🙂
I brought these to a potluck and everyone loved it! It’s the perfect healthy snack too when I’m craving something sweet. I’m planning on making your bliss ball recipes next!
Hi Janice, thank you for letting me know that you enjoyed the Salted Caramel Slice. It’s always good to have a healthy sweet treat. 🙂
My kids loved it! Thanks for the recipe!
That’s great, Toni – thanks for sharing!
These are amazing!! Yum
Thank you, Audrey!
Such a great healthy snack! My family gobbled these up quickly! Love that I don’t have to turn on my oven to make them too!
So pleased to hear they were popular with your family, Courtney! Thank you so much for sharing. Kind regards, Alex
Alex, I’m making these immediately! My kiddos love everything made with dates and they’d definitely love these. Especially if they taste like caramel – yes please!!
Yay – I am so happy to hear this! Enjoy x
What a great healthy dessert!
So glad you enjoyed them, Jenny!