Chocolate is the pepper to my salt.
The shish to my kebab. The Sonny to my Cher.
Like can you please pass the salt. And the chocolate.
I'm alllll about the no-bake snacks lately because in case you haven't noticed, us Columbusians live in a rainforest. A wet, humid rainforest filled with monkeys and toucans. When you live in an eighty-eight degree jungle, you don't turn the oven on. You turn the food processor on.
I feel like a lot of people don't have big food proccesors. You all need to get one. It's probably my most loved kitchen appliance next to my Nutribullet. I use it for everything from making black bean brownies, protein bars and veggie burgers to grinding oats into oat flour. It's a godsend. While it isn't that cheap, it isn't that expensive either. Plus, they're on sale at Macy's like every other day so hashtag treatyoself.
You'll save money on your electric bill too, since you'll be blending more and oven-ing less. Trust me.
Speaking of salty, I'm a liiiiiiiittle salty that I got a flat tire on Monday. I'm also salty that my iPhone got stolen out of my purse at the bar on Saturday night. It's insane how naked and lost I feel without my phone. No Instagram?! Is this even real life?? It only seems appropriate that we celebrate my saltiness and recent terrible luck with salted chocolate chia bars, no?
In other news, "Talk Dirty" just came on my Today's Hits pandora. Can I just say that it makes me a wee bit uncomfy when the girls I babysit belt out this song in the backseat? "I don't like the words, just the beat." Right, and your booty don't need explaining. I mean I feel awkward listening to this song right now and I'm alone.
I'd most definitely talk dirty to these bars, though.
Print
No-Bake Salted Chocolate Chia Bars
- Prep Time: 2 hours
- Total Time: 2 hours
- Yield: 8-10 1x
- Cuisine: Snack
Description
Packed with nutrient-dense almonds, walnuts, cacao and chia seeds, these no-bake bars are the perfect afternoon snack!
Ingredients
- 1 cup pitted Medjool dates, packed
- 1 cup raw almonds
- ½ cup walnuts
- ¼ cup unsweetened shredded coconut
- 5 tbsp cacao powder (or cocoa powder)
- 2 tbsp chia seeds
- ½ tsp salt (plus more for sprinkling)
- 1 tbsp water (if needed)
Instructions
- Line an 8 x 8in pan with parchment paper or plastic wrap and set aside.
- Place all ingredients in a large food proccesor and process for a couple minutes or until the "dough" forms a ball. If it's too crumbly, add 1 tbsp water. You want the nuts in small pieces, so you may need to move everything around with a fork and keep blending.
- Remove dough from food processor and press into lined pan until smooth and even. Sprinkle lightly with salt.
- Freeze for at least two hours before cutting into 8-10 bars.
- Store bars in fridge or freezer.
Kelli H (Made in Sonoma) says
I made these into little nut balls and added vanilla. They are so tasty and go great with coffee.
Alexis says
Mmmm love the vanilla addition!
Kelli H (Made in Sonoma) says
I made these into little nut balls and added vanilla. They are so tasty and go great with coffee.
Alexis says
Mmmm love the vanilla addition!
Kevin says
I stumbled across this page/recipe about a week ago. I'm not really sure how I got here in the first place, but this recipe looked so delicious I went out and bought my first food processor. And boy, I am glad that I did! These bars are so freakin' delicious. I'll definitely be making them again...and again, and again.
I couldn't find medjool dates at my grocery store, so I ended up using California dates. The flavor was good, but they didn't have enough moisture to form a dough. I upped the added water to 3 Tbsp and that did the trick. I'm on the hunt for medjools for next time, though.
Thanks so much for sharing this recipe. You've gained a follower!
★★★★★
Alexis says
Thanks so much for the kind comment, Kevin! I'm thrilled you liked the bars 🙂
Kevin says
I stumbled across this page/recipe about a week ago. I'm not really sure how I got here in the first place, but this recipe looked so delicious I went out and bought my first food processor. And boy, I am glad that I did! These bars are so freakin' delicious. I'll definitely be making them again...and again, and again.
I couldn't find medjool dates at my grocery store, so I ended up using California dates. The flavor was good, but they didn't have enough moisture to form a dough. I upped the added water to 3 Tbsp and that did the trick. I'm on the hunt for medjools for next time, though.
Thanks so much for sharing this recipe. You've gained a follower!
★★★★★
Alexis says
Thanks so much for the kind comment, Kevin! I'm thrilled you liked the bars 🙂
Brandi Pressnell says
I made these tonight and they taste GREAT!! My husband LOVED them and we really appreciate a healthy snack. I can't wait to check out the rest of your snacks. Just one question... How do you get them to stay together? I spread them out on a cookie sheet. Did I make them to thin maybe? They just crumbled apart after I cut them and put them into individual snack bags. Thoughts? Still love them either way. So tasty!
★★★★★
Alexis says
Awww yay! I'm so glad you both liked them! Hmmm, I'm not sure why they didn't stick together. Maybe add more dates or a tablespoon of water? That should help moisten it up!
Brandi Pressnell says
I made these tonight and they taste GREAT!! My husband LOVED them and we really appreciate a healthy snack. I can't wait to check out the rest of your snacks. Just one question... How do you get them to stay together? I spread them out on a cookie sheet. Did I make them to thin maybe? They just crumbled apart after I cut them and put them into individual snack bags. Thoughts? Still love them either way. So tasty!
★★★★★
Alexis says
Awww yay! I'm so glad you both liked them! Hmmm, I'm not sure why they didn't stick together. Maybe add more dates or a tablespoon of water? That should help moisten it up!
Cassie says
I HAVE BEEN LOOKING FOR A CHOCOLATE CHIA BAR RECIPE. Also with the addition of berries to try and recreate the ones I had in Nicaragua... not sure whether to use fresh, dried... but these look so good!
Alexis says
I would use dried! Sounds amaaaaazing.
Cassie says
I HAVE BEEN LOOKING FOR A CHOCOLATE CHIA BAR RECIPE. Also with the addition of berries to try and recreate the ones I had in Nicaragua... not sure whether to use fresh, dried... but these look so good!
Alexis says
I would use dried! Sounds amaaaaazing.
Brittany @ Delights and Delectables says
last week my iphone screen got shattered. No phone for 3 days... ended up loving it! Can you believe it??
these look delish girl!
Brittany @ Delights and Delectables says
last week my iphone screen got shattered. No phone for 3 days... ended up loving it! Can you believe it??
these look delish girl!
Melissa @ Nourish By Melissa says
Hello yum! Great Recipe...love salted chocolate 🙂
Melissa @ Nourish By Melissa says
Hello yum! Great Recipe...love salted chocolate 🙂
Lauren says
These look buff. Sweet and salty chocolatey, datey goodness hello! You have also made me want a shish kebab - reminiscing the Uni days... Rubbish your phone was stolen!
Alexis says
Serious rubbish! I'm coping by eating these bars in mass quantities.
Lauren says
These look buff. Sweet and salty chocolatey, datey goodness hello! You have also made me want a shish kebab - reminiscing the Uni days... Rubbish your phone was stolen!
Alexis says
Serious rubbish! I'm coping by eating these bars in mass quantities.
Anna T says
Whoa what the heck, we had the exact same week- my phone got stolen and I also got a flat tire! (On my bike but that's the car equivalent in holland so whatever) I think it's a sign thag I should make these bars...
Alexis says
That's insane!! It's definitely a sign that you must make them immediately 🙂
Anna T says
Whoa what the heck, we had the exact same week- my phone got stolen and I also got a flat tire! (On my bike but that's the car equivalent in holland so whatever) I think it's a sign thag I should make these bars...
Alexis says
That's insane!! It's definitely a sign that you must make them immediately 🙂
Megan @ The Skinny-Life says
iPhone stolen?!? I would be lost too! I dropped mine at the gym today and someone found it. I have so much info stores on mine I really should back mine up. So question. Every time I make bars these fall apart. Does water really help?
Alexis says
That's so nice some one found it! I haven't backed mine up in forever so who knows what it's gonna look like when I restore it. Eeeeek! You have to squish it down tight into the pan, but they definitely stick together! Yep--a bit of water or almond milk helps.
Megan @ The Skinny-Life says
iPhone stolen?!? I would be lost too! I dropped mine at the gym today and someone found it. I have so much info stores on mine I really should back mine up. So question. Every time I make bars these fall apart. Does water really help?
Alexis says
That's so nice some one found it! I haven't backed mine up in forever so who knows what it's gonna look like when I restore it. Eeeeek! You have to squish it down tight into the pan, but they definitely stick together! Yep--a bit of water or almond milk helps.
Matt @ Runner Savvy says
Yum!
Matt @ Runner Savvy says
Yum!
Lindsay says
These look phenom. I am definitely making them. Thanks for recipe!!
Alexis says
Thanks, Lindsay! Enjoy!
Lindsay says
These look phenom. I am definitely making them. Thanks for recipe!!
Alexis says
Thanks, Lindsay! Enjoy!
Dixya @ Food, Pleasure, and Health says
im surprised that Dallas has not yet gotten that hot yet compared to the rest of the country..im ready for food processor too.
Alexis says
You neeeeeeeed one!!
Dixya @ Food, Pleasure, and Health says
im surprised that Dallas has not yet gotten that hot yet compared to the rest of the country..im ready for food processor too.
Alexis says
You neeeeeeeed one!!
Serena says
You're phone was stolen and you are still able to go on and produce THIS amazing recipe! You are one tough cookie! Hang in there! I'm not thankful your phone was stolen, but am thankful for this recipe! (:
Alexis says
Hahah thanks, lady! They've been a good distraction.
Serena says
You're phone was stolen and you are still able to go on and produce THIS amazing recipe! You are one tough cookie! Hang in there! I'm not thankful your phone was stolen, but am thankful for this recipe! (:
Alexis says
Hahah thanks, lady! They've been a good distraction.
Hannah @ CleanEatingVeggieGirl says
These sound awesome, Alexis! I am definitely a major fan of the chocolate/salt combo because sweet/salty is my jam! And bummer about your phone. It would definitely feel VERY weird to not be able to Instagram and take food photos! :/
Alexis says
It's especially weird because I can't take pics for WIAW! Eeeeeek!
Hannah @ CleanEatingVeggieGirl says
These sound awesome, Alexis! I am definitely a major fan of the chocolate/salt combo because sweet/salty is my jam! And bummer about your phone. It would definitely feel VERY weird to not be able to Instagram and take food photos! :/
Alexis says
It's especially weird because I can't take pics for WIAW! Eeeeeek!
Davida @ The Healthy Maven says
I stole you're phone...Loving all these selfies! Looks like you might have a food fetish too. Too soon?!?! Sorrrrrrry. I've gotten my phone stolen several times and by stolen I mean I have zero recollection of where it went but I blame it on the aaaaaaa alcohol.
And tell Arman to get a real food processor! Best investment ever.
Alexis says
Send it back you betch!!! Too soon. JK--my new one is coming today in the mail hopefully. I can't believe Arman doesn't have one....ridic.
Davida @ The Healthy Maven says
I stole you're phone...Loving all these selfies! Looks like you might have a food fetish too. Too soon?!?! Sorrrrrrry. I've gotten my phone stolen several times and by stolen I mean I have zero recollection of where it went but I blame it on the aaaaaaa alcohol.
And tell Arman to get a real food processor! Best investment ever.
Alexis says
Send it back you betch!!! Too soon. JK--my new one is coming today in the mail hopefully. I can't believe Arman doesn't have one....ridic.
Gwen @ Confessions of a Gila Monster says
I'm definitely going to try these! One question: what kind of salt? Kosher, sea...?
So sorry about your phone! It is shocking how much we rely on those things.
Alexis says
I used fine sea salt! Enjoy 🙂
Gwen @ Confessions of a Gila Monster says
I'm definitely going to try these! One question: what kind of salt? Kosher, sea...?
So sorry about your phone! It is shocking how much we rely on those things.
Alexis says
I used fine sea salt! Enjoy 🙂
She Rocks Fitness says
Sending this recipe to my client who now has taken on the challenge of recreating all of your bar recipes. I think she'll like this one a lot and I will like it even more when I get to eat them. 😉 Happy Monday!
Alexis says
Thanks so much, lady!! Youdda bomb.
She Rocks Fitness says
Sending this recipe to my client who now has taken on the challenge of recreating all of your bar recipes. I think she'll like this one a lot and I will like it even more when I get to eat them. 😉 Happy Monday!
Alexis says
Thanks so much, lady!! Youdda bomb.
Jmill says
I recently started following your blog and absolutely love it. My question is, do you ever put nutritional information with your recipes such as calories, carb count, fat and sugar? This recipe sounds amazing! Thanks
Alexis says
Awww thanks so much, Jody! I don't do nutritional information because I want people focusing on whole, real foods rather than calories. Feel free to enter the info into sparkrecipes.com for the nutritional info!
Jmill says
I recently started following your blog and absolutely love it. My question is, do you ever put nutritional information with your recipes such as calories, carb count, fat and sugar? This recipe sounds amazing! Thanks
Alexis says
Awww thanks so much, Jody! I don't do nutritional information because I want people focusing on whole, real foods rather than calories. Feel free to enter the info into sparkrecipes.com for the nutritional info!
Julia says
I love all your no-bake treats and really must give them a whirl in the ol' processing unit! Salted chocolate? Lemme at 'em!!! Hope you had a great weekend, lady!
★★★★★
Alexis says
Thanks, lovely! I know you'd be totes in love with these gems.
Julia says
I love all your no-bake treats and really must give them a whirl in the ol' processing unit! Salted chocolate? Lemme at 'em!!! Hope you had a great weekend, lady!
★★★★★
Alexis says
Thanks, lovely! I know you'd be totes in love with these gems.
Jo from yummyvege says
These are definitely a must-make especially as it's roasting hot where I live too! I'm trying to avoid the oven. Food processors are the best!
Alexis says
Screw the oven, right!?
Jo from yummyvege says
These are definitely a must-make especially as it's roasting hot where I live too! I'm trying to avoid the oven. Food processors are the best!
Alexis says
Screw the oven, right!?
Amanda @ .running with spoons. says
So I live up here in cold-*ss Canada, and even I can't remember the last time I turned on the oven. I use my blender for everythinggggggg, and if I need to bake some bars, then I use my little toaster oven that just so happens to be big enough to fir an 8x8 pan 😉
Alexis says
Ohh I feel ya. I mean my nutribullet seriously runs my life. Yay for the toaster oven!!!
Amanda @ .running with spoons. says
So I live up here in cold-*ss Canada, and even I can't remember the last time I turned on the oven. I use my blender for everythinggggggg, and if I need to bake some bars, then I use my little toaster oven that just so happens to be big enough to fir an 8x8 pan 😉
Alexis says
Ohh I feel ya. I mean my nutribullet seriously runs my life. Yay for the toaster oven!!!
Shashi @ RunninSrilankan says
Sooo sorry to hear bout your flat tire and your iphone! Any chance of getting it back? Almost the same thing happened to my daughter - only it wasn't at a bar 🙂 - it was at church - and she didn't technically have it stolen but more like misplaced - but alls well as she got it back!
These bars sound ridiculously delish - now I need to get my self to a May's to score an-on-sale-food processor!!
Alexis says
Probably not 🙁 Glad your daughter got hers back, though!!!
Shashi @ RunninSrilankan says
Sooo sorry to hear bout your flat tire and your iphone! Any chance of getting it back? Almost the same thing happened to my daughter - only it wasn't at a bar 🙂 - it was at church - and she didn't technically have it stolen but more like misplaced - but alls well as she got it back!
These bars sound ridiculously delish - now I need to get my self to a May's to score an-on-sale-food processor!!
Alexis says
Probably not 🙁 Glad your daughter got hers back, though!!!
Holly @ EatGreatBEGreat says
Ooooh...yay, I was waiting for this recipe! It looks amazing!!!
Total bummer about your flat tire and your Iphone! That just totally stinks! People are really awful sometimes!
Alexis says
People should be nicer, for realz. 🙁 Enjoy the bars!
Holly @ EatGreatBEGreat says
Ooooh...yay, I was waiting for this recipe! It looks amazing!!!
Total bummer about your flat tire and your Iphone! That just totally stinks! People are really awful sometimes!
Alexis says
People should be nicer, for realz. 🙁 Enjoy the bars!
Arman @ thebigmansworld says
bahaha we are twinning....I have a no bake bar recipe for tomorrow and I lament about the lack of food processor.
Does this mean I'm the Tahini to your....chickpea?
Alexis says
Your bars look unreal. What a great option for those unfortunate souls that are food processorless!
Arman @ thebigmansworld says
bahaha we are twinning....I have a no bake bar recipe for tomorrow and I lament about the lack of food processor.
Does this mean I'm the Tahini to your....chickpea?
Alexis says
Your bars look unreal. What a great option for those unfortunate souls that are food processorless!
Khushboo Thadani says
Ahhh no- that SUCKS about your iPhone...sorry-o! Hope it was backed up! Good thing you got some delicious bars to drown your sorrows in ;)!
Alexis says
Drowning my sorrows in bars over hereeeee!!!
Khushboo Thadani says
Ahhh no- that SUCKS about your iPhone...sorry-o! Hope it was backed up! Good thing you got some delicious bars to drown your sorrows in ;)!
Alexis says
Drowning my sorrows in bars over hereeeee!!!