Say Hello to Peanut Butter and Chocolate Healthy Bars!
These bars are gluten-free, vegan, sugar-free and no oven required. Don’t you just love peanut butter and chocolate even more now?
The pink and healthy week continues. Did you see the gluten-free muffin top coconut cookies I shared yesterday?
Please, check out what other healthy or pink treats other bloggers have made by clicking on the thumbnails at the bottom of the post.
A while back I received a lovely email from a reader telling me how much her kids love the chocolate chip brownie larabars I made months ago. She has never been happier to give her kids a chocolate bar when they ask for it and at the end of the email she asked me if I plan on making more larabars and sharing the recipes.
I couldn’t say no, but since this blog is about my baking adventures I had a hard time finding the right moment to talk about a no-bake bar. But this week came and I knew this is the right time.
If you ever got a peanut butter chocolate chip bars and read the ingredient list you realized they only call for 4 ingredients : dates, peanuts, chocolate chips and sea salt. Those chocolate chips haunted me for a while. I wanted to make these bars absolutely sugar-free and haven’t found yet a chocolate chips that is 100% chocolate.
But look no further, there’s no need to search for those 100% cocoa chocolate chips when you have widely available Ghirardelli 100% cocoa chocolate bars.
So, instead of the sugar added chocolate chips I added unsweetened cocoa powder and grated 100% cocoa chocolate.
You don’t get the small bits of chocolate chips like you get in the original Larabars but these bars have a strong chocolate flavor and I have no problems if my little lady bug eats one just before dinner.
Peanut butter and chocolate bars made healthier with no sugar added, naturally gluten free and vegan.
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups (410 grams) pitted dried dates
- 3/4 cup unsalted peanuts
- 2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 oz grated 100% cocoa chocolate (I've used Ghirardelli)
- 1/4 tsp sea salt
Instructions
- Line a 7X7 pan with plastic foil.
- In a food processor place the dates and pulse until they are finely chopped and they start to form a ball.
- Add the peanuts, cocoa powder and salt. Pulse few more times until the peanuts are finely chopped.
- Through the feeding tube, while the food processor is still running add the grated chocolate.
- When all the chocolate is added, turn off the food processor.
- Take the date mixture out and spread it evenly in the prepared pan. Cover with more plastic foil and refrigerate for 2 or more hours before cutting into bars/squares.
Sending love your way,
Roxana
{ 24 comments… read them below or add one }
I think you just made dark chocolate healthier than it already was, if that’s possible. If I liked the stuff, I’d be all over these. They look amazing.
Gorgeous and amazingly yummy bars, Roxana! I missed your coconut recipe…off to drool over that one, too!
Oh these look amazing! Healthy and delicious – can’t ask for anything more than that!
I love desserts that don’t leave you feeling too guilty.
They look wonderful!!
If this is healthy…then I think I can do that! Ooooh pb & chocolate, how I love thee!
omg these rock! Sharing on my fan page today!
these no bake bars sound fantastic, roxana! dates and grated chocolate – mmmm.
These bars look amazing, Roxana!
These bars looks absolutely delicious!!! Perfect styling
These are something all moms need when we are tired from daily routine and need a quick energy boost. Not to mention chocolate will make us happy… Wish I am having that especially in mid week….
Oooh, yum! I love that these are so healthy but look like a decadent treat — stunning, Roxana!
These look so good for you and gorgeous!
Er, healthy and yummy, sign me up. In fact feel free to bring a few dozen of these to Whipped.
Roxana, these bars are beautiful and your photos are gorgeous. I love that these are healthy! I won’t feel bad when I eat the whole pan by myself.
Wow Roxana, can’t wait to make these for my grandkids! I know they will love these delicious bars;-) Beautiful photos-I just want to reach in and grab a few!
I definitely need to make up a batch of these to have on hand when I need a little energy boost. They sound amazing!
How cool do these look?? I would like one a lot right now
I’m so impressed that you were able to get such a healthy bar with 4 ingredients how nice.
These look amazing and really simple to make. Thank you for the inspiration Roxana. Have a beautiful weekend!
I love these! Dates are such a perfect natural sweetener, aren’t they?
I love this idea – because it doesnt use a lot (any really) of extra sugar!
i am hooked- where can i get a dozen? Wait- I have to make them myself? Can I just pay you to send me a dozen! LOL! they look delicious
I adore dates! These bars look and sound delicious! Nicely done!!!
Thank you SO much Roxana for creating these! My twin 2 1/2 year-olds have devoured half the batch already (umm… I ate the other half)! I love being able to give them a healthy alternative to a chocolate bar, and one that they really enjoy. Thank you for helping me feed my kids (and myself) healthy treats.
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