Chef John's Chocolate Energy Bars

4.8
(57)
47 Reviews
8 Photos

If you compare these chocolate energy bars to similar fruit and nut bars sold at the store, I think they taste better, are nutritionally superior, and are probably cheaper to make at home. The only problem is they look so good it takes your brain a millisecond to process that they're not going to taste like the fudge brownies they resemble. Store bars in the refrigerator in a resealable bag.

By
John Mitzewich
Chef John
John Mitzewich
John Mitzewich — aka Chef John — has produced more than 1,500 cooking videos for Allrecipes. He's the actor, director, and screenwriter whose hands and voice confidently walk you through techniques.
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Updated on January 13, 2024
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Prep Time:
20 mins
Additional Time:
2 hrs 45 mins
Total Time:
3 hrs 5 mins
Servings:
12
Yield:
12 bars
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Ingredients

Original recipe (1X) yields 12 servings

  • 2 cups pitted Medjool dates, roughly chopped

  • 2 cups raw cashews

  • 1 cup raw or roasted unsalted almonds

  • ¾ cup high-quality unsweetened cocoa powder (such as Guittard Cocoa Rouge)

  • ½ cup unsweetened shredded coconut

  • 2 tablespoons coconut oil, melted

  • 1 tablespoon cold espresso, or more as needed (or water)

  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt

  • ½ pinch cayenne pepper

Directions

  1. Place dates, cashews, almonds, cocoa powder, shredded coconut, coconut oil, cold espresso, vanilla, salt, and cayenne in the bowl of a food processor. Pulse on and off to start, then process for about 1 minute. Check to ensure mixture is sticky and moist enough to come together. Add more coffee if needed. Continue to process until mixture becomes a chunky mass.

  2. Line a baking pan with plastic wrap. Scoop mixture into pan. Press down with a spatula until mixture is even. Place a layer of plastic wrap on the surface and smooth again with your hands. Refrigerate until cold and firm, 2 to 3 hours.

  3. Remove from the pan and unwrap. Cut into 12 bars.

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Chef's Notes

Try your hardest to find Medjool dates, but if you can't find them, any dried date should work, as long as it's soft and sticky enough. If the ones you're using seem too hard and dry, simply soak them in water until they soften up a bit.

You can cut the bars into larger or smaller pieces if you'd like.

99 home cooks made it!

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

343 Calories
22g Fat
36g Carbs
8g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 12
Calories 343
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 22g 28%
Saturated Fat 7g 36%
Sodium 230mg 10%
Total Carbohydrate 36g 13%
Dietary Fiber 7g 25%
Total Sugars 21g
Protein 8g 16%
Vitamin C 0mg 0%
Calcium 59mg 5%
Iron 3mg 17%
Potassium 515mg 11%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.