These nobake bars offer a nutritious and tasty alternative to packaged snacks. They are swift to prepare, requiring minimal effort and no baking time, making them perfect for onthego individuals. Here are four easy recipes that each require less than 30 minutes of handson time, followed by a chilling or cooling period.
Chocolate Orange Date Bars
These bars are reminiscent of the popular Nakd bars but without the plasticine taste or hefty price tag. They’re packed with natural sweetness from dates and are excellent for winter hikes, remaining stable even in freezing conditions.
Ingredients:
200g soft pitted dates (avoid using Medjool dates)
100g mixed seeds
25g chia seeds
30g cocoa powder
Zest of one orange
Small pinch of salt
Desiccated coconut for coating
Instructions:
1. Combine dates, seeds, chia seeds, cocoa powder, orange zest, and salt in a blender, pulsing until a crumbly dough forms.
2. Line a loaf tin with parchment paper and sprinkle a layer of coconut.
3. Press the mixture firmly into the tin, ensuring there are no gaps. Top with more coconut.
4. Chill in the fridge for at least 30 minutes, then slice into bars and store with parchment between them.
Banana, Oat, and Cinnamon Bites
Makes several, depending on size
A practical grabandgo option, these bars are reminiscent of banana bread. They balance sweetness and portability, embodying a wholesome breakfast snack.
Ingredients:
2 small ripe bananas (approx. 140g)
140g porridge oats
100g peanut butter (smooth or crunchy)
50g honey or golden syrup
1 heaped tsp cinnamon
1 tsp vanilla extract (optional)
Pinch of salt
Instructions:
1. Mash the bananas in a bowl and microwave the peanut butter with honey for 30 seconds to blend.
2. Mix the oats, followed by the peanut butter and then add cinnamon, vanilla, and salt.
3. Transfer to a baking tin, smoothing the surface, and bake at 180°C for 15 minutes until golden on the edges.
4. Allow to cool before slicing into squares, easily stackable for storage.
Tahini Almond Honey Cookies
Makes around 10 cookies
These quick and simple treats utilize tahini, making them ideal for using up leftover ingredients. They walk the line between being cookies and bars.
Ingredients:
100g tahini
100g ground almonds
100g honey or golden syrup
Small pinch of salt
½ tsp vanilla extract (optional)
Sesame seeds (optional)
Instructions:
1. Mix tahini, almonds, honey, salt, and vanilla to create a stiff dough.
2. Roll into golfballsized pieces and, if desired, coat in sesame seeds.
3. Flatten onto a lined baking tray and bake at 160°C for 1215 minutes until golden.
4. Cool on a wire rack before storing in an airtight container for easy access.
Salted Date and Walnut Flapjacks
These flapjacks combine health with indulgence, featuring the comforting flavors of sticky toffee pudding while remaining wholesome.
Ingredients:
85g salted butter
90g dark brown sugar
40g honey or golden syrup
100g oats
1 tsp mixed spice
1 tsp vanilla extract
65g walnuts
30g mixed seeds
1 tbsp chia seeds
100g dates
Pinch of sea salt
Instructions:
1. Melt butter, then mix in sugar and honey until smooth.
2. Stir in vanilla and mixed spice after cooling slightly.
3. Combine oats, walnuts, seeds, chia, dates, and salt in a bowl, then mix with the buttery syrup.
4. Press the mixture into a lined baking tin and bake at 170°C for 2025 minutes until golden.
5. Score into bars while warm and let cool before cutting into pieces. Store in an airtight container.
These recipes celebrate simplicity and flavor, providing satisfying alternatives to conventional snacks. Each bar combines wholesome ingredients that are rich in texture and flavor, ensuring you have nutritious options for any occasion.
