No-Bake Chocolate Sunflower Seed Bars {4 ingredients}

No-bake chocolate sunflower seed bars are the quick, easy, frugal energy bars you have been seeking! Made with only 4 ingredients, they are vegan, gluten-free, oil-free, grain-free, and very easy to prepare.

It’s Tuesday.

Following a 3-day weekend.

With visitors.

Thus, chocolate. 😊

These energy-bars-in-the-round are humble in both ingredients (four) and preparation (no-baking, roughly 5 to 10 minutes total), but not flavor: they taste like luscious chocolate fudge, but without the sugar rush. Instead, they deliver satisfaction and energy for hours.

Recipe Benefits

• 4 ingredients
• Easy to make (no baking)
• Vegan (dairy-free, egg-free)
• Oil-free
• Gluten-free
• Grain-free
• Free of refined sugars
• Nut-free

Ingredients for No-Bake Chocolate Sunflower Seed Bars

The exact amounts of each ingredient are indicated in the recipe card at the end of the post.

• Roasted, lightly salted sunflower seed kernels
• Unsweetened cocoa powder
• Whole dates
• Coconut flour

This is a new variation of my DIY LaraBars recipe from many years ago (a recipe that is still going strong at our house!).

A few significant changes include cocoa powder (one of Central and South America’s original energy foods–antioxidants to the bizillionth power), but also coconut flour (just a little bit; it cuts back on the stickiness–on both hands and teeth–plus, it makes the bars a bit firmer than nuts and fruit alone).

Last, I opted for sunflower seeds in place of the nuts. They are so tasty and affordable, and a great allergy-friendly option for many. You can use raw seeds, but toasting them (or look for roasted, unsalted sunflower seeds) heightens their rich flavor exponentially.

How to Make No-Bake Chocolate Sunflower Seed Bars

Note that the complete directions are also in the recipe card below.

Step One: Prepare the Pan

Grease or spray 6 cups of a standard muffin tin.

Step Two: Soak the Dates

Place the dates in a small bowl and cover with hot (not boiling) water to cover. Let stand 10 minutes and then drain.

Step Three: Process into a Dough

In a food processor, process the sunflower seeds into a fine flour. Add the drained dates and process until blended.

Add the cocoa powder, coconut flour and optional salt, processing (use on/off pulses) until blended into a cohesive “dough”.

Step Four: Portion the Dough

Remove the dough from processor and divide into six equal pieces. Roll each piece into a ball and press each into a prepared muffin cup.

Step Five: Chill

Refrigerate at least 30 minutes (until firm) before removing from the muffin tin.

To healthy chocolate.

And, now that I have eaten one one and a half of these humble, round bars, here’s to Tuesdays, too!

FAQ

How Should the Bars Be Stored?

Store the pucks in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks or freeze for up to 2 months. These will keep at room temperature for more than a day, but will get softer.

What Pan Can Be Used in Place of a Muffin Tin / Muffin Pan?

Yes! You can press the bar mixture into a 9×5-inch (22.5 x 12.5 cm) loaf baking pan, or any other small pan. Chill, and then cut into 6 bars.

You can also make these with no pan at all! Divide the dough into six portion and press into any shape (bars, rounds, etc). Or press into one oblong shape, wrap, chill, and then cut into equal size bars.

What is a Good Substitute for Dates?

Other moist dried fruit, such as raisins or prunes, can be used in place of the dates. The bars will have a slightly fruity flavor (like chocolate covered raisins).