Chocolate & Sunflower Seed Energy Bars {4 ingredients, no-bake, vegan}
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.
Servings: 6 round bars
Ingredients
- 2/3 cup packed dates (see notes for options)
- 1/2 cup roasted lightly salted sunflower seed kernels
- 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 3 tablespoons coconut flour
- Optional: pinch of fine sea salt
Instructions
- Grease or spray 6 cups of a standard muffin tin.
- Place the dates in a small bowl and cover with hot (not boiling) water to cover. Let stand 10 minutes and then drain.
- In a food processor, process the sunflower seeds into a fine flour. Add drained dates; process until blended. Add the cocoa powder, coconut flour and optional salt; process until blended into a cohesive "dough".
- Remove dough from processor and divide into 6 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a ball and press each into a prepared muffin cup. . Refrigerate at least 30 minutes (until firm) before removing from tin).
Notes
Storage: 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.
Pan Options: You can press the bar mixture into a 9x5-inch (22.5 x 12.5 cm) loaf baking pan, or any other small pan. Chill, and then cut into 6 bars.
Dried Fruit Options: Other moist dried fruit, such as raisins or prune can be used in place of the dates. The pucks will have a slightly fruity flavor (like chocolate covered raisins).
Nutrition
Serving: 1bar | Calories: 131kcal | Carbohydrates: 18.5g | Protein: 3.8g | Fat: 5.7g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 6mg | Fiber: 3.7g | Sugar: 9.6g