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First things first. I have two very important announcements:
1) Today I’m releasing my 7 Ingredients or Less E-Cookbook and it’s FREE for download!
2) I figured out how to make bars that taste just like a NO BAKE COOKIE!
Both of these items are very important.
When I tell you these bars taste just like a no bake cookie, I’m not playing around.
I REPEAT: This is not a joke.
No bake cookies are the bomb. For the record, they nor the word “bomb” will ever go out of style.
My mother can attest that no bakes are my kryptonite. I’m rendered defenseless in their presence.
I once jumped up and down like a little girl when someone brought a plate to class…IN HIGH SCHOOL.
I repeat: NOT JOKING AROUND.
When I recently discovered the wonder that is medjool dates, I almost cried.
Adding them to any recipe makes it sweet as pie and replaces any need for added sugar.
So picture this: dates, peanut butter, dark chocolate chips, oats, a.k.a no-bake cookie in the mouth.
Oh yes, we’re going there.
These bars are nutritious and super simple, yet taste just like one of my favorite desserts. And with just four ingredients, you really can’t go wrong.
I’ve already made them three times since discovering their magic factor. At batch #5 I think I’ll have a problem, but we’re not quite there yet so, we’re good.
“No-Bake Cookie” Bars
4-ingredient snack bars that taste JUST like a no-bake cookie! Vegan friendly and gluten-free optional.
Author Minimalist Baker
Print SAVE
4.67 from 9 votes
Prep Time 20 minutes minutes
Total Time 20 minutes minutes
Servings 8 (bars)
Course Breakfast, Snack
Cuisine Gluten-Free, Vegan
Freezer Friendly 1 month
Does it keep? 1 Week
Ingredients
US Customary – Metric
- 18 whole medjool dates
- 3 Tbsp natural salted peanut butter
- 1/2 cup dairy-free dark chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup rolled oats (GF for gluten-friendly)
Instructions
Pulse dates in a food processor until they’re in small pieces; about 15 generous pulses.
Add oats, chocolate chips, and peanut butter and pulse or mix until combined. You want there to be consistently small pieces but not overly processed.
Transfer to a 9×9 or larger pan and press down until uniformly flat (adjust number/size of pan if altering batch size).
Pop in freezer for 15 minutes to set. Then remove and cut into 8 bars (as original recipe is written). Will keep fresh in an air-tight bag or container for up to a week.
Notes
*Be gentle after cutting the bars, else they will crumble.
*Nutrition information is a rough estimate.
Nutrition (1 of 8 servings)
Serving: 1 bars Calories: 175 Carbohydrates: 26.8 g Protein: 2.5 g Fat: 7 g Saturated Fat: 3.2 g Trans Fat: 0 g Cholesterol: 0 mg Fiber: 2.9 g Sugar: 19 g
Get this and 9 other recipes in our7 Ingredients or Less E-Cookbook! Click for a FREE download and endless amounts of delicious food! Then read it, try the recipes, and share it and we’ll love you forever – promise.
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Reader Interactions
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All commentsI made thisQuestions
Carolina says
Per my current dietary guru, Dr. Gundry, I am not to eat oats, so what would you suggest as a substitute for them? Carole
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Support @ Minimalist Baker saysHi Carolina, we think finely chopped nuts, such as peanuts, walnuts, or pecans might be nice in this one!
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Jenica says
These recipes look delicious! The link to the recipe book download doesn’t work any more and I guess I’m late to the game 😭 is there a way to still download it?
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- Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Hi Jenica, sorry for the inconvenience! This is an older post and the 7 ingredients of less e-cookbook download is no longer available. The fan favorites e-cookbook download is though!
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Aquarius says
Can I use other kinds of dates for this?
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- Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Yes!
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Norma says
Next time we’ll make them a bit thicker. They were a little too thin and parts were falling apart. They did taste phenomenal and we’ll be making these again.
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Deborah says
How many grams is 18 pitted dates? Mine dates seem to all be different sizes, so having the weight is a more helpful measurement.
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Deborah says
I found two of your other recipes, one says “1 heaping cup pitted dates (10-12 large medjool dates)” and the other “1 1/4 cups (~250 g) firmly packed pitted dates (~23-26 dates)”. This second is double the number of dates but not double the volume. I love your recipes, really keen to try this one, but I find it’s helpful to have precise measurements (e.g. 1 cup or 100g) rather than amounts that could differ based on where you shop or what brands you buy (e.g. 18 dates or 1 pack of crackers).
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Deborah says
Ok so I tried these and the flavour was amazing but they really didn’t work — after having them in the freezer for over half an hour to set, they were super gooey and I had to try and make them into balls instead of squares because there was no way I could cut through them. Even as balls they are too gooey and soft. I used about 200g dates (I just guessed based on your estimate of 23-26 dates as 250g in another recipe) but that was about 30 pitted dates for me, so I’m not sure if that was the problem? I used almond butter instead of peanut butter, as I saw in one of your replies to another person that that would be fine. Any advise would be appreciated, thanks!
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April says
I had a really hard time getting these to stick together. They fell apart even more easily than expected. A+ for flavor though, we had no qualms eating them even as broken fragments.
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Michelle says
These are sooo good! And so easy to make! I added a 1/4 c of unsweetened coconut flakes. Thanks for the recipe!
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Kelly says
Love this recipe!! My food processor died after 2 batches. I think it was the dates. Can anyone recommend their processor, need to purchase one ASAP as I have eaten all my bars and need to make more!!
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Lisa says
Are you supposed to keep these in the refrigerator after you cut them? Or just keep in an air tight container at room temperature? Thank you
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Charlotte says
These look so good! However I’m not so sure I like dates, would dried apricots work instead? Or any other suggestions :)
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- Dana @ Minimalist Baker says
Absolutely! I didn’t think I used to like dates, but in recipes like these they really are a dream! Hope you give it a try, Charlotte. Beautiful name, btw
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Annie says
Made these two days ago…nearly gone. So yummy.
And good for pooping……true story.Thank you!
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jennifer says
Just made these yesterday and my fiancé loves them… I can’t wait to make these as fun treats for our next get together!! Thank you so much! <3
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- Dana @ Minimalist Baker saysSee AlsoBeef Caldereta Recipe
Great! Thanks for sharing, Jennifer!
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elsy says
OMG!!!!!!!! Indeed these are the BOMB.COM!!! I’ve made these a couple of times and they are a hit every time!!! My kids love them. Thanks for all your wonderful easy to make recipes <3
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Shuk says
Hi Dana, I would love to try this recipe but could you please recommend a substitute for dates? (not the biggest fan of dates…) Thanks!
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- Dana @ Minimalist Baker says
Hmm, raisins?
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jennifer says
I made the exact same bars just this afternoon, recipe taken on another website. Only difference is a cup of nuts (pecans and almonds). They are sooo delicious, i just can’t stop eating them!
I used regular dry dates that i soaked for a few minutes in warm water, and it did the trick (2 cups).Reply
Kalene says
Do I keep them stored in the freezer?
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- Dana @ Minimalist Baker says
Yes! Or the fridge :D
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Gina says
“Am I the ONLY one whose dates balled up in to a gloopy mess?” was my thought as I kept rechecking the pictures, recipe and comments. Then I noticed my processor blade seemed to be getting stuck on something. I had bought my dates in bulk, and it never occurred to me that they were not pitted! I’m so glad you gave a precise number because I knew I was good after I fished out 18 seeds! Hope no one else makes the same silly mistake! This really is delicious! Thanks for posting.
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erin says
These are SO easy and SO delicious-the whole family loved them! That is a keeper!
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Julia says
Nom nom… so yummy, sweet and chocolatey! Thank you for the recipe!
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Kim Hawkins says
Thank you SO MUCH for this recipe. My hubby & I transitioned to a whole foods, vegan diet after his diabetes diagnosis. I made some raw cocoa truffles, and while they were good, my hubby (a hard working, traveling man) said, “What I really want are no-bakes.”
Since he doesn’t really care for dates, I used raisins, and sugar free dark chocolate. While a little fruity on the end, he says, “I could eat these.” His version of high praise, lol.
Thanks again!
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Julia says
Made these today. Super yum!
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Rachel K says
Can I just say I love you even more after reading this!! I love that you still use “the bomb” cause so do I, and people make fun of me for it. Also, these sound delish. Can’t wait to try making them!
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Ann says
Thanks so much for the free e-cookbook. I’ve been dreaming about the date / chocolate / almond bars for a while now. Was tickled to get the cookbook!
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Jacklyn says
Just found your blog a few days ago and it is wonderful! I’ve been wanting to try medjool dates for a while and when I found this recipe I knew it was the perfect place to start. I subbed sunflower seed butter for the peanut butter, and cacao nibs for chocolate chips and they were DELICIOUS!!
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Shannon says
OH my goodness! Just discovered you guys and wanted to say hats off to a blog well done! I’m all over the cooking blog world, vegan in particular, and you guys stand out completely! And the free cookbook download was a phenomenal idea! Keep on keepin on :)
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- Dana @ Minimalist Baker says
Thanks Shannon! What a sweet thing to say!
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Meghan says
YUM! I’m going to have to make these. Awesome ingredients!
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Jen S. says
Passed the reluctant 4 yo test. Worked great even with reg. dates (madjools are very expensive in my area). Just had to add more of the smaller dates. I also added dehydrated coconut to some for an even better treat for me. Wasn’t overly sweet. Thanks much for the recipe.
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Tammy T says
These look amazing! As usual! And congrats on your e-book…can’t wait to check it out!
Tammy
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Heidi @ Food Doodles says
Yummy! These sound delicious! And your e-cookbook looks great – can’t wait to look into it more!
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Jackie says
What are medjool dates?
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- Dana @ Minimalist Baker says
A type of sweet fruit – find pictures here: https://minimalistbaker.com/chocolate-cashew-cookie-larabar-pops/
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Amanda says
Awesome, Can’t wait to try this recipe.
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Qu says
Thanks for the cookbook and the bar look delicious.
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natalie@thesweetslife says
i have fantastic memories of eating WAY TOO MANY of no bake cookies in college! this sounds like a good way to relive those memories :)
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jamie @ green beans & grapefruit says
These look soooooo good and CONGRATS on your e-book!
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lina says
Looks delicious! However, I’m allergic to peanuts… Anything else that is easy to make/get a hold of that would work as a substitute? Thanks :)
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- Dana @ Minimalist Baker says
Lina, Absolutely! Try almond butter or any nut butter. Hope that helps!
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em@simplypresents says
This are going to be made this weekend! I keep looking for a yummy and healthy bar recipe, but they still contain so many ingredients and instuctions! Thanks so much! :)
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Caitlin says
they look delicious!!
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