Dark Chocolate Orange Energy Bars

Dark Chocolate Orange Energy Bars

No-bake oat bars studded with dark chocolate and bright citrus zest for a quick energy boost.

Total 1 hr Makes 16 bars Calories 165/serving

Dietary

Vegetarian, Pescatarian, Wheat free, Dairy free, Halal, Kosher

Allergens

Tree nuts

These no-bake bars combine chewy oats, dates, and almonds with dark chocolate chunks and fresh orange zest for a chewy, not-too-sweet snack. They come together in minutes with a food processor and firm up in the fridge, making them a practical make-ahead option for lunchboxes, hikes, or mid-afternoon slumps.

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 cups pitted dates
  • 1 cup rolled oats
  • 1 cup raw almonds
  • 1/2 cup dark chocolate, chopped into chunks
  • 2 tablespoons orange zest
  • 2 tablespoons orange juice
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

Method

  1. Line an 8x8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on two sides.

  2. Place the almonds and oats in a food processor and pulse until coarsely ground, about 10 to 15 pulses.

  3. Add the pitted dates, cocoa powder, orange zest, orange juice, honey, salt, and vanilla extract to the processor.

  4. Process the mixture until it forms a sticky, uniform dough that clumps together when pressed, about 1 to 2 minutes, scraping down the sides as needed.

  5. Transfer the dough to a large bowl and knead in the chopped dark chocolate by hand until evenly distributed.

  6. Press the mixture firmly and evenly into the prepared pan, using a spatula or your hands to smooth the top.

  7. Refrigerate the pan until the bars are firm enough to slice cleanly.

  8. Lift the slab out using the parchment overhang, place on a cutting board, and cut into 16 bars.

  9. Store the bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.

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    Dark Chocolate Orange Energy Bars

    These no-bake bars combine chewy oats, dates, and almonds with dark chocolate chunks and fresh orange zest for a chewy, not-too-sweet snack. They come together in minutes with a food processor and firm up in the fridge, making them a practical make-ahead option for lunchboxes, hikes, or mid-afternoon slumps.

    1 hr 16 bars 165 cal

    Ingredients

    • 1 1/2 cups pitted dates
    • 1 cup rolled oats
    • 1 cup raw almonds
    • 1/2 cup dark chocolate, chopped into chunks
    • 2 tablespoons orange zest
    • 2 tablespoons orange juice
    • 2 tablespoons honey
    • 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
    • 1/4 teaspoon salt
    • 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

    Method

    1. 1

      Line an 8x8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on two sides.

    2. 2

      Place the almonds and oats in a food processor and pulse until coarsely ground, about 10 to 15 pulses.

    3. 3

      Add the pitted dates, cocoa powder, orange zest, orange juice, honey, salt, and vanilla extract to the processor.

    4. 4

      Process the mixture until it forms a sticky, uniform dough that clumps together when pressed, about 1 to 2 minutes, scraping down the sides as needed.

    5. 5

      Transfer the dough to a large bowl and knead in the chopped dark chocolate by hand until evenly distributed.

    6. 6

      Press the mixture firmly and evenly into the prepared pan, using a spatula or your hands to smooth the top.

    7. 7

      Refrigerate the pan until the bars are firm enough to slice cleanly.

    8. 8

      Lift the slab out using the parchment overhang, place on a cutting board, and cut into 16 bars.

    9. 9

      Store the bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.