I have a bit of a sweet tooth, but over the years, I’ve been able to satisfy it by simply enjoying healthier treats, like these chocolate cherry snack bars. They’re just sweet enough, with good depth of flavor, but made without any added sugars. For people like me, who enjoy carbs for breakfast and for midday energy, these homemade bites are even gift worthy (hint: for mom)!
These Healthy Chocolate Cherry Snack Bars are Better than Larabars
I’ve been purchasing Larabars since they were first released, many, many years ago. They’re convenient, but they taste much fresher when you make them yourself, and are even less expensive. I usually buy the ingredients in quantity from Nuts.com. I also like that this recipe contains some oats. It gives them a little more chew and more staying power.
These chocolate cherry snack bars will keep for the day at room temperature, if you’re on the go. But for optimal freshness, store them in the refrigerator in an airtight container. They can also be frozen. I prefer to freeze bars, to preserve texture, and because I like the taste of cold bars.
This Chocolate Cherry Snack Bars recipe was shared with us by walnuts.org.
Special Diet Notes: Chocolate Cherry Snack Bars
By ingredients, this recipe is dairy-free / non-dairy, egg-free, gluten-free, peanut-free, soy-free, vegan, plant-based, and vegetarian.
- ½ cup old-fashioned oats (certified gluten-free, if needed)
- 1 cup (about 12) pitted medjool dates
- ½ cup shelled walnuts
- ½ cup unsweetened dried cherries
- 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
- ¼ to ½ teaspoon salt, to taste
- In a food processor bowl, combine the dates, oats, walnuts, cherries, cocoa powder, and salt. Process for 1 to 2 minutes, or until the mixture resembles crumbly dough.
- Turn the mixture out onto wax paper or parchment paper and shape evenly into a ½-inch thick rectangle.
- Refrigerate the bars for 1 hour or longer.
- Cut into nine bars.