These 3-Ingredient Chocolate & Date Bars are the ultimate no-bake snack—sweet, chewy, and chocolatey with a great hit of fibre. If you’re looking for a quick, healthy snack that feels like a treat, these no-bake chocolate & date bars are a game-changer. Made with just three wholesome ingredients—medjool dates, dark chocolate, and shredded coconut—they come together in minutes and hit the perfect balance between chewy, chocolatey, and satisfying.
They’re naturally sweetened with fibre-rich dates, packed with healthy fats from coconut, and finished with chunks of antioxidant-rich dark chocolate. No added sugar, no flour, no baking. Just one bowl, one blitz, and you’ve got a stash of grab-and-go bars ready to keep in the fridge or freezer for the week.
Perfect for lunchboxes, sweet cravings, or a mid-afternoon pick-me-up—these bars are proof that simple can be so good.
No Added Sugar, Just Fruit Sweetness
This recipe contains no added sugar or refined sugar, yet it still tastes rich and indulgent thanks to the natural sweetness of medjool dates. For me, healthy eating doesn’t mean avoiding an entire food group like sugar—it means choosing wholesome alternatives. The sugar in fruit comes with fibre, vitamins, and minerals, which means it’s absorbed more slowly by your body compared to free sugars like white sugar or syrups. That makes a big difference for your energy levels and overall health.
If you’re curious, here’s what the NHS says about free sugars and why naturally occurring sugars in fruit are not the same as refined sugar.
By using whole dates, you’re getting that sweet flavour with extra fibre and nutrients, which makes these bars a great balanced snack that satisfies your sweet tooth while still keeping things nourishing.
Ways To Enjoy It
- On-the-go snacking – Pack one in your bag for a mid-morning or afternoon energy boost.
- Pre- or post-workout – Thanks to the natural sugars and fibre, they give you sustained energy without the crash.
- A healthier dessert – Slice into smaller squares and enjoy chilled as a bite-sized treat after dinner.
- Lunchbox add-in – Great for kids or grown-ups alike, these bars make lunch feel extra special.
- With a cup of tea or coffee – The dark chocolate and coconut pair beautifully with a hot drink.
Tips
- Use soft medjool dates: These work best. If yours are a little dry, soak them in warm water for 10 minutes and drain well before using.
- Don’t overblend: For the best texture, blitz until a dough forms but stop before the chocolate is completely blended—you want a few chunks.
- Press firmly: Use the base of a glass to pack the mix tightly into the tray—this helps the bars hold their shape.
- Chill until fully set: Let them firm up in the fridge for at least 4 hours (or 30–60 minutes in the freezer).
Swaps
Dates: I used soft medjool dates because they’re naturally sticky and sweet. If yours are dry, soak them in warm water for 5–10 minutes and drain well before using.
Shredded coconut: You can swap shredded coconut with desiccated coconut or coconut flakes, but make sure they’re unsweetened.
Chocolate: I love using 70% dark chocolate for a richer flavour and health benefits. You can use any dark chocolate 50% and above, or try dairy-free chocolate chips to keep it vegan.
Storage
Fridge: Store the bars in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 7 days. Place a piece of parchment paper between layers if stacking to prevent sticking.
Freezer: Freeze for up to 3 months. Separate the bars with parchment paper and store in a sealed container or reusable freezer bag. Let them thaw in the fridge or at room temperature before serving.
More 3-Ingredients Recipes
- 3 Ingredients Date Bark
- 3-Ingredients Chocolate Mousse
- Homemade Nutella – 3 Ingredients
- 3 Ingredients Rice Crispy Treats
3-Ingredients Chocolate & Date Bars
Ingredients
- 200 g soft medjool dates, pitted
- 60 g unsweetened shredded coconut
- 50 g dark chocolate 70%
Optional
- ¼ tsp vanilla extract
- pinch salt
Instructions
- Add a sheet of parchment paper to a small baking tray (roughly 16x12cm or similar) and set aside
- Place all the ingredients into the large bowl of a food processor. You don’t need to melt or chop the chocolate, simply break it with your hands, the food processor will do all the work.
- Blitz for 1–2 minutes until a uniform dough forms. Be careful not to over-mix—I like to keep some small chocolate chunks visible rather than fully blended in.
- Transfer the dough to your lined tray. Press it down firmly using your fingers or the base of a glass. The mixture needs to be tightly compacted to hold together once set.
- Chill to set in the fridge (at least 4 hours or overnight). Freezer: 30 mins to 1 hour.
- Once fully set and firm to the touch, lift the slab out using the parchment paper and slice into 6–7 bars using a sharp knife.
Super quick and easy to make and delicious. I can see these being a staple in my fridge to grab when I want something sweet and chocolatey I left some chunkier bits of chocolate which provided a bit of crunch . I might reduce the coconut a bit next time (personal preference) but this is a great quick easy to make recipe . I’d happily serve smaller squares with coffee or tea if friends came over
Ahh, I love this, thank you for such a lovely feedback! So glad you enjoyed them 🤍 Leaving some chunky chocolate sounds delicious — and I love the idea of serving them with coffee for friends. That’s exactly the kind of easy treat I wanted this recipe to be!”