Description
These Protein-Packed Chickpea and Date Snack Bars are a deliciously chewy, sweet, and nutritious no-bake snack combining creamy chickpeas, naturally sweet dates, and wholesome oats. Perfect for an energizing grab-and-go treat, they provide a balanced mix of protein, fiber, and healthy fats with optional chocolate chips for an indulgent touch.
Ingredients
Scale
Base Ingredients
- 1 cup (165 g) cooked chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup (150 g) pitted dates (softened if dry)
- 1/2 cup (50 g) rolled oats
- 1/4 cup (60 g) peanut butter or almond butter
- 1 tablespoon (15 ml) honey or maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon (5 ml) pure vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon (1 g) cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon (1 g) salt
Optional
- 1/4 cup (30 g) dark chocolate chips
Instructions
- Blend the Chickpeas and Dates: Place the cooked chickpeas and pitted dates into a food processor and blend until a smooth, sticky paste forms. Soak dates in warm water for 5–10 minutes beforehand if they are dry to ensure a smoother blend. Scrape down sides as needed.
- Add the Remaining Ingredients: To the blended chickpea-date paste, add oats, nut butter, honey or maple syrup, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and salt. Blend again until the mixture is fully combined with a uniform texture. Stop occasionally to scrape the bowl for even mixing.
- Incorporate Optional Chocolate Chips: Transfer the mixture to a large bowl and gently fold in the dark chocolate chips by hand to keep them intact and evenly distributed throughout the batter.
- Press into Baking Dish: Line an approximately 8×8 inch square baking dish with parchment paper, allowing some overhang for easy removal. Press the mixture firmly and evenly into the dish using hands or spatula to create a smooth, compact surface.
- Chill and Cut: Refrigerate the dish for at least 1 hour to allow the bars to set and firm up. Once chilled, lift the bars out using the parchment paper, transfer to a cutting board, and slice into evenly sized bars. Clean the knife with a damp cloth between cuts for neat edges.
Notes
- Adjust moisture if the mixture feels dry by adding a teaspoon of water or extra nut butter; add a tablespoon of oats if too sticky.
- Refrigeration or chilling is essential to set the bars and achieve the perfect sliceable texture; skipping this step results in softer bars.
- Soften dry dates by soaking in warm water for 5–10 minutes before blending for better cohesion.
- Pulse oats just enough to retain texture but avoid powdery consistency.
- Apply firm, even pressure when pressing mixture into the pan for uniform texture and chewiness.
- For nut-free adaptation, substitute nut butter with sunflower seed butter and chocolate chips with carob chips.
- To toast oats, spread them on a baking sheet and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 5-7 minutes for enhanced nuttiness and crunch.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Snack
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Middle Eastern-inspired
Keywords: chickpea snack bars, no bake bars, protein snack, healthy snack bars, date bars, plant-based protein, vegetarian snack, chickpea recipes
