Name: Date Bars - Easy Homemade Recipe - No Sugar Added
Prep time: 20 min
Total time: 20 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 8oz dates, pitted an chopped; 2 tbsp raisins or dry cranberries; Warm water (just enough to soak the dates and raisins); 1/2 cup roasted hazelnuts plus set aside 4 hazelnuts cut in half. See note 3; 3 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder; 2 tbsp freeze dried raspberries (optional); 1 tsp natural vanilla extract

Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe· 5 from 3 reviews

These naturally sweet and healthy date bars will remind you of the chocolate hazelnut spread (aka Nutella) flavor you love, with none of the guilt. We like to call them Nature's Candy Bars because they are refined sugar-free, vegan, and gluten-free. All you need is about 20 minutes of prep time and you'll be snacking on these naturally sweet nut bars!

Close up view of 6 homemade date bars next to a bowl of hazelnuts

Looking for a delicious and nutritious snack option that is both vegan and gluten-free? Try this easy recipe for homemade date bars made with wholesome ingredients and no added sugar. Perfect for breakfast, a midday treat, or a healthy back-to-school snack!

Just 5 Simple Ingredients for Vegan Date Bars
Step-By-Step Instructions on How to Make Our Date Bars
Variations for No-Bake Date Bars
The Story Behind this Cocoa Hazelnut Date Bars Recipe
How Do I Store These Snacks?
More Healthy Snacks

Just 5 Simple Ingredients for Vegan Date Bars

overhead image of the ingredients needed to make chocolate hazelnut date bars. Each ingredient is in it's own small bowl and labeled with white text

Dates. Pitted, chopped, and soaked. This is where you'll get all the natural sweetness. Medjool dates are our favorite date variety, but you can use any dried date you can find. If you love dates, check out our tasty recipes with dates.
Raisins or dried cranberries. Add a more robust flavor to the bars and a little extra sweetness.
Hazelnuts. These give that signature flavor you love in your favorite chocolate hazelnut spread.
Freeze dry raspberries. These are optional but recommended. They give these homemade bars a nice tangy contrast and chocolate-raspberry is a classic flavor combination.
Cocoa Powder. Dark chocolate flavor with no added sugar.
Vanilla Extract. Adds a sweet and smooth flavor.

Step-By-Step Instructions on How to Make Our Date Bars

overhead image of a glass mixing bowl with dates and raisins soaking in warm water

Soak dates and raisins in warm water for 10 minutes.

overhead image of the ingredients needed to make chocolate hazelnut date bars being blended together in a food processor.

Drain and add to a food processor along with the remaining ingredients. Pulse to combine well.

overhead image of the date mixture sandwiched between two pieces of parchment paper

Transfer to a cutting board lined with wax or parchment paper.

overhead image of the date mixture in a square on top of a piece of parchment paper

Shape into a square.

overhead image the chocolate hazelnut date bar mixture in a square topped with hazelnut halves

Decorate with hazelnuts.

overhead image of the chocolate hazelnut date bars after being sliced

Slice into 8 bars.

Variations for No-Bake Date Bars

Instead of cutting this treat into bars, you can scoop about 1 tablespoon and roll into a ball to make a one-bite dessert. Roll the date truffle in melted chocolate, cocoa powder, shredded coconut, or finely crushed hazelnuts.

If you prefer, you can line a square baking pan or rectangular loaf pan with parchment paper and press the date mixture into it to shape it. Top with your desired toppings and cut into squares or rectangles.

Instead of hazelnuts, you can alter the flavor by using other nuts instead:

almonds
walnuts
cashews
pecans
peanuts
peanut butter

The Story Behind this Cocoa Hazelnut Date Bars Recipe

In 2015 I was visiting my daughter who was spending a year abroad. Needless to say, I went there with a whole bunch of presents.... but I also wanted to bring her something homemade something comforting. What to do? What to bring?

Since she is one of our biggest fans and loves to taste our recipes, and knowing how disappointed she was for having to miss an entire year of "May I have that Recipe" food, I thought, why not bring her some homemade goodies?

While flipping through the pages of the January 2015 issue of Bon Appetit Magazine,I saw 3 great bar recipes full of nuts, seeds, and other healthy ingredients. The bars were also free of refined sugars. Bingo! Right up her alley. I shared the idea with my sister Ruth, and the next day she showed up with these delicious cocoa and hazelnut date bars. And I have to tell you, they taste just like that popular chocolate and hazelnut spread (AKA Nutella), only healthier! No sugar added and with an intense hazelnut cocoa flavor. Just awesome.

So I made two of the Bon Appetit bars (with some modifications of course, because you know, I can never follow a recipe!) a big batch of these yummy date bars, and voilà! The perfect gift.

And just as I anticipated, the date bars were a complete success. Mission accomplished!

6 homemade date bars wrapped in the middle with a strip of parchment paper next to a bowl with dates and another bowl with hazelnuts.

How Do I Store These Snacks?

Store the chocolate date bars in the fridge in an airtight container until ready to serve.

To store long-term, you can wrap each bar individually in parchment paper and then store it in an airtight container in the freezer. When ready to eat, allow to thaw at room temperature for 10 minutes.

More Healthy Snacks

Side view of view of 6 homemade date bars next to a bowl of hazelnuts

If you enjoyed this recipe, it would help us tremendously if you left us a star rating in the comments below or on the recipe card. Do you have any questions about the recipe? Do you need a swap for any of the ingredients? We are here to help, just leave us a question in the comments below.