Paleo
Vegan
Gluten Free
Jump to VideoNo bake Chocolate Coconut Cashew Bars, made in 3 easy steps! These no bake chocolate bars are vegan, paleo, grain free, and gluten free. Perfect for snacking on the go or a healthy dessert. No oils, flourless, and made with simple wholesome ingredients!
We all have that go to snack bar or bite recipe, don’t we? Whether it be homemade or store bought, there’s one that just clicks with us and stays with us. Ours just happens to be these no bake Paleo mango protein bars or 3 step Baklava Bars. One nutty, one fruity. Hands down our favorites! And so easy. Chewy and lightly sweet.
But what happens when your need for dark chocolate and cashew take over? Kind of like a mounds bar. Well, except way better and made with real food. I may be bias.
These no bake chocolate cashew bars are ours new trusty snack ….energy bar…. dessert bar.. paleo/vegan bar… and all things heavenly bar.
No honey or sugar needed. Just a quick 3 step approach! Chop chop in the food processor, press into a pan, and melt a dark chocolate to coat on top!
Set them in the fridge for a bit to harden and set.
Slice and serve. Or do what I do, wrap in each one in foil and place in fridge for a quick grab and go snack.
Here are some ways we like to use these no bake chocolate bars.
I think you’ll love these ideas. Tried and tested. And they go fast.. Just sayin. You might want to make multiple batches.
- Lunch box! Yes, these are Peanut free and they look like a candy bar. Kids will be SUPER happy and healthy. Plus these are bars are both paleo and vegan so they accommodate to a lot of allergy friendly kiddos, ya know? Oh and while you’re at it, throw in some of these oatmeal cookie energy bites for the lunch box.
- Pre or Post workout fuel. Natural fruit and nut carbohydrates for energy. The coconut is great because it contains a boost in iron while cashews give these bars a little protein boost. Both NEEDED for for those muscles. FUEL and RECOVERY.
- Healthy Dessert. Need I same more? These naturally sweetened no bake dark chocolate cashew bars are seriously like candy bars. I mentioned mounds bars above, but have you ever had a mars bar? Oh, that’s the kiwi’s favorite! And these definitely hit the spot for his New Zealand chocolate coated candy bar Craving.
- BREAKFAST to GO – Oh yea, chocolate bar for breakfast, can’t go wrong. But these no bake dark chocolate cashew are great for grab and go. They are balanced with macro nutrients and super filling. Just be sure to wash the chocolate off from your face once you arrive to work or to your final destination. Not that that ever happened to me before…. (*blushing due to embarrassment*)
- Bonus Nutrition Fact because I am a NERD –> Both cashew and dried figs are both a great source of vitamin k. I love me some VITAMIN K! You know this from my cashew creamy mustard Brussel Sprouts superfood salad. So maybe you should eat the Brussel Sprouts salad for lunch followed with one of these no bake dark chocolate cashews bars. Then you will be one “SUPERFOOD” powered HUMAN! Just a suggestion.
I know what you’re thinking. ” that’s cool lindsay, but how do these no bake bars actually stick together then?” You were thinking that, rIght? Haha.I’ll give you a hint. They are in season. They are delicious. They are full of powerful anti-cancer fighting nutrients. They are amazing when dried.
Yup-> figs!
Combining dried Turkish figs with dark chocolate, coconut, and cashew create one heck of a power bar! Healthy fats, fiber, and hefty amount of antioxidants! Did you when dry figs, their health benefits and nutrients INCREASE! YEA buddy! I knew this fruit was real gem. Figs are also rich in potassium and and magnesium, which is good news for those who don’t like bananas but need these crucial minerals. Natures candy really does wonders y’all!
But what I love about these no bake dark chocolate cashew bars sweetened with figs is that they don’t even look healthy. Is that wrong to say?
Nah…. chocolate, coconut, cashew, figs –> AMAZIN’!
Speaking of AMAZIN’ and more NO BAKE chocolate, coconut, and cashew … these Superfood Berry Cashew Cream No bake bars from Food Faith Fitness and these No Bake Gluten Free Chocolate Coconut Oat Squares from Gluten Free Palate BOTH look unreal. Healthy homemade bars to make on any occasion! YUM!
Alright, ready to not bake and just blend?
Yea, let’s get our easy snack making skills on and make the recipe for no bake chocolate coconut cashew bars!
Nutrition per Bar:
Notes – Adjust the bar size to your liking. Cut larger for a “meal” bar or smaller for “snack” bar. See notes for larger bar calories. These no bake chocolate bars are made with healthy fats and all REAL food. Loaded with nourishment!
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3 Step No Bake Chocolate Coconut Cashew Bars
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Prep Time: 15 min -
Total Time: 15 min
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Yield: 8-11 bars
Print Recipe
Pin RecipeDescription
3 Step No Bake Chocolate Coconut Cashew Bars {Vegan, Paleo}
Ingredients
- 1 1/4 cup dried unsulphured figs or about 5-6 ounces (stems cut off)
- 2 cups raw cashews
- 1 cup unsweetened Coconut Flakes (plus extra for topping)
- 1 tsp vanilla
- dash of sea salt (1/4 tsp)
- 1/3 to 2/3 cup or more of dark chocolate or vegan dark chocolate chips to melt
- optional add-ins 1 tbsp protein powder, chia, nuts, cocoa powder.
Instructions
- Line a square baking pan with parchment paper. Set aside.
- Next make sure your dried figs have all the stems cut off.
- Place cashew, coconut, salt, vanilla, and figs in food processor.
- Blend until all is mixed well but not pureed. See pictures above.
- Pour mixture into baking dish and press down well. See notes if you are not getting it to stick well.
- While the fig/cashew mix sets in pan, melt your dark chocolate.
- Place dark chocolate in a microwave safe bowl or on stove top. Heat until melted. About 60-90 seconds in microwave mixing half way.
- You can also use my homemade magic chocolate shell recipe if you want a thicker chocolate coat.
- Next pour the chocolate over the cashew coconut batter and spread it evenly in the dish to cover all. noted if you need more dark chocolate to cover, just melt an additional 1/4 cup.
- Sprinkle extra coconut and dash of sea salt on top of chocolate (evenly).
- Place in freezer for 20 minutes or fridge for a few hrs.
- Once they are hardened, remove from fridge.
- Slice into bars and wrap each one in foil for a quick grab and go bar. Or store in an air tight container.
- Best kept in fridge for freshness.
- Feel free to freezer for up to 8-10 weeks. These really do keep well!
Notes
If your batter is not sticking to the pan after mixing, remove from pan and place in bowl, mix in a tbs of honey or maple syrup if needed. If batter is too sticky, add in 1 tbsp of coconut flour.
8×8 pan or 9×13 work. Your bars will be thinner with 9×13.
Fig Notes depending on the type of dried fig you use, you made need to use more than 5oz to get it “sticky” in the batter.
Chocolate use as much or as little as you’d like to top. The less you use the thinner the layer of chocolate and vice versa.
These are make for great meal bars, cut in 6 LARGER Bars if desired. They will be around 300 calories each.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 238
- Sugar: 7
- Sodium: 54 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 16 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
Keywords: no bake bars, chocolate, protein bars, vegan, paleo, snacks
And now it’s time for the extreme close up.
Ready.
Set.
Swooooooooon!
Don’t you wish you could reach through the screen for some no bake chocolate goodness?
I sure do. I need to make more ASAP. Sigh….
What’s your favorite bar recipe? No bake chocolate types or Dried Fruit and Oat type?
Big life decisions here ya’ll.
Haha you’re right that they don’t look healthy, in a good way! Love all your no bake bars and bites. And figs – have to try them in bars!
yes you would so love with ganache too!
YES to figs. I love them in bars more than dates. And YES to Cashews and YES to Coconut and YES to chocolate and ok just YESSSSSSSSSS
YES TO YOU! <3
Oh my, totally swooning over here! Anything cashew in in on.
me too! my fav
These look SO GOOD! It’s like all my favorite things in one no bake bar!
I want these for breakfast, snack AND dessert! Love chocolate and coconut 🙂
I want to reach for the screen every single time you post hahaha!! Yummy!
oh I love you! and so thought of you with these!
My gaaaawsh these BARS! That fig-coconut-chocolate-cashew combo? Heeeeaven! These bars are seriously my idea of the perfect treat or snack. I’ve used dried figs to make chocolate truffles and loved the way they turned out, so I’m itching to make these beauties!
oh i need to try your recipe next!
FIGS <3 My favorite things 😀 O these are so pretty, easy,….and overly delicious, Lindsay!
Thanks fellow fig lover friend!
I love the chocolate coconut combo! I make some variation of nut/dried fruit balls or bars almost every week. My favorite easy treat! These look fantastic.
thanks friend! I love your bar/bite recipes!
Chocolate and coconut is one of my favorite flavor combos! These are so simple, but I bet they taste amazing!
mine too! Twin again! haha
Your photos are SO gorgeous! Pinned this to my Desserts With Benefits board and I can’t wait for them to get into my freezer 🙂
Wonderful! thanks friend
Yes, yes I do want to reach through the screen. Also, the word unsulphured make me giggle. IDK…
haha now it’s making me giggle. We’re 12
This looks delish and I swear,I just made a no bake fig tart that’s right in sync with this. Albeit without that gorgeous thin chocolate layer. Just had to come visit. I’m no coconut fan, but would gladly have two of these. 🙂
thanks Kevin! I need to check out your fig tart ASAP! ps these would totally work without coconut. You could use almonds or a flakey cereal instead. 😉
OMG OMG OMG!!!!!! I like protein bars! I do put oat bran or oats in them though! 🙂
that a good idea!
These bars look beyond decadent. Such a great recipe. You make healthy look fabulous.
thanks friend!
Maaaan everyone is on the fig train. I don’t even like them that much. Is that sacrilege? I have a bunch I was given still sitting in my pantry haha
Do you not like dried fig or just fresh fig? Totally different in taste and texture
Hahahaha, chocolate and cashews are a power couple! I absolutely love this recipe–the topping looks splendid!
These look amazing and I am loving that they are just 3 ingredients.
Made these yesterday. So easy to make, and doubly delicious. I did have trouble getting the mixture to stick together, so added a tablespoon of maple syrup. Still not sticking! Added another tablespoon maple syrup. Better! Put in pan and smushed down. They were really hard to cut, but they completely fell apart. Any suggestions?
Oh i am so sorry. Let’s fix that! what coconut and fig did you use? Did you parchment paper on bottom?
Sorry it took so long to respond. I used unsweetened flaked coconut from Bob’s Red Mill and Smyrna Figs in a bag from Costco.
That’s strange, those should work. Hmmm… the only other tip I think that might help is to blend the figs a little more with the cashew/coconut. Then place them in a bowl and mix all together before placing in the pan. Add maple syrup if needed in the bowl. Email me anytime if you want to make it again with these adjustments.
I will definitely make them again because the family loved them even though we ate them with a spoon! Just a thought, I didn’t soak the cashews. I think next time I’m going to add one extra fig cause they are sooooo good.
FIGS IN THESE BARS?! You are my hero!
and you are mine! ALWAYS <3
I’ve been wanting to try figs in a lara-bar type creation! These are incredible.
I would love to reach through the screen and grab one of these. The use of dried figs is genius and cashews are so rich and buttery. I can only imagine how amazing these taste. Licks lips.
Did I miss something? Making these now, and do they smell gooooood!! However, pouring into an 8×8 seems to be too small.. did you use a 9×13?
I used 8×8 so they would thicker but 9×13 should work too. They will taste same just different thickness. Does that make sense?
It does make sense, they just looked a lot thicker than the picture.. so I went with a 9×13.
The 9×13 must be the key, they look perfect. I also added to make a 1/2 c of the melted dark chocolate (enjoy life) chips to get that thin layer allll the way to the edges. I added your suggestions of protein powder and chia seeds. OMG, they look and smell sooooo good, I can’ hardly wait for them to chill, so I’ll go chill ~ Thank you for this delicious (healthy) snack recipe.
Oh keep me posted! I’ll make note! And I am finding that it depends on dried fig you get. Larger or smaller. Thanks for tips! I’ll add that to recipe notes
Hi, thanks for sharing this awesome recipe!
One question though: Should the cashews be soaked prior to processing them?
🙂
they don’t need to be. I did have one ready try that though and it worked great. Might be a little softer bar. Let me know if you try them Saleha!
Love this recipe! But we have a fig allergy in the house. Any recommendations for a substitute? I’m thinking dried apricots?
Turkish apricots or even dates would probably work. Keep me posted
I just made your loaded oatmeal cookie energy bites and I gotta say there is nothing worse than having a batch going and it sSTICKS to your hands!!!!!!!! Grrrrrrrrrr this is my new pet peeve !!! You need the honey so they stick together then it’s such a mess sticking to your hands!!! Would clear and concise measurements so this does not happen . very frustrating !!!!
I’m so sorry! What kind of oats did you use? Happy to help fix that
Found today- made today ?
I was worried my mixture wasn’t sticky enough so added 2 tbsp of cashew butter and it was great.
Top sprinkled with chopped walnuts as used up all cashews and coconut for the bars …
Looking forward to trying these tomorrow and taking them away for a hiking weekend.
Thanks for a great recipe!
Oh I am so glad!! Love the addition of nuts on top. Sounds perfect Joanna!
HI there,
How long do these bars last in the fridge? I’m sure they’d be eaten fast but can’t have too much of a good thing 🙂
Oh i make multiple batches and kept in fridge or freezer. they last a while! for sure. at least 4 weeks. longer in freezer if you need to make a bunch. Hope that helps!
Just got everything together and realised, I don;t own a food processor 🙁 Everythign is just in really small pieces and not stuck together at all!
OK, phew! Turns out it is not the food processor that the issue, it;s the stickyness. Not sticky at all so I have added some honey – hopefully now it is not too sweet. Should the figs be soaked maybe first?
did you use a food processor? What kind of figs did you use? I found turkish to work best. Yes, soaking can help. KEep me posted!
I used the container base of a hand held blender. (that has it’s own blade for chopping.) the nuts came out all small which was the perfect size. But then the fig also just came out in small bits.. I’m not sure of the kind of figs there is only 1 kind at the fruit store I go to. I’ll try to find out.
the whole batch was eaten!! Even my fussy daughter had a few pieces!!
Oh good! So it worked out? I used California figs
Hi
Yep it worked but quite crumbly. Can only find 1 type of dried fig in my area and they are not sure where it is from. They seem to be split open and squashed.
Will post my batch on Twitter now and try another batch soon!
Hmmm I wonder why. Did you soak figs? so sorry!
These look amazing! Could you substitute dates for the figs? Would it be the same amount?
Really looking forward to trying these!
sure! I think someone else used dates before.Similar about but not be as sticky. trying soaking the dates a little before. Keep me posted!
These look amazing! Thanks for the recipe.
Holy cow!! These were amazing! Such a great snack or even a little after dinner treat. My husband and I loved them. I’ll be making them on repeat.
Wonderful! SO glad Kelli! WE love them too.
What a simple but brilliant idea!! Thank you so much for the inspo! I have pinned the recipe so I can make it soon! x
★★★★★
thanks Georgie! Let me know if you try them!
They are great but they are not paleo. The chocolate chips have brown sugar in them. 🙁
The enjoy life dark chocolate? I think it’s just cane sugar juice. But I will give paleo dark chocolate option, updating now! Thanks for the correction.