Dark Chocolate Cherry Coconut Almond Oat Bars Recipe
These Dark Chocolate Cherry Coconut Almond Oat Bars combine wholesome oats, crunchy almonds, and sweet dried cherries, all bound together with almond butter and honey. Topped with a smooth layer of melted dark chocolate and decorated with fresh cherries, flaked coconut, and flaky sea salt, these bars offer a delightful balance of textures and flavors. Perfect as a nutritious snack or a healthy dessert, they are easy to prepare with simple ingredients and require no baking.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes (melting chocolate)
- Total Time: 40 minutes (including chilling time)
- Yield: 12 bars 1x
- Category: Snack
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups old fashioned oats
- 3/4 cup raw almonds
- 1/2 cup coconut flakes
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup dried cherries
Wet Ingredients
- 1/2 cup Sprouts Organic Almond Butter
- 1/3 cup honey
Topping
- 6 ounces Sprouts 72% dark chocolate, chopped
- 1 teaspoon coconut oil
- fresh red cherries, pitted and halved, for decorating
- flaked coconut, for decorating
- chopped raw almonds, for decorating
- flaky sea salt, for decorating
Instructions
- Prepare the base mixture: To a food processor, add the oats, raw almonds, coconut flakes, cinnamon, and salt. Pulse until the mixture becomes fine and almost flour-like. Add the dried cherries, almond butter, and honey, then pulse again until the mixture forms a cohesive dough. If the dough is too dry, add extra honey, almond butter, or dried cherries; if too wet, add more oats.
- Press into pan: Line an 8×8 inch baking dish with parchment paper. Firmly press the oat mixture evenly into the bottom of the pan, creating a solid base layer. Set aside.
- Melt the chocolate: Place chopped dark chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave in 30-second increments, stirring between each, until completely melted without overheating. Stir in the coconut oil until fully combined and smooth.
- Assemble and chill: Spread the melted chocolate evenly over the oat layer. Decorate the top with halved fresh cherries, flaked coconut, chopped raw almonds, and sprinkle with flaky sea salt. Freeze for 20 to 30 minutes or until the chocolate has set.
- Slice the bars: Use a sharp knife (warm it under hot water before slicing to prevent sticking) to cut the bars into 12 portions. For smaller snacks, cut into bite-sized pieces as desired.
- Storage: Store bars in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days or in the freezer for up to 3 weeks to maintain freshness and texture.
Notes
- For a sweeter bar, adjust the honey quantity to taste.
- Make sure not to overheat the chocolate during melting to avoid seizing.
- Running your knife under hot water before slicing helps make cleaner cuts.
- These bars can be customized by substituting almonds with other nuts or the dried cherries with other dried fruits.
- Stored frozen, allow bars to thaw slightly before eating for best texture.
Keywords: dark chocolate bars, cherry oat bars, almond bars, no-bake snack, healthy snack bars, coconut oat bars, gluten free snack, homemade energy bars
