These healthy walnut date bars are the ultimate no bake dessert recipe! They consist of three simple layers: a vegan shortbread crust, walnut, date and coconut filling and a fudgy chocolate topping. This walnut bars recipe is paleo, vegan and gluten free.
I'm deep in "no bake" mode over here. Meaning, lots of fun, raw dessert recipes will be popping up on the blog in the near future. I'm starting off with these vegan walnut date bars. Which, may be my favorite walnut dessert of all time!
These bars have 3 dreamy layers, all paleo, vegan and gluten free. First, a buttery shortbread cookie crust that's completely no bake and dairy free. Followed by a sticky crumble filling consisting of dates, walnuts and coconut. And the final layer includes a thick, rich fudgy chocolate topping.
These walnut crumble bars have been a family dessert staple for years and they always turn out perfectly! Plus, they're kid approved - great for putting in lunches or enjoying as a healthy dessert.
Why You'll Love these Healthy Walnut Date Bars
- paleo and vegan friendly - made with simple, wholesome ingredients
- gluten free and grain free - no flour and no oats
- no bake - this recipe doesn't require any baking. Simply make and assemble the layers, then chill the bars to set.
- healthy - great for a nourishing dessert
- kid approved - the whole family is sure to enjoy these walnut date bars
Ingredients
The full recipe for these walnut and date bar can be found in the recipe card below, but here's an overview of the ingredients you'll need:
- walnuts - since these are walnut bars. I recommend using raw or dry roasted walnuts.
- coconut flour - for the crust. There isn't a good swap for coconut flour since its so absorbent and unlike many other baking flours.
- coconut oil - to help hold the crust together and give it moisture.
- honey (maple syrup for vegan) - to sweeten the crust
- salt - brings out more flavor
- unsweetened shredded coconut - for the filling
- dates - since these are walnut date bars, we need dates! The dates are used to sweeten the filling and give it a caramel like flavor, plus help bind the filling ingredients.
- vanilla - added for flavor
- almond butter - creates a fudge-like chocolate topping. You can swap almond butter for any other nut or seed butter, or even coconut cream.
- dark chocolate chips - for the chocolate topping.
How To Make Walnut Date Bars
These bars are made layer by layer. You'll need a food processor for making the crust and filling. Here are the steps:
- Line an 8x8 inch baking dish with foil or parchment paper (I used parchment).
Crust
- Place all crust ingredients in a food processor (or high powered blender) and blend until the mixture starts to clump.
- Pour the crust into your lined baking dish. Firmly press the crust into the dish so that it lays in a level, even layer.
Filling
- Place all filling ingredients in your food processor and blend until the mixture starts to clump. (Note: it's best to use soft dates. If your dates are not soft, either microwave them (on high) for 10 seconds, or place them in a cup of hot water for 5 minutes and then drain the water.)
- Spread the filling over the crust, then use your hands to firmly press it down.
Topping
- Melt the dark chocolate on the stove top, over low heat. Once melted, turn off the heat and mix in the nut butter.
- Pour the topping over the filling and smooth it to the edges of the dish.
Chill the Bars
- Chill the walnut chocolate bars in the fridge for at least 30 minutes.
- After chilling, cut the bars to desired size and enjoy!
Storage
I recommend storing these walnut date bars in the fridge. However, you may keep them in an air-tight container at room temperature. The bars won't last as long this way. But, let's be honest, they won't stick around long enough to go bad anyway! 😉
Another option is to store these dark chocolate walnut bars in the freezer. To soften, you can defrost them for a few minutes prior to eating.
More Desserts with Walnuts
Looking for more healthy dessert recipes using walnuts? Take a look at these:
Healthy Walnut Date Bars (No Bake)
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 8x8 inch pan, 16 bars 1x
Description
These healthy walnut date bars are no bake, paleo and vegan friendly. They have a soft shortbread crust, crumbly walnut and date filling and a fudgy chocolate topping.
Ingredients
Crust
- ½ cup coconut flour (60g)
- ½ cup walnut halves (55g)
- ⅛ tsp salt
- 3 Tbsp coconut oil, room temp
- 1 Tbsp raw honey (maple syrup for vegan)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Filling
- 125g Medjool dates, pitted (8-10 dates)*
- 1 cup walnut halves (110g)
- ½ cup unsweetened shredded coconut (50g)
- pinch of salt
Topping
- 2 oz dark chocolate
- ⅓ cup drippy almond butter
Instructions
- Line an 8x8 inch baking dish with parchment paper (or foil) and set aside.
- For the crust: place all crust ingredients in a food processor. Blend, stopping to scrape the sides as necessary, until the dough starts to clump.
- Remove the crust mixture from your food processor and firmly press it into your lined baking dish.
- For the filling: place all filling ingredients in the food processor and blend until the mixture starts to clump.
- Remove the filling from the food processor, scatter over the crust and firmly press it down using your hands.
- For the topping: place the dark chocolate in a small saucepan. Melt on the stove top, over low heat. Once fully melted, remove the chocolate from the heat and mix in the nut butter.
- Pour the topping over the filling. Use a spatula to spread it out evenly so that it touches all sides of the pan.
- Chill the Bars: set the bars in the fridge for at least 30 minutes to set.
- Cut and Serve: Remove the bars from the baking dish, cut to desired size and eat!
Notes
Best stored in an airtight container in the fridge.
*If your dates are hard and dried out, place them in a small dish and submerge in hot water. Let them sit for 5 minutes to soften, then drain the water.
Katie
My family and I LOVE these no bake walnut bars. Hope you all do too!
Katie
How can I make this with cassava, etc instead? I cannot do coconut flour....Any advice?
Katie
Hi! You can look at some of my other bar recipes. Many of them use almond flour instead. It may be possible to just sub the coconut flour with cassava flour too since this is a no-bake recipe, but I haven't tried the sub myself.
Kim
Do you think I could sub almonds instead of walnuts…or pecans?
Katie
Any nut should work in place of the walnuts. I think pecans would work best!
Parizad in AZ
Yummo! Just made these! Only sub was for fudgy topping, I used Lily’s choc chips and the drippy almond butter was raw.. sooo so tasty!!!
Katie
Awesome! So glad you liked them 🙂
Ida Friedman
I didn’t have almond butter to mix with the chocolate so I used tahini.
Mary
Katie, for the walnut halves, is the 505g correctly? I measured out about half cup and it is about 50-55g
Thanks so much!
Katie
Oh thank you so much for catching that typo. Yes, 50-55 grams is correct. I'll change that asap.
claudia padgett
For the crust, could you sub the walnuts for 55grams of almond flour? Thanks!
Katie
Probably, but I haven't tried it myself.