### So many companies now a days are selling energy bars and they're all marketing it as healthy. Not all energy bars are healthy it all depends on it's ingredients and of course, how how you consume.

I don't like to see any products that says healthy on the label but then when I look at the first ingredient it says corn syrup or maple syrup, or any other high fructose. If the ingredients are healthy then great but if it's not, then be it, leaving it as it is but don't label it healthy to trick the consumers. That's just false marketing and we don't want to be a victim of that unless we know what we are putting in our body is healthy or not.

This homemade no-cook dark chocolate-nut bar is healthier than some energy bars you can buy at your grocery store. There are healthy energy bars that you can also get but they can be very pricey.

Although, sometimes it's not cheap to make it on your own but at least you know what's in it and how it was processed. If you're like me who loves DIY you'll definitely enjoy making your own food or snacks! 😉

So let's get to it!

![IMG_20161104_121654.jpg](https://steemitimages.com/0x0/https://ipfs.busy.org/ipfs/QmQ8KFg7yD7ad8mYquNgYd5ZZkKL6aoScQeV9jbDUg9jYn)

The dried dates are the base of these energy  bars. They are fruit of the date palm tree that grows in most tropical countries. The distinctive taste is quite sweet but not too sweet in my own opinion. If you are buying the date fruit make sure it's pitted. Am not sure if you have tried working with dates before but they can be very sticky and it's a little bit hard to blend in the processor if it's not soft enough so I soak mine an hour before I start making the energy bars.

### You will need:

Food Processor
Plastic Wrap
Parchment Paper
Rectangular or Square Pan (I use my baking pan)
Silicone Spatula

### Ingredients:

1 cups dried dates
1/2 cup raw cashew nuts
1/2 cup unsalted almonds
1/2 cup unsalted peanuts
1/4 cup unsweetened desiccated/shredded coconut
1/4 cup & 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
1/8 or pinch of cayenne pepper
1 tablespoons coconut oil
1 tablespoons cold espresso
1 tablespoons vanilla extract

optional:
chia seeds
flaxseed or flaxseed powder

### Directions

💠 Soak the dates at least an hour so they blend better.

💠 Once date fruits are soft, roughly chopped them and place in the food processor. Pulse for about ten seconds.

💠 Add the rest of the ingredients and pulse on and off to blend the mixture until there's no any chunky mass.

Note:
If mixture is too chunky, add a little bit of water.

💠 Line up the plastic wrap in a baking pan leaving a small plastic on the outside of the pan (this will make it easier to remover the mixture from the pan later on). Scoop the mixture in. Using a spatula, press down the mixture until it's even. Place another layer of plastic wrap on top and use your hands to smooth the surface.

💠 Place in refrigerator for at least two hours before cutting.

💠 Using the excess plastic on the outside, lift the plastic and transfer the mixture to a cutting board. Cut bars into rectangular or square shape, or any prepared shape.

💠 Wrap the energy bars individually. Save in an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator.

![IMG_20161103_122537.jpg](https://steemitimages.com/0x0/https://ipfs.busy.org/ipfs/QmQWuWh7cBnZCNCauQYcnk349MkGLHKgBJsCJY8ejuVK6J)

The flavor is bitter-sweet, it's the way I like it. you can always adjust the sweetness level by adding honey. The cayenne pepper adds an exciting spice to these bars but it doesn't over power it all.

I added extra caffeine to mine because you know I love coffee plus they said it enhance the chocolate flavor, which I think it does. 😉

Now you have a yummy energy bar pack with good proteins and simple carbohydrates perfect for your pre and post workout or any day snack!

Thank you for reading! I hope you enjoy this recipe and leave me a comment below what you think or if you have any recipes you want to share.

![DSCN9667.jpg](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmNSJPR8r6DDPijXExG1mtu7FXS2wbmkYFrL2qPacygz5D/DSCN9667.jpg)

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