These 2-ingredient Date & Coconut Bars are one of the easiest and most cost-effective snacks you can make. They’re ideal for lunchboxes, and also to have some naturally sweet treats for the whole family.

I’ve made these using pitted dates, not the juicy Medjool dates you often see in recipes. This is because we’re blending them anyway, and the pitted option—which you’ll find in a packet in the health food aisle—is much more affordable. You’ll see the first step is to soak the dates in hot water. This is important as they are a drier variety.

You’ll need a food processor for this recipe to blend the dates into a smooth paste, though you can mix everything by hand once that’s done.

On natural sugar

I like to make these bars in bulk because they store beautifully and are perfect for grabbing on the go. I’ve portioned them into mini bars, just the right size for lunchboxes or a quick snack. And since dates are naturally high in sugar, even though it’s unrefined, smaller serves help balance the sweetness while still giving you that satisfying, chewy bite. And the coconut does add a decent dose of fibre and fat which helps the body handle the sugar from the dates with less of a spike.

Storage Instructions:

• Fridge: Store the bars in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 10 days.
• Freezer: Freeze the bars in a single layer, then transfer to a sealed container or freezer bag. They’ll keep well for up to 3 months. You can pop them directly in the lunchbox from frozen!