Toasted Cashew Coconut Bars
You’ll be pleasantly surprised by the natural sweetness of these Toasted Cashew Coconut Bars, which are sweetened with dates and completely free of any processed sugar. A healthy homemade larabar recipe!
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Dates are a healthy natural way to sweeten without sugar and these Cashew Coconut Bars are evidence that you won’t miss it. Other healthier date recipes include this popular Date Cookies recipe and these Cashew Cookie Larabars. Check out all of our Healthier Snacks Recipes for inspiration.
IN THIS POST: Everything you need to make Cashew Coconut Bars
Ingredients for this recipe
- cashews – these add creaminess to the bar
- unsweetened coconut shredded – makes these bars nice and chewy
- dates – natural sweet goodness
- vanilla – classic natural flavor
- sea salt – to bring out the flavors of the ingredients
- almond butter – helps to hold everything together
These snack bars are paleo, keto, and Whole 30 friendly which means no maple syrup, or honey yet they are still sweet enough to pass as dessert. The dates are nature’s candy.
Instructions
Start by heating the oven to 350. Spread the cashews out on a baking sheet and toast them for 5 minutes. Allow them to cool down for 10 minutes or so.
Next, place the toasted cashews, dates, coconut, pinch of sea salt, and vanilla in a food processor.
Pulse them until the mixture is crumbly.
Then, add almond butter to the mixture and blend until it begins to clump together and the dates have been completely broken down.
Finally, line a loaf pan or baking dish with parchment paper and press the mixture into the pan firmly.
I find using the back of a flat spatula works really well to get an even layer.
Pop the pan into the freezer for 15-20 minutes then slice into bars.
FAQS, Tips, and Substitutions
- Are these treats low in carbs? They contain about 22 grams of carbs. Check the nutrition label in the recipe card for more detailed info.
- Store these in an airtight container or the fridge or freezer for up to a week.
- Substitute different nuts such as walnuts or pecans
More healthy no bake recipes
- Homemade Banana Bread Larabar
- No Bake Chocolate Pecan Bars
- How To Make No Bake Brownie Bites
- No Bake Sunbutter Energy Bars
- Maple Pecan Energy Balls
- Vegan Granola Bars
**This recipe was originally posted on April 17, 2015, updated on January 25, 2019, and updated again on March 30, 2023.**
If you’ve tried these vegan + gluten-free coconut cashew bars, please rate them and let me know how it turned out by leaving me a comment below. I’m always interested in feedback!
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Toasted Cashew Coconut Bars
Ingredients
- ¾ cup raw cashews
- ½ cup unsweetened shredded coconut
- 2 cups pitted medjool dates
- 1 tsp vanilla
- ¼ tsp sea salt
- ¼ cup smooth almond butter *natural variety
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 and spread out the cashews on a baking sheet. Toast them for 5 minutes then allow them to cool for 10 minutes on the pan.
- Place the cashews, dates, coconut, and sea salt in a food processor and pulse until it's crumbly.
- Add in the almond butter and vanilla and process until it begins to clump together and the mixture is sticky.
- Line a loaf pan with parchment paper and press the mixture into the pan firmly. Use the back of a flat spatula to press it in well.
- Freeze for 15-20 minutes and slice into bars or squares.
Video
Notes
- Store these in an airtight container or the fridge or freezer for up to a week.
- Substitute different nuts such as walnuts or pecans
Could I substitute raisins for dates? Just trying to use what I have on hand!
Thanks so much!
I think you probably could! It would totally change the flavor though and I can’t vouch for that. The dates add a caramel type taste and raisins would be sweet in a different way. Let me know if you do try it and how it turns out. Thanks Mae Lynn!
These look absolutely delicious! I will definitely have to give them a try. I love cashews and dates and I can see how they would work really well together here. This looks like the type of food I’d love to take ahead and snack on the go. Great recipe!
Thanks Sophie! They are indeed delicious. 🙂 Hope you give them a try soon!
awesome recipe dear thanks for sharing
You know that dates are sugar, right? And TWO CUPS of dates are so high carb/sugar, you’d be better off using a sweetener of your choice. Once I made grain free muesli nut bars and used 2 dates for the whole recipe. It would have tasted better with lots more but that’s defeating the purpose. They look good, though.
Hey Debra! Thanks for your comment. I realize that dates contain natural sugars as they are a fruit, which is so much better than the ‘sweetener of your choice’. For a LOT of people that choice is the nutritionally void and seriously harmful white processed sugar. My website focuses on eating whole, natural foods and eliminating as much processed junk as possible. The 2 cups of dates in this recipe is for 12-24 portions. Hardly a single date in each bar. 🙂 They are calorie dense so if your purpose is counting calories then yes, these may be high for you. If eating healthier, with a focus on delicious whole foods is your goal then these more than just look good. They are so tasty!
Mine turned out delicious but the don’t hold together very well. Any ideas? My almond butter was ground in the store so wasn’t real smooth. Could that be why? Thanks for this recipe. Yummy.
Hi Esther! I find using drippy almond butter works best, and I buy the all natural kind with the layer of oil at the top. Usually the first use, once the oil has been mixed in is best for bars. 🙂 Also keep them stored in the fridge/freezer.
Just had to say that these are excellent! I left out the vanilla and they are still delicious. 🙂
Thanks so much Wendy! These are pretty darn yummy, if I do say so myself. 😉 Enjoy the rest of your week!
Yum. Just made a batch using cashew butter and adding some goji berries and cocoa nibs. Can’t wait to slice it up.
Mmmm … cashew butter … sounds delicious! 🙂
These were perfect!! My husband, 4-year old, 2-year old, and I loved them! (I didn’t even toast the cashews as I wanted this to be a “raw” treat!) I used a silicone mold like this one: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0086XHB1Y?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o09_s00 for “fun”, bite-sized treats. I got 18 mini hearts out of the batch.
So sweet! I love the molds. I’m always happy when the little ones approve. Their opinion is the most honest. 😉 Thanks Stacy!
I added some coconut oil and chia seeds-so so good!
Great additions! Love these bars. 🙂
I used sunflower butter instead of almond butter… Wow they were fantastic!
Great substitution! I love sunflower seed butter. 🙂 Thanks Karen.
These look amazing! I have all the ingredients on hand except for the almond butter. Thoughts on substituting something like an equal amount of coconut oil?
You could probably even get away without it. I’m not sure the extra coconut oil won’t make it too oily. Let me know how it goes!
These are awesome. They are my favorite new snack since doing my first Whole 30 (not Whole 30 compliant unless you omit the extract) and then converting to mostly paleo back in Jan.
Good to know about the extract! Thanks. 🙂 And, I’m so glad you like these. They’re a personal fave. 🙂
These are awesome! Thanks for sharing
Hey Kaila! I still make these all the time and I have to say, they are pretty awesome. 😉 Thanks for taking the time to comment. The positivity is muchly appreciated. 🙂
what do you use when allergic to almonds
Any other nut butter would work in this recipe. Even coconut butter or tahini is great!
Couldn’t these be baked as well?
I’m going to say sure! Why not? Let me know if you try it out! 🙂