Toasted Coconut Chia Bars

4.6

Published Aug 01, 2023, Updated Sep 15, 2023

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These toasted coconut chia bars are made with just six simple ingredients and come together quickly. They’re the perfect pre-workout snack or on-the-go breakfast. Dairy-free + gluten-free.

Take your snack game to the next level with these toasted coconut chia bars. They’re the perfect grab-and-go option for those busy mornings or a pre-workout snack.

Full of wholesome ingredients like shredded coconut, honey, almond butter, medjool dates and chia seeds, these homemade energy bars have an awesome mix of protein, carbohydrates and fat so they keep me satisfied. And want to know the best part? They come together in minutes and require no baking!

Toasted coconut chia bars on a wire rack.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Simple ingredients: These bars are made with just 6 simple ingredients!
Easy to make: This recipe is super quick and easy to make. No baking required! Just mix, press, chill and enjoy.
Versatile: Whether you need a quick on-the-go breakfast, a pre-workout snack or a healthy dessert after dinner these bars have you covered.
Healthy: Between the coconut, chia seeds, medjool dates and almond butter, these bars are loaded with a variety of nutrients including healthy fats, protein and fiber. They’re also gluten-free, grain-free, dairy-free and can easily be made vegan.
Family-friendly: These bars are kid-friendly and adult-approved. It’s a recipe the whole family will love.

Ingredients measured out to make Toasted Coconut Chia Bars: unsweetened shredded coconut, medjool dates, honey, chia seeds, almond butter, mini chocolate chips and water.

Ingredients Needed

unsweetened shredded coconut – make sure you’re using unsweetened shredded coconut and not sweetened. My favorite brand is Bob’s Red Mill shredded coconut.
medjool dates – naturally sweet and slightly chewy, medjool dates bind the ingredients together and add a delicious hint of caramel.
honey – this also helps to bind all the ingredients together and adds more natural sweetness.
chia seeds – a rich source of omega-3 fatty acids and dietary fiber. Check out the full health benefits of chia seeds.
almond butter – this not only adds a creaminess to the bars but also provides a good dose of healthy fats. Look for a brand with just one or two ingredients (almonds and salt). Also, try to use almond butter that’s creamy and drippy. Some of my favorite brands are Wild Friends creamy almond butter and 365 organic creamy almond butter.
mini chocolate chips – I recommend Enjoy Life mini chocolate chips which are allergen-friendly or Lily’s dark chocolate chips because they are low in sugar and calories.
water – this is used if needed to help the mixture come together. Its usage will depend on the stickiness of your dates and almond butter.

How to Make

Toast coconut: Place your shredded coconut in a sauté pan over medium heat. Toss it consistently until the shreds turn golden, which should take about five minutes. Be careful to avoid burning the coconut, so keep a close eye on it! Once toasted, remove from heat and let it cool for around ten minutes. You can also toast your coconut in the oven. If you’re interested, you can check out my full guide on how to toast coconut.

Combine ingredients: Once your coconut has cooled, add it to the bowl of your food processor along with the dates, honey, chia seeds, almond butter and mini chocolate chips. Process until a dough-like ball starts to form. If the mixture seems a little dry and doesn’t stick together well, add up to 1 1/2 tablespoons of water, then process again. The added moisture should help form the perfect dough ball.

Press and chill: Remove the dough from your processor and press it into an 8-inch loaf pan lined with parchment paper. To let the bars firm up, place the pan in the fridge or freezer for 30-60 minutes.

Enjoy: After chilling the bars, cut your dough into 6 bars. Store these in the fridge until you’re ready to enjoy them.

Five toasted coconut chia bars stacked on one another.

Substitutions & Notes

Honey: To make these bars vegan you could use brown rice syrup instead of honey. I haven’t tried using agave nectar or maple syrup and I’m not sure how they would work as both are thinner options.
Almond butter: You can swap the almond butter with any other nut butter you prefer or have on hand. Cashew butter or peanut butter would be my next choice.
Nut-free: To make this recipe nut-free, swap the almond butter with sunflower seed butter, coconut butter or tahini.
Mix-ins: Feel free to customize this recipe with different mix-ins. You can easily swap the chocolate chips for something else like dried fruit, nuts or seeds. Some ideas: dried cherries, dried cranberries, dried blueberries, raisins, cacao nibs, flax seeds, pecans, almonds, walnuts, cashews, pistachios, pumpkin seeds or sunflower seeds.

A close-up of a toasted coconut chia bar near four more.

How to Store

One of the best things about these toasted coconut chia bars is that they store really well and are perfect for meal prep! Here’s how to store them:

In the fridge: After you slice your bars store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week. I like using glass storage containers or Stasher bags for storing.

In the freezer: For longer storage, you can store them in the freezer for up to 3 months. I like to store them after being cut so they’re ready to grab and go! To thaw, place them in the fridge overnight or at room temperature before enjoying.

More Bar Recipes to Try

Be sure to check out all of my energy bar and ball recipes as well as the full collection of snack recipes on EBF!

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4.60 from 10 votes