Lemon Ginger Chia No-Bake Snack Bars

Lemon, almonds, chia and crystallized ginger come together in these simple no-bake snack bars. They are naturally sweetened with Medjool dates and honey. They keep in the refrigerator for a week so you’ll be able to make a batch for a week’s worth of snacks!

Why We Love This Recipe For Lemon Ginger Chia No-Bake Snack Bars

I totally get it–there’s a convenience that comes with buying snack/protein bars from the grocery store in bulk. It’s an easy on-the-go snack, your kids can get them themselves if they’re hungry, and they usually taste good (almost too good, if you ask me).

The downside is that most of the bars you’ll find in the store are full of ingredients that none of us can pronounce. And if you can’t pronounce it, it probably isn’t great for you. So, I took it upon myself to develop a healthy, simple and delicious bar that you can easily make ahead of time, and that your whole family will love.

The key to these snack bars are the kind of dates you use. The dates are the glue that hold the ingredients together, and they act as a natural sweetener. Make sure you use whole Medjool dates which are really soft and sticky, and just perfect to use as the base of these bars. The kind of dates you buy in a box that are pre chopped and coated in sugar are too hard and dry to achieve the right texture.

Make them on a Sunday afternoon so that you’re fully stocked for the week. Then you can grab one on the way to work, pack them in your kids lunchbox, or scarf one down before a workout.

Please let me know if you try these bars, and if you do come back and let me know how you liked them, rate the recipe or tag Healthy Seasonal Recipes on social media. If you’re looking for more portable snacks, try these No Bake Bites or these Peanut Butter Bars too!

Key Ingredients For This Ginger Snacks Recipe

Medjool Dates

Dates are a great ingredient to use when you want to sweeten a recipe without using refined sugar. You can find Medjool dates in the produce section of large supermarkets. Most often they are refrigerated and in Plexiglas bins with a set of tongs. Some specialty stores and health food stores that have a refrigerated nut and seed section, will have the dates in that section.

Chia Seeds

Chia seeds are a super food! They were eaten by the Aztecs and are now available everywhere. Look for them in natural foods stores with other seeds such as flax seeds. Once the package is opened, keep refrigerated. In these bars they help the texture of the bars as they sit in the fridge. As the chia pulls moisture from the dates and honey, the bars become dryer, but they do not harden.

Lemons

I recommend buying organic lemons, especially when you zest them. This is the microplane zester I use. It is only $13 and I use it every day!  I also used a little of the lemon juice to balance the sweetness.

Crystallized Ginger

I used chopped crystallized ginger. If you can find it, the crystallized ginger that comes in large chunks, and can easily be chopped is best. I like this crystallized ginger a lot because it is very soft and organic.

Additional Ingredients

• 1 ¼ cup oats, gluten-free if desired
• 3 tablespoons honey
• 1 ½ cup sliced almonds, toasted if desired

Step by Step Instructions to Make These No-Bake Snacks

Step 1: Start mixture

Grind the oats in a food processor until it’s flour like in texture. Add the chia seeds and pulse to combine. Empty the oat mixture into a medium bowl.

Step 2: Add remaining ingredients

Grind the dates in the same food processor, scraping down the sides as you go until the dates are paste-like. Add the honey, lemon zest and lemon juice, and process, scraping down the sides several times until the mixture is combined. Add the oat mixture and process, stopping and scraping until the mixture comes together. Add the almonds and ginger and pulse several times to incorporate.

Step 3: Add to pan & chill

Spray an 8×8-inch baking pan with nonstick cooking spray. Scrape the oat-date mixture into the pan, and press into the pan with moistened fingertips. Refrigerate until firm, 1 to 12 hours. Cut into 12 bars. Store the bars in a Ziploc bag in the refrigerator up to one week.

FAQs and Expert Tips

Additional No-bake Snack Recipes To Try

• These Vegan Dark Chocolate Walnut Bites really help curve my chocolate cravings.
• Peanut Butter Pretzel Energy Balls are a HIT in my household.
• My Coconut Apricot Fig Bites are a great dessert or mid-day snack.
• You can’t go wrong with these Paleo Bites.
• These Healthy Chewy Granola Bar Recipe with Chocolate Chips from Food Faith Fitness are delicious.
• Call Me PMc made these delicious Copycat Kashi Granola Bars.