No-Bake Hemp Seed and Peanut Butter Energy Bars
Quick and easy no-bake bars combining hemp seeds, peanut butter, and dates for a protein-packed snack on the go. This general-inspired snacks (vegan) ready in about 15 minutes turns medjool dates, pitted, natural peanut butter, rolled oats into a satisfying snack for between meals, packed lunches, or game-day spreads — minimal active time and easy to scale up for a crowd. Each serving lands at about 150 calories and feeds 12, so it fits into lunchboxes, road trips, or an afternoon-energy gap without derailing the day. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 cup medjool dates, pitted
- 1/2 cup natural peanut butter
- 1 cup rolled oats
- 1/3 cup hemp seeds
- 2 tbsp ground flaxseed
- 2 tbsp honey
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4 tsp salt
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Place 1 cup pitted medjool dates into a food processor and pulse until they form a sticky, coarse paste.
- Step 2: Add 1/2 cup natural peanut butter, 2 tbsp honey, and 1 tsp vanilla extract to the dates and process until smooth and combined.
- Step 3: Transfer the mixture to a large bowl, then stir in 1 cup rolled oats, 1/3 cup hemp seeds, 2 tbsp ground flaxseed, and 1/4 tsp salt until all ingredients are fully incorporated.
- Step 4: Line an 8x8-inch square pan with parchment paper and press the mixture firmly and evenly into the pan using a spatula or your hands.
- Step 5: Refrigerate the pan for at least 1 hour until the bars are firm enough to cut.
- Step 6: Lift the mixture out using the parchment paper and slice into 12 bars. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week.
Frequently asked questions
How long does No-Bake Hemp Seed and Peanut Butter Energy Bars take to make?
Total time is about 15 minutes (15 min prep + 0 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover No-Bake Hemp Seed and Peanut Butter Energy Bars?
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for crisp items, or in the fridge for anything dairy- or produce-based, for up to 3–5 days. Re-crisp baked snacks in a 300°F oven for 5 minutes if they soften.
Can I substitute ingredients in No-Bake Hemp Seed and Peanut Butter Energy Bars?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale No-Bake Hemp Seed and Peanut Butter Energy Bars for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 12 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 12). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
Is No-Bake Hemp Seed and Peanut Butter Energy Bars vegan?
Yes — this recipe is tagged vegan based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
