No-Bake Tropical Coconut Lime Bars

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Bright and zesty coconut lime bars with a crunchy nutty base and smooth, creamy filling, perfect for a cool no-bake summer treat. This vegan-inspired desserts (vegan, gluten-free) ready in about 20 minutes layers unsweetened shredded coconut, pitted medjool dates, melted coconut oil into a dessert worth slowing down for — great for weekend baking, holiday tables, or any time you want a sweet payoff at the end of a meal. Each serving lands at about 180 calories and feeds 12, so it slots into a weekend bake or a special-occasion dessert tray. 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.

Prep: 20 min Serves 12 Vegan cuisine 180 cal/serving
Plan a meal with the AI → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Line an 8x8-inch pan with parchment paper, leaving overhang on the sides for easy removal.
  2. Step 2: In a food processor, pulse 1 1/2 cups soaked and drained raw cashews with 1 cup shredded unsweetened coconut, 1 cup pitted medjool dates, and 1/4 tsp sea salt until the mixture sticks together when pressed, about 1-2 minutes.
  3. Step 3: Press the mixture firmly and evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan to form the crust.
  4. Step 4: Rinse the food processor bowl and blend the filling by combining 1 1/2 cups soaked cashews (reserved), 1/4 cup melted coconut oil, 1/3 cup fresh lime juice, 2 tsp lime zest, 1/4 cup maple syrup, and 1 tsp vanilla extract until smooth and creamy, scraping down the sides as needed, about 2-3 minutes.
  5. Step 5: Pour the filling over the crust in the pan and smooth the top with a spatula.
  6. Step 6: Refrigerate for at least 4 hours or until set.
  7. Step 7: Use the parchment overhang to lift the bars from the pan, then cut into 12 squares and serve chilled.

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Bakeware & baking tools → Shop all kitchen tools →

Frequently asked questions

How long does No-Bake Tropical Coconut Lime Bars take to make?

Total time is about 20 minutes (20 min prep + 0 min cook). Most home bakers find this fits a weekend afternoon; chill or store as the recipe directs before serving.

How do I store leftover No-Bake Tropical Coconut Lime Bars?

Cool fully before storing. Most baked desserts keep at room temperature in an airtight container for 2–3 days, or in the fridge for up to 5 days. Cream- or custard-based desserts must go in the fridge within 2 hours; reheat gently or serve cold per the recipe.

Can I substitute ingredients in No-Bake Tropical Coconut Lime 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 Tropical Coconut Lime 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 Tropical Coconut Lime Bars vegan?

Yes — this recipe is tagged vegan, gluten-free based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.

Related recipes