These Healthy Eggless Orange Date Bars are the perfect pick-me-up! They’re easy to make and fun to customize to your family’s tastes using ingredients you have on hand. Picky-eater approved. Several add-on ideas are included.
Healthy Eggless Energy Bars Recipe Highlights
Please, raise your hand if you struggle with what to pack in your kids’ lunch boxes every day!
The struggle is real! So, in my efforts to find alternatives, I found a great recipe in a BHG magazine, which I adapted so it could be egg-free.
Thank goodness these Healthy Eggless Energy Bars were beloved by many taste-testers and judges, including my kids.
This recipe is simple and crazy delicious. Made with wholesome ingredients and then drizzled with dark chocolate for a delicious finale.
You’ll never go back to store-bought bars again!
Ingredients You’ll Need & Notes
Please check the recipe card at the bottom of the post for exact quantities and detailed instructions (scroll down).
- Brown sugar: Light or dark brown sugar will work well for this recipe.
- Pitted dates
- Orange juice & zest
- Fresh lemon juice
- Flours: You will need all-purpose flour and whole wheat flour.
- Apple pie spice: If you don’t have apple pie spice, substitute for 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon + 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg + 1/8 teaspoon ground allspice.
- Baking soda & baking powder: Make sure they’re not expired or too old. To avoid a chemical aftertaste, use baking powder that is labeled aluminum free. I usually use the Clabber Girl brand, and though the ingredients state aluminum, I’ve never noticed an aluminum aftertaste.
- Salt: I prefer kosher or sea salt. If you only have table salt handy, I recommend reducing the amount to half.
- Butter: I prefer to use unsalted butter, but if you only have salted butter handy, you can use it. In this case, skip the salt called in the recipe.
- Plain yogurt
- Pure maple syrup
- Dark chocolate and sea salt to drizzle (optional)
How to Make Healthy Energy Bars without Eggs Step by Step
Please check the recipe card at the bottom of the post for exact quantities and detailed instructions (scroll down).
- Prepare the pan & preheat the oven
Preheat oven to 350º F (180 º C). Line a 13×9 baking pan with foil and lightly spray with cooking spray. Set aside.
- Combine wet ingredients
In a small bowl, combine brown sugar, chopped dates, orange juice, orange zest, and lemon juice; mix to combine. Set aside.
- Mix dry ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, stir together flours (AP and whole wheat), apple pie spice, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
- Add the rest of the ingredients and combine
Add butter, yogurt, and maple syrup to the flour mixture and beat with an electric mixer on low until combined, scraping down the sides as needed. The mixture will be crumbly. Add dates mixture and mix until well combined.
- Place dough in the prepared baking pan
With damp hands, spread the dough evenly.
- Bake
Bake for 15 minutes, or until a wooden toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let it cool in the pan. Cut into bars. Drizzle with melted dark chocolate and sprinkle with sea salt, if desired.
Variations
Nuts: add a cup of chopped almonds, pecans, pistachios, cashews, or any nut that makes you happy, in step 4, along with the dates mixture.
Dried Fruits: add ½ cup of dried raisins, cherries, cranberries, apricots, etc., in step 4, along with the dates mixture.
Seeds: add ½ cup of pepitas, sunflower, hemp, etc., in step 4, along with the dates mixture.
Storing & Freezing Instructions
STORE: Store at room temperature for 1 week or in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
FREEZE: These bars are freezer friendly. Let them cool completely and wrap individually, freeze for up to 3 months and thaw before eating.
More Recipes You’ll Love!
- Pumpkin Quinoa Granola
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- Coconut Apricot Granola
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Energy Bars
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Recipe Card 📖
Healthy Eggless Energy Bars
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup (100 g) packed brown sugar
- 1 cup (120 g) pitted dates, chopped
- ¼ cup (60 ml) orange juice
- 1 teaspoon finely shredded orange zest
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 ¼ cup (175 g) all-purpose flour
- 1 ¼ cup (150 g) whole wheat flour
- 1 ½ teaspoon apple pie spice
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ cup (58 g) unsalted butter melted
- ¼ cup (60 g) plain yogurt
- 1/3 cup (80 ml) pure maple syrup
- 2 oz dark chocolate to drizzle, melted (optional)
- 1 teaspoon sea salt (optional)
Important
Don’t forget to check out the step-by-step photos above in the post—they’ll guide you through the process and make everything super clear!
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350º F (180 º C). Line a 13×9 baking pan with foil and lightly spray with cooking spray. Set aside.
- In a small bowl, combine brown sugar, chopped dates, orange juice, orange zest, and lemon juice; mix to combine. Set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, stir together flours (AP and whole wheat), apple pie spice, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
- Add butter, yogurt, and maple syrup to the flour mixture and beat with an electric mixer on low until combined, scraping down the sides as needed. The mixture will be crumbly. Add dates mixture and mix until well combined.
- Place dough in the prepared baking pan. With damp hands, spread the dough evenly.
- Bake for 15 minutes, or until a wooden toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Let it cool in the pan. Cut into bars. Drizzle with melted dark chocolate and sprinkle with sea salt, if desired.
- Nuts: add a cup of chopped almonds, pecans, pistachios, cashews, or any nut that makes you happy, in step 4, along with the dates mixture.
- Dried Fruits: add ½ cup of dried raisins, cherries, cranberries, apricots, etc., in step 4, along with the dates mixture.
- Seeds: add ½ cup of pepitas, sunflower, hemp, etc., in step 4, along with the dates mixture.
Nutrition
Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.
This recipe was originally published in January 2019. The recipe remains the same, but more notes, tips, photos, and information were added to the post in January 2023 to make it as helpful as possible!
