Why You’ll Love This Strawberry Coconut Energy Bars

• No-Bake Bliss. Honestly, who wants to turn on the oven for a snack? These bars come together effortlessly on your stovetop (or even in the microwave) and set beautifully in the fridge. It’s the ultimate quick-and-easy recipe that feels anything but rushed.
• The Perfect Texture Trio. You get the chewy base from the oats and dates, the delightful crunch from the coconut flakes, and the little juicy bursts from the dried strawberries. It’s a textural party in every single bite that keeps things interesting from the first bar to the last.
• Sunshine in a Bar. The combination of strawberry and coconut is just inherently cheerful. It’s a flavor pairing that instantly transports you to a brighter, warmer place, making these bars a fantastic mood-lifter on even the gloomiest of days.
• Infinitely Customizable. Once you master the basic formula, the world is your oyster… or your energy bar. Not a fan of almonds? Swap in walnuts. Want a chocolate twist? Add some cacao nibs. This recipe is a wonderful canvas for your own snack-time creativity.

Ingredients & Tools

• 1 cup pitted Medjool dates
• 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
• 1/2 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
• 1/2 cup dried strawberries, chopped
• 1/4 cup almond butter (or any nut/seed butter you love)
• 2 tablespoons coconut oil
• 2 tablespoons honey or maple syrup
• 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional, but lovely)

Tools: 8×8 inch baking pan, parchment paper, small saucepan, food processor or high-speed blender, mixing bowl, spatula.

The quality of your ingredients really shines through here, so it’s worth seeking out the good stuff. Medjool dates are my non-negotiable—they’re naturally softer and sweeter than other varieties, which helps bind the bars perfectly. And using unsweetened shredded coconut lets you control the sweetness level entirely, allowing the true strawberry flavor to pop.

Serves: 8-10 bars | Prep Time: 15 minutes | Set Time: 1 hour | Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes

Before You Start: Tips & Ingredient Notes

• Are your dates dry? If your Medjool dates have been sitting in the pantry for a while, they might be a little tough. Simply soak them in very hot water for about 10 minutes before using, then drain them thoroughly. This will rehydrate them and make your bars much easier to blend and press.
• The Oat Debate: To Toast or Not to Toast? You can use your oats straight from the container for a softer bar. But if you have an extra 5 minutes, toasting them in a dry skillet over medium heat until fragrant adds a wonderful, nutty depth of flavor that takes these bars to the next level.
• Chop Those Strawberries! I know it’s an extra step, but taking a moment to chop the dried strawberries into smaller, raisin-sized pieces is a game-changer. It ensures you get a little bit of strawberry in every single bite, rather than one big, chewy chunk.
• Sticky Situation Solutions. When pressing the mixture into the pan, it can be a bit sticky. Lightly wetting your fingers or the back of a measuring cup makes the job infinitely easier and prevents the mixture from clinging to you instead of the pan.

How to Make Strawberry Coconut Energy Bars

Serving Suggestions

Complementary Dishes

• A simple Greek yogurt parfait — Crumble a bar over a bowl of plain Greek yogurt for a breakfast that feels decadent but is packed with protein and sustained energy.
• A green smoothie on the side — The sweetness of the bar beautifully balances out the earthy notes of a spinach or kale smoothie, making for a perfectly rounded light meal.

Drinks

• Iced hibiscus tea — The tart, cranberry-like flavor of hibiscus tea is a fantastic counterpoint to the sweet, creamy bars, and it looks absolutely gorgeous in a glass.
• A cold glass of oat milk — It’s creamy, it’s slightly sweet, and it complements the oat base of the bar without overpowering the delicate strawberry and coconut flavors.

Something Sweet

• Dark chocolate-dipped strawberries — If you’re serving these as part of a brunch or gathering, this dessert continues the strawberry theme in the most elegant, simple way.
• A small scoop of coconut milk ice cream — For a truly indulgent treat, place a warm bar (yes, slightly warmed!) alongside a scoop of dairy-free ice cream. It’s next-level.

Top Mistakes to Avoid

• Mistake: Not pressing the mixture firmly enough. This is the number one reason bars fall apart. You really need to use some muscle to compact the mixture in the pan. A loose press means crumbly bars.
• Mistake: Skipping the chill time. I know, waiting is hard. But if you try to cut the bars before they’ve fully set, you’ll have a sticky, messy situation. The coconut oil needs that time in the fridge to work its binding magic.
• Mistake: Using the wrong kind of dates. Medjool dates are moist and sticky. If you use a drier variety like Deglet Noor without soaking them first, your mixture will be too dry and won’t hold together properly.
• Mistake> Over-processing the oats. If you’re using a food processor for the whole mixture, pulse gently. You want to maintain the texture of the oats, not turn them into a fine flour, which can make the bars a bit gummy.

Expert Tips

• Tip: For perfectly even bars, score them before chilling. After you press the mixture into the pan, take a sharp knife and lightly score the surface into bars or squares. After chilling, they’ll break apart along these clean, pre-made lines.
• Tip: Add a flavor boost with citrus zest. A little bit of finely grated orange or lemon zest mixed into the dry ingredients adds a wonderful, bright background note that makes the strawberry flavor sing even louder.
• Tip> Create a “crust” for extra elegance. Before pressing the main mixture into the pan, sprinkle an extra tablespoon or two of shredded coconut across the bottom of the parchment paper. When you flip the bars out, you’ll have a beautiful, finished-looking top.
• Tip: Individual portions are key for grab-and-go. Once the bars are cut, I like to wrap each one individually in a small piece of parchment paper and secure it with a bit of twine. They look adorable and are ready to throw in a lunchbox or gym bag.

FAQs

Can I make these bars vegan?
Absolutely! It’s a super easy swap. Just make sure to use maple syrup instead of honey. Also, double-check that your almond butter (or other nut butter) and dried strawberries don’t contain any hidden non-vegan ingredients. Many commercial dried fruits use honey or are processed on equipment with dairy, so a quick glance at the label is all it takes.

How should I store these energy bars, and how long will they last?
Because of the coconut oil, these bars are best kept refrigerated. Store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to two weeks. They also freeze beautifully for up to three months. Just layer them between parchment paper in a freezer-safe bag or container. You can thaw them in the fridge overnight or even eat them straight from the freezer for a firmer, chewier texture.

My mixture seems too dry and crumbly. What can I do?
Don’t worry, this is an easy fix! It usually means your dates were on the drier side. Simply add another tablespoon of almond butter or a teaspoon more of coconut oil to the warm liquid mixture. If you’ve already mixed everything, you can warm the whole mixture very gently in the pan again to make it more pliable, then press it into the dish.

Can I use fresh strawberries instead of dried?
I wouldn’t recommend it for this particular recipe. Fresh strawberries contain a lot of water, which would prevent the bars from setting properly and would likely cause them to spoil much faster. The concentrated flavor and chewy texture of dried strawberries are really key here. If you’re craving fresh berry flavor, try serving a bar alongside a bowl of fresh strawberries instead!

My bars are very soft at room temperature. Is that normal?
It can be, especially if your kitchen is warm. Coconut oil has a melting point around 76°F (24°C), so if it’s warmer than that, the bars will soften. This is totally normal and doesn’t mean you did anything wrong! It just means they are best enjoyed chilled or straight from the fridge. If you prefer a firmer bar that holds up better at room temp, you could try adding an extra 1/4 cup of oats to the mixture.