Vegan Tahini Hemp Energy Bars

Why You’ll Love These Tahini Hemp Seed Bars

Tahini, a creamy paste made from ground sesame seeds, makes a truly wonderful addition to plant-based desserts. Its distinct nutty, earthy, and subtly bitter sesame flavor pairs exceptionally well with sweet ingredients like the maple syrup and dates that form the backbone of these delicious bars. Here’s a detailed look at why these Tahini Hemp Seed Bars are a must-try:

• Inclusive Dietary Benefits: These bars are a shining example of a truly inclusive treat. They are 100% plant-based, making them perfect for vegan diets. For those with gluten sensitivities, using certified gluten-free oats ensures a naturally gluten-free base. We’ve deliberately skipped all refined sugars, relying instead on the natural sweetness of dates and maple syrup, which provide sustained energy without the typical sugar crash. Furthermore, these bars are crafted without any added oils, focusing on the healthy, whole-food fats naturally present in tahini and hemp seeds. Crucially, they are also easily adaptable to be completely nut-free, offering a safe and delicious option for individuals with common nut allergies when sunflower seed butter is used as a tahini substitute.
• Remarkably Quick and Easy: Boasting a minimalist ingredient list of just seven core components and requiring only a few minutes of hands-on preparation, these bars are a dream for busy individuals. The entire process is streamlined by primarily using a food processor, which effortlessly transforms simple, wholesome ingredients into a delectable dough with minimal cleanup. From start to finish, you can have a batch of these incredible bars ready in under 40 minutes.
• Perfect for On-the-Go Snacking: Their sturdy yet wonderfully chewy texture makes these bars an ideal companion for any adventure. Whether you’re packing a lunchbox for school or work, embarking on a long road trip, heading out for a vigorous hike, or needing a convenient and nutritious fuel source while camping, these bars hold up beautifully without crumbling or melting. Their portability makes them a fantastic alternative to store-bought energy bars.
• Irresistible Texture and Flavor Profile: Prepare for a delightful contrast with every bite. The edges of these bars bake to a gentle crispness, providing a satisfying initial crunch, while the interior remains wonderfully soft and satisfyingly chewy. The flavor profile is a harmonious symphony of sweet, earthy, and nutty notes. The distinct, roasted sesame essence of tahini is beautifully complemented by the subtle, caramel-like sweetness of maple syrup and dates. This is all balanced by the delicate crunch and wholesome goodness of fiber-rich hemp seeds and finely shredded coconut, creating a flavor combination that is both comforting and exciting.

If you’re exploring the versatility of tahini in sweet recipes, you might also enjoy our Vegan Tahini Sesame Cookies, Vegan Tahini Date Cookies, and decadent Salted Caramel Tahini Cups.

Effortless Step-by-Step Instructions

Making these tahini hemp seed bars is incredibly simple, largely thanks to the efficiency of a food processor. Follow these easy steps to create your batch of delicious, healthy treats:

Step 1: Prepare Your Oats

Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). While the oven heats, prepare a 7-8 inch square baking pan. You can either lightly grease it with non-stick cooking spray or, even better, line it with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides. The parchment paper method is highly recommended as it allows you to easily lift the entire slab of bars out of the pan once they’ve baked and cooled, making slicing much simpler.

Next, place your chosen oats (quick, rolled, or old-fashioned) into the bowl of your food processor. Pulse a few times until the oats are broken down into a coarse, grainy flour. It doesn’t need to be as fine as store-bought oat flour, but most of the whole oat flakes should be visibly broken. This quick process should take only a matter of seconds.

Step 2: Create the Delicious Dough

Now, it’s time to combine the remaining ingredients to form the dough. You have a couple of convenient options, depending on the size of your food processor:

• Large Food Processor Method: If you have a generously sized food processor, you can simply add the remaining ingredients – the hemp seeds, pitted dates, shredded coconut, tahini, maple syrup, and sea salt – directly to the processed oats. Pulse and blend all the ingredients together until a thick, cohesive dough forms. The mixture should come together and start to clump, easily sticking when pressed between your fingers.
• Smaller Food Processor / Mixing Bowl Method: If your food processor is smaller, first add the pitted dates to the processed oats and blend until they are well combined and sticky. Then, transfer this date-oat mixture to a large mixing bowl. Add the rest of the ingredients – hemp seeds, shredded coconut, tahini, maple syrup, and sea salt – to the bowl and mix thoroughly by hand using a sturdy spoon or your clean hands. Ensure everything is evenly distributed and forms a consistent dough.

Once your dough is ready, firmly press it into your prepared baking pan. Take a few minutes to ensure it’s pressed into all corners and is as flat and even as possible for uniform baking. Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes. After baking, allow the bars to cool in the pan for at least 15 minutes before attempting to slice them. This cooling time is crucial for the bars to set and achieve their perfect chewy texture. Once cooled slightly, lift the parchment paper to remove the slab from the pan, slice into 16 evenly sized bars, and enjoy!

Recipe: Vegan Tahini Hemp Seed Bars

These crowd-pleasing homemade nut and seed bars have the most amazing, chewy texture and sweet, nutty flavor. You will love these for a healthy dessert or snack anytime!

By: Deryn Macey

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes

Yields: 16 servings

Ingredients

• 1 cup (100 g) quick or rolled oats
• 1 cup (160 g) hemp seeds
• 1 cup (220 g) packed soft pitted dates
• 1/2 cup (50 g) unsweetened fine shredded coconut
• 1/2 cup (120 g) tahini
• 1/4 cup (75 g) maple syrup
• 1/2 tsp sea salt

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Prepare a 7-8 inch square baking pan with non-stick cooking spray or line with parchment paper, allowing it to hang over the edges. Parchment is ideal for easy removal of the baked bars.
2. Place the oats in a food processor and pulse a few times to create a coarse, grainy flour.
3. For mixing the remaining ingredients, you have two options:
   • Large Food Processor: Add all remaining ingredients (hemp seeds, dates, coconut, tahini, maple syrup, sea salt) to the food processor with the oats. Blend until fully combined and a thick, cohesive dough forms.
   • Mixing Bowl: If using a smaller food processor, first blend the dates with the oats until combined, then transfer the mixture to a large bowl. Add the remaining ingredients and mix well by hand until a uniform dough is achieved.
4. Press the dough firmly into the prepared pan, ensuring it’s evenly distributed and flat in all corners. Bake for 30 minutes.
5. Allow the bars to cool in the pan for at least 15 minutes before slicing. Once cooled, slice into 16 bars and serve.

Notes

• Storage: Once completely cooled, store the bars in a sealed airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks, or in the freezer for up to 3 months for longer preservation.
• Tahini Substitutions: If you don’t have tahini or have a sesame allergy, you can substitute it with equal amounts of peanut butter, almond butter, or sunflower seed butter for a similar binding and richness, keeping in mind the flavor will change slightly.

Nutrition Information (Per Bar, approximate)

• Serving Size: 1 bar
• Calories: 200 kcal
• Carbohydrates: 24 g
• Protein: 5 g
• Fat: 10 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Sugar: 15 g