Gluten-Free Coconut Dream Bars

Gluten-Free Coconut Dream Bars are made with 4 of the simplest whole food ingredients including dates, oats, coconut, and, cacao.  Just 3 ingredients for the crust and chocolate as the top layer.  No-bake, Gluten-free, dairy-free, corn-free, soy-free, and refined sugar-free too.  Coconut mixed with oats and dates creates a creamy silky and smooth taste, it's superb!

When I made these coconut bars, my dreams became a reality.  Just one bite and I was in texture heaven.  I had a dessert orgasm in my mouth.  The bottom layer tastes buttery and even had a buttery texture, even though there is no butter used.  Melded together the consistency of the oats and coconut looked cookie dough in the food processor.  The smell of the dates had hints of caramel and vanilla.  These bars were definitely something special.

I wasn't the only one who felt this way.  After bringing these squares around for taste-testing, the end result was the same.  Everyone said these dream bars tasted dreamy.  And that is how the name for these squares was born.  Even better is a no-bake dream bar that you don't have to bake, that is hearty, but also melts in your mouth.  Impossible is that it seems that this dessert would be so good without all the refined white sugars, and yucky for you ingredients.  The impossible became possible.

These gluten-free coconut bars are:

• Vegan
• No added sugar
• Medjool dates to sweeten and that's it
• Corn-free
• Free of soy
• Nut-free (uses coconut)
• Free of dairy
• protein powder-free
• No legumes, or rice, and quinoa
• And sesame and mustard-free too

Ever notice how all healthy treats and sweets on the market usually have tree nuts or sesame in them?  It makes it so hard for people with sensitivities and food allergies to find those healthy treats.   You go to the market, or you hear about a new product and you get super excited.  Then you look at the ingredient list and it lists all the things you cannot have.  Imagine that on top of gluten.

More no-bake nut-free recipe inspo?

• Carrot Cake Raw Slice with Maple Glaze
• Sunbutter Fudge
• Sunflower Seed Butter Chocolate Crunch Slice

Here we are.  While these require many steps and look hard to make I can guarantee that when you are finished you will agree that these are the easiest to make.

Ready to gather your ingredients?

I've provided this little diagram to show you the step to creating your very best dream bar date mixture!  Plus 2 videos on how to make these squares and then turn them into pops if you so desire.

Print Recipe

Gluten-Free Coconut Dream Bars (vegan)

Gluten-Free Coconut Dream Bars are made with 4 of the simplest whole food ingredients including dates, oats, coconut, and, cacao.  Just 3 ingredients for the crust and chocolate as the top layer.  No-bake, Gluten-free, dairy-free, corn-free, soy-free, and refined sugar-free too!

Prep Time1 hr 30 mins

Cook Time1 hr

Total Time2 hrs 30 mins

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Keyword: chocolate, coconut, coconut bar, crust, gluten-free bars, gluten-free oats, medjool dates, no-bake

Servings: 17 bars

Author: Julie Rosenthal

Equipment

• food processor
• double boiler
• silicone baking cups or foil baking cups

Ingredients

• 16 whole Medjool dates soaked
• 1 cup gluten-free rolled oats
• 1 cup shredded coconut unsweetened
• 3 bars dark chocolate bars gluten-free, vegan

Instructions

• First you will want to soak the dates ahead of time, pitted, and in a bowl with warm to hot water from 1 hour. Soaking them for a longer amount of time helps to make the texture really smooth.
• After the dates have been soaked, drain them and discard the date water. Add the dates to a food processor and blast on high until blended smooth and creamy. The color of the date mixture will turn to a lighter color and that is what you want.
• Then the unsweetened coconut flakes and gluten-free rolled oats to the mixture and process until well blended.  Process until you do not see the actual oat pieces in the mixture.  It’s about 5 minutes.  
• Once the mixture is at its desired consistency, you will then turn off the food processor and begin molding the mixture into small balls.
• Place 1 ball into each square silicone mold and flatten them to create a thick layer at the bottom of the cup.  (confused?  See pics and videos).  
• Line a cookie tray with parchment paper and place filled silicone molds onto the tray.
• Put the tray in the freezer for 1 hour or more.
• In the meantime, start to melt your chocolate. In a double boiler on low heat, add the chocolate bars and stir occasionally.  It will take all about 5-10 minutes to melt the chocolate.  During this point, you can add 1-3 teaspoons coconut oil to thin the chocolate mixture. You can also add a drizzle of sea salt for that salted taste.
• Remove the coconut date bars from the refrigerator and set aside.  With a spoonful or two cover the coconut date mixture with chocolate. Then store int the freezer until set. And keep frozen until you are ready to serve.

Notes

• If you are making the lollipops version, put lollipop sticks into the balls and lay on parchment paper in a baking tray.  If the consistency is too sticky to mold, dip your fingers in water to mold the dough.  If the mixture is too soft, then freeze the mixture for a bit to harden it.
• Coconut oil is a great way to thin the consistency of the chocolate.  You can do this to save money on the chocolate bars, or if the chocolate is not spreading correctly.
• Always keep these treats in the freezer until you are ready to serve.  Since the bottom portion is a raw treat, they melt quickly.
• I like these silicone baking cups and this awesome easy double boiler!
• Make sure your oats are from a certified gluten-free company

Love and coconut dream bars!