If you’re looking for a decadent treat that’s as energizing as it is satisfying, these No Bake Superfood Brownies are your new go-to. They’re jam-packed with nutrient-rich nuts, sweet Medjool dates, and vibrant superfoods, all wrapped up in a fudgy, chocolatey bar with zero oven time required!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- No Oven Needed: You can whip up these brownies in under an hour without ever turning on your oven—perfect for warm days or when you need a no-fuss dessert.
- Packed With Superfoods: Every bar delivers nourishing goodness from chia seeds, pistachios, and cacao, so you snack smarter without sacrificing taste.
- Ultra-Fudgy Texture: Sweet Medjool dates and coconut oil make these brownies irresistibly chewy and satisfyingly dense, just like a classic brownie should be.
- Totally Customizable: Easily swap in your favorite dried fruit or nuts to make every batch uniquely yours.
Ingredients You’ll Need
You only need a handful of wholesome, pantry staples for these No Bake Superfood Brownies. Each ingredient brings its own magic to the party—whether it’s chewy sweetness, a crunch of texture, or a burst of color and nutrition.
- Pitted Medjool dates: The secret to natural sweetness and that rich, fudgy base—make sure they’re soft for the best texture!
- Raw walnuts & pecans: These nuts add buttery flavor and help create that classic brownie bite.
- Shelled pistachios: Used in two stages for both nutty crunch inside and a pop of color on top—plus a healthy dose of plant protein!
- Unsweetened finely shredded coconut: Adds gentle chewiness and just a hint of tropical flavor.
- Chia seeds: For a little extra nutrition, fiber, and a fun, slight crunch in every bite.
- Unsweetened cacao powder (or cocoa powder): Bold, rich chocolate flavor without any added sugar—essential for those brownie vibes.
- Virgin coconut oil (melted): Darkens the bars and gives them indulgent, melt-in-the-mouth perfection.
- Vanilla extract: Deepens the chocolate for a more rounded, bakery-style taste.
- Sea salt: A pinch is all you need to ignite all those flavors—don’t skip it!
- Dried cranberries (cherries or goji berries): Tart, chewy, and jewel-toned, these dried fruits bring the sparkle—use your favorite.
- Warm water: Only if needed to help the mixture come together—dates can be fussy if a tad dry.
- Dark chocolate bar (for topping): Melted over the top for a glossy, indulgent finish. Use vegan if you like!
- To garnish: Extra chopped pistachios, dried fruit, and pecans—plus a shimmer of flaky Maldon sea salt.
Variations
One of the joys of No Bake Superfood Brownies is how endlessly riffable they are. Whether you’re clearing out the pantry or looking to cater to special diets, there’s a perfect tweak for you!
- No Nuts: Sub in raw pumpkin seeds (pepitas) or sunflower seeds for the nuts. They’re allergen-friendly and add a fun crunch.
- Chocolate Lovers’ Dream: Stir mini dark chocolate chips into the base for even more chocolate intensity in every delicious bite.
- Different Sweeteners: If you’re out of dates, soak dried figs or prunes in warm water and use those for a subtly different sweetness.
- Protein Boost: Add a scoop of your favorite chocolate or vanilla plant-based protein powder for a satisfying snack bar upgrade.
How to Make No Bake Superfood Brownies
Step 1: Chop the Base
Add the Medjool dates, walnuts, pecans, and just half of the pistachios into your food processor. A quick blitz transforms these into a chunky, sticky mass—the perfect foundation for our brownies and full of wholesome flavor in every bite.
Step 2: Layer in the Superfoods
Toss in the shredded coconut, chia seeds, cacao powder, melted coconut oil, vanilla, and sea salt. Process everything together until the mixture starts to look slightly clumpy—this means it’s binding and getting that lovely, dense texture. If the mix seems dry, add a tablespoon or two of warm water, pulsing until it just comes together.
Step 3: Add Extra Crunch & Color
Now, sprinkle in the rest of the pistachios (saving some for the top) and your dried cranberries. Pulse just until the new additions are chopped but still visible—you want pops of green and red to peek through every square!
Step 4: Press & Shape
Line a loaf pan (8×4 inch works great) with parchment paper. Scoop your mixture in and press it down firmly and evenly, making sure to reach the edges so every brownie is equally thick and packed with goodness.
Step 5: Top With Melted Chocolate
Melt your dark chocolate bar in a double boiler or microwave in short bursts, stirring until smooth. Pour it right over the formed bars, tilting as needed for an even, glossy finish—this sets up into a luscious, crackly chocolate layer.
Step 6: Garnish & Chill
Sprinkle the top with chopped pistachios, dried cranberries, and pecans, then slide the pan into the freezer. Let everything firm up for 20–45 minutes (the hardest part is waiting!), then shower with flakes of Maldon sea salt before slicing.
Pro Tips for Making No Bake Superfood Brownies
- Date Softness Is Key: If your dates are a little dry, soak them in hot water for 5–10 minutes before processing. This guarantees the mixture binds for that oh-so-fudgy texture.
- Don’t Over-Process: Pulse just until everything sticks together—leaving some larger nut and berry pieces creates the most amazing texture and visual appeal.
- Parchment Paper Cheat: Use the extra overhang to lift your brownies out in one flawless slab, making slicing and serving mess-free.
- Freeze for Best Slices: For picture-perfect squares, let your brownies chill in the freezer until completely firm before cutting with a sharp knife.
How to Serve No Bake Superfood Brownies
Garnishes
Once your No Bake Superfood Brownies are firm, garnish with a scattering of extra chopped pistachios, a sprinkle of jewel-like dried cranberries (or cherries), and a generous shower of flaky Maldon sea salt for that irresistible sweet-and-salty finish.
Side Dishes
For a nourishing snack plate, serve your brownies alongside fresh fruit—think sliced oranges or mixed berries. If you want a truly decadent moment, pair with a hot cup of chai, coffee, or homemade matcha latte. These also shine as a post-workout pick-me-up after a green smoothie!
Creative Ways to Present
Arrange your No Bake Superfood Brownies on a wooden board for a rustic energy bar display, or give as gifts by wrapping squares in parchment and tying with string. For parties, try cutting them into bite-size cubes and stacking on a platter with a drizzle of melted chocolate on top—it’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep your brownies fresh by storing them in an airtight container in the fridge—they’ll stay fudgy and delicious for up to a week. The cool temperature also helps maintain that signature chocolate snap on top.
Freezing
These No Bake Superfood Brownies freeze like a dream! Simply layer squares with parchment in a freezer-safe container and enjoy them straight from the freezer or thaw for a few minutes when you’re ready for a treat—good for up to a month.
Reheating
Since these brownies are best enjoyed cold or at room temperature, there’s no need to reheat. If you’d like them a touch softer, just let them stand on the counter for 5–10 minutes after removing from the fridge or freezer for the perfect bite.
FAQs
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Can I use a different type of nut if I don’t have pistachios?
Absolutely! Almonds, cashews, or even hazelnuts work beautifully here. Just keep the total quantity the same for best results and enjoy mixing up the flavor profile.
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Are these brownies gluten-free and vegan?
Yes, these No Bake Superfood Brownies are naturally gluten-free. They’re vegan if you use vegan chocolate for the topping—otherwise, they’re plant-based and dairy-free as listed.
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Why did my brownie mixture turn out too dry or crumbly?
This happens if your dates are a bit dry. Try soaking them in hot water first, and always add a little warm water (1–2 tablespoons) to the mix if it seems crumbly, pulsing until it comes together.
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Can I make these brownies without the chocolate topping?
Definitely! The base is so rich and flavorful on its own that you can skip the chocolate if you’d like a lighter treat. You’ll still have a chewy, blissful bar loaded with crunchy, chocolatey, and fruity bites!
Final Thoughts
If you’re craving a sweet, energizing bite that fits any occasion, you have to try these No Bake Superfood Brownies. They’re the perfect combination of indulgence and nutrition, and I just know they’ll become a staple in your kitchen. Go ahead—mix up your favorite superfoods and whip up a batch today!
Print
No Bake Superfood Brownies Recipe
- Prep Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 8 squares 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Bake
- Cuisine: Modern
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in these decadent No Bake Superfood Brownies for a guilt-free treat that’s packed with wholesome ingredients and rich chocolate flavor. These brownies are easy to make and perfect for satisfying your sweet cravings.
Ingredients
For the bars:
- 1 cup packed pitted Medjool dates
- 1/4 cup raw walnuts
- 1/4 cup raw pecans halves
- 1/2 cup shelled pistachios, divided
- 1/4 cup unsweetened finely shredded coconut
- 1 tablespoon chia seeds
- 3 tablespoons unsweetened cacao powder (or cocoa powder)
- 1 tablespoon melted virgin coconut oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/4 cup dried cranberries (or dried cherries or goji berries)
- 1 tablespoon warm water, if necessary
For the topping:
- 2 ounces dark chocolate bar (vegan, if desired)
To garnish:
- 1 tablespoon shelled chopped pistachios
- 1 tablespoon dried cranberries, cherries or goji berries
- 1 tablespoon chopped pecans
- Maldon sea salt, for sprinkling on top
Instructions
- Add dates, walnuts, pecans, only ¼ cup of pistachios to the bowl of a food processor. Process until chunky.
- Next add in unsweetened shredded coconut, chia seeds, cacao powder, coconut oil and vanilla extract. Process again until mixture is chunky and slightly clumping. If mixture is dry, add 1-2 tablespoons of warm water.
- Next add in remaining ¼ cup pistachios and dried cranberries and pulse again a few times until pistachios are slightly chunky. Add mixture into a 8×4 inch loaf pan lined with parchment paper, pressing evenly towards the sides of the pan.
- Add dark chocolate to a small saucepan and place over low heat until melted. You can also microwave in 30 second increments, stirring in between until chocolate is fully melted and smooth.
- Pour over the bars, tilting pan so that the chocolate covers the bars evenly. Garnish the bars with 1 tablespoon of the following: chopped pistachios, dried cranberries, and chopped pecans. Place bars in the freezer for 20-45 minutes to harden.
- Once ready to serve, sprinkle with Maldon sea salt then cut into 8 squares. Store safely covered in the freezer for up to 1 month. Enjoy!
Notes
- If you want you can keep the melted dark chocolate off the top. They are still incredibly delicious.
- See the full post for storing & freezing instructions.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 square
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 19g
- Sodium: 60mg
- Fat: 11g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
