The Chocolate Lentil Bars are a healthy, kid-friendly snack made with just a few simple ingredients. They’re gluten-free, nut-free and dairy-free, perfect for school lunches!
Hi friends!
I’m so excited to share these Chocolate Lentil Bars with you guys! If you follow me on Instagram you got early access to the recipe last week and they’ve already gotten some good reviews. After so many of you have been loving my Lentil Banana Muffins, I decided I wanted to try my hand at using them in another baked good.
These bars took SEVERAL rounds of testing. The taste was good from the first round but they were way too crumbly. I finally figured it out after about 5 tries I think. I knew I wanted to keep them nut-free so that they’d be an option for school lunch boxes and since I only used oats, no flour, they’re gluten-free as well if that’s important to you!
I always get questions about what kind of lentils I use. Mine are generic lentils that don’t say a specific kind. They’re not red, yellow or black. They’re greenish brown! The recipes calls for one cup cooked, which I’ve found to be about a heaping 1/3 cup dry. I usually cook 1 cup, which gives me enough to have 1 cup to use and then another 2 cups to freeze in one cup portions so I can just thaw them out and use in baked goods!
Like most of my baked goods, these are on the lightly sweetened side. If you’re looking for a sweeter treat, you can always increase the maple syrup or more chocolate chips.
Here’s the recipe:
PrintChocolate Lentil Bars
The Chocolate Lentil Bars are a healthy, kid-friendly snack made with just a few simple ingredients. They’re gluten-free, nut-free and dairy-free, perfect for school lunches!
- Yield: Makes 9-12 bars 1x
Ingredients
1 cup cooked green lentils
1/3 cup avocado oil (olive or canola oil also work)
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/3 cup maple syrup (more if desired)
1/3 cup cooked sweet potato
1.5 cups rolled oats
1/4 cup ground flaxseed
1/2 tsp baking soda
3 Tbsp cocoa powder
1/4 cup chocolate chips
1/4 cup Craisins
Instructions
- Put lentils, oil, eggs, vanilla, maple syrup and sweet potato in a food processor and blend until smooth.
- Add oats, flaxseed, baking soda and cocoa powder and process until well mixed.
- Add chocolate chips and craisins and pulse a few times.
- Press into 9×9 pan lined with parchment paper.
- Bake at 350 for 15 minutes.
Don’t they look yummy?? I’ve had several people tell me you can also make them as cookies!
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Hi! Do you know the nutritional info for this recipe?
I don’t, sorry! You could plug it into something like My Fitness Pal
WOW! So much to love in these!! I really like the addition of the sweet potato! These sound so darn tasty!
These look and sound incredible. I am going to make this recipe substituting eggs for chia seeds soaked in water to make it vegan friendly. I’ll let you know how it turns out. Thank you so much.
can’t wait to hear it!
Delicious. My little guy loves these. And they are perfect travel food for our mornings on the run.
yay! so glad!!
Is it important to use green lentils or could you substitute with brown lentils?
Brown should be fine!
Hi,
How long is the shelf life for these bars and do I need to refrigerate it?
Thanks,
Mayank
yes i would refrigerate them. they should last about a week.
I’ve been making these weekly for my boys for the past year. They are great to pack for school and are perfect for when my son won’t eat the other healthy things I have packed – at least I know he’s getting nutrients and stays full with these! They are so delicious!!!! My husband loves them, and I make them for family too. The only sub I make is double the dark chocolate chips and no craisins, and I put the oatmeal in the nutri bullet first to make oat flour.
★★★★★
I really wanted this one to be a hit!
My husband and I enjoyed it but not my kids. I think I will have to add a bit more maple syrup as the recipe says if I want it to be more appealing to my kids. The texture was lovely but just not enough flavor.
★★★
I absolutely love these bars! They taste delicious and knowing they’re also packed full of nutrients from real food makes it the perfect snack or breakfast. The chewiness and tartness from the craisins really makes the recipe, so do NOT skip them!
Thank you for keeping our bellies happy and full!
★★★★★
I made these and thought they were dry. Second batch I used an equivalent amount of unsweetened applesauce as the sweetpotato. Definitely needs the craisens. Second batch had better texture and everyone liked
★★★★★