Hallo thare friends.
No, sorry, I was talking to the healthy sea salt dark chocolate bars. Because a chocolate bar that is made with healthy ingredients (everybody say hiii to the friendly oats, coconut, nuts, and seeds) and wrapped up in peanut butter and deep, fudgy, dark chocolate and sprinkled with sea salt to perk up your mouth with a bang – that’s the kind of chocolate bar that I want to be friends with now and forever more till death do us part. That’s normal, right?
These no-bake, extremely low-maintenance sea salt dark chocolate bars of wonder *pause to really think about that and now let’s go for a fist bump* are ready super fast, require very few ingredients, have significantly less refined sugar than your average chocolate treatster, and are stored in the freezer or fridge for easy access during Chocolate Emergencies. I’m having a flashback to the Inner Goddess Chocolate Truffles and remembering how much we love healthier, more wholesome chocolate bliss together.
If I had a real freezer right now, it would be filled to the max with ALL THE CHOCOLATE THANGS. But instead, this:
Kitchen Update:
The reality is that our fridge is officially sitting out in the driveway right now waiting to be hauled off the refrigerator graveyard, looking sadder, crustier, and more 1950s than ever before. And our new base of cooking operations is DRUMROLLLLLLLLLL the basement!
This is both good and bad news because 1) it means that I have to get really creative and force myself to not just drive to the closest bakery for a large cinnamon roll every morning, and 2) it means that the kitchen remodel is finally, for real, almost a year later, actually happening. Like, today.
Oh hey I just said KITCHEN. REMODEL. Also – when did I become a person who does adult things? This is so fun and weird.
I am totally the kind of person who would use a kitchen remodel as a very good excuse for eating out three times a day, seven days a week. But I am giving myself a challenge to just be okay with the chaos (HA HA says my real life self) and try to keep things at least 1% normal by having our breakfasts, lunches, and dinners at home on most of these kitchen remodel days.
So we packed up the kitchen and currently (like, literally, right at this moment that I’m writing to you) we are existing out of the basement, which is made up of four brick walls, cement walls, and exposed ceiling beams <– totally sounds cool, so I’ll let you think what you want. I am trying so hard to be resourceful and not fall into the eating out all the time trap which means we’re going to live off of a microwave, mini-fridge, slow cooker, blender, panini press, toaster, and rice cooker for the next 6 weeks.
Everything is happening so super speedy fast and I feel like I’m on some sort of wild ride to nice, normal kitchen functionality. Since the recording of that video less than 48 hours ago, demo has started in the most amazing, knocking-walls-down way possible annnd it sounds like our house might come falling down at any moment. Like literally right now as I sit here (in the basement, duh) and type this. WHAT ARE YOU GUYS DOING UP THERE.
Yesterday I put a ceremonious picture of me majorly smashing the wall (okay fine, majorly smashing, barely denting, whatev) on Facebook and Insta, but you guys know the real truth about us.
We are computer and food people and that’s where the skills reach a sharp decline. So we have a phenom team of guys that are doing the demo and installation of the new kitchen for us and I’m pretty sure that is the best decision we’ve ever made. I’m also pretty sure that they think we are the most bizarre, food-bloggy, work-from-home-dwellers. I mean, nothing screams weirdos like people who just wander around during a remodel, filming them actually doing work, filming ourselves pretending to do work, and still wearing the work from home attire of sweats and hoodies and slippers when they leave at the end of the day.
Dear Team, thank you for dealing with everything about us.
Sea salt dark chocolate bar, anyone?
Flaky sea salt, why you be so nummy?
I fully intent to exist off of sea salt dark chocolate bars loaded with oats and nuts and dried fruit and peeeeannnnuuuuut butttterrrrr for the remainder of the remodel. And/or life. It took me a couple tries to get them just right, because the first few rounds involved so many rolled oats that my mouth was like WHAT ARE YOU FEEDING ME. Not chewable. Stop with the large rolled oats.
So the trick for these is to pulse most of your “filling” — all the healthy nums including the oats — in the food processor to get a really nice, small, easy-to-eat texture that feels less like eating some grains you foraged in a field and more like yum yum yum yum yum yum yum perfectly textured peanut buttery sea salt sprinkled chocolaaaaate.
Thanks for reading and following along with our kitchen remodel and not judging me for being awake or showered for 20+ hours when we filmed episode one (always a really good idea) and making + devouring yummy desserts together.
You make me happy in my heart.
But no, I was talking to the chocolate.
Healthy Sea Salt Dark Chocolate Bars
- Total Time: 2 hours 20 minutes
- Yield: 24 small bars 1x
Description
Healthy Sea Salt Dark Chocolate Bars! Made with healthy ingredients including oats, coconut, nuts, and seeds. Wrapped up in peanut butter! YUM!
Ingredients
- 1 cup peanut butter
- 1/2 cup salted butter (coconut oil is a good alternative)
- 1/3 cup raw honey
- 4 ounces bittersweet dark chocolate
- 1 3/4 cups rolled oats
- 1 cup nuts, coconut, or seeds (I used 1/2 cup pecans and 1/2 cup coconut)
- 1 cup dried fruit (I used figs)
- coarse sea salt to taste
Instructions
- OPTIONAL (but highly recommended): In a food processor, pulse 1 cup of the oats, your filling, and your fruit. This really helps the texture of the bars not to feel so much like chunky health bars and more like a well-mixed yummy chocolate bar. For my filling, I ended up using 1/2 cup nuts and 1/2 cup coconut and I pulsed them both through the food processor as well as my figs – see picture in the step-by-step photo above. I left 3/4 cup of oats un-processed to add variety to the texture.
- Put all your oats, filling, and fruit in a large bowl. Line a 9×13 or smaller pan with parchment paper.
- In a small saucepan, melt the peanut butter, butter, and honey over low heat. Add the chocolate and stir until melted. Remove from heat and pour the mixture into the bowl with the oats, nuts, and dried fruit. Mix well (and work quickly so it doesn’t start to get too sticky on you). Press into the prepared pan, sprinkle generously with sea salt, and chill for 2-3 hours to harden (I put mine in the freezer). When solid, cut into 24 bars and store leftovers in the fridge or freezer.
- Prep Time: 20 mins
- Cook Time: 2 hours
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: dark chocolate bars, sea salt chocolate bars, healthy chocolate bars
I love this kind of raw bar – so delicious you wouldn’t know it was good for you too!
I adore these bars for the exact same reason – – they’re raw, their real and no bake. Thanks! I mean, it’s getting chilly here and all, but I still don’t want to light the oven. And I need some healthy dessert in my life, for when my children (they’re lovely, ya know) are driving me bizerk and I get that I-need-some-sea-salt-chocolate-therapy. And these are cheaper than the real therapy deal too!
Is dark chocolate raw? I never knew!
lol – much cheaper! yay chocolate therapy.
We just did a kitchen remodel last spring and I totally feel your pain. We set up our kitchen in the basement as well, but truthfully, not a lot of cooking happened. We ate out waaay more than we should have and blogging was a major challenge. But we got through it and it was well worth all of the inconvenience, since I now have a beautiful new kitchen. Good luck to you, I’m sure you’ll love your new kitchen when it’s all done!!
Thanks Lisa! Fun to hear about your remodel – I’m hoping we can keep the eating out to a minimum. Eeek!
Just the words “kitchen remodel” send me into a near panic attack! LOL we remodeled our own house with our own hands and I washed DISHES IN A BUCKET FOR NINE MONTHS while we worked on the kitchen. It kind of changed my life. It was the hardest thing, but it sure made me grateful for that sink. And did I mention we had three kinds? And that they were 4, 2, and 3 months old. Crazy sauce. And then we sold that beloved house before I even got to really move into all of our hard work. That’s ok though, we bought a farm and will build our dream house one day! I sure like you guys. Enjoy the chaos. It makes what’s really important stand out.
*kids, not kinds
Oh my word, NINE MONTHS? That’s insane. I am washing dishes in a utility sink in the basement and I was feeling sorry for myself this morning but you’ve given me perspective! 🙂
My little house STILL doesn’t have a dishwasher, so 7 years and counting with hand washing for me! One these days we’ll get around to finding the money to get one in. Good luck with everything!
Loved the video! I can’t wait to see how it looks when it’s done! And your description of the chocolate bars…I was literally saying, “Stop it , stop it, stop it!” at my phone it sounded so good. I want to make these RIGHT NOW! <3
Hahaha – thanks Abbie!
Love the video! Looking forward to more videos as everything progresses – how exciting!
Yes – we will be sharing the demo video on Friday – I can’t wait. 🙂
This is so ironic, because JUST this morning I was thinking, “If Pinch of Yum did a kitchen remodel, what would it look like?” Julia’s kitchen was famous for how tailored everything was…layout, counter height, sink and fridge placement. All of that is so fun/useful to know in a remodel. Can’t wait to see, you guys! This is just going to be awesome!
Thanks Olivia! We are really excited to get to set up a space for cooking, photos, and videos!
I can’t wait to try making these bars, but I’m wondering if I could substitute maple syrup for the honey as my daughter is vegan.
Yes, definitely. I made a few versions with real maple syrup and they were yummy!
Wishing you the best of luck guys!! Also, these bars are pure heaven!
Can I just say that the fact that the blade of the axe you are holding in the picture above is pointing towards you is terrifying. You are brave. Ps. I love every single recipe you post. Thanks for sacrificing the job you love to bring amazingly healthy and delish recipes to our home sweet homes. 😉
LOL you guys are too cute and funny. Love the video. Why do I feel like we know eachother… like in real life or something? I promise I’m not a stalker, just a blog follower 🙂
Woohoo – congrats on the remodel in progress!!! Ha – that team of remodelers in y’alls house must have stories to tell about the filming-occupants 😉
Love these bars – I have been on a huge bar streak since Summer and chocolate, oats, honey and coconut butter are fantastic together – throw in peanut butter and oh!!! heck!!! holler!!!!
Do these HAVE to be stored in the fridge or freezer??? I want to put them in my cake stand on my counter because they’re so pretty!
They don’t have to be, but they will keep their flavor and freshness the best if stored in the fridge or freezer.
Bjork & Lindsay!! I loved watching the video of you guys! These behind-the-scenes glimpses are probably what I love most about your blog (although the recipes and photos are 5 thumbs up!!).
can’t wait to see how your new kitchen will look like!
Sending love,
felicia
Thanks Felicia! Glad you like all the sneak peeks. 🙂
Congrats on the huge project. I’ve been putting off our kitchen remodel quite successfully for over 10 years! Good luck!
P.S. Saw you guys featured over at Food Crush – Power Blogging Couples!
Thanks Amy! It was an honor to be included in that list.
Good luck Lindsay! My husband and I just repainted our cabinets and THAT was a doozie! Just keep thinking of the big picture = a fab new kitchen!
Hahaha – that’s totally how this would be if we were actually doing most of the work (which we’re not). Big picture, big picture, big picture!
Oh! We just finished a kitchen remodel in our house so I totally understand. The dinning room packed full of boxes of kitchen stuff. The fridge was at the front door with all the food while we waited for our new fridge. The cooking was done in a combination of areas. In the laundry room sometimes and in our trailer. The trailer kitchen was a god send! It took 3 weeks before I got my kitchen back and it was worth every annoying min. I love love it and especially my brand new appliances!
Your going to be so happy you did it! Good luck!
I sure hope so! Thanks Julie!
Yum! These totally look amazing Lindsay!! And no bake?! I’ll take 10!
I’m so excited for you both as you embark on your kitchen remodel. Having survived our own remodel (that took 13 months), I thought you might find some good tips for surviving without a kitchen here: https://www.prettyhandygirl.com/how-to-survive-without-a-kitchen-during-renovation/
Awesome! Thank you! AND 13 MONTHS! Oh my gosh.
Can’t wait to see the remodel, and the chocolate bars look delicious!
These chocolate bars look amazing!
I usually just skip to the recipe on food blogs, but your posts are really entertaining. Good luck on your kitchen remodel!
Félicitation on your remodel ! I love the video you did and for sure will fallow your project.
Lovely recipe and healthy, wow I wouldn’t have thought.
Magali
Sea Salt on a chocolate bar? Sounds weird, Does it work? The chocolate does not get salty?
Ok, I admit that I had the same thoughts about Guacamole, since here in Brasil, we are used to eat avocado with sugar, not salt. And now I can’t live without them both (the sweet and the salty avocado)
I can’t barely wait to try this recipe.
I’m used to hide little candy bars on my wife’s purse, just as a surprise, not everyday so she don’t get fat, but at least once a week.
And if it is really as good as it seems, I’ll change my “surprises” for this sea salt chocolate bars. They are healthier, for sure.
I just have to solve the heat problem, since we live in a tropical country and melted home made chocolate hidden in a womans purse could be a bad surprise and I don’t want that.
I love your recipes, Thanks for the wonderful food ideas. And good luck on the Kitchen remodeling.
Thanks again.
Mauricio
Is it I can barely wait, or I can’t barely wait? What is the correct form?
If fact, I’ll try this recipe as soon as I get home.
🙂
Yes, it’s a great combo! Really popular here in the US!
I know this is a food blog, but… I Love Your Hair like that! And these chocolate bars.. they are getting pinned right now so I don’t forget! These I have to make!
Wow – thank you Mary! 🙂
Dark chocolate and sea salt is THE perfect combination. These look so good!
Way to go you made it to the remodel! I bet it seems totally crazy that you’ve been working towards it for a whole year.
These bars look so yummy! That video of you two is absolutely adorable! Good luck with the remodel!
Thanks Phi! Glad the MN accents didn’t turn you off too much. 😉 I guess if you’ve heard the FBP videos then it’s nothing new, right?
Ooooh Lindsay, those bars look so delicious! Was surprised at the list of easy ingredients- I already have everything on hand so I need to try making these ASAP. Also, you actually look pretty handy with that axe!!
Handy is my middle name. 😉