Coconut Sesame Chocolate Bars Recipe – Easy No-Bake Treat

Last Updated on 2 months by Neha Deshmukh

Coconut Sesame Chocolate Bars Recipe – Easy No-Bake Treat

Hey everyone! If you’re looking for a super easy, no-bake treat that’s seriously addictive, you have to try these Coconut Sesame Chocolate Bars. I first made these when my niece was visiting, and we both devoured them in a single afternoon – they’re that good! They’re a delightful mix of textures and flavors, and honestly, they come together in minutes. Let’s get baking (well, not baking, actually!).

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

These bars are perfect when you need a quick sweet fix. No oven required, minimal ingredients, and maximum deliciousness! The combination of crunchy cereal, toasted coconut and sesame seeds, and rich dark chocolate is just heavenly. Plus, they’re easily customizable – I’ll share some fun variations later on. They’re a guaranteed crowd-pleaser, and honestly, they just feel like a warm hug in every bite.

Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need to whip up a batch of these beauties:

• 2 cup desiccated coconut
• 3 cup rice krispie cereal
• 3 cup multigrain cheerios
• 5 tablespoon sesame seeds
• 45-50 large marshmallows
• 1/4 cup coconut oil
• 1 1/2 cup dark chocolate, roughly chopped
• 1 tsp coconut oil
• 1-2 drop red food color or beetroot juice
• 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
• 2 tablespoon desiccated coconut

Ingredient Notes

Let’s talk ingredients! A few little things can make a big difference:

• Desiccated Coconut: Use good quality, finely shredded desiccated coconut. It really impacts the overall texture and flavor. I prefer the unsweetened kind, so I can control the sweetness level.
• Sesame Seeds: You can use white sesame seeds, black sesame seeds, or a mix! Black sesame seeds add a lovely nutty flavor and visual contrast.
• Coconut Oil: I love using refined coconut oil for this recipe because it has a neutral flavor. But unrefined coconut oil works too, if you enjoy a subtle coconut taste.
• Dark Chocolate: The percentage of cocoa in your dark chocolate is up to you! I usually go for around 70% for a good balance of sweetness and bitterness.
• Natural Food Coloring: If you’re avoiding artificial colors, beetroot juice is a fantastic natural alternative for that lovely reddish hue. Just a drop or two goes a long way!

Step-By-Step Instructions

Alright, let’s get to the fun part!

1. First, line a baking pan (around 8×8 inches) with foil and spray it with cooking spray. This makes removing the bars so much easier.
2. Next, toast the coconut in a dry pan over low heat, stirring constantly, until it’s golden brown and fragrant. Transfer it to a bowl.
3. In the same pan, toast the sesame seeds until they’re lightly browned and smell amazing. Add them to the bowl with the coconut.
4. In a small bowl, mix 1 tablespoon of sesame seeds, 2 tablespoons of toasted coconut, and a drop or two of red food color (or beetroot juice). Set this aside – it’s for a pretty garnish!
5. Now, in a large bowl, combine the toasted coconut, sesame seeds, rice krispies, and cheerios.
6. In a microwave-safe bowl, combine the marshmallows and 1/4 cup of coconut oil. Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until everything is melted and smooth.
7. Pour the melted marshmallow mixture over the cereal mix and stir until everything is beautifully combined. Press the mixture firmly into the prepared pan.
8. Melt the dark chocolate with 1 teaspoon of coconut oil in 30-second increments, stirring until smooth and glossy. Spread the melted chocolate evenly over the bars.
9. Sprinkle the reserved colored coconut-sesame mixture on top. Then, chill the bars in the fridge until they’re firm – usually about 30 minutes to an hour.
10. Once firm, cut into bars and enjoy!

Expert Tips

• Don’t skip toasting the coconut and sesame seeds! It really enhances their flavor.
• Pressing the cereal mixture firmly into the pan is key to getting neat, sturdy bars.
• If the chocolate is too thick to spread easily, add a tiny bit more coconut oil.

Variations

This recipe is a blank canvas for your creativity! Here are a few ideas:

• Vegan Adaptation: Substitute the marshmallows with a vegan marshmallow fluff. There are some great options available now!
• Gluten-Free Considerations: Make sure your rice krispies and cheerios are certified gluten-free if you need to avoid gluten.
• Spice Level: My friend Priya loves adding a pinch of chili flakes to the melted chocolate for a little kick!
• Festival Adaptations: For Diwali, use yellow and orange food coloring in the coconut-sesame mixture. For Holi, go wild with all the colors of the rainbow!

Serving Suggestions

These bars are perfect on their own with a glass of cold milk or a cup of chai. They also make a lovely addition to a dessert platter or a picnic basket.

Storage Instructions

Store the bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or in the fridge for up to a week. They can also be frozen for longer storage – just wrap them individually in plastic wrap before freezing.

FAQs

1. Can I use another type of cereal instead of Rice Krispies and Cheerios?

Absolutely! You can experiment with other cereals like cornflakes, puffed rice, or even granola. Just keep in mind that the texture might be slightly different.

2. How can I make these bars less sweet?

Use unsweetened desiccated coconut, reduce the amount of marshmallows slightly, and opt for a higher percentage of dark chocolate.

3. What’s the best way to melt the chocolate without burning it?

Microwaving in short intervals and stirring frequently is the key! You can also melt the chocolate over a double boiler.

4. Can I make these ahead of time? How long will they keep?

Yes, you can definitely make these ahead of time! They’ll keep well in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.

5. Is it necessary to use coconut oil, or can I substitute another oil?

Coconut oil adds a subtle flavor that complements the other ingredients, but you can substitute it with another neutral-flavored oil like vegetable oil or canola oil.

6. What is the best way to get a clean cut when slicing the bars?

Run your knife under hot water and wipe it clean between each cut. This will help you get neat, professional-looking bars.