Date Bark

This viral Date Bark recipe is made with 6 simple ingredients, is healthy and tastes like a Snickers bar!

We also love to make banana bark, strawberry bark and cottage cheese bark.

Date bark is my favorite healthy bark recipe, inspired by the viral banana snickers. It’s chewy and really captures the taste of a Snickers bar, hard to imagine but you have to taste it to get it.

The Medjool dates infuse the base with a caramel-like flavor, and topping it with creamy peanut butter, peanuts, chocolate, and a hint of sea salt creates a guilt-free candy bar!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Quick and easy: It’s one of easiest no bake desserts, you’ll only need to wait 20 minutes for this date bark to set.
• Less sugar than other recipes: We use 2 ounces of chocolate chips vs 4 and 5 ounces called for in other recipes. We use a trick to spread it, see tips section below.
• Nutritious: Made with a handful of wholesome ingredients that are vegan, gluten-free and nutrient-dense.
• Delicious: It’s sweet, chewy, nutty, and a bit salty, I can’t wait for you to try it!

Ingredients for Date Bark Recipe

You’ll need a few simple ingredients for this date bark recipe. Chances are, you already have most of them.

• Medjool dates: Use fresh Medjool dates that have been pitted and split open. My favorite brands are Natural Delights and this time I used a Walmart brand, they were great.
• Peanut butter: Look for natural or organic peanut butter. I like the one with one or two ingredients, peanuts and possibly salt.
• Peanuts: I used roasted and unsalted peanuts for the most flavor without added sodium.
• Chocolate chips: Feel free to use whatever you have in your pantry, I love the indulgent taste of dark chocolate chips.
• Coconut oil: We use coconut oil when melting chocolate to thin the coating and reach a smoother consistency.
• Flaky sea salt: Optional, but a sprinkle of flaky sea salt complements the sweetness of the dates.

How to Make Date Bark

Making date bark is so easy, just layer and freeze. You’ll find yourself making this healthy frozen treat regularly!

There is a full recipe card below.

• Arrange the dates: Cover a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Place the dates, cut side down, in 3 rows of 8, slightly overlapping. Give them a little press to fill any gaps.
• Add second layer: Use a small spatula to drizzle and spread the peanut butter on top, then sprinkle with peanuts.
• Melt chocolate: Melt coconut oil and chocolate chips together in a pot or bowl, either on the stove or in the microwave, stirring often.
• Coat the bark: Use your small spatula again to drizzle the melted chocolate onto the bark, then gently spread to coat. Don’t worry if some peanuts aren’t covered. Add a sprinkle of flaky sea salt, if you like.
• Freeze: Place snickers date bark in the freezer for 20 minutes. Once set, use a sharp knife to cut it into 20 pieces, and enjoy!

Tips for Best Results

These helpful tips will ensure this viral date bark becomes one of your go-to healthy dessert recipes.

• Use fresh dates: Avoid dried dates or those with sugar caramelized on the outside. Fresh, soft dates will stick very well together.
• Don’t use regular dates: They are pretty dry and won’t stick together.
• Arrange dates cut side down: The dates will stick together more this way and won’t stick to your hands.
• Be sure dates overlap a bit: Arrange them with a slight overlap so they push together and create a solid base.
• To spread the chocolate: You don’t have to drown your date bark in added sugar and chocolate to create a solid chocolate layer. Instead, drizzle it all over and then use a small spatula to gently spread it. Some exposed peanuts are fine.
• To make peanut butter drippy: Warm it up quickly in the microwave or on the stove in a small pot, stirring constantly. Be careful not to heat too long because it will actually start cooking and thickening.
• Don’t skip coconut oil: It’s the secret to giving melted chocolate a smooth, shiny finish and speeds up the hardening process.

Variations and Toppings Ideas

• Peanut-free: If you have a peanut allergy, use almond butter or cashew butter, and omit peanuts or substitute a different type of nut.
• Nut-free: For a nut-free date bark, skip the peanuts and swap peanut butter for either sunflower seed butter or tahini.
• Berries on top: Create a fruit-and-nut chocolate date bark by adding dried blueberries, strawberries, cranberries, or raisins.
• Sugar free: Use Lily’s sugar free chocolate chips.
• Other chocolate: Swap the rich taste of dark chocolate for milk or white chocolate.
• Other nuts for topping: Mix and match chopped almonds, cashews, pistachios, walnuts, hazelnuts, or pecans.
• Other toppings: Add another layer of flavor with pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, shredded coconut, a dash of cinnamon, nutmeg, or cardamom, or add a citrusy burst with orange or lemon zest.

How to Store

Freeze: There’s no need to let the bark thaw before enjoying, it will be pretty soft. Once cut, transfer pieces to an airtight container and store in the freezer for up to 3 months.

I don’t recommend placing it in the fridge. I tried it and while chocolate stayed solid, the peanut butter stayed drippy and was a mess to eat.

FAQs

More Date Recipes to Try

• Stuffed dates
• Black bean brownies
• No bake black bean brownies

More No Bake Dessert Recipes

• Superfood chocolate bars
• Coconut oil fudge
• Healthy chocolate coconut balls
• Chocolate rice krispie treats