Viral TikTok Date Bark Recipe made in 10 minutes with 4 ingredients (Medjool dates, peanut butter, peanuts, and chocolate). It's the delicious homemade version of a healthy Snickers Bar, making a quick gluten-free and vegan meal prep for the week!
Table of Contents
How to Make Date Bark
- Line a baking tray or cookie sheet with a large piece of parchment paper, overhanging on the sides to remove the date bark more easily from the cookie sheet later on.
- Then, line the date halves in even rows on the lined baking sheet. TIP: Place a plastic wrap on top of the date halves and press them down gently with your hands or the bottom of a glass cup or Mason jar to form a flat layer, making sure there are no gaps between them.
- Melt the peanut butter in a small microwave-safe bowl for about 30-60 seconds, or until melted, stirring well. Spread melted peanut butter evenly on top of the dates.
- Top evenly with the chopped nuts!
- Microwave the chocolate by itself or with the coconut oil in a heatproof bowl, in 30-second intervals, for 1-2 minutes, or until melted. NOTE: You may use a double boiler if you prefer! Stir well and spread the chocolate mixture on top of the nuts. If you want, you may sprinkle some flaky sea salt on top. Freeze for 30-60 minutes or until set!
- Hold the sides of the sheet of parchment paper and lift it to remove away from the cookie sheet. Place it on a surface, wait about 5-10 minutes at room temperature, slice it into bark-sized pieces using a Chef's knife or your hands, and enjoy this healthy treat!
Ingredients and Substitutions
To make this viral date bark recipe, you'll need these wholesome ingredients:
- 15 Medjool dates, pitted and divided in half (You may also swap them for dried figs, stem removed) NOTE: If buying pitted dates, make sure to remove their pits before using them in this recipe.
- ¼ cup creamy peanut butter, or crunchy if you want. Preferably use "No Added Sugar" Peanut Butter or another nut butter of your choice, or a sunflower seed butter. I used a smooth peanut butter in mine to make this viral recipe!
- ½ cup roughly chopped roasted peanuts, unsalted (or another nut of choice). NOTE: Only use salted nuts if you enjoy a salty-sweet combo!
- ½ cup dark chocolate chips (or another chocolate of your choice, or a combination of chocolate such as dark and milk). To make this recipe dairy-free or vegan, use vegan chocolate)
- ¼ teaspoon coconut oil, optional (Although optional, it is recommended to make the melted chocolate thinner and glossy)
- A pinch of sea salt flakes, optional (or kosher salt)
Variations for Date Snickers Bark
- Nut-free: If you have a nut allergy, swap the peanut butter for sunflower butter or tahini, and the nuts for sunflower seeds or pepitas to make this date crunch bark.
- Dairy-free/ Vegan: Use vegan chocolate instead to make this date chocolate bark!
- Date Bark without Peanut Butter: Replace peanut butter with any other nut butter of your choice as well as swap peanuts for another nut (pistachios, pecans, almonds, cashews, Brazil nuts, etc).
- Almond Joy Date Bark: Replace the layer of peanut butter with almond butter, peanuts with almonds (just ¼ cup), and add unsweetened coconut flakes (¼ cup), mixing the chopped almonds and coconut flakes. It is healthier than the traditional candy bar, another chocolate candy bar, or an almond bark!
- Samoa Date Bark: Swap nuts for unsweetened coconut flakes! Although the melted peanut butter would make a vegan caramel if mixed with some maple syrup, you can replace it with real caramel.
Tips for Making the Best Date Bark Recipe
- Avoid using old dried dates that tend to be too dry. Instead, use fresh Medjool dates that are soft and plump, and will give your bark a chewy texture.
- If needed, soak dates in hot water for about 10 minutes to soften a bit, and then blot excess water with a paper towel before using them in this recipe.
- Make sure to press the dates onto parchment paper to make a thinner layer of dates. In addition, leave no gaps between the layered dates!
- Prefer a 'no added sugar' nut butter because the dates are already quite sweet. Your TikTok date bark can be even sweeter if you use mild chocolate!
- You can use salted or unsalted nuts to make this date Snickers bark recipe, depending on whether you enjoy the salty and sweet combo or not.
- Preferably, use coconut oil to create a smooth, glossy, and thinner chocolate layer, making the melted chocolate also harden faster.
Recipe FAQs
You may either store chocolate date bark in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 7 days or a sealable freezer bag in the freezer for up to 3 months, but never at room temperature. Make sure to use parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking.
Although dates have several health benefits (low in fat and a good source of fiber, potassium, magnesium, iron, and B vitamins) making them a wholesome or healthy sweet treat, their natural high-sugary makes you want to consume them in moderation. According to Medical News Today, dates are considered low-glycemic food, making them safe for diabetics when eaten in moderation as well as this Snicker date bark!
The amount of calories can vary depending on the type of ingredients used and the size of your date barks. However, a date bark has usually about 93 calories per piece.
How to Store
- FRIDGE: Store this date bark in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5-7 days. They make a quick and healthy meal prep for the week!
- FREEZER: You may freeze it in sealable freezer bags for up to 2-3 months. Before eating, let this non-refined sugar bark sit out for 5-10 minutes before eating these healthy desserts.
More Bark Recipes
Besides these dates that taste like Snickers, check out these other bark recipes:
PIN AND ENJOY!
BEST Date Bark Recipe
Ingredients
- 15 Medjool dates pitted and divided in half (You may also swap them for dried figs, stem removed) NOTE: If buying pitted dates, make sure to remove their pits before using them in this recipe.
- ¼ cup creamy peanut butter or crunchy if you want. Preferably use "No Added Sugar" Peanut Butter or another nut butter of your choice, or a sunflower seed butter. I used a smooth peanut butter in mine to make this viral recipe!
- ½ cup roughly chopped roasted peanuts unsalted (or another nut of choice). NOTE: Only use salted nuts if you enjoy a salty-sweet combo!
- ½ cup dark chocolate chips or another chocolate of your choice, or a combination of chocolate such as dark and milk. To make this recipe dairy-free or vegan, use vegan chocolate)
- ¼ teaspoon coconut oil optional (Although optional, it is recommended to make the melted chocolate thinner and glossy)
- A pinch of sea salt flakes optional (or kosher salt)
Instructions
- Line a baking tray or cookie sheet with a large piece of parchment paper, overhanging on the sides to remove the date bark more easily from the cookie sheet later on.
- Then, line the date halves in even rows on the lined baking sheet. TIP: Place a plastic wrap on top of the date halves and press them down gently with your hands or the bottom of a glass cup or Mason jar to form a flat layer, making sure there are no gaps between them.
- Melt the peanut butter in a small microwave-safe bowl for about 30-60 seconds, or until melted, stirring well. Spread melted peanut butter evenly on top of the dates. Top evenly with the chopped nuts!
- Microwave the chocolate by itself or with the coconut oil in a heatproof bowl, in 30-second intervals, for 1-2 minutes, or until melted. NOTE: You may use a double boiler if you prefer! Stir well and spread the chocolate mixture on top of the nuts. If you want, you may sprinkle some flaky sea salt on top. Freeze for 30-60 minutes or until set!
- Hold the sides of the sheet of parchment paper and lift it to remove away from the cookie sheet. Place it on a surface, wait about 5-10 minutes at room temperature, slice it into bark-sized pieces using a Chef's knife or your hands, and enjoy this healthy treat!
Recipe Notes
- FRIDGE: Store this date bark in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5-7 days. They make a quick and healthy meal prep for the week!
- FREEZER: You may freeze it in sealable freezer bags for up to 2-3 months. Before eating, let this non-refined sugar bark sit out for 5-10 minutes before eating these healthy desserts.
Nutrition
** Nutrition labels on easyanddelish.com are for educational purposes only. This info is provided as a courtesy and is only an estimate, since the nutrition content of recipes can vary based on ingredient brand or source, portion sizes, recipe changes/variations, and other factors. We suggest making your own calculations using your preferred calculator, based on which ingredients you use, or consulting with a registered dietitian to determine nutritional values more precisely.
Please note that health-focused and diet information provided on easyanddelish.com is for educational purposes and does not constitute medical advice, nor is it intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease. Consult with your doctor or other qualified health professional prior to initiating any significant change in your diet or exercise regimen, or for any other issue necessitating medical advice.
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