Craving a healthy dessert? This easy Date Bark recipe is made with chewy Medjool dates, natural peanut butter, vegan chocolate, and pinch of flaky sea salt. The combination is absolutely delicious and super easy to make!
THIS POST IS ABOUT HOW TO MAKE HOMEMADE CHOCOLATE DATE BARK.
Like most of us, I first learned how to make date bark on TikTok. The trending recipe went viral for good reason: It’s like a healthy snickers bar that you can make with just a few wholesome ingredients. The dates are sweet and chewy, the peanut butter is rich and creamy, and the chocolate has a delicious candy-bar-like “snap” that is so satisfying! I think the best part is the flakey sea salt on top, which balances the sweetness and makes each flavor pop. The result is tasty, simple, and great for meal-prep since it can be made in advance and stored in the fridge or freezer!
It’s unclear who the very first person to create this trend was, but if you do, please comment below so I can credit them. But in this post I’ll share my vegan spin on date bark and share some helpful tips to make the process a but simpler!
More No-Bake Dessert Recipes: Vegan Chocolate Pie
Ingredients to Make Date Bark
You’ll only need 4 ingredients to make these healthy date snacks!
- Medjool Dates – make sure to use Medjool, as these are the softest, squishiest, most caramely dates. The texture is unmatched!
- Peanut Butter – I like using a natural peanut butter because it’s easier to spread. This one from Santa Cruz Dark Roasted Peanut Butter is great. Super flavorful and made with just two ingredients: peanuts and sea salt.
- Vegan Chocolate Chips – I use Enjoy Life Chocolate Chips and I found they’re much less expensive on Amazon.
- Flakey Sea Salt – this is what really elevates this healthy dessert and balances the sweetness of the dates and chocolate
How to Make Date Bark
Step 1
Start by removing the pit and stem from each date. Then flatten them out and place the dates, open side up, on a parchment paper lined plate. I do 3 across and 4 down.
Step 2
Next, drizzle the peanut butter over the top of the dates, and use the tip of a spoon to gently spread it into a thin layer. Tip: Think of doing this with light brush strokes, rather than spreading the peanut butter on a slice pf bread. This will keep the dates from moving around.
Step 3
Pour the vegan chocolate chips into a microwave-safe bowl, and heat in 30 second intervals, stirring in between until melted. Then drizzle the melted chocolate over the peanut butter layer, and spread into an even layer using that same “brush stroke” method.
Step 4
Sprinkle the top with flakey sea salt and then freeze until solid. About 45 mins to 1 hour. To serve, simply cut into 9 squares and enjoy!
Customize It!
- Add chopped walnuts, almonds, pecans, or hazelnuts for extra crunch and flavor!
- Sprinkle sunflower seeds on top for a trail-mix vibe
- Swap the peanut butter for pistachio butter or tahini and trade the dark chocolate for vegan white chocolate
Related Recipe: PB + J Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! Just use the same amount of almond butter or sunflower seed butter instead.
Store leftover date bark in an airtight container in the freezer for 3-4 months. Alternatively, you can store it in the refrigerator for about 2 weeks.
Pour the vegan chocolate chips into a microwave-safe bowl, then heat in 30 second intervals, stirring in between until melted. This should take 3-4 rounds, depending on your microwave. It’s a good idea to remove the chocolate chips when there a few chips remaining, and then stir until completely melted.
To melt chocolate chips without a microwave, simply place the chocolate in a heat-safe bowl that fits snuggly over a saucepan. Then add 2 inches of water to the pan, place the bowl on top, and raise the heat to medium-high. Stir continuously while the steam melts the chocolate perfectly. Tip: Use oven mitts to carefully remove the the bowl from the saucepan.
More Medjool Date Recipes
- Date Sweetened-Pumpkin Spice Oatmeal
- Maple Roasted Carrots
- Cauliflower Shawarma Kale Salad
- Hailey Bieber’s Strawberry Skin Smoothie
Date Bark Recipe
Equipment
- 1 sheet of parchment paper
- 1 large dinner plate
- 1 heat-safe bowl
- 1 spoon or small spatula
Ingredients
- 12 large Medjool dates
- 4 tbsp natural peanut butter
- ½ cup vegan chocolate chips
- 3 pinches flakey sea salt
Instructions
Prep
- Start by lining a large dinner plate with parchment paper. Then remove the the pit and stem from 12 large Medjool dates and flatten it out using slightly damp fingers to prevent sticking.
- Then place the dates, open side up, on a parchment paper lined plate. I do 3 across and 4 down.
Add the Peanut Butter
- Next, drizzle 4 tbsp natural peanut butter over the top of the dates, and use the tip of a spoon to gently spread it into a thin layer. Tip: Think of doing this with light brush strokes, rather than spreading the peanut butter on a slice pf bread. This will keep the dates from moving around,
Melt the Chocolate
- Pour ½ cup vegan chocolate chips into a microwave-safe bowl, and heat in 30 second intervals, stirring in between until melted. Then drizzle the melted chocolate over the peanut butter layer, and spread into an even layer using that same “brush stroke” method.
Adding Toppings
- Sprinkle the top with 3 pinches flakey sea salt.
Chill
- Then freeze until solid. About 45 mins to 1 hour. Once firm, cut into 9 bars and enjoy!
Notes
Topping Ideas for Date Bark:
- Add chopped walnuts, almonds, pecans, or hazelnuts for extra crunch and flavor!
- Sprinkle sunflower seeds on top for a trail-mix vibe
- Swap the peanut butter for pistachio butter or tahini and trade the dark chocolate for vegan white chocolate
Hey! I’m Nicole and I make practical vegan recipes for REAL life. I cook with simple, easy to find ingredients and I’m passionate about creating delicious plant-based meals that everyone will love!
I hope you enjoy my recipes and videos :) Happy Cooking!
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