Easy Date Bark (Viral Snickers Bark)
This viral date bark layers chewy Medjool dates, peanut butter, crunchy peanuts, and melted chocolate into a no-bake treat that tastes like a Snickers. It comes together in about 10 minutes, and the freezer does the rest.
I keep a batch of this in my freezer at all times and I’m not even a little sorry about it. Date bark tastes like a Snickers and takes about 10 minutes to throw together, which is a dangerous combination for someone like me.
Date bark is a no-bake treat made by pressing Medjool dates into a flat layer, then topping them with peanut butter, chopped peanuts, and melted chocolate before chilling until the chocolate sets hard. You break it into pieces like bark, and the dates do all the sweetening, so it leans on whole-food sweetness instead of a pile of added sugar.
I’ve made this more times than I’ll admit, and the medjool dates are what sell it. They go soft and caramel-like under the peanut butter, the chocolate cracks when you bite in, and the flaky salt on top is the part that makes people go quiet for a second.
If you love this one, you’ll want my Homemade Snickers Chocolate Bars and my Healthy Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups, too.
Why You’ll Love This Date Bark
- No oven, 10 minutes. Press the dates, spread, melt the chocolate, chill. The freezer does the hard part while you do something else.
- Tastes like a Snickers. Chewy date, creamy peanut butter, crunchy peanuts, snappy chocolate. Same flavor, built from real ingredients.
- 5 ingredients, endlessly swappable. Almond butter, a different chocolate, whatever crunch is in your pantry. It bends to what you have.
Ingredients You Need
Here’s what goes in and why. Exact amounts and the full printable recipe are in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
- Medjool dates — The chewy, caramel-like base, and where all the natural sweetness comes from. Get soft, plump ones. If yours feel dry, soak them in warm water for 10 minutes, and pat dry before pressing.
- Peanut butter — The creamy middle layer. Drippy natural peanut butter spreads the easiest. Skip anything too oily, or the assembly gets messy.
- Chopped peanuts — The crunch against the soft date and smooth chocolate. Roughly chop them so they spread evenly and stick.
- Chocolate chips — The crackly top. Semi-sweet or dark both work. Reach for sugar-free chips if you want to cut the added sugar.
- Coconut oil — Melted in with the chocolate for a smooth, glossy finish that sets up with a snap. This is the trick to a clean top that doesn’t smear.
- Flaky sea salt — The finishing sprinkle that balances the sweet. Sprinkle it while the chocolate is still warm so it sticks. Don’t skip it.
How to Make Date Bark
- Pit the dates. Slice each medjool date lengthwise and remove the pit if it isn’t already pitted.
- Press them flat. Lay the dates cut-side down on a parchment-lined baking sheet, touching each other. Set a second sheet of parchment on top and roll them into one even layer with a rolling pin.
- Spread the peanut butter. Spread it over the dates in an even layer, all the way to the edges.
- Add the crunch. Sprinkle the chopped peanuts over the peanut butter and press lightly so they stick.
- Melt the chocolate. Microwave the chocolate chips and coconut oil in 30-second bursts, stirring between each, until smooth.
- Coat and salt. Pour the chocolate over the top and spread it evenly. Finish with flaky salt while it’s still warm.
- Chill and cut. Refrigerate or freeze for 20 to 30 minutes, until the chocolate is fully set, then cut into pieces.
Swaps and Variations
- Nut butter: Almond, cashew, or sunflower seed butter all stand in for peanut butter.
- Nut-free: Use sunflower seed butter and swap the peanuts for pumpkin or sunflower seeds.
- Toppings: Cacao nibs, coconut flakes, crushed pretzels, or freeze-dried fruit all add crunch and make it look like it came from a shop.
Storing Date Bark
Store date bark in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week, with parchment between the layers so the pieces don’t stick. For longer, freeze it for up to 3 months. Straight from the freezer, the dates will be quite firm, so let them sit out a couple of minutes before biting in.
Date Bark (Viral Recipe)
Ingredients
- 15 large medjool dates
- ⅓ cup peanut butter
- ¼ cup chopped peanuts
- ¾ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 tsp coconut oil
- Toppings – coarse sea salt, more peanuts, cocoa nibs, etc.
Instructions
- Slice each medjool date in half lengthwise and remove the pits if not pre-pitted.
- Place the halved dates cut-side down on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Press gently to flatten them into an even layer. You can do this by adding another piece of parchment paper over the dates and rolling them out with a rolling pin.
- Using a small spoon, spread a dollop of peanut butter onto each flattened date half. Cover the surface generously but evenly.
- Sprinkle the chopped roasted peanuts over the peanut butter layer, pressing lightly to help them stick. This adds a satisfying crunch to your bark.
- In a microwave-safe bowl, melt the chocolate chips and coconut oil in 30-second intervals, stirring in between until smooth.
- Pour the melted chocolate over the date and peanut butter layer, spreading it evenly with a spatula to ensure everything is fully coated.
- For an extra touch, sprinkle flaky sea salt, more chopped peanuts, or cacao nibs over the warm chocolate.
- Place the baking sheet in the refrigerator or freezer for 20–30 minutes, or until the chocolate is completely set and hardened.
- Once chilled, remove the bark from the fridge and use a sharp knife to cut it into pieces. Serve immediately or store for later.
Notes
Nutrition
The nutrition information provided is calculated based on industry-standard software and should be used as a general guide only. The information may vary depending on ingredient substitutions, cooking techniques, and individual serving sizes. It is the responsibility of the reader to ensure the accuracy and appropriateness of the nutritional information provided. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider for personalized medical or nutritional advice.
More No-Bake Treats You’ll Love
- Homemade Snickers Chocolate Bars
- Healthy Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups
- Protein Peanut Butter Crunch Balls
- White Chocolate Mango Yogurt Clusters
- High Protein Brownie Bark
- Bacon Wrapped Dates with Goat Cheese
If you make this date bark, leave a star rating and a comment below, and tell me what combo you went with. Snap a photo and share it on Instagram or Pinterest, and tag @basicswithbails or #basicswithbails so I can see it.
About Bailey
I love to bake, cook, exercise, and document all of the above. Nutrition is not low fat. It is not low calorie. It’s not feeling deprived or being hungry all the time. It’s nourishing your body with real, whole foods so that you are consistently satisfied and energized to live your life to the fullest! Read more…
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