This 4-ingredient Viral Date Bark Recipe is the ultimate sweet treat. Swirled with peanut butter and chocolate, it’s a rich, crunchy indulgence that’s almost too easy to make.
A Quick Look At The Recipe
- ⏲️Ready In: 1 hr 15 mins
- 👪Serves: 8
- 🍽 Calories and Protein: 319 kcals and 5 grams of protein
- 📋Main Ingredients: Medjool dates, creamy peanut butter, dairy-free chocolate chips, coconut oil, and honey.
- 📖 Dietary Notes: Dairy-free, gluten-free, refined sugar-free, andvegan.
- ⭐ Why You'll Love It: This peanut butter date bark is chewy, crunchy, sweet, and salty all at once. An easy, no-bake treat that tastes indulgent but uses simple whole-food ingredients.
SUMMARIZE & SAVE THIS CONTENT ON
This is easily one of my favorite desserts because it’s ridiculously simple and still feels semi-healthy. Peanut butter and dates were a go-to treat during all three of my pregnancies, and this recipe takes that combo to a whole new level (check out these pregnancy desserts if you’ve got wicked cravings too).
If you’re a fan of the classic chocolate peanut butter combo, this date bark (and these peanut butter protein cups) is right up your alley. It’s naturally sweet and chewy from the dates, swirled with creamy peanut butter, and finished with a crunchy layer of hardened chocolate. Just like this chocolate covered peccan turtles recipe, it’s an easy dessert you’ll want to keep stocked in the fridge.
Jump To
💭Why You'll Love This Recipe
Easy to make: With only 4 ingredients and beginner-level kitchen skills, this peanut butter date bark is a no-bake treat that's perfect anytime.
Texture: It's chewy from the dates, with a creamy peanut butter topping and hardened chocolate shell.
Delicious: There’s not a day that can’t be made better by the combination of chocolate and peanut butter!
Ingredients and Substitutions
- Peanut butter: For the best kind of twist, use crunchy peanut butter! This is delicious in peanut butter chocolate bark, too. However, know that both need to be natural peanut butters so that they’re runny enough to spread over the top of the dates. I use no oil peanut butter the most.
- Chocolate chips: I use dairy-free chocolate chips, but if you need the recipe to be vegan, grab vegan chocolate chips.
- Dates: You want store-bought, dried dates with the pits removed. Save yourself the time.
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
Flavor Variations
Toppings: In place (or addition) of sea salt, sprinkle on some chopped pecans, pistachios, or chunky coconut. This gives a fun new flavor but also a bunch of texture.
Protein-packed: Either mix some collagen powder (learn what collagen powder is) into the peanut butter or make protein cookie butter to drizzle on top.
Nut butter: Though chocolate peanut butter is the best using almond-hazelnut butter can give a new richness.
Candies: Instead of making bark, place the dates in a cupcake liner and add the toppings on top. This is a great way to make individual portions for everyone.
How To Make Viral Date Bark
Step 1: Slice the dates lengthwise and place them on a parchment paper-lined tray.
Step 2: Heat and drizzle the peanut butter over top, taking care to spread it around.
Step 3: Melt together the chocolate chips and coconut oil until smooth. Drizzle and coat the top of the peanut butter and dates.
Step 4: Sprinkle salt over top if using and pop in the freezer to set.
Expert Tips
For the best texture, use soft Medjool dates and press them firmly into an even layer before adding the toppings. If the dates feel dry, microwave them for 5–10 seconds to make them easier to flatten and help the bark hold together.
When melting the chocolate, keep the layer thin and smooth, so it hardens with a clean snap. After assembling, chill the bark until fully firm before slicing. This prevents sticking and gives you those neat, crunchy pieces.
How To Store The Bark
Store leftover date peanut butter chocolate bark in the fridge in an airtight container for up to a week. You can enjoy it right from the fridge or let it come to room temperature (about 5 minutes).
Freeze the date bark in a single layer or between sheets of parchment paper in an airtight bag. It will stay fresh for up to 3 months. To enjoy it, let it thaw overnight in the fridge.
Viral Date Bark FAQs
I haven’t tried it, but I’m sure you could use dried blueberries or cherries in place of dates. You’d need more and really want to make sure they’re clustered together and not spread out.
Yes, you can make the viral TikTok date bark nut-free by replacing the peanut butter with sunflower seed butter.
Date bark becomes too sticky when the dates are overly soft, the chocolate layer is too thin, or the bark hasn’t chilled long enough. For the best texture, press the dates firmly into an even layer and chill the bark until fully set before slicing. Keep it stored it in the fridge to keep it firm.
Soft Medjool dates are naturally sticky, that’s what helps the bark hold together. However, if they feel overly wet or paste-like, pat them dry and press them firmly into shape before adding the chocolate. If your kitchen is warm, chilling the bark longer will help reduce stickiness.
More Easy Dairy-Free Desserts You'll Love
If you tried this Peanut Butter Date Bark Recipe or any other recipe on my blog, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it goes!
Peanut Butter Date Bark Recipe (Dairy-Free)
Video
Equipment
- Parchment paper
Ingredients
- 20 Medjool dates pitted
- ⅓ cup Creamy peanut butter or nut butter of your choice
- ¾ cups Dairy-free chocolate chips
- 1 teaspoon Coconut oil
- ½ teaspoon Flaked sea salt optional
Instructions
- Slice each date down the side with a paring knife. Remove the pit, open the date up, and press it down with your hand to flatten.
- Place the flattened dates on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet in a rectangle with the dates arranged 4 across and 5 down.
- In a small microwave-safe bowl, melt the peanut butter in the microwave in 20-second intervals until smooth and pourable. Drizzle the melted peanut butter evenly over the dates. Use a silicone spatula to spread as needed.
- In a medium microwave-safe mixing bowl, heat the chocolate chips and coconut oil together in 30 second intervals, stirring well between each interval until fully melted and smooth. Spoon the melted chocolate over the peanut butter layer and spread it out edge to edge.
- Sprinkle flaked sea salt over the top of the chocolate if using.
- Refrigerate for 1 hour or until the chocolate is fully set.
- Use a sharp knife to cut the bark into bite-size pieces.
Notes
Disclaimer:
Nutrition values are estimates only, using online calculators. Please verify using your own data"
Nutrition
Shelby says
The best possible flavor combo, this bark is insanely easy to whip up and great to curb peanut butter cravings!