For those days where you’re craving a candy bar, but want a healthy, delicious, low-effort way to enjoy the same sweet treat, I’ve got you covered with this recipe. My Easy “Snickers” Date Crunch Bark is made with just a few healthy ingredients for a truly delectable bar that tastes just like the classic candy. This bark is made from sweet medjool dates, creamy peanut butter, chocolate, and a pinch of sea salt for a real treat that will melt-in-your-mouth.
Friends, what was your favorite candy bar growing up? Mine, without a doubt, was Snickers. I’ve always been a big fan of the sweet-and-salty combination of chocolate and peanut butter, and I loved how Snickers also had the crunch of real peanuts. I didn’t get to eat them often, but when I did, I absolutely savored them. Even though I don’t eat candy now, I will still find myself craving a Snickers bar from time-to-time!
Which is why this recipe is my favorite bark recipe yet! It’s crunchy, chewy, sweet, and salty all at once, and tastes just like a candy bar. The best part is, there’s no complicated layering or shaping required. Simply smash some dates, pour the peanuts and peanut butter on top, coat with chocolate, freeze, break apart, then enjoy! It’s a super simple, low-maintenance recipe that you can throw in the fridge and not have to watch. Every time I make this recipe, it doesn’t last in my house for more than two days. My family just can’t get enough of it!
I got the inspiration from my friend Lina of @thathealthjunkie, and I haven’t been able to stop making it since. If you haven’t checked out her page, you must. She has the most delicious Persian-inspired recipes, as well as fun treats, like this bark!
6 Ingredients to Make This Snickers Bark
This recipe requires only 6 ingredients, which means that it’s super easy to throw together anytime that you’re craving a sweet treat.
- Medjool Dates: Dates are a true superfood. They are packed with vitamins, fiber, and antioxidants, and are also naturally sweet, making them perfect for this recipe! The key here is making sure your dates are pitted. You can buy pre-pitted dates, or simply pit them yourself.
- Creamy Peanut Butter: Snickers bars are known for their delectable combination of chocolate and peanut butter, which means that smooth, creamy peanut butter is a must for this recipe!
- Raw Peanuts: Raw peanuts add a crunch to this bark, way better than crunchy peanut butter could.
- Chocolate Chips: Melted chocolate chips will form the chocolate coating that truly makes this bark taste like a Snickers bar. My absolute favorite chocolate chips are by Hu Kitchen, and you can use code KALEJUNKIE to get 15% off your order!
- Coconut Oil: Coconut oil will mix with the chocolate chips to help it get a smooth, melted texture.
- Flaky Salt: A pinch of flaky salt helps to balance out the flavor of the chocolate, giving it a salty-sweet finish.
How to Make This Healthy Candy Bar Bark
Making this bark is so easy, and it comes together in just a few simple steps! To make this bark, start by preparing the dates: slice the dates open and remove the pits. Then, smash them down and line them up on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Next, spray a drinking glass with oil (I used coconut oil) and use the bottom of the glass to press the dates down and flatten them.
Then, use a spoon to drizzle the peanut butter over the dates, and top with the crushed peanuts. Set the tray aside and add the chocolate chips and coconut oil to a small bowl. Melt the chocolate by placing the bowl into the microwave and heating it in 2-3, 30 second increments, being sure to stir in-between.
Then, pour the melted chocolate on top of the date and peanut mixture, then refrigerate for one hour or freeze for 35 minutes, until the chocolate is set. Once done, sprinkle with flaky salt, break apart, and enjoy! Store any leftovers in an airtight container, in the fridge, for up to one week.
If you make this recipe, please be sure to leave a review and rating below! To see more recipes and behind the scenes, follow along on Instagram, TikTok, and Youtube! I’m also now on Pinterest, so stop by and take a look at what’s new.
** Photography by Tanya Pilgrim
Ingredients
- 20 Medjool Dates, pitted; make sure that they are nice and soft!
- ⅓ Cup Creamy Peanut Butter
- ½ Cup Raw Peanuts
- 1 ½ Cups Chocolate Chips
- 1 Teaspoon Coconut Oil
- 1 Pinch Flaky Salt
Instructions
- To make this bark, start by preparing the dates: slice the dates open and remove the pits. Then, smash them down and line them up on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Next, spray a drinking glass with oil (I used coconut oil) and use the bottom of the glass to press the dates down and flatten them.
- Then, use a spoon to drizzle the peanut butter over the dates, and top with the crushed peanuts.
- Set the tray aside and add the chocolate chips and coconut oil to a small bowl.
- Melt the chocolate by placing the bowl into the microwave and heating it in 2-3, 30 second increments, being sure to stir in-between.
- Then, pour the melted chocolate on top of the date and peanut mixture, then refrigerate for one hour or freeze for 35 minutes, until the chocolate is set.
- Once done, sprinkle with flaky salt, break apart, and enjoy! Store any leftovers in an airtight container, in the fridge, for up to one week.
Rate & review
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What others are saying
Just placed these in the freezer. I never knew that making a VEGAN version of snickers would be so easy!
I only had a mixture of raw cashews, walnuts, & macadamia nuts on hand. I’m sure it’s going to be a hit.
Woohoo! NaTosha, I am so thrilled that you loved the recipe! Thank you so much for making it, and for leaving such a kind review!
OMG these are soooo good. I had sliced almonds and milk chocolate chips on hand so that is what I used. Sprinkled some pink Himalayan salt on the chocolate while it was still warm so it would stick. Will definitely make this again.
I am so thrilled that you loved this recipe, Gloria! Thank you so much for making it, and for leaving such a kind review!
They turned out amazing – I added crushed pretzels on top rather than salt and it turned out really well! I also just smashed the dates using another piece of parchment paper on top rather than dirty a glass. Lastly, I just warmed up the oven and put the whole thing in just long enough to melt the chocolate chips and that saved me more time and clean up! Thank you so much for the recipe!
Wow! Those sound like delicious additions to this recipe, Natalie! Thank you so much for making it, and for leaving such a kind review!
These are AMAZING!! A keeper for sure!
I used dark chocolate and I added the salt to the top of the chocolate before putting it in the freezer. I used cashews instead of peanuts. Next time, I will use a little more salt and I am going to try unsweetened coconut flakes.
Those sound like delicious additions to this recipe, Kristina! Thank you so much for making it, and for leaving such a kind review!
Can regular or honey dates be used instead of the Medjool?
Hi Rose, yes they can!
This is such a good recipe. The only thing I changed was the coconut oil because I am allergic. I used avocado oil instead. It doesn’t freeze up like coconut oil does but it still makes the bark taste good. Also I used dark chocolate 72% on it. Delicious 😍
Have made these twice, used organic peanut butter & dark chocolate and …..SO SO GOOD!!! I was never a date fan but these are delish!! Such a healthier version of a candy bar, definitely 5 stars ⭐️