This peanut butter date bark tastes like a Take 5 candy bar but is made with simple ingredients like dates, peanut butter, pretzels, and chocolate chips.
If you've been seeing date bark all over social media, this version is hands-down one of my favorites. It has that perfect sweet and salty combination, comes together in just a few minutes, and feels like a treat while still offering some fiber from the dates. Plus, Take 5 and snickers were always my favorite candy bar in school years.
As a toddler dietitian mom, I love recipes like this because they help show that food doesn't have to fit into "healthy" or "unhealthy" boxes. It's okay to enjoy foods because they taste good, and it's also pretty cool when simple ingredients can come together to make something that tastes like your favorite candy bar?!
Why You'll Love This Peanut Butter Date Bark
- tastes like a Take 5 candy bar
- sweet, salty, crunchy, and chocolatey
- no baking required
- made with simple ingredients
- great for meal prep and freezer snacks
- easy to customize
- comes together in minutes
If you and your kids are chocolate lovers, then you also need to try my oatmeal chocolate chip cookies and black bean brownie bites!
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Ingredients You'll Need
Here's what you'll need to make this easy peanut butter date bark:
- Medjool dates - dates create the chewy caramel-like base while adding natural sweetness and fiber
- peanut butter - adds creaminess, healthy fats, and that classic peanut butter and chocolate flavor combination
- pretzels - bring the salty crunch that makes this taste like a candy bar
- chocolate chips or even chocolate spread - create the rich chocolate topping that pulls everything together
- sea salt (optional) - a sprinkle of flaky sea salt takes the sweet and salty flavor to the next level
See recipe card for quantities.
How to Make Your Peanut Butter Date Bark
- Step 1: Arrange pitted dates on a parchment-lined sheet pan or cutting board. Place another sheet of parchment paper on top and press or roll them into an even layer.
- Step 2: Spread the peanut butter evenly over the pressed dates.
- Step 3: Sprinkle crushed pretzels over the peanut butter layer and gently press them down.
- Step 4: Melt the chocolate chips with coconut oil (or some type of oil/butter to help get smooth) until smooth and spread over the pretzels. Sprinkle with flaky sea salt if desired. Freeze for about an hour until set, then break into pieces.
Hint for the Best Date Bark
Use soft, fresh Medjool dates. If your dates feel dry, soak them in warm water for 5-10 minutes first. This makes them much easier to press into an even layer and creates that chewy caramel-like texture.
Substitutions
This peanut butter date bark can easily be made gluten-free, dairy-free, and nut-free!
- peanut butter - swap with almond butter, cashew butter, or sunflower seed butter for a nut-free option
- chocolate chips - use dark, milk, semi-sweet, or dairy-free chocolate chips (you can omit if you'd rather do no added sugar or use date-sweetened chocolate chips)
- pretzels - try crushed graham crackers, nilla wafers, gluten-free pretzels, or cereal for a different crunch
- dates - Medjool dates work best because they're soft and sticky, but other date varieties can work if softened first
Variations
To be honest, I love the classic Snickers/Take 5 bar vibe this date bark gives, but feel free to give them a different makeover!
- trail mix date bark - add finely chopped nuts, seeds, and raisins before freezing
- white chocolate strawberry date bark - use white chocolate chips and top with crushed freeze dried strawberries (another one of my favorites)
- banana peanut butter date bark - add sliced bananas into a layer or use crushed banana chips instead of pretzels
Equipment
You only need a few simple kitchen tools for this peanut butter date bark recipe. A sheet pan, cutting board, or baking dish works well for pressing the dates into a bark layer. You'll also need parchment paper, a microwave-safe bowl for melting the chocolate, and a spoon or spatula for spreading everything evenly.
Storing Your Peanut Butter Date Bark
Store this peanut butter date bark in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 3 months. I personally love it straight from the freezer!
Toddler Dietitian Tiff's Tip
One thing I love about recipes like this is that they can help show kids that foods don't have to be labeled as "good" or "bad." This recipe contains ingredients that provide fiber, healthy fats, and energy, but most importantly, it tastes good. Food can be nourishing and enjoyable at the same time.
My toddlers honestly just would rather eat the dates dipped in peanut butter! So, while I'm enjoying this peanut butter date bark they'll be snacking on dates + peanut butter. You can even just prep that and store in the freezer, then let thaw some for littles.
FAQ
The dates provide sweetness and a caramel-like texture, but the peanut butter, chocolate, and pretzels are the flavors that really shine.
Absolutely! Use sunflower seed butter instead of peanut butter.
Yes, just be mindful of serving sizes and textures based on your child's age and chewing abilities.
Related
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with this peanut butter date bark:
Peanut Butter Date Bark (easy Take 5 candy bar dupe)
Ingredients
- 12-14 Medjool dates pitted
- ⅓ cup peanut butter or any nut/seed butter
- ½ cup crushed pretzels
- 1 cup chocolate chips
- 1 teaspoon coconut oil optional
- flaky sea salt for topping (optional)
Instructions
- Line a small sheet pan, cutting board, or baking dish with parchment paper.
- Arrange the dates in a single layer. Place another sheet of parchment paper on top and press or roll into an even layer.
- Spread peanut butter evenly over the date layer. Sprinkle crushed pretzels over the peanut butter and gently press down.
- Melt chocolate chips (and coconut oil if using) until smooth. Spread melted chocolate evenly over the pretzel layer. Sprinkle with flaky sea salt if desired.
- Freeze for about an hour, or until firm. Break or cut into 12 pieces and enjoy.
Notes
- If your dates are dry, soak them in warm water for 5-10 minutes before using.
- Store in the freezer for the best texture.
- Use creamy peanut butter for easiest spreading.
- Coconut oil helps create a smoother chocolate topping but can be omitted.
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