Date Bark Recipe (with Dark Chocolate & Nuts!)

A viral TikTok trend for a good reason! This Date Bark Recipe is easy to make and the variations are endless! My favorite is a simple combo of medjool dates, rolled flat, topped with dark chocolate, toasted almonds, and flaky salt.

Forget Candy Bars – This Date Bark Recipe went Viral for a Reason!

Whoever it was that decided rolling dates out into a sheet and coating them with chocolate and chopped nuts is a genius.

It’s so simple to make, and the caramel flavor of the dates makes these taste like a candy bar, only better! Not overly sweet, and completely customizable!

The sky is the limit when it comes to how you make your date bark. I have tried it with a layer of almond butter, a drizzle of coconut butter, and with chopped almonds, walnuts, and pecans. I can imagine even some freeze dried raspberries would be a hit here!

Once it’s frozen, it “snaps” into pieces (or use a knife for cleaner cuts!). Perfect for storing in the freezer and using as a quick energy hit or fun dessert.

If you have a sweet tooth, this is a great sub made with wholesome ingredients! Chewy medjool dates have a caramel-like flavor, so combined with chocolate they are a dream!

If you love chewy dates, you’ll also want to try these Chocolate Dates or these fun Chocolate Date Bars!

What You’ll Need

• Medjool dates
• Dark Chocolate (or milk chocolate, or even sugar free chocolate! Whatever you love.)
• Coconut Oil (Optional, to thin the chocolate.)
• Nut Butter (optional, peanut butter, sunflower seed butter, almond butter, cashew butter, also try a drizzle of coconut butter!)
• Chopped Nuts (almonds, walnuts, pecans, or seeds like pumpkin seeds or sunflower seeds)
• Flaky Salt (this really “pops” the flavors! I love Maldon Sea Salt Flakes.)

Kitchen Tools

• Rolling Pin
• Double Boiler (for chocolate, I use a glass bowl in a small saucepan)
• Parchment Paper (keeps the dates from sticking to the rolling pin!)

How to Make Date Bark

Step 1: Take a large piece of parchment paper and fold it in half. Line a quarter baking sheet or similar sized cutting board with the parchment.

Step 2: Slit the dates down one side lengthwise to remove the pit. Open the date and place it open on the parchment paper. Place dates side by side to create a large rectangle shape.

Step 3: Fold the parchment to cover the dates. Move the parchment paper with the dates off of the baking pan and onto a countertop. Use a rolling pin to flatten the dates so that the dates form a solid rectangle sheet. *It helps to pound on the dates and alternate rolling them to get them as thin as possible. Using fresh dates also makes this process easier!

Step 4: Using a double boiler, melt the chocolate and coconut oil, stirring to prevent burning. This can also be done in a microwave-safe bowl in 30-second intervals, stirring in between to prevent burning.

Step 5: Top the flattened dates with optional nut butter, and add a layer of chocolate. Add additions like chopped nuts and flaky salt. My favorite version is simply dark chocolate with crunchy almonds and a pinch of flaky sea salt.

Step 6: Freeze the date bark for at least 1 hour. When it’s fully frozen, it will “snap” into pieces, or use a knife for cleaner cut pieces of date bark.

How to Store Date Bark

Store pieces of date bark in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 6 months.

The date bark is best (in my opinion) enjoyed right out of the freezer. The dates harden and have a chewy caramel consistency when frozen.

Tips & Variations

Use Fresh Dates: In order to “roll out” the dates, the dates need to be soft. Use fresh dates for the easiest smashing. If you want to use older dates that have started to dry out, place them in a bowl and pour hot water over them and allow them to soak for about 30 seconds. Drain the dates and pat them dry with a paper towel, and then cut them in half and lay them out.

Date varieties: Medjool dates are large so are the easiest to use for this recipe. However, once the dates are smashed, you won’t know what kind of dates are used! So use

Variations

Make your own version of this easy chocolate date bark! Try one of these recipes or choose from the list of toppings. The sky is the limit! You’ll fall for this viral trend.

Snickers Date Bark: If you love Snickers bar and want to try a healthier version, spread the dates with a thin layer of natural creamy peanut butter, and then top the melted chocolate with roasted chopped peanuts.

Almond Joy Date Bark: Drizzle the dates with coconut butter. Add a layer of milk chocolate. Sprinkle the top with whole almonds and unsweetened coconut flakes.

Dubai Date Bark: Top the dates with dark chocolate, then sprinkle with chopped pistachios, sesame seeds, dried cherries, golden raisins, and flaky sea salt.

Optional Toppings

• Dark Chocolate, Milk Chocolate, or White Chocolate (or use your favorite sugar free chocolate! Either a bar or chocolate chips works.)
• Coconut Butter (this is delicious drizzled on top of the dates before adding the chocolate)
• Nut Butter (peanut butter, cashew butter, almond butter, sunflower seed butter or tahini)
• Crunchy Nuts (almonds, walnuts, pecans, pistachios, or macadamia nuts)
• Seeds (pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, hemp seeds)
• Freeze Dried Fruit (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries or dragon fruit)
• Dried Fruit (tart cherries, cranberries, or raisins)

Other Date Recipes

• Gluten Free Date Bars
• Chocolate Date Bars
• Stuffed Chocolate Dates

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