I. LOVE. DATES. They are just one of those snack cabinet staples I can’t live without. In my quest to find healthier snacks, I have started buying more dates as I love to use dates as a base in most of my snack balls, no-bake bars, or if I need a natural sweetener in a cookie or frosting. They are little morsels of natural sugar and a great alternative to refined sugars. You don’t need many dates to make something sweet!
Dates are a great snack on their own and they are high in fiber, rich in antioxidants, great for heart health and they provide a little energy boost thanks to the natural sugars. They are little morsels of natural sugar and a great alternative to refined sugars.
The dried fruit has a caramel-like sweetness that can also help reduce cravings for sugary snacks. I’m always on the hunt though for creative ways to dress up my dates, and I just knew these smashed dates would be delicious!
Eating a few dates for a 3 p.m. sugar boost is good, but it can get a little boring, so I started to look for ways to jazz them up. There are lots of date-focused recipes on social media these days, but when I came across viral date bark I knew I had to try it. And it did not disappoint!
Date “Snickers” Bark has been doing the round of social media sites recently going viral to foodies all around the world.
A “date snicker” refers to a healthier alternative to a Snickers bar, using dates as a base that are a healthier alternative to the candy bar. It typically consists of a Medjool date filled with peanut butter and topped with crushed peanuts and melted chocolate. These can be made as single servings or as a bark to be broken into pieces. This recipe is a take on that but made with a single serve – just one date flattened out (smashed) with the delicious toppings.
These chocolate covered dates are basically like a homemade snickers bar, but made with really healthy and wholesome ingredients you can feel good about eating. Chewy dates are perfect for mimicking that gooey, caramel filling.
They are opened out and flattened (smashed) then topped with creamy peanut butter, crunchy salted peanuts, then finished with a decadent drizzle of chocolate, it’s a lush sweet treat you won’t be able to resist.
Why you will love this recipe:
Quick and Easy: This recipe takes just 10 minutes of prep.
Wholesome and Nutritious: Packed with natural sweetness, protein, and healthy fats, these dates are as nutritious as they are delicious.
Diet-Friendly: Naturally vegan, dairy-free, and refined sugar-free, making it suitable for various dietary preferences.
There’s just something about getting that perfect ratio of date to peanut butter to chocolate in this smashed dates recipe that makes these – dare I say… the best dates ever?! You also can’t beat that they are entirely no bake and absolutely minimum effort is required!
If you have a craving for popular Snickers and want to quickly satisfy it, reach for one of these bad boys hidden in your freezer and enjoy immediately! Once you are hooked, making dessert recipes with dates will quickly become one of your favourite ways to satisfy a sweet tooth.
This trending recipe combines the classic flavors of dates, peanut butter, and chocolate, creating a snack that’s both satisfying and nutritious – the magic that is simply irresistible. Hope you love ‘em as much as my family does.
It’s the ultimate (healthy) candy bar experience! These bite-size treats capture the taste, texture, and mouthwatering goodness of the beloved Snickers. You are probably sceptical, and I totally get it…. you really have to taste ‘em for yourself!
Smashed Dates With Peanut Butter & Chocolate
Ingredients
- 12 Medjool dates
- 1/3 cup peanut (or any nut/seed) butter
- 1/4 cup peanuts, roasted, salted, chopped
- 1/2 cup chocolate chips
- 1 teaspoon coconut oil
- Pinch flaky sea salt (optional for sprinkling)
Instructions
- Slice each Medjool date lengthwise to remove the pit, then lay them flat on a parchment-lined baking sheet.Gently squash each date using the bottom of a glass until it’s as thin as you would like. Then, spread some peanut butter (about 1 teaspoon) on top of each smashed date.Melt the chocolate topping by placing chocolate chips and coconut oil in a small dish and microwave with 20 second bursts stirring between each one until melted and smooth.Or use double boiler method - (pot of boiling water with a bowl resting on top) melt the chocolate chips and the coconut oil together.Once chocolate is melted, evenly spread the over the peanut butter layer and top with flaky salt and crushed peanuts.Transfer the dates to the fridge or freezer until the chocolate has hardened.
If you are looking for more delicious, healthy, no bake desserts and treats to help you reach your health, wellness and fitness goals, you will love my collection here: Blended Bites
