Sweet and Salty Protein Date Bark 

The viral date bark recipe but with added protein! Gift it, bring it, or snack on it at home. This is the perfect healthy treat.

I know we've all seen date bark, it's been making its away around the internet for the entirety of 2024! And honestly I'm not usually one to jump on trends given that my main focus is to provide you with healthy, high protein, plant-based recipes that are macronutrient balanced. But this recipe I tried several months back and I was shocked at how delicious it was!! I also love that it's totally customizable, making it a sweet treat everyone can love.

Please note: some links are affiliate links and I may make a small commission when you shop the link. Thank you for the support!

Today's protein date bark recipe is using one of my favourite brand partnerships, Prana Foods. I've been working with them over the past few months and because of that I've been given the opportunity to try many of their products. I'm not kidding when I say each and every product I've tried has exceeded my expectations when it comes to quality. 

For this protein date bark I used their super juicy medjool dates, edamame mix, vegan chocolate buttons, and Italian hazelnut butter. 

And I have 15% off discount code for you if you want to try any of their products! Every thing I've tried from them has been top tier. I especially love the Italian Hazelnut Butter. It's quite honestly insane. The price is high but keep in mind it's almost three times the size of a regular nut butter. Other favourites are the Edamame Mix (pictured) or the Peas & Favas mix.

Shop this Prana Foods link for a 15% discount! Or use my affiliate code: EVANNRYAN at checkout.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

It's technically only 4 ingredients! Using Prana's Edamame Mix which has all the crunchy protein bits you need, juicy dates, melted chocolate, and hazelnut butter. Shop the entire ingredients list at 15% off using my discount code: EVANNRYAN.

Incredibly easy to make. No baking, no cooking, just a quick melt of the chocolate.

Made with whole foods and packed with fibre. 

Healthy, rich in protein, and a great snack.

What You'll Need

Dates are the base of this recipe, and you'll definitely want some juicy dates to make the whole base stick together well. Fresh is best!

Hazelnut butter or your preferred nut or seed butter. 

Vegan chocolate. Can be chips or chunks!

Trail mix, and if you want the protein boost, I highly recommend the Edamame Mix I've linked above!

Substitutions

You can substitute any nut or seed butter your prefer.

The crunchy topping can be any mix that you like. You can even keep it simple and just use one type of nut or seed if preferred. 

Storing

The finished bars will last for up to a month in a tightly sealed meal prep container on the counter or in the fridge! Personally I prefer them cold, so I keep mine in the fridge. 

Want to stock some for later? These freeze perfectly. Just stack them into a freezer safe container and into the freezer. Remove from the freezer at least 30 minutes prior to enjoying for the best texture.

 

Please note: all calories and macros are calculated to the best of my ability but may vary slightly. 

 

Protein Date Bark  

Recipe makes 9 large squares

Macros per square:

233 cals - 9g fat - 30g carbs - 8g protein 

(Halve the macros by cutting the square into 18 smaller pieces if preferred!)

 

Ingredients: 

• 1 bag Prana Medjool Dates, roughly 20 large dates
• 1/4 cup Prana Italian Hazelnut Butter 
• 1/3 cup Prana Vegan Chocolate Buttons, or chopped chocolate
• 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil 
• 1 cup Prana Edamame Mix 
• 1 tsp coarse salt for garnish, if desired 

(All Prana Foods products linked above!)

 

Instructions:

1. Lay a piece of parchment paper down on a cutting board or flat plate (something that fits in the fridge!) and set aside.
2. Add the chocolate and olive oil to a small bowl and melt together gently. You can do this in the microwave or over a double broiler.
3. Once chocolate is melted, set aside.
4. Remove the seeds from all the dates and lay them onto the parchment paper forming a square. I did 5 dates across 4 rows.
5. Place another piece of parchment paper over the dates and use your hands or a rolling pin, flatten the dates. Using the parchment paper will allow you to keep your hands or the rolling pin clean.
6. Once the dates are flat and smooshed together, gently remove the top parchment paper. (Keep the parchment paper for another use if possible! I like to reuse parchment for baking at least a few times.)
7. Next spread the layer of hazelnut butter over the flattened dates and spread it evenly from edge to edge.
8. Then sprinkle half the edamame trail mix over the bar (1/2 cup) from edge to edge.
9. Next drizzle the melted chocolate over the entire bar covering as much surface as possible.
10. Lastly add the remaining edamame trail mix (1/2 cup) to the top of the chocolate layer and top with coarse sea salt.
11. Place the bar in the fridge to firm up the chocolate, 1-2 hrs.
12. Remove from the fridge and slice into 9 squares.
13. I like to keep the bars in a tightly sealed container the fridge until ready to eat.
14. Bars should last in the fridge for up to a week!

 

Let us know in the comments how this recipe went for you!