Sweet, salty and crunchy all in one. These 20-minute date and nut candy bars are such a simple yet delicious treat to keep around. They’re made with layers of melted chocolate, smashed medjool dates, crunchy nuts, creamy almonds butter and flakey sea salt.
In an effort to clean out my pantry before our move, I threw together this quick recipe to have a little something sweet to snack on during the week. The layers are just perfect together and truly taste like a homemade candy bar.
You can modify this recipe and use any combination of nuts or nut butter you have around. The star of the show here is the smashed medjool dates which add a chewy, caramel-like layer to these candy bars.
Smashed Dates
For the smashed date layer, be sure to use soft medjool dates for best results. Last year I shared my Dark Chocolate Tahini Date Bark made with smashed dates, and this recipe is another family favorite.
Simply remove the pits from the dates and press them using your fingers to flatten them out. Add them on top of the nut layer to create that homemade caramel layer.
What you’ll need to make date and nut candy bars
You can use this recipe as a simple guideline. Feel free to modify it based on preferences and ingredients you have around. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Medjool dates– medjool dates are ideal for this recipe for their soft texture. They’re one of my pantry must-haves, and are a great source of carbs, fiber and potassium
- Chocolate chips– I used semi-sweet chocolate that I melted with a little coconut oil for an extra smooth chocolate layer
- Nuts– I added a combination of roasted peanuts and almonds. Other nuts that can work are cashews or pecans
- Almond butter– the almond butter adds a creamy layer that when paired with the dates, tastes like caramel. You can swap peanut butter, tahini or your favorite nut butter
- Flakey salt– flakey salt is probably one of my most used ingredients as most of you may know. It adds the perfect salty finish to this recipe
- Start with a layer of melted chocolate, followed by the nuts
- Press the pitted dates with your fingers to smash them then add them on top of the nuts
- Next, spread the almond butter on top of the dates
- Pour the remaining chocolate on top, making sure to spread it around all of the edges to cover the bars fully
- Set the bars in the freezer to set, top with flakey salt then slice and enjoy!
Keep these homemade candy bars in the fridge or freezer for a quick sweet & salty fix during the week!
More no-bake sweet treats:
Pistachio Date & Oat Bars
Chocolate Peanut Butter Oat Cups
Dark Chocolate Coconut Bars
Date and Nut Candy Bars
Ingredients
- 5 -7 medjool dates, pits removed
- 1/3 cup almond butter or nut butter of choice
- 1/4 cup roasted peanuts
- 1/4 cup sliced almonds
- 1 1/4 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 2 tsp coconut oil
- Flakey salt
Directions
- In a microwave safe bowl, melt the chocolate chips and coconut oil in 30 second increments until smooth.
- Remove the pits from the dates and press them with your fingers to flatten them. Set aside.
- Line a 9 x 5 or 8 x 5 pan with parchment paper. Pour about 1/4 of the melted chocolate into the pan and spread evenly to create the bottom base.
- Add in the nuts, followed by the flattened dates, followed by the almond butter. Using a small rubber spatula or back of a spoon, spread the almond butter over the date layer.
- Pour the remaining chocolate over the top, making sure to push some chocolate over each side to fully coat it.
- Set in the freezer to harden for 30 minutes.
- Once firm, top with flakey salt and slice into 10 bars. Keep stored in the fridge for up to 3 weeks, or freeze for up to 3 months. If eating from frozen, I suggest letting them defrost for 10 minutes before eating.
So happy to hear that, Mary!
So easy and so delicious!