Description
These Healthy Date Candy Bars combine natural sweetness from medjool dates with creamy peanut butter, crunchy pretzels, and a rich dark chocolate coating. Vegan and paleo-friendly, they make a guilt-free, energizing snack or dessert perfect for satisfying sweet cravings with wholesome ingredients.
Ingredients
Filling
- 8 large soft medjool dates
- 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter (all natural)
- 2 Tablespoons pure maple syrup (optional for more sweetness)
- 1/4 cup crushed pretzels (gluten-free and paleo if needed)
Assembly
- 20 whole pretzels (gluten-free and paleo if needed)
Chocolate Coating
- 1 cup dark chocolate chips (vegan and paleo if needed)
- 1 1/2 Tablespoons coconut oil
Instructions
- Soften Dates: If your medjool dates are not soft, soak them in water for 10 minutes to soften, then drain thoroughly before use.
- Prepare Filling: Add the softened dates, creamy peanut butter, and maple syrup to a food processor. Blend until a gooey, smooth filling forms. Then fold in the crushed pretzels gently with a spoon or pulse the processor briefly to retain small pretzel chunks.
- Form Bars: Lay out the whole pretzels on a tray. Spoon about 1 tablespoon of the filling on top of each pretzel. Use your hands or a spoon to smooth the filling over each pretzel into a small bar shape.
- Freeze Bars: Place the filled pretzels in the freezer for 10-15 minutes to firm up while you melt the chocolate.
- Melt Chocolate: In a bowl, combine the dark chocolate chips and coconut oil. Melt using a double boiler method or microwave in short bursts, stirring frequently until smooth.
- Coat Bars: Lay a piece of parchment paper on a tray or baking sheet. Dip each bar fully into the melted chocolate to coat, then transfer to the parchment paper with the pretzel side down. Optionally, drizzle extra chocolate on top in a zigzag pattern using a spoon.
- Harden Chocolate: Place the chocolate-coated bars back into the freezer for about an hour, allowing the chocolate to fully harden before serving.
Notes
- Use soft medjool dates for best results; soaking hard dates is necessary.
- For gluten-free or paleo versions, ensure pretzels and chocolate chips meet dietary requirements.
- Maple syrup is optional; omit for less sweetness.
- Double boiler melting prevents chocolate from burning.
- Store finished bars in the freezer or refrigerator to maintain shape and texture.
