Salted Maple Pecan Date Bark

Sliced maple pecan date bars piled up in a glass container.

These sweet, salty, crunchy and chewy maple pecan date bars are better than most candy bars, in my opinion. Each serving has 3.7 grams of fiber and anti-inflammatory compounds., With simple ingredients, they're so easy to make with and can store in the freezer for up to 3 months!

Course Snack

Cuisine American

Keyword dark chocolate, date recipes, freezer snack, healthy no bake dessert, healthy sweet treat

Prep Time 10

Total Time 2 10

Servings servings

Calories 180kcal

Author Alex Evink, MS, RD

Ingredients

15 Medjool dates, pitted
1/2 cup almond butter or 1/3 cup + 2 tbsp. tahini for less sweetness swap for peanut butter for sweeter taste
2 tablespoons maple syrup
¼ cup chopped pecans
Coarse, flaky sea salt
½ teaspoon vanilla extract optional
⅓-½ cup dark chocolate chips 1/3 if drizzling, 1/2 if covering entire area
1 teaspoon coconut or avocado oil

Instructions

Line a small baking sheet with parchment.
Open each date and flatten into a single layer, slightly overlapping, with the inside facing up.
Use your hands or bottom of a glass to flatten into a “sheet”. I don't like to flatten them too thin, just enough so the dates are touching.
Mix nut butter + maple syrup + vanilla in a small bowl. Microwave for 30 seconds for easier spreading. Spread evenly over the dates. For best results, ensure that nut butter acts as a "glue" so all of the dates are touching.
Melt the chocolate with a small amount of coconut oil until smooth, microwaving in 30 second increments. Drizzle over the peanut butter layer. For a thicker, fully covered layer, freeze the peanut butter base for 10–15 minutes first so the chocolate and toppings don’t sink.
Sprinkle with sea salt (generously) and chopped pecans.
Freeze for 1-2 hours until firm. Cut into 12-15 pieces. Store in an airtight bag or container in the freezer for up to 3 months!

Notes

These are best straight from the freezer. I actually think they are best the day after making them! They’re chewy, slightly firm, and caramel-like. Let them sit for a minute or two if you want a softer bite.

Lower the calories by using ~1/3 cup of nut butter.

Nut butter + tahini version: 150 calories, 2.4g protein, 19g carbs, 3g fiber

Nutrition