Protein Bar Bark is the guilt-free twist on Viral date bark you didn’t know you needed! A high protein, low sugar, low fat recipe using protein bars and high protein peanut spread.
Jump to RecipeIn the realm of viral food trends, Date Bark has been making waves as a delectable, energy-boosting snack. But what if we told you there’s a healthier, equally delicious alternative that ditches the dates altogether?
Enter Protein Bar Bark—a game-changing recipe that combines the best of both worlds. It’s the perfect marriage of wholesome protein bars and the irresistible charm of bark-style treats.
This bark was ABSOLUTELY delicious! SO delicious and indulgent with the chocolate caramel flavor going on, I have no words. It truly was hard to stop eating this one.
Ingredients for Protein Bar Bark
This creative protein bar bark is made with some really clean ingredients and is a very low sugar, high fiber and high protein treat. No dates needed! Here’s what it takes:
- Protein Bars – I used NICK’s Chocolate Caramel Keto Protein Bars (aka Karamell Choklad Keto Bars)
Protein Peanut Butter Layer
- Peanut Butter Powder: Powdered Peanut Butter Powder from Lakanto (the code HAYLSKITCHEN gives you a discount) or PbFit is what I would recommend.
- Vanilla Protein Powder for high protein caramel layer; Quest Nutrition for this recipe here.
- Peanut Butter
- Sugar free Caramel Coffee Syrup for a low-sugar recipe.
I use the sugar free caramel coffee syrup from Lakanto (discount code HAYLSKITCHEN here too) - Some Water
And the rest of the toppings
- Hard Pretzels – Either the pretzel twists or sticks
- Chopped Peanuts
- Sugar-free Chocolate – The one from Lakanto (discount code HAYLSKITCHEN) is my go-to sugar free chocolate; Lily’s is another good option.
- A bit of Coconut Oil
How to make perfect Viral Date Bark without Dates:
This healthy viral date bark uses protein bars instead of dates, and is super easy to make. Here’s the steps:
- Line baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Rip protein bar into 3-4 pieces each.
Place pieces on sheet in a 4 x 6 (4 columns, 6 in each row), close to each other.
Press down (place parchment paper on top to avoid sticking to hands) - Make protein peanut spread: mix peanut butter powder, peanut butter, protein powder, caramel syrup and water (little at a time) till smooth.
- Spread peanut spread on top of bars.
- Add peanuts and pretzels on top.
- Melt chocolate: microwave chocolate and oil (15sec at a time, stirring repeatedly), until melted.
Pour on top of bark and spread. - Place in freezer 1-2 hours until frozen.
- Break into about 16 pieces.
Can you Store Chocolate Peanut Protein Bark Recipe
This chocolate peanut pretzel protein bark recipe is great for a meal prep snack or post-workout treat. To store protein bar bark recipe, place in airtight container and keep in fridge for up to a 1 week or in the freezer for 2-3 months.
Thaw frozen date bark before consuming.
Alternatives for Healthy Viral Date Bark:
I made this protein bar version of the viral date bark for a healthy recipe, but here’s some options you can try:
- Chocolate Caramel Protein Bars: Other flavor of protein bars
- Peanut Butter Powder: Almond butter powder or cashew butter powder.
You can even use regular peanut butter, but reduce the amount of water used. - Sugar-free Caramel Syrup: Maple flavor syrup or other flavored coffee syrup
- Pretzels: Crackers
- Peanuts: Other roasted nuts
- Sugar-Free Chocolate: Regular chocolate
More indulgent desserts to try:
- Chocolate Mousse Protein Bars
- Healthy Better than Sex Cake
- Collagen Protein Brownies
- Rice Cake Tiramisu
- Healthy Chocolate Lasanga
Some other high protein Chocolate Caramel recipes to try:
- Chocolate Caramel Protein Cake
- Chocolate Caramel Protein Sandwich Cookies
- Caramel Espresso Protein Bars
- Caramel Fudge Protein Bars
Protein Bar Bark – Better Healthy Viral Date Bark
Ingredients
- 6 Caramel Chocolate Protein Bars, Recommendation Below
Protein Peanut Spread:
- ¼ cup Peanut Butter Powder, 24g
- ¼ cup Vanilla Protein Powder, Whey-casein recommended, 22g
- 2 Tbsp Peanut Butter, 32g
- 2 Tbsp Sugar-free Caramel Syrup, or Maple Syrup, 30m
- 2 Tbsp Water, 30ml
Toppings:
- ¼ cup + 2 Tbsp Hard Pretzel Twists, 15g
- 1 Tbsp Chopped Peanuts, 14g
- ¼ cup Chopped Chocolate Bar, Sugar-free recommended, 56g
- ½ tsp Coconut Oil
Instructions
- Line baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Break protein bar into 3-4 pieces each, place close together on sheet (rows of 4 and columns of 6).Use your hands to press them down.
- PB Spread: Combine all ingredients in a bowl (add water little at a time) to form thick spread.Spread on top of protein bar base.
- Sprinkle on pretzels and peanuts.Press down lightly.
- Chocolate: Melt chocolate and coconut oil in bowl in microwave; Heat 45 seconds, stirring at 15sec intervals.Pour on top of bark and spread with spoon or spatula.
- Freeze until solid, about 45-60 minutes.
- Break into about 16 pieces.
Notes
- Nutrition value is calculated using products recommended below.
- See post for alternate ingredients, tips and storage options.
- Nick’s Chocolate Caramel Protein Bar
- Quest Nutrition Vanilla Whey-Casein Protein Powder
- Lakanto Peanut Butter Powder
- Use code HAYLSKITCHEN for a discount off your order
- Lakanto Sugar Free Caramel Syrup
- Use code HAYLSKITCHEN for a discount off your order
- Lakanto Sugar-free Chocolate Bar
- Use code HAYLSKITCHEN for a discount off your order
- Servings: 16 pieces | Serving size: 1 piece
- Calories: 107kcal
- Fat: 5.4g | Saturated fat: 2.6g
- Carbohydrates: 12.8g | Fiber: 4.5g | Sugar: 1g
- Protein: 8g
Hey! I'm Haylee
Google Software Engineer
I use my passion for baking (and eating) to create healthy, high-protein, good-for-you and diet-friendly desserts and sweet treats that are actually delicious.
Come join me in Hayl's Kitchen and let's eat high protein, sweet and guilt free!