These peanut butter chocolate chip date bars are the perfect treat for your sweet tooth, made with just five simple ingredients.
If you follow this blog, you may have noticed a few peanut butter recipes: extreme peanut butter granola, peanut butter & honey crispy treats, peanut butter cookie Laraballs, peanut butter energy bites, and more. I love peanut butter, and these peanut butter chocolate chip date bars are too good not to share.
These are no-bake bars that are delicious straight from the refrigerator or even frozen. My favorite way to enjoy them is to microwave a bar for about 10 seconds so the chocolate and peanut butter soften — they become slightly melty and gooey, almost like a warm blondie fresh from the oven.
All you need are sweet Medjool dates, crunchy peanuts and a big spoonful of natural peanut butter, semisweet or dark chocolate chips, and a small tablespoon of water to help bind the mixture. 
To prepare, add the dates to a food processor and pulse until they form a paste. Then add the peanuts and peanut butter and continue processing. Use up to one tablespoon of water if needed to help the mixture come together, depending on how sticky your dates are and the consistency of your peanut butter. Add the chocolate chips and pulse a few more times to distribute them evenly without pulverizing them. 
Line an 8×8 or 9×9 pan with parchment or wax paper, press the mixture firmly into the pan, and refrigerate for two to three hours. Once chilled, slice into approximately 36 small bars. These keep well in the refrigerator for up to a week or can be frozen for several months. 
I often crave something sweet after meals, and lately these bars have been my go-to snack. I’ll admit I shared some, but I also ate a few each day until they were gone — then I made another batch. They’re a satisfying way to curb peanut butter cup cravings while using whole-food ingredients.
If you make these peanut butter chocolate chip date bars, leave a comment or tag @livbane on Instagram with a photo. Hope you enjoy!
Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Date Bars
Ingredients
- 10 large Medjool dates
- 2 cups salted peanuts (if using unsalted, add 1/4 teaspoon salt)
- 1/2 cup natural peanut butter
- 1 tablespoon water
- 1/2 cup semisweet or dark chocolate chips
Instructions
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Place dates in a food processor and pulse until they form a smooth paste. Add the peanuts and peanut butter, processing until the mixture starts to come together. Add up to 1 tablespoon of water if the mixture seems too dry; this helps bind the ingredients depending on the stickiness of your dates and the texture of your peanut butter. Add the chocolate chips and pulse a few more times to incorporate them without breaking them up completely.
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Line an 8×8 or 9×9 inch pan with parchment or wax paper. Press the mixture evenly into the pan and refrigerate for 2–3 hours until firm. Slice into about 36 small bars. Store in the refrigerator for up to a week or freeze for longer storage.
A Healthy Liv original recipe
Nutrition info (per bar): 90 calories, 8 g carbs, 6 g fat, 3 g protein, 6 g sugar
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Questions for you:
What’s your favorite way to enjoy peanut butter? Any peanut butter recipes you’d like to share?