
I was recently emailed by a blog reader named Kara who wanted to know if I could make a version of my Peppermint Patty Bars using dates as a sweetener. I thought it was a great challenge indeed!

The original Peppermint Patty Bars are below, complete with a chocolate layer and large flake coconut on top.

The first bars are more dessert-like (and go perfectly with a cold glass of almond milk!), while these ones today are a bit lighter and more snack-like. For easier portability, I didn’t add a layer of chocolate on top; instead, I mixed in mini dark chocolate chips throughout. I also added a scoop of unflavoured protein powder into this batch to keep the protein count high. After testing a few versions, I packed them up in my cooler for the long weekend. They sure went fast.
Here are a few troubleshooting tips:
1. The top photo shows how the dough should look when it’s ready. It will easily form a ball without any crumbling. If your dough is too dry, add a tiny bit more almond milk and process again.
2. Cover pan with two pieces of parchment paper (one going each way) for easy clean up and removal. The dough is very sticky, so it helps to crumble it all over your pan before trying to smooth out. Then add the flaked coconut and press the dough into the pan with slightly wet fingers. Finally, smooth it out with a pastry roller (you can cover it with parchment first) or just do your best with your hands, pressing the sides in evenly.
3. Finally, I pressed the dough into a large loaf pan to yield 12 small bars, but feel free to use an 8” square pan too. They will have a bit less height, but will still taste just as good!

1 year ago: Long Weekend Grilled Salad
2 years ago: Cherry-Blueberry Chocolate Vegan Overnight Oat Parfait

No Bake Chocolate Mint Bars

Yield
12 small bars
Prep time
Cook time
0 minutes
Chill time
15
Total time
A spin-off of my Peppermint Patty Bars, this time naturally sweetened with dates.
Ingredients
- 1 cup packed, pitted Medjool dates (approx 12)
- 1 cup rolled oats
- 2 tbsp cocoa powder
- 1/4 cup unflavoured protein powder (I use Garden of Life Raw)
- 1/4 tsp fine grain sea salt, or to taste
- 2 tbsp almond milk
- 1/2 tsp peppermint extract, or to taste
- 1/2 cup walnuts
- 1/4 cup almonds
- 1 tbsp raw millet (optional)
- 4 tbsp mini dark chocolate chips (I use Enjoy Life) or chopped chocolate
- 1-2 tbsp large flake unsweetened coconut, for garnish
Directions
- Line a loaf pan with two pieces of parchment paper, one going each way. Set aside. In a food processor, process the pitted dates until chopped and sticky.
- Add in the rolled oats, cocoa powder, protein powder, salt, peppermint extract, and almond milk. Process until combined, scraping down the side of the bowl as needed.
- Finally, add in the nuts, optional millet, and chocolate chips and pulse until combined and sticky. It should be sticky enough to easily make a ball.
- Crumble mixture all over prepared loaf pan. Sprinkle a handful of flaked coconut on top and press mixture into pan with slightly wet fingers. Cover with a piece of parchment paper and roll out smooth with a pastry roller.
- Freeze for about 15 minutes or until set. Slice into 6 rows and then slice rows in half to make 12 small bars. I prefer these straight from the freezer.
Tip:
You want to use a very neutral-tasting protein powder here so it won’t impact the overall flavour. Alternatively, you can probably use hemp seeds for a kick of protein.
Nutrition Information
(click to expand)
I find these taste best straight out of the freezer – the peppermint flavour and sweetness is intensified when chilled.
Don’t have dates, but still want to make the bars? See my original version which uses maple syrup and organic brown sugar.

Hope you are enjoying the Labour Day weekend as much as I am! ;) Back to the great outdoors…
As a former girl guide I think I definitely will need to indulge my hunger for chocolate and mint anything and make these awesome-looking bars! Also, happy labour day! I miss the holiday- I’m originally from Canada so I love the little last hurrah of summer! :)
I love to make date sweetened desserts but I usually make balls because they are easier to roll up. I love the idea of making a peppermint chocolate snack, it will be perfect for December when I’m craving candy canes!
I need one of those roller things! Great call keeping these in the freezer – that’s where I keep my Think Mints. I think it make the mint even more refreshing, and of course that extra crunch is awesome.
Love that last pic of you in the hammock. :)
So true about the freezer thing! Some treats just taste better, hold up much better when frozen.
Omg these lOok incredible! I make a bar similar to these and thy are addictive!! Mint and chocolate will forever be one of my favorite combinations!
Angela, that hammock looks oh so lovely. And I’m always amused by my Canadian friends when they say things like “flavour” instead of flavor. Love you Canadians (& Brits do it too!).
Usually i’m not a big fan of dates – but when they’re mixed in with chocolate and mint, how can one refuse? :) I made the vegan brownies this weekend and they came out soo well!
Perfect dessert! This images go on my Pinterest dessert board! Great job
What a perfect treat! YUM!
Any substitute for the protein powder?
You can try using hemp seeds maybe? They are high in protein. Or you can leave out the protein powder and just reduce the almond milk as needed. Let me know if you try it!
I used 2 tablespoons of hemp seeds and 2 tablespoons of ground chia seeds and they came out nicely. : )
I always use date as a sweetener in every single dessert I make! Gives it such a nice texture and sweetness, without giving it a weird aftertaste that some other sweeteners does. And it doesn’t hurt that it is completely healthy! :)
Do you just make a paste with the dates and use that as a replacement for sugar? Is it a 1:1 exchange?
I love anything no-bake (our 800 sq ft place gets up to 80 degrees anytime we turn the oven on!) and I think I’d like these lighter versions. Can’t wait to try them!
These bars look and sound great! And they’re a great idea for an afterschool snack for the kids. Love using dates as a natural sweetner! Great pic of you in the hammock….enjoy the rest of your weekend!
Great recipe and I love that little wooden roller you have. I NEED THAT!!!!! It would be so helpful for so many things I make! Where did you find it?
I love mint and tis the time of year to start thinking mint!
These look delicious! Can’t wait to try them out.
What a fabulous combo! Perfect snack for on the go… love the addition of protein powder and millet!
These sound simply awesome! I still have yet to make something with dates, but I’m all over it with this recipe!
This is perfect considering I have a whole box of medjool dates waiting to be used for something delicious and I was just looking over this recipe yesterday as a matter of fact. I use Garden of Life too but had to leave it behind in Philly…hopefully my new Sunwarrior Chocolate Protein will be a good substitution!
You’re wonderful! This recipe is super simple & looks divine, making these today! Happy labor day (labor means staying in the kitchen all day and making delicious treats, no?) – love how you used dates to sweeten these babies up & that they are raw – makes life so much easier.
These look great! I’ll be trying these for sure! Once I go shopping for more dates ;)
Thanks!
Man those look good!!
Ooh, you take suggestions? Do you have a healthy(ish) buttercream frosting substitute? I’ve tried using Splenda/stevia and it doesn’t taste right. Wasn’t sure if you had something else you’ve whipped up in the past?
Im in love with this spiced “buttercream” http://ohsheglows.com/2010/10/02/pumpkin-gingerbread-with-spiced-buttercream/ although I wouldnt call it “healthy”, it is better than some recipes Ive seen. I’ll have to see what else I can come up with!
My current favorite frosting is from the Kind Diet, and it is quite healthy! Just agave, soya powder, Earth balance, and cocoa powder.
http://vitaljuice.com/recipe/AliciaSilverstoneCupcakes.pdf