
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…
These look so good!
Thanks so much for the awesome food porn.
Seriously your food photography is shinning, real talent!
Have you tried them without protein powder before?
Xx
Your recipes are great! I have made the other recipe three times. Love that these are sweetened with dates, and have the protein powder and millet. I made them today! Excellent!
These bars look amazing! I love peppermint and chocolate mixed so I’m definitely going to make these soon! Love the hammock picture, just makes me want to be outside relaxing :)
Hi Angela, another beautiful recipe. You are an inspiration to me and so many people. Thank you for all that you do! I decided today to ditch the scale thanks to you! Read about it at the end of my blog post from today’s date under “I Ditched the Scale”.
Keep up the great work!
Congrats Char! Thank you for your kind words. I will certainly check out your post.
These bars sound amazing. New to your site and many of the recipes look awesome. Looking forward to trying them out. I have this awesome organic mint chocolate coffee that these sound to be a perfect pair. Thanks.
This looks really good, and just perfect for the Fall and the upcoming holidays!
Haha! I love hammocks, but I can never get into them easily. It’s quite the symphony of moves, balancing yourself whilst placing half your body into the seat, all the while trying to keep the hammock from rocking away. Takes skill I lack. I first read about the Garden of Life protein powder here and picked up some since you use it and really like it!
This got me thinking about my grandma’s recipe for rum balls that she made every xmas. Couldn’t I substitute rum for the peppermint and get a grand result?! Yum. I have been worried about how I am going to do my traditional holiday things after going vegan. Thank you for the idea!
Ok, I’ve been totally out of the blogosphere (totally unconnected to any electronics, actually) this weekend and the only thing better than coming home to this recipe sitting in my reader would be an actual plate of these bars sitting in my kitchen!! They sound awesome Ange, and great photos!! I hope you had a fantastic Labour Day!
One of these and a cold glass of almond milk sounds so great right now as I lie in bed watching Friends episodes on DVD. I had a fun, long labor day hanging out on the beach and bbq-ing with friends. Now it’s time to veg out before I return to real life tomorrow.
That’s a lovely pic of you! Shining! I love seeing all the amazing food. But miss seeing you sometimes.
Thank you Caroline!
ahh I love that picture of you in the hammock! hehe, so cute and fun. I love minty treats but never tried a raw one!
Enjoy your Labor Day too!!!
Tried to find an email addy to send you this question, but curious if you are still making your glo bars…..also, have you tried the NRG orbs from Capers/Whole Foods – would LOOOOVE to figure out how to make these yummy bites (the ones with the peanut butter base).
Your Peppermint Patty Bars look yummy…might have to give those a go :)
Hey Erika,
I closed the bakery last fall to pursue my cookbook. Might opn it in the future someday – who knows! :)
Does NRG Orb have a website? Couldnt find one
Raw bars are so amazing! It is truly a shame that we do not have such a choice of healthy raw protein powders in Germany, otherwise I would make them way more often.
These are similar to my no-bake brownie balls. I sometimes use mint in them, or orange essence goes really well too :)
Can these be made with stevia instead of dates? If so, how? Thanks, they look great!
The dates bind the mixture, so I don’t think so.
These look dangerously addicting!! I need these bars!!!
These look great will have to give them a try. On a totally other comment I am surprised to see an advert for Wendy’s on your blog are you promoting them or does the internet add things like this on its own?
Great photo at the end- looks like pure happiness. :)
I’m not a huge peppermint chocolate fan. I mean, I don’t dislike it- I’d just rather have chocolate with peanut butter or some other nut, given the choice. But my husband- he LOVES it.