
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 quite delicious
That picture of you is just wonderful-I love it!
Your bars look great!
Hi
How easy is millet digested when raw? Those little millets are awful hard.
Thanks
Made them today- you don’t really notice the millet when chewing.
Nice to see you guys enjoying yourselves!! Say, wondering what type of B12 supplement you take. Thanks!
I think it’s Origin brand, but I will have to verify that. I take a couple pills a week for extra reassurance.
These look really good. I was just at a party on Sunday and the host had a bowl full of York Peppermint patties. Of course I grabbed some when I left so I can munch on them later. I will have to try your no bake recipe.
Yum! Made these bars as instructed but slathered your chocolate coating from the original recipe on top. Mmm, mmm good!
I love dates! Can’t wait to make these!
I made your original chocolate peppermint bars over the weekend for my family, and they gobbled them up! Thanks for a great recipe, as always.
Big, fat medjool dates are my favorite, too. They’re so expensive, but I love to splurge once in a while and just eat them straight with a bit of almond butter!
Is there a way to substitute something instead of walnuts? My son is allergic to peanuts and tree nuts, but he can eat almonds. Would 3/4 cup of almonds be okay instead of only 1/4 cup?
Those bars look amazing! The pastry roller trick is great!
Oooh! These are so cool! Like spin-off Larabars! Yum :)
The nutrional value link just shows the recipe, where can I get this ? thnx
At the bottom of the recipe that I linked to. Enjoy!
I just made these. FAB.U.LOUS. Wish I’d doubled the batch…you will, too!
I’ve been dying to make these ever since you posted this recipe and I finally got around to it yesterday. You sure don’t disappoint – these were so good especially considering how healthy they are! I’m planning to make the original version for Christmas baking as I’m sure they’ll be deadly!!
My husband and I love these! I’ve kept them in the fridge and they are a cool and refreshing snack/dessert. I love how they aren’t too rich, so although they satisfy my need for something sweet and special after dinner, they don’t weigh me down or make me feel nasty.
I didn’t have protein powder so I skipped it. I also didn’t have almonds, so I subbed walnuts (ending up with 3/4 cup walnuts for the entire recipe). I put the batter in an 8×8 pan and they came out great!
Angela!! These were fabulous!! I have been inundated with overly sweet, indulgent treats these days and since I knew I couldn’t completely kick my chocolate high I decided I could at least replace it with a healthier alternative. This recipe definitely did the trick! I will be making these again and again. Thank you for another fab recipe!
Yum! I just featured these over here:
http://moderngirlnutrition.wordpress.com/2012/12/26/holiday-desserts-roundup/
Thanks for the recipe!
These are super delicious. Perfect for snacking and as someone with IBS triggered by refined sugars these are the perfect sweet treat without the tummy ache.
DELICIOUS!!! I used hemp and chia seeds instead of protein powder.
Thanks for this recipe- made it today and have already eaten half myself!