Healthy Chocolate Peanut Butter Crunch Bark (Vegan, Gluten Free)
This healthy chocolate peanut butter crunch bark is your quick and easy sweet tooth fix! Smooth chocolate and peanut butter, combined with crispy cereal which is just like a crunch bar! Indulgent tasting, but made sugar-free, dairy-free, gluten-free and vegan!
The holidays are near and YOU deserve a treat. Instead of hitting up the supermarket for a candy or chocolate bar, make this fool-proof and healthier chocolate peanut butter crunch bark.
While this homemade bark might seem a little naughty, I promise you it is anything but. It uses just five ingredients, yet still tastes just like a crunch bar. It’s insanely simple too, and takes less than five minutes to prepare- You simply combine the ingredients, stir through the crispy crunchy cereal and voila- It’s time to firm up before breaking up into some seriously tempting bark.
When it comes to the holidays and food, a homemade bark is easily one of my favorites. While chocolate bark is delicious, what I REALLY love about it is how fool-proof and simple the recipe is. It’s also incredibly customizable and perfect to get the kids involved.
They also make the perfect edible gifts.
Every year, I usually make my friends and family some chocolate bark, often with some simple mix-ins of almonds or cashews. This time, I wanted to give it a little ‘Arman’ spin on them, so adapted my homemade crunch bars.
If you think the recipe below in the step-by-step video is super simple and easy, this one takes it up a notch.
But really, I just wanted an excuse to add some peanut butter and some crunchy goodness to a classic bark.
This healthier chocolate peanut butter crunch bark is addictive, but not in the ‘I will polish off the whole batch in one go.’ It’s all about moderation.
It’s the kind of snack, dessert or treat to satisfy your sweet tooth or give you a long-lasting energy boost. It uses healthier versions of traditional ingredients. The no bake bark is also suitable for those following a gluten-free, vegan, dairy-free and sugar-free diet or lifestyle.
Crispy, crunchy, chocolate-y, peanut butter-y, smooth and creamy- Your bases are covered.
You’ll notice that both coconut oil and a sticky sweetener of choice is listed in the ingredients. You may be thinking to yourself ‘why add those extras when it already includes chocolate and peanut butter?’
Texture, my friends.
Traditional bark tends to be quite brittle and depending on the chocolate you use, can be cheap tasting. The flavor can also be quite chalky, especially if you add nuts or seeds to it. In my version, I add these extra ingredients ensure a smooth and creamy chocolate texture, with the right amount of crunch with hints of peanut butter throughout.
With that said, you really can omit the coconut oil and sticky sweetener, but just be wary of the final results.
I like making homemade bark with the bare minimum of add-ins so there is a distinct balance of crunch to chocolate. Not only does it make it easier to break apart, it also evenly disperses the crispy cereal.
As tempting as it is to have the crunchy chocolate peanut butter bark ready ASAP, please refrain from freezing it to firm up. For my no bake recipes, I really advocate for refrigerating them until firm (unless it’s a fudge or freezer fudge).
You’ll be left with freezer burns (yes, even on freshly made recipes) and an overall loss of texture. This is especially important with homemade bark, in particular in you are set on gifting some of it to others.
Speaking of gifting bark, please be wary of the notes in the recipe section when it comes to the crispy rice cereal.
Making the bark for yourself or home enjoyment? You can use the minimal amount, as it can be easily kept in the refrigerator.
Intending on wrapping this bark up to gift to others? Use more crispy rice cereal. This will prevent it from melting at room temperature and will be less likely to break apart.
TIP!
Obviously, if you are intending to make this for yourself, slice it or break it any way you like. If you are intending on sharing it or gifting it to others, please use a sharp knife and don’t cut them into too small pieces. You want it to be like the pictures, medium-sized and not too thick.
Which reminds me, the THICKNESS! You don’t want the bark to be too thick, otherwise, you may as well make no bake bars. You don’t want them too thin either, or they will break easily. I recommend using a huge baking tray (I used a lasagne baking dish, ha!) so it would spread out easily, but could also be adjusted.
Treat yourself with this healthier no bake chocolate peanut butter crunch bar bark. Whether you make it for yourself or for others, enjoy!
More delicious healthy chocolate and peanut butter recipes? Gotcha covered!
No Bake Low Carb Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars
3 Ingredient Keto Peanut Butter Fudge Cups
No Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Kit Kat Crunch Bars
No Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Crunch Cookies
Healthy Chocolate Peanut Butter Crunch Bark
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups chocolate chips of choice Sugar-free or dairy-free
- 1 cup peanut butter
- 1/2 cup sticky sweetener of choice I used monk fruit maple syrup- Optional (Note 1)
- 1/4 cup coconut oil optional (Note 1)
- 1-3 cups crispy rice cereal (Note 2)
Instructions
- Line a large deep baking pan or baking tray with parchment paper and set aside.
- In a large microwave-safe bowl or stovetop, melt your chocolate with your peanut butter and sticky sweetener and coconut oil until combined.
- Stir through your crispy rice cereal. For a thinner bark, use 1 cup of crispy rice cereal. For thicker, more textured bark, use 2-3 cups.
- Transfer your mixture onto the lined tray or pan. Using a splatula, spread the mixture into an even layer. Refrigerate until firm. Use a knife to slice into bark pieces.
Notes
Nutrition
Could I use my Organic Liquid Steevia for my sweetener? Also, could I add a few scoops of protein powder to the mix??
I haven’t tried either of those, feel free to experiment and see!
I would probably eat ALL of this bark in one sitting! It looks so delicious!
This looks great!
Looks yummy!!