Chocolate Peanut Butter & Oat Date Bites
GLUTEN FREE DESSERT RECIPE
8/26/2026
Chocolate Peanut Butter and Oat Date Bites
If you’re looking for an easy no-bake snack that tastes indulgent but is made with simple ingredients, these Chocolate Peanut Butter and Oat Date Bites are such a good one to keep in your fridge. They’re rich, chocolatey, lightly sweet, and full of peanut butter flavor, with oats adding a little extra texture and heartiness.
They’re great as a grab-and-go snack, a quick sweet bite after dinner, or a lighter dessert when you want something easy.
Like my other date bite recipes, these are super customizable depending on what you have on hand and what works for your dietary needs. If you loved my Pineapple Macadamia Nut Date Bites or Lemon White Chocolate Date Bites, definitely give these a try too.
Makes: About 15 date bites
Assembly Time: 20 minutes
Chill Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
Equipment
Food processor
Ingredient Breakdown
Dates
Dates are the base that hold everything together and naturally sweeten the bites. They create that soft, sticky texture that works perfectly in no-bake recipes.
I use Deglet dates, but Medjool dates can absolutely be used too. Medjool dates are usually larger, softer, and a little moister, so you may need fewer of them. You may also need slightly more of the dry ingredients or slightly less of the wet ingredients to get the dough texture just right.
If dates aren’t your thing, dried figs can also be substituted. The flavor will be a little different, but they work well as a sticky base.
Oats
Oats add structure and texture and make these bites a little more filling.
If you need this recipe to be gluten-free, be sure to use certified gluten-free oats. I use Bob’s Red Mill Certified Gluten Free Oats.
Peanuts
Peanuts give these bites their classic nutty flavor and add a little crunch.
If peanuts don’t work for you, walnuts are a great substitution, but really any nut you enjoy can work here.
Depending on your dietary needs, sunflower seeds may also work as a substitute.
Peanut Butter
Peanut butter adds richness, flavor, and helps bind the mixture together.
If you want to switch it up, almond butter would be delicious here, and sunflower butter or SunButter is another good option depending on your dietary needs.
Chocolate Chips
Chocolate chips add that dessert-like flavor and work especially well with the peanut butter and oats.
I use Enjoy Life chocolate chips as a dairy-free option. Regular chocolate chips work too if dairy isn’t a concern, and you can also experiment with white chocolate for a different flavor profile.
Maple Syrup
Maple syrup adds sweetness and helps bring the dough together.
It also pairs really well with the peanut butter, chocolate, and coffee flavors.
Coffee
A splash of coffee is completely optional, but it helps deepen and enhance the chocolate flavor.
You don’t need much. Decaf coffee works perfectly well too if you want the flavor without the caffeine.
Ingredients
1½ cups dates
1 cup certified gluten-free oats
1 cup peanuts
½ cup peanut butter
¼ cup chocolate chips
¼ cup maple syrup
Splash of coffee, optional
Pinch of salt
Optional Coatings
Unsweetened cocoa powder
Sweetened cocoa powder
Crushed peanuts
Instructions
1. Add the ingredients to the food processor. Add the dates, oats, peanuts, peanut butter, chocolate chips, maple syrup, optional coffee, and a pinch of salt to a food processor.
2. Pulse to begin combining. Pulse several times to start breaking down the dates and peanuts and combining the ingredients.
3. Process until a dough forms. Continue processing until the mixture begins clumping together and forming a sticky dough inside the food processor.
4. Form the date bites. Scoop out approximately 3 tablespoons of dough at a time and roll it between your hands to form a ball.
5. Add an optional coating. Leave the bites plain, or roll them in crushed peanuts, unsweetened cocoa powder, or sweetened cocoa powder.
6. Chill. Refrigerate the finished date bites for about 1 hour so they can firm up and set.
7. Enjoy. Serve chilled and keep leftovers refrigerated for the best texture.
Lauren’s Tips 💛
Use Certified Gluten-Free Oats: If you need this recipe to stay gluten-free, make sure your oats are specifically labeled certified gluten-free. I use Bob’s Red Mill Certified Gluten Free Oats.
Use a Dairy-Free Chocolate You Like: I use Enjoy Life chocolate chips as my dairy-free option, but regular chocolate chips work if dairy isn’t a concern.
Watch the Dough: You’re looking for a sticky mixture that holds together easily when rolled. If it seems too wet, add a little more oats. If it seems too dry, add a small amount of peanut butter or maple syrup.
Try the Coffee: It’s completely optional, but a small splash of coffee really does help bring out the chocolate flavor. Decaf works too.
Experiment With the Coating: I rolled some of mine in unsweetened cocoa powder, but sweetened cocoa powder is a great option if you want them a little sweeter.
Add Some Crunch: Crushed peanuts make another easy coating and add extra texture.
Customize the Nuts: Walnuts, almonds, or another nut you enjoy can work in place of peanuts.
Keep Them Cold: These have the best texture and hold their shape best when refrigerated.
Notes
These date bites are very easy to customize depending on your preferences or dietary needs.
Dried figs can be substituted for dates.
If using Medjool dates, you may need fewer dates and slightly more dry ingredients because they are softer and moister than Deglet dates.
Walnuts or another nut can replace the peanuts.
Depending on your dietary needs, sunflower seeds may also work in place of the peanuts.
Almond butter or sunflower butter can replace the peanut butter.
White chocolate can be substituted for the regular chocolate chips if you want a different flavor.
I use Bob’s Red Mill Certified Gluten Free Oats to keep this recipe gluten-free.
I use Enjoy Life chocolate chips as my dairy-free chocolate option.
Regular chocolate chips can be used if dairy isn’t a concern.
The coffee is completely optional, and decaf coffee works just as well.
The finished bites can be left plain or rolled in unsweetened cocoa powder, sweetened cocoa powder, crushed peanuts, or another coating you enjoy.
Always double-check package labels to make sure the specific products you’re using work for your dietary needs.
Keep the finished date bites in a covered container in the refrigerator for the best texture and freshness.
Be sure to check out the other two flavors in this series: Pineapple Macadamia Nut Date Bites and Lemon White Chocolate Date Bites.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use Medjool dates?
Yes. Medjool dates are larger, softer, and moister than Deglet dates, so you may need fewer of them.
If the dough becomes too soft, add a little more oats or another dry ingredient until it reaches the right consistency.
Can I use figs instead of dates?
Yes. Dried figs can work as a substitute and will still create a sticky dough, although the flavor and texture will be slightly different.
Do I have to use peanuts?
No. Walnuts work really well, and you can experiment with other nuts you enjoy.
Can I make these nut-free?
Potentially. Depending on your allergies, sunflower seeds can replace the peanuts and sunflower butter can replace the peanut butter.
Always choose substitutions that are safe for your specific dietary needs.
Can I use another nut butter?
Yes. Almond butter would be delicious, and sunflower butter is another good option.
Do I have to use coffee?
No. The coffee is completely optional.
It simply helps enhance the chocolate flavor, and decaf coffee works perfectly if you want the flavor without the caffeine.
Can I use white chocolate?
Absolutely. White chocolate can be used instead of regular chocolate chips if you want to change up the flavor.
Do I have to roll them in cocoa powder?
No. The coating is completely optional.
You can leave them plain, roll them in cocoa powder, coat them in crushed peanuts, or experiment with another topping you like.
Should I use sweetened or unsweetened cocoa powder?
Either works.
I used unsweetened cocoa powder, which gives the bites a deeper chocolate flavor without adding much extra sweetness. Sweetened cocoa powder is a great choice if you want them more dessert-like.
What should the dough look like?
It should be sticky enough to hold together and should start clumping or forming a ball inside the food processor.
If it seems too wet, add a little more oats. If it seems too dry, add a small amount of peanut butter or maple syrup.
How big should I make the date bites?
I use approximately 3 tablespoons of mixture per bite, which should make about 15 date bites.
How long should they chill?
About 1 hour is enough for them to firm up and set.
How should I store them?
Keep them covered in the refrigerator. They’ll hold their shape and have the best texture when chilled.
