Key Takeaways:
- Sweet Meets Salty: This bark is the ultimate flavor combo—dark chocolate, peanuts, and ruffled potato chips create a rich, crunchy, salty-sweet treat.
- Dark Chocolate = Brain Boost: It’s not just tasty—dark chocolate supports mood and energy thanks to compounds like endorphins, serotonin boosters, and the “bliss molecule” anandamide.
- Customize for Health: Swap potato chips with pretzels or Cheerios and use unsalted nuts for a lower-sodium version without sacrificing crunch.
- Quick & Easy Treat: This recipe comes together with simple ingredients and only takes a few microwave melts and tosses to make.
- Craveable Texture: Using ruffled chips and roasted peanuts gives the bark its signature satisfying crunch with every bite.
- Better Cacao, Bigger Benefits: Use dark chocolate with 70% cacao or more to get the most nutritional value and mood-lifting effects.
Overview:
Craving something crunchy, salty, and sweet all at once? This Dark Chocolate Peanut Potato Chip Bark hits every note—rich dark chocolate, crispy chips, and roasted peanuts in every bite. It’s more than just a snack—it’s a mood-boosting, bliss-inducing treat backed by brain science! With smart swaps for lighter options and tips for maximum flavor, this recipe brings joy, texture, and nutrition together in one ridiculously addictive bark.
Are you a fan of dark chocolate? Do you love the satisfying crunch of potato chips? What about the nutty flavor of peanuts? If you answered yes to any of these questions, then you absolutely have to try dark chocolate peanut potato chip bark! This delicious treat is the perfect combination of sweet and salty, crunchy and smooth. If you a fan of chocolate chip cookies, try my Chocolate Chip, Peanut Butter Chip, and Toffee Chip Cookies.
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SIS - Tip Simple is Smart Tip:
I used ruffled potato chips in this recipe to give some salty crunch. If you want to make it low sodium or less fat, use cornflakes, pretzels, or cheerios. Use dry roasted unsalted peanuts or toasted pecans as a low-sodium option for the nuts.
Neuro Nutrition Nugget - Dark Chocolate Brings Bliss:
For today’s Neuro Nutrition Nugget, we are talking dark chocolate. Have you ever wondered why dark chocolate helps you feel better when you’re feeling sad or a little depressed? I keep a bar of dark chocolate in the pantry for those times I need a little energy and a mood boost.
Now neuroscience research tells us why dark chocolate provides us with that boost.
Eating dark chocolate can result in happiness due to the increase in the production of endorphins, which are known as feel-good chemicals. These chemicals bind with opiate receptors in the brain, leading to sensations of euphoria similar to what runners experience during a “runner’s high”. Endorphins also have pain-reducing properties and can alleviate the negative effects of stress.
Dark chocolate also contains tryptophan, an amino acid that serves as a precursor to serotonin, which is the neurotransmitter responsible for positive mood and happiness.
Additionally, dark chocolate is the primary food source of anandamide, which is a naturally occurring compound referred to as the “bliss molecule.” The “bliss molecule” is a brain chemical responsible for generating feelings of happiness. Anandamide is derived from arachidonic acid, a necessary long-chain fatty acid, and it is a neurotransmitter. Its name is derived from the Sanskrit word “ananda,” which means happiness, pleasure, joy, and delight. Anandamide is one of several endocannabinoids produced by the body that connects to cannabinoid receptors in the brain and other parts of the body.
Ingredients in Dark Chocolate, Peanut, and Potato Chip Bark:
- Dark Chocolate: Use a bar of high-quality dark chocolate with 70% Cacao. The higher the cacao, the more benefit you will get from the dark chocolate.
- Peanuts: I use salted dry roasted peanuts. I love he combination of salt and chocolate.
- Potato Chips: Ruffled are preferred, but see the SIS tip for other low-sodium options.
Step by Step Instructions for Dark Chocolate, Peanut, Potato Chip Bark:
- Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil. Spray with nonstick spray.
- Crush the potato chips into small pieces and spread them out on the baking sheet.
- Sprinkle the peanuts on top of the potato chips.
- Coarsely chop the dark chocolate bars and add 2 tsp of Crisco to the chocolate. The Crisco is optional but helps the chocolate melt smoother.
- Melt at 30-second intervals in the microwave. Stir well after every 30 seconds. Continue until the chocolate is all melted.
- Drizzle the chocolate over the peanuts and potato chips. Toss to combine.
- Let the mixture cool and break up into small bite-size pieces.
- Crunch Munch and Enjoy!
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FAQ:
Q: Can I use milk chocolate instead of dark chocolate?
A: You can, but dark chocolate offers more health benefits due to its higher cacao content and lower sugar levels.
Q: What can I substitute for peanuts if I have a nut allergy?
A: Try using toasted sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, or even crispy rice cereal for a nut-free crunch.
Q: Do I have to use Crisco when melting the chocolate?
A: No—it’s optional. Crisco just helps the chocolate melt smoother, but it’s not necessary for the recipe to work.
Q: How should I store the finished bark?
A: Store it in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week, or in the fridge if you prefer a firmer texture.
Q: Can I add other mix-ins like dried fruit or toffee bits?
A: Absolutely! This recipe is super customizable—just keep a good balance of sweet, salty, and crunchy elements.
Chocolate, Peanut, Potato Chip Bark
Equipment
- This page contains Amazon affiliate links. If you click a link, I may earn a small commission from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you
- To see the ingredient amounts in metric units, click the blue "METRIC:" button between the ingredients and the instructions for this recipe.
Ingredients
- 5 cups ruffled plain potato chips, not crushed.
- 1 cup dry roasted peanuts
- 16 oz. Dark Chocolate use a premium quality chocolate. Like Ghirardelli chocolate bars.
Instructions
- Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil. Spray with nonstick spray.
- Crush the potato chips into small pieces and spread out on the baking sheet
- Sprinkle the peanuts on top of the potato chips.
- Coarsely Chop the dark chocolate bars and add 2 tsp of crisco to the chocolate.
- Melt at 30-second intervals in the microwave. Stir well after each 30 seconds. Continue until the chocolate is all melted.
- Drizzle the chocolate over the peanuts and potato chips. Toss to combine.
- Let the mixture cool and break up into small bite-size pieces.
