Gluten-Free | Recipes | Sweets
Healthy Date Snickers Bars
These date snickers bars are a healthier twist on the beloved candy bar, made with a chewy oat nougat, silky date caramel, crunchy peanuts, and dark chocolate.
Why We Love These Date Snickers
- Dairy-Free, Gluten-Free, Refined-Sugar Free: These date snickers are made with an easy dairy-free caramel, gluten-free oats, and naturally sweetened with dates.
- Wholesome Ingredients: Just 5 simple, healthy, plant-based ingredients!
- No Bake: They are super easy to throw together since they don’t require baking (also perfect for hot days when you don’t want to turn the oven on). Everything sets in the freezer!
- Long-Term Storage: These bars are stored in the freezer and will last up to 3 months, so you’ll always have a sweet treat ready when the cravings hit!
Key Ingredients
- Medjool Dates ⟶ Medjool dates are sweet, sticky, and gooey with a caramel-like flavor, making them the perfect base for a refined sugar-free caramel. Try to pick dates that look plump and moist, not dry and shriveled.
- Oats ⟶ Oats form the base of our nougat and add a chewy, nutty texture. They taste even better toasted!
- Peanut Butter/Peanuts ⟶ It’s not a Snickers without peanuts! Sometimes I run out of peanuts for the topping, but there’s also peanut butter in the caramel, so you’ll still get that lovely peanut flavor even without roasted peanuts.
- Dark Chocolate ⟶ Be sure to use chocolate that doesn’t contain dairy if you want to keep these vegan. I use Trader Joe’s 72% Dark Chocolate Bar.
How to Make
This is an abbreviated method. For the full instructions, see the recipe card below.
- Make the oat nougat: Toast oats and blend with dates in a food processor until well combined. Add just enough milk to help the mixture clump together.
- Press oat mixture into a parchment paper lined 8×6-inch dish. Pack it down tightly.
- Make the caramel: Blend dates with peanut butter and milk until a smooth, thick caramel forms.
- Spread caramel on top of the oat base.
- Press peanuts onto the caramel layer (optional, you can omit the peanuts if desired).
- Melt chocolate and spread over peanuts/caramel.
- Freeze for at least 1 hour to set.
Date Snickers Bars FAQ
More No Bake Treats
- Frozen Snickers Mousse Cups
- Carrot Cake Energy Bites
- Pretzel Date Bark
- Peanut Butter Banana Ice Cream Cups
- Vegan Tofu Purin (Japanese Custard Pudding)
- 3-Ingredient Peanut Butter Cups
- Healthy Caramel Ice Cream Bars
If you try out this recipe, don’t forget to leave a comment/rating down below and tag me in your photos on instagram @ellielikes.cooking. I love seeing all of your tasty recreations!
Healthy Date Snickers Bars
These date snickers bars are a healthier twist on the beloved candy bar, made with a chewy oat nougat, silky date caramel, crunchy peanuts, and dark chocolate.
Print Recipe
Servings: 8 bars
Ingredients
Oat Base
- 80 grams (1 cup) rolled oats gluten-free if needed
- 3
medjool dates* pitted - 2 tbsp non-dairy milk
Caramel
- 7 medjool dates pitted
- 60 grams (¼ cup) peanut butter
- pinch of salt
- 3 tbsp non-dairy milk
Toppings
- ⅓ cup roasted peanuts
- 50 grams dark chocolate
Instructions
- Line an 8×6-inch pan with parchment paper.
Oat Base
- Toast oats in a pan over medium low heat until they're golden and smell nutty, about 5 minutes. Stir frequently to prevent burning. Let cool for at least 5 minutes.
- Blend oats in a food processor to form a rough flour. They don't have to be super finely ground.
- Add medjool dates and pulse to combine.
- Add non-dairy milk and pulse until the mixture clumps together.
- Press the oat mixture into your lined pan. Use the bottom of a cup or spatula to tightly pack the mixture down.
Date Caramel
- Add dates, peanut butter, and salt to food processor and blend to combine.
- Stop and scrape down the food processor as needed. Add non-dairy milk 1 tablespoon at a time to help blend and make a smooth caramel (you may need more or less milk depending on how dry your dates are).
- Spread date caramel on top of the oat base.
- Press peanuts on top of the date caramel.
- Melt chocolate in the microwave in 30 second intervals, stirring between each interval.
- Spread chocolate on top of peanuts.
- Place the pan into the freezer for at least 1 hour to let everything firm up. Cut into bars and store in freezer-safe containers/bags.
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