Satisfy your sweet cravings with these Vegan Snickers bars, crafted with wholesome peanuts, Medjool dates, creamy peanut butter, and rich chocolate. It’s a healthier homemade candy bar that’s both delicious and nutritious!
Delicious Vegan Snickers Bars: A Guilt-Free Treat for All
Are you a Snickers lover? If you are, then you’re in for a treat with our vegan Snickers bars! These delightful confections provide all the deliciousness of the classic candy bar but without the guilt.
You won’t believe these healthy treats are refined sugar-free, vegan and packed with wholesome ingredients making them suitable whether you’re following a gluten-free, dairy-free, plant-based, paleo or low carb lifestyle.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Don’t hesitate to get creative with the ingredients and flavors to make these healthy candy bars your own. Whether you’re a dedicated vegan or just looking for a tasty, guilt-free treat, these vegan Snickers bars are sure to become a favorite.
Cookie Layer
- Unsalted Peanuts: These provide the nutty, crunchy base for our Snickers bars. Feel free to sub with cashews or other nuts of choice if you prefer a peanut-free version.
- Medjool Dates: These naturally sweet and sticky fruits help bind the cookie layer together.
- Oat Flour or Almond Flour: Choose your favorite to add structure and texture.
- Fine Sea Salt: A touch of salt enhances the overall flavor.
- Unsweetened Almond Milk or Milk of Choice: Use as needed to achieve the right consistency.
Caramel Layer
- Medjool Dates: These form the base of the luscious caramel layer.
- Almond Milk or Milk of Choice: The liquid component to make the caramel creamy.
- Creamy Peanut Butter: Adds a rich and nutty flavor to the caramel. Feel free to sub with cashew butter or other nut butter or seed butter of choice if you prefer a peanut-free version.
- Vanilla Extract: For a hint of sweetness.
- Fine Sea Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances the flavor.
- Roasted Peanuts: Adds a delightful crunch to the bars. Feel free to sub with cashews or other nuts of choice if you prefer a peanut-free version.
Chocolate Coating
- Chocolate Chips (Dairy-Free or Regular): The coating that seals the deal.
- Coconut Oil: Helps melt the chocolate and create a smooth, glossy finish.
Garnish
- Flakey Salt: Sprinkle over the bars for a burst of flavor.
- Finely Crushed Peanuts or Cashews: Adds an extra layer of crunch.
Instructions: How to make Vegan Snickers Bars
Now that you have all the details, it’s time to get started on making these incredible homemade Snickers bars. Follow the step-by-step instructions below:
1. Cookie Layer:
- Process the peanuts, dates, flour, and salt until you get a thick cookie dough.
- Press this mixture into the bottom of your baking pan.
2. Caramel / Nougat Layer:
- Blend the dates, milk, half of the peanut butter, vanilla, and salt until smooth.
- Spread this caramel mixture over the cookie layer and top with roasted peanuts.
- Freeze until firm.
3. Chocolate Coating:
- Melt the chocolate chips and coconut oil.
- Dip each bar into the melted chocolate and set them on a cooling rack.
- Drizzle a zig-zag pattern over each bar and sprinkle with salt and crushed peanuts.
- Freeze until the chocolate is set.
Once the chocolate is firm, you can enjoy your homemade vegan Snickers bars, and you won’t believe they’re not the real thing! They’re a delicious, healthier alternative that’s perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth.
Variations and Substitutions
Feel free to get creative with these healthy Snickers bars!
- Nuts: You can swap out peanuts for other nuts like almonds, cashews, or hazelnuts to create your unique flavor. Just ensure the nuts are roasted for that satisfying crunch.
- Nut butter: You can also customize these homemade Snickers by using different nut butters or seed butter of your choice.
- Layers: Try adding a layer of coconut or almond nougat, or even drizzling caramel over the top for an extra indulgence. Experiment and find your favorite version.
Tips for Success
- Soak Your Dates: Although optional, soaking the dates makes them easier to blend for both the cookie and caramel layers.
- Adjust Texture: Use almond milk or more flour as needed to achieve the desired consistency for the cookie layer.
- Freeze for Best Results: Freezing helps the layers set and makes the bars easier to coat in chocolate.
Serving Suggestions
These homemade Snickers bars are a sweet treat that’s perfect for satisfying your dessert cravings. Enjoy them as a midday snack, a post-dinner indulgence, or bring them to gatherings to share with friends and family.
Storage and Freezer Instructions
Refrigeration: For the best taste and texture, store your homemade Snickers bars in an airtight container in the fridge for up to one week.
Freezing: If you plan to keep them longer, freeze them for up to two months. When you’re ready to enjoy, simply defrost at room temperature for about 10 minutes if frozen.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: Are these vegan Snickers bars healthy? A1: While these bars are a more wholesome alternative to traditional Snickers, they are still a treat and should be enjoyed in moderation. They contain natural ingredients, but they do have sugar and fats, so it’s best to savor them as an occasional indulgence.
Q2: Is there a gluten-free option for this recipe? A3: You can use gluten-free oat flour or almond flour to make the cookie layer gluten-free. Check your chocolate chips to ensure they’re gluten-free if you have dietary restrictions.
Q3: Can I adjust the sweetness of these bars to my liking? A5: Of course! If you prefer your bars less sweet, you can reduce the amount of sugar by using fewer dates or opting for a less sweet nut butter.
Q4: Are these bars kid-friendly? A6: These vegan Snickers bars can be a hit with kids due to their sweet, nutty, and chocolatey flavors. They are an excellent alternative to traditional candy bars and can be a healthier option for little ones.
Q5: Can I make a larger batch of these bars for a party or special occasion? A7: Yes, you can easily scale up the recipe to make a larger batch for gatherings. Just make sure you have enough space in your freezer for them to set.
Q6: How do I ensure the chocolate coating is smooth and glossy? A8: To achieve a smooth and glossy chocolate coating, melt the chocolate chips and coconut oil slowly, stirring in between. Ensure the bars are properly chilled before dipping, as this helps the chocolate set quickly.
Q7: Are there other flavor variations I can try for the caramel layer? A9: Certainly! You can experiment with different nut butters like almond or cashew butter to create unique flavor profiles. You can also add a layer of coconut or almond nougat for extra variety.
Q8: Can these vegan Snickers bars be made in advance for special occasions? A10: Yes, these bars can be made in advance and stored in the freezer. They make an excellent make-ahead dessert for parties or celebrations.
More healthy homemade candy bar recipes you will love:
Satisfy your sweet cravings with these Vegan Snickers bars, crafted with wholesome peanuts, Medjool dates, creamy peanut butter, and rich chocolate. It's a healthier homemade candy bar that's both delicious and nutritious!
- 1 3/4 cups unsalted peanuts , feel free to sub with cashews or other nuts of choice if you prefer a peanut-free version.
- 10 pitted Medjool dates , soaked in warm water for about 10 minutes, then drained (skip this step if preferred - soaking helps to blend easier)
- 2 tbsp finely ground gluten-free oat flour or almond flour
- ¼ tsp fine sea salt
- unsweetened almond milk or milk of choice , only as much or little as needed to hold the cookie dough layer together if the dough seems too crumbly
- 10 pitted Medjool dates , soaked in warm water for about 10 minutes, then drained (skip this step if preferred - soaking helps to blend easier)
- ½ cup unsweetened almond milk or milk of choice
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter , divided. Feel free to sub with cashew butter or other nut butter or seed butter of choice if you prefer a peanut-free version.
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ tsp fine sea salt
- 1 ¼ cups roasted peanuts , more or less as needed. Feel free to sub with cashews or other nuts of choice if you prefer a peanut-free version.
- 1 2/3 cups dairy-free or regular chocolate chips, more or less as needed to coat the bars well
- 2 tsp coconut oil , for easier melting, more or less as needed
- Flakey salt
- Finely crushed peanuts cashews
- Line a 8 x 8” square baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang to make it easier to lift the bars out (you can also use a 12 x 3 ½” long loaf pan if preferred). Add the peanuts to a bowl of a food processor. Process until they are slightly crumbly. Add the dates, flour and salt, and continue processing until they are completely combined, and resemble a thick cookie dough consistency. Add a little bit of unsweetened almond milk / liquid or more flour, only as needed, to reach a thick cookie-dough consistency.
- Press the evenly into the bottom of the dish, pushing down firmly using a spatula.
- Add the dates, milk and half of the peanut butter, vanilla and salt to the food processor or a high-speed blender. Process / blend until completely smooth, to reach a nougat / caramel consistency. Transfer the caramel to a bowl, then add the remaining amount of the peanut butter, stirring well until combined. Spread the caramel on top of the base, using a spatula to press firmly as needed.
- Top with an even layer of the roasted peanuts over the caramel layer and press down into the surface of the caramel using a spatula. Place in the freezer for 2-3 hours, until firm and frozen.
- Once frozen, use the parchment paper to remove the cookie / caramel filling from the pan and use a sharp knife to cut into even-sized candy bars, about 18 miniature bars or 12 large bars. Place the bars back in the freezer.
- Line a large baking tray with parchment paper and place a cooling rack on top of the parchment paper.
- Melt the chocolate chips and coconut oil in the microwave in 30-second increments, stirring well in between or in a double boiler. Working quickly and with 1 bar at a time, dip each bar into the melted chocolate, flipping the bar as needed, until the bar is coated well completely. You may have to dip a second time, for a thicker coating. Transfer the coated bar to the cooling rack. Drizzle a thin zig-zag pattern over each bar. Sprinkle a tiny bit of flakey salt over all the bars. Sprinkle a tiny bit of chopped peanuts over just a few of the bars. Repeat with remaining bars. Freeze for at least 20 minutes, or more until the chocolate is set.
- Enjoy once set or store the bars in an airtight container in the fridge for one week or freeze for up to 2 months. Defrost at room temperature for 10 minutes, or more, if frozen before serving.
Refrigeration: For the best taste and texture, store your homemade Snickers bars in an airtight container in the fridge for up to one week.
Freezing: If you plan to keep them longer, freeze them for up to two months. When you're ready to enjoy, simply defrost at room temperature for about 10 minutes if frozen.
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