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These homemade Date Snickers bars combine easy nougat, date-based caramel, crunchy peanuts, and chocolate. They’re fancy yet easy to make and perfect for satisfying a sweet tooth.
Swap traditional sniker bars with these healthier date snickers. This recipe combines oats, dates, peanuts, and peanut butter, all wrapped in a tasty chocolate. The caramel is made entirely from dates, providing a nutritious alternative. You likely have these ingredients at home, making it easy to prepare these treats anytime you crave something sweet. And, if you’re craving more homemade treats after enjoying these date bars, check out my recipe for healthy four-ingredient stuffed dates for additional inspiration.
Table of contents
Date snickers video
Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need for the recipe. Refer to the recipe card for specific amounts.
How to make date Snickers
Make the nougat layer
Start by creating the nougat layer for your date Snickers. First, if you don’t have oat flour, process oats in a blender until they turn into a flour-like consistency. Next, add and mix the rest of the nougat ingredients into this oat flour until thoroughly combined.
For the assembly, choose between two options: spread the mixture into a large dish for a tray bake or use a silicone bar mold for perfectly shaped bars. If using a tray, line it with parchment paper and press down the nougat base evenly with the bottom of a cup or glass. If using a mold, press the mixture evenly into each cavity with your fingers.
After shaping the nougat, place it in the freezer while preparing the caramel layer.
Make the caramel layer
Begin by inspecting the dates for the caramel layer – if they are too dry, soak them in hot water for about ten minutes to soften. Next, blend the moistened dates with the other caramel ingredients, excluding the peanuts, in a food processor until you achieve a creamy, sticky consistency.
Remove the nougat layer from the freezer and generously layer the date caramel on top. After adding the caramel, sprinkle on peanuts to your liking.
Put the tray back in the freezer and wait until the mixture is completely hard. This makes the date Snickers bars cold and solid, which helps when you need to coat them with chocolate later.
Cut into bars
Once the layers have set, remove the Snickers from the tray and cut into twelve or more bars, depending on the size you prefer. If you used a silicone mold for the mixture, just pop out the individual bars. The bars are now ready for dipping in chocolate.
Dip bars in chocolate
First, melt the chocolate. It’s best to do it over a double boiler, but you could also do it in the microwave in 10-15-second increments.
This part can be messy, so I usually do it on a wire cooling rack and use a fork or BBQ skewers (or similar) to press into the bars, to make it easier to dip them.
Dip each bar into the melted chocolate and place them aside to dry. If you prefer your Snickers extra chocolatey, dip them again. This second dip helps cover any areas missed the first time.
As soon as the chocolate sets and dries, your homemade date Snickers are ready to enjoy. The chocolate shell should feel firm and crisp.
Storing date Snickers
To keep your homemade Snickers bars fresh, place them in an airtight container and store them in the fridge for about 8-10 days.
For those who like to plan ahead or enjoy batch cooking, these bars also freeze well. Pack them in a freezer-friendly container, separating layers with wax or parchment paper to avoid sticking. They can be stored in this way for up to two months.
More great recipes to try
If you try this recipe, let me know how it goes in the comments below. I’d appreciate a recipe card rating and would love to see your recipe recreations – tag me on Instagram @Alphafoodie!
Best Date Snickers
Equipment
Ingredients
Nougat layer
- 2 cups rolled oats
- 1 cup almond flour or coconut flour
- 1/2 cup oat milk or your favourite milk
- 3 Tbsp coconut oil soft or melted
- 2 Tbsp maple syrup
- 1/2 tsp salt
Caramel layer
- 12 dates I used medjol dates
- 1/3 cup melted coconut oil
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
- 3 Tbsp peanuts
- 3 Tbsp peanut butter
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp salt
Coating
- 1 cup dark chocolate or milk chocolate if you prefer
Instructions
Nougat Layer
- If you don't have oat flour, make your own by blending oats until they turn into a fine powder.
- Mix in the remaining nougat ingredients until thoroughly combined.
- Spread the mixture in a parchment-lined dish or fill silicone bar molds evenly.
- Freeze while preparing caramel.
Caramel Layer
- Soak very dry dates in hot water for 10 minutes, then drain.
- Blend softened dates with other caramel ingredients (except peanuts) to a creamy consistency.
- Spread caramel over frozen nougat layer, then sprinkle with peanuts.
- Freeze until hard.
Cut into Bars
- Once set, remove from tray and cut into 12+ bars, or pop out from moulds.
- Ensure bars are firm from chilling for easier handling.
Chocolate Coating
- Melt chocolate using a double boiler or in the microwave (10-15 second bursts).
- Skewer each bar and dip into the melted chocolate, then place on a rack to dry. Dip twice for extra coating.
- Once chocolate is set and crisp, enjoy your homemade date Snickers.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Delicious! Make them and double the caramel and peanuts!
Thank you for your comment, Candace! Glad you are enjoying the recipe!
Hi I made these and the caramel was amazing but base was too crumbly. I did follow the recipe though. I can add more milk or fat next but just wondered why. Thanks. Jayne 🙂
Hi Jayne,
Glad you liked the recipe.
You could add a bit more milk but also make sure to press down to even out the layer in the mold. I hope this helps. 🙂
With the nougat you don’t specify if the coconut oil is melted like you did with the caramel. Is it melted or solid?
Hi Luke,
So sorry for the confusion, you can melt the coconut oil. 🙂
Great recipe!! An acquaintance made for me and they were delicious! However, I am trying to make them myself and have encountered some difficulties with the Carmel layer. When blending, the coconut oil is separating from the other ingredients. I ended up pouring some of the coconut oil that separated out. How do I fix this/what am I doing wrong? It says melted coconut oil but am I supposed to not melt all the way? Thank you for your help and for crafting this amazing recipe!!
Hi Lily,
Sorry to hear it’s not working well for you. Did you use Medjool dates? They are usually quite big, so if you use smaller dates, the ratio may not work. Maybe start with half the coconut oil and add more as needed. It should be melted all the way. Let me know how it goes!
Made these and they were a success! Thank you for sharing!!
A treat that would not make you feel so guilty. This is a must try. Thanks for sharing this recipe.
i made these and realized i dont have choclate but my mom and i loved them even without. dont worry, im waiting till we get chocolate before eating the rest! so yummy!
Hi Fatima, Thank you so much for the feedback, so glad to hear you’ve like them 🙂
Great recipe!! Only wish the caramel would taste more like peanut butter rather then coconut…
I guess I will alternate the amounts to my liking…
Hi Alina,
You are welcome to play around with different flavors if you wish.
I have made a life change with my food and the one area that I feel like I “miss out” on is the treat area. This hits the spot!! We make them into mini size nuggets and feel like we can sneak a piece or two after dinner. So gooooood! Great recipe. Thank you!!
that’s amazing! I’m glad that you’re enjoying them!:)
I made this several times with some minimal changes! Used only 9 medjool dates, soaked in warm water and it was plenty for the caramel layer. For the nougat layer, used 1 cup oat, 1/2 cup almond and 1 cup coconut flour. Finally, I eliminated the maple syrup and used a little bit of monk fruit sugar instead. Delicious every time, thank you!
Thank you for the tips! I’m glad you enjoy the recipe 🙂
Would you be able to substitute the maple syrup with honey?
Hi Lisa, of course you can! or agave! They all work!
What can i use instead of dates?
Hi Becky,
I haven’t tried this yet but you could try with bananas or thicker/reduced applesauce. Please note that each will affect the taste of the caramel layer.
Does it matter is the peanuts or raw or not? Which did you use?
Hi Ariana, no it doesn’t! You can use either :). I like to roast mine! x
Great recipe, is there an alternative to the coconut oil? Not keen on the flavour.
Hi there,
For best results, you can use odourless coconut oil if you don’t like the coconut scent.
I love this recipe, I was just wondering whats the nutritional value of the bars?
I’m working at implementing all of the nutritional values to all my recipes over the next month, so I’ll try get this one done ASAP 🙂
Do you have the nutritional information for the snickers bars please.
I’m hoping to get all the nutritional information for my recipes up on the blog within the next month, so I’ll aim to get this one done asap 🙂