Healthy Date Snickers Bars -Easy 5 Ingredient Recipe

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Healthy date Snickers bars sweetened naturally with Medjool dates, covered in melted chocolate, and topped with crushed peanuts for a healthier alternative to your favorite classic candy bar. 

Just like my Heavenly Hunks Copycat Recipe, these no bake treats are easy to make with wholesome ingredients you can feel good about. It’s the perfect treat to bring to your next family gathering or to enjoy during the holidays.

There’s nothing like a classic Snickers bar. They have been my favorite candy bar for as long as I can remember, but in an effort to reduce highly processed foods from my diet, I’m opting for healthier choices like this delicious treat. Made with natural sugars and simple ingredients so I can feel good about satisfying my sweet tooth when those cravings hit. Enjoy one or two date snickers treats instead of reaching for a traditional candy bar that’s full of corn syrup and other questionable ingredients.

What are Dates and Are They Healthy?

A date is the fruit of date palm tree that grows in tropical regions of the world. Almost all dates sold in the West are dried. While most of their calories come in the form of carbs, they also have a small amount of protein.  

Like most dried fruits, they’re sweet and full of fiber which helps to reduce a spike in the blood sugar and helps to slow digestion, keeping you feel full longer. In addition, they are full of nutrients and antioxidants, which may contribute to their health benefits.  

Healthy Date Snickers Bars Ingredients

• Medjool dates – You can buy Medjool dates that are already pitted or pit them yourself. Find Medjool dates in the produce section of the grocery store or buy them online. If you can’t find Medjool dates you can use deglet noor dates but they’re not as sweet. 
• Peanut butter – I prefer using runny natural peanut butter but you can use any nut or seed butter you like. If you have a peanut allergy, use any nut butter you like. 
• Chocolate chips – Use what kind of chocolate you enjoy. I love dark chocolate and use that any chance I can. Use Lily’s chocolate chips for a low-sugar option or Enjoy Life Brand for a dairy/soy-free option.
• Coconut oil – Helps to thin the chocolate and make it easier to spread. You can skip this step, but the chocolate will be thicker. I didn’t notice a coconut flavor in the final product when I used unrefined coconut oil but feel free to use refined coconut oil to ensure there’s no coconut flavor. 
• Chopped peanuts – Adds an extra boost of flavor and a crunchy texture. Use other nuts if you have a peanut allergy. 
• Flaky salt (optional) – The additional salt elevates the treat and brings balance to the sweet treat. 

How to Make Healthy Date Snickers Bars

Remove the pits from the dates, spread them open, and arrange closely in the shape of a square on a parchment-lined baking sheet.

Place a second piece of parchment paper over the dates and flatten. A mason jar or a rolling pin makes quick work of this step. When the dates are flat in an even layer, slowly peel back the top layer of parchment paper, doing your best to not disrupt the dates. 

Spread the creamy peanut butter over the date layer. Natural peanut butter is generally soft and easy to drizzle out of the jar. 

Melt the chocolate chips and coconut oil in a double boiler. Add the chocolate chips and coconut oil to a heat-proof small bowl and place over a pot filled with an inch or two of water over medium heat, making sure that the bottom of the bowl isn’t touching the water. As the water simmers, it will heat the bowl and melt the chocolate and coconut oil. Stir often to distribute the heat. When half of the chocolate chips are melted, remove the bowl from the pot and continue stirring until all of the chips are melted. 

Pour enough chocolate to cover the peanut butter layer and spread even with an offset spatula or the back of a spoon. 

Top with crushed peanuts and flaky sea salt while the chocolate is still soft.

Place the bars in the refrigerator for an hour or the freezer for 15 minutes to set the chocolate. Remove the bars from the refrigerator or freezer and cut them into small squares with a sharp knife. 

Store the homemade date snickers bars in an airtight container and place them in the refrigerator. 

Variations

Customize the homemade snickers bars to make them your own.

• Swap out the peanut butter for cashew butter, almond butter, or another nut butter of your choice. Sun butter is a seed butter made from sun flower seeds for a nut free option. 
• Change the type of peanut butter, using creamy peanut butter or crunchy peanut butter.
• Milk chocolate will add additional sweetness to your homemade snickers bar. Dark chocolate will add a few bitter notes and be less sweet, while semi-sweet chocolate is a happy midpoint between the two.

I’d love to hear from you! Please rate the recipe and leave me a comment below! Don’t forget to tag #Lockremhomestead in your photos of Healthy Date Snickers Bars over on Instagram!