Recipes â€º Desserts

Best Date Snickers

By Samira Kazan

updated March 08, 2024

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.

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Date snickers video
Ingredients
How to make date Snickers
Storing date Snickers
More great recipes to try
Best Date Snickers Recipe

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.

Blending nougat ingredients with oat flour before spreading in parchment-lined dish. - 3

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.

Blending caramel ingredients with dates before spreading over frozen nougat. - 4

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.

Cutting date Snickers bars on parchment paper. - 5

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.

Dipping date Snickers bars in chocolate and setting on rack to dry. - 6

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.

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Equipment

Blender/Food processor

IngredientsUS CustomaryMetric1x2x3x

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 untilÂ 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.