Healthified ‘Snickers’ Bars Recipe

When a sugar craving strikes, ignoring it is out of the question. Or at least it feels that way. Next time you can’t stop thinking about chocolate, satisfy your hunger with a healthier option—like this homemade vegan Snickers bar.  Crunchy roasted peanuts and creamy peanut butter bring the candy’s signature nuttiness, while medjool dates mimic the flavor of caramel.

Healthified Snickers Bars

Yield: about 10 candy bars
Active Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes

Ingredients

14 ounces Medjool dates, pitted
1/2 cup peanut butter
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 cup puffed brown rice
1/2 cup roasted peanuts, roughly chopped
3 ounces dark chocolate

Instructions

Line a standard-sized loaf pan with parchment paper and set aside.

Place dates, peanut butter, and vanilla in the bowl of a food processor fitted with the blade attachment. Process until the mixture forms a paste and comes together as a ball. Transfer to a large bowl, add brown rice and peanuts, and mix to combine.

Press mixture into prepared loaf pan in an even layer. Place in fridge to chill.

Melt the chocolate in a heatproof bowl set over a pot of simmering water. Pour melted chocolate over peanut mixture and smooth out with a spatula. Let set in fridge, about 30 minutes.

Remove from pan and slice into 1-inch thick bars. Store covered in fridge.

Photo credit: Paul Delmont