These incredible healthy snickers protein bars are packed full of protein, vegan, gluten-free, and are naturally sweetened with maple syrup! These hit the spot if you are craving a healthier sweet treat and make a great meal prep snack! For the candy lovers who want to sneak in some protein 😉
Ingredients & subsitituions
Peanut butter: If you can’t have peanut butter, any nut butter will work! Almond and cashew butter are also delicious swaps!
Protein powder: I used salted caramel protein from Macro Mike (the flavor is incredible). You can use my code amb-dani for a discount!
Dates: Dates are what we use to make the caramel filling. If you can’t find dates, I linked a date-free version below!
Chopped peanuts
Coconut oil
Chocolate chips: I used Hu Kitchen chocolate! “Danishealthyeats” for 15% off any order!
What if I don’t have dates to make date caramel?
Despite not having dates, you can still make these! Here is another healthy snickers protein recipe! This version has a peanut caramel filling rather than a date caramel filling.
What kind of mold do i need to make healthy snickers protein bars
The best part about these bars, is you can use whatever you have on hand! These can be made in:
A loaf pan: Loaf pans are super easy to use with this recipe. Just press the base into the bottom, then add the other layers on top. Afterwards, freeze the pan, cut into bars, and enjoy. Be sure to use parchment paper to make it easier to remove the bars from the pan.
A cupcake tin: I like to use a silicone tin to make them easier to pop out.
Candy mold: I love this one! I usually cut the bars in half for smaller portion sizes.
Mini cupcake tin: These are fun to make in a mini cupcake tin if you want easy small bites that I don’t have to cut myself. I use a silicone tin to make them easier to pop right out.
How to make snickers protein bars
- First, you will want to mix together the nougat ingredients until a nougat-like dough forms. Press into your pan.
- Next, blend the caramel ingredients in a food processor until a caramel-consistency. Spread it over the base.
- Top with chopped peanuts.
- Met the chocolate, cover the caramel filling layer, and place in the freezer!
watch how they’re made?
Check out the video on how they’re made here!
Storing leftover healthy snickers protein bars
You’ll want to store leftovers in an air-tight container in the freezer! They’re best eaten out of the freezer!
More recipes you’ll love
Healthy Snickers Protein Bars
Ingredients
Nougat base
- 1/2 cup peanut butter
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
- 1 tbsp melted coconut oil
- 4-5 tbsp protein powder *Linked the one i used in the post above!
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- pinch of sea salt
Caramel center
- 16 pitted medjool dates
- 1/2 tbsp melted coconut oil *optional but this will keep it from oozing out of the bars
- 1/4-1/3 cup plant-based milk *as needed!
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- good pinch of sea salt
Topping
- handful of chopped peanuts
- 1 1/4 cups chocolate chips
Instructions
Date caramel
- Soak the dates in a bowl of super hot water for 20 minutes. Drain the water.
- Add all of the caramel ingredients to a food processor, besides the milk, and process 30 seconds or so until it begins to break down.
- Add a little milk at a time, scraping down the sides, until you reach a caramel consistency.
Nougat base
- Mix together all of the nougat base ingredients together until a nougat-like dough forms. Depending on the protein you use, you may need to add another tbsp of protein if the dough is too wet or add a splash of milk if your dough is dry.
- Press into the bottom of a lined loaf pan OR into the bottom of your molds.
- Top the bases in the molds with the date caramel or spread the caramel over the base in the loaf pan. Top with chopped peanuts.
Chocolate topping
- Met the chocolate until smooth. Pour over the base.
- Place the pan or mold into the freezer for 3-4 hours before enjoying.
- If you used a loaf pan, I recommend waiting 4-5 hours before trying to cut them into bars!
