Healthy Pecan Snickers Bars
These healthy Pecan Snickers Bars will quickly become your new favorite high protein, no-bake snack or dessert! Made with just a handful of wholesome ingredients, these bars have that classic nougat base, nut butter caramel filling, crunchy pecans, topped in chocolate and sea salt. They are vegan, gluten-free, refined sugar-free, and grain-free!
Ingredients
Nougat
- 3/4 cup oat flour
- 1/4 cup almond flour
- 5 tbsp your favorite protein powder *Linked my favorite below
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
- 2 tbsp coconut oil or avocado oil
- 1/2 tsp sea salt
- 1-3 tbsp milk, of choice, as/if needed
Caramel
- 3/4 cup cashew butter
- 1 scoop collagen powder *optional. Do NOT use other protein powders. Collagen is the only one that will dissolve into the caramel.
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
- 2 tbsp coconut oil
- 1 tsp vanilla extract & Sea salt
- 1/3-1/2 cup chopped pecans
Chocolate coating
- 1 cup chocolate chips or chopped chocolate bars
- 2 tsp coconut oil
- Flakey sea salt
Instructions
- Note: You can make these into smaller bites in a mini muffin tin or use a standard loaf pan (My loaf pan is 9x5).
Nougat base
- note: if you want a thicker base, you can double the nougat recipe! Add all of the nougat ingredients to a mixing bowl and mix well until a dough forms. It shouldn't be dry but shouldn't be overly sticky. I like to use my hands, to really get everything mixed together well. Using a spatula, it may seem like the dough won't come together - switch to your hands!
- NOTE: If the dough is too dry, add 1-3 tbsp milk (i like cashew milk), one tablespoon at a time, until the dough comes together. Taste & adjust as needed. If the dough is too wet, add another 2 tbsp of almond flour until it's workable!
- Press the nougat mixture into the bottom of your parchment-lined loaf pan.
Caramel layer
- Combine all of the caramel ingredients together in the mixing bowl, mixing until completely smooth. Pour it over the nougat base, using a spatula to spread it out. Then sprinkle the pecans over top.
- Place the pan in the freezer for 2 or so hours, until it's firm enough to cut into slices.
Dip in chocolate
- Once firm, remove from the pan and cut them into bars or bites. Grab a cookie sheet or large plate and place the parchment paper and bars on top.
- To melt the chocolate, use the double boiler method or melt it in the microwave. To melt in the microwave, add the chocolate and coconut oil to a small bowl (or the same mixing bowl) & heat in the microwave in 30 second increments, stirring well between each, until completely smooth.
- Carefully dip each bar into the chocolate, then use a fork to lift it out, scraping the bottom of the bars across the edge of the bowl to allow excess to come off. Then place back on the parchment paper lined plate or cookie sheet.
- Place the bars in the freezer for 30 minutes or so to allow the chocolate to firm before moving them to an air-tight container.
Video
Notes
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- Storing healthy pecan snickers bars: Store leftover bars in an air-tight container in the freezer! They are great straight from the freezer, but you can also let them sit out at room temp for 5 minutes or so prior to eating, for a softer texture.
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- Can I use different types of nuts? Yes! Use whatever you like best. If you can’t have peanuts, cashews make a great substitute. Sunflower seed butter is a great nut-free option.
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- What sweeteners work best? You’ll want to use a sticky sweetener like maple syrup or honey.
- Protein powder: Because protein powder adds some flavor and sweetness to the recipe, be sure to use a protein you really love the flavor of! I like to use Macro Mike (the vanilla buttercream or salted caramel are my favorite for this recipe!) Use my code "amb-dani" for a discount!