Date Snickers Recipe
If you’re craving an irresistibly sweet, nutty, and chocolaty treat that’s secretly wholesome, Date Snickers is about to become your new obsession. This recipe transforms naturally caramel-like medjool dates into decadent, candy bar-inspired bites stuffed with creamy peanut butter, crunchy peanuts, and finished with a lush dark chocolate shell. Whether you need an on-the-go snack, a guilt-free dessert, or just want to indulge your sweet tooth, Date Snickers deliver everything you love about classic candy bars with a nourishing twist.
Ingredients You’ll Need
What makes Date Snickers truly magical is how a handful of simple, familiar pantry staples come together to create layers of flavor and texture. Every ingredient plays a starring role — from the sweet, sticky dates to the punchy final sprinkle of sea salt.
- Medjool Dates: These large, fudgy dates give the bars their signature chew and caramel-like flavor, making them the perfect base.
- Creamy Peanut Butter: Adds creaminess and classic Snickers richness; go for high-quality or natural peanut butter for the best flavor.
- Chopped Roasted Peanuts: Brings the satisfying crunch and roasted nuttiness that echoes the original candy bar, with a little saltiness to balance the sweetness.
- Dark Chocolate (70% cocoa or higher): Using rich, slightly bitter chocolate gives complexity to every bite and balances the natural sweetness.
- Coconut Oil: Just a little helps the chocolate melt smoothly and creates that glossy, snappy chocolate coating.
- Sea Salt Flakes: A finishing touch! These flakes add a gourmet pop, enhancing both sweet and nutty notes.
How to Make Date Snickers
Step 1: Prep the Dates
Start by slicing each medjool date lengthwise, being careful not to cut all the way through. Gently remove the pit, opening up a perfect little pocket in the middle of the date. These boats will become the ultimate vessel for our peanut butter filling.
Step 2: Fill with Creamy Peanut Butter
Using a small spoon or butter knife, add a generous spoonful of creamy peanut butter into the cavity of each date. Smooth the peanut butter evenly — you want every bite to have that creamy, nutty center.
Step 3: Sprinkle Chopped Roasted Peanuts
Take a pinch of chopped roasted peanuts and press them gently onto the peanut butter in each date. These roasted bits not only bring crunch, but their salty, toasty flavor gives Date Snickers that authentic candy bar texture.
Step 4: Melt the Chocolate and Coconut Oil
In a microwave-safe bowl, combine your dark chocolate and coconut oil. Microwave in 20-second bursts, stirring well after each one, until completely smooth and glossy. The coconut oil ensures the chocolate is perfectly dippable and sets up with a satisfying snap.
Step 5: Dip the Dates
Using a fork (or your fingers if you’re feeling daring!), carefully dip each stuffed date into the melted chocolate, making sure it’s coated on all sides. Let any excess chocolate drip off and place the dates on a parchment-lined tray to avoid sticking.
Step 6: Garnish with Sea Salt
While the chocolate is still wet, sprinkle each Date Snickers with a pinch of flaky sea salt. The salt draws out all the complex flavors in every bite, making the treat taste even richer and more luxurious.
Step 7: Chill Until Firm
Transfer the tray to your refrigerator and chill the Date Snickers for 20 to 30 minutes, or until the chocolate shell is beautifully firm. Then, they’re ready to enjoy–either cool from the fridge or at room temperature for a softer bite.
How to Serve Date Snickers
Garnishes
A quick sprinkle of extra chopped peanuts or a dusting of cocoa powder instantly makes your Date Snickers look bakery-worthy. If you want that extra wow factor, a tiny drizzle of melted white chocolate or some chopped dried fruit could also be fun for special occasions.
Side Dishes
These treats are excellent all on their own, but if you’re serving them at a gathering, pair with a fresh fruit platter, a steaming mug of coffee, or even a scoop of vanilla yogurt. The cool creaminess and tartness of yogurt compliments the rich, sweet Date Snickers like nothing else.
Creative Ways to Present
Give your Date Snickers a special debut by skewering them onto cocktail picks, arranging them on a rustic wooden board, or packaging them in mini cupcake liners for giftable elegance. For parties, set up a make-your-own Date Snickers station and let everyone customize with their favorite add-ins or chocolate drizzles!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep leftover Date Snickers in an airtight container in the fridge. They’ll stay fresh for up to a week, making them perfect for quick grab-and-go snacks. Just make sure the container is sealed, so they don’t pick up any fridge odors.
Freezing
You can absolutely freeze Date Snickers! Lay them out on a tray to freeze individually before transferring to a freezer-safe bag. This way, they won’t stick together, and you can easily pop one or two out whenever the craving hits. They’ll keep beautifully for up to 2 months.
Reheating
Date Snickers are best enjoyed as is, but if you’re pulling them from the freezer, just thaw at room temperature for about 15 minutes to soften the chocolate. No microwaving needed; they’re meant to be eaten chilled or at room temperature for the best texture.
FAQs
Can I use a different nut butter instead of peanut butter?
Absolutely! Almond butter, cashew butter, or even sunflower seed butter all work wonderfully if you want to mix things up or need a peanut-free option. Each nut butter brings its own unique flavor profile to the Date Snickers magic.
What if I don’t have dark chocolate?
No worries! Milk chocolate will work, too, though your Date Snickers will be sweeter. If you want to boost the cocoa flavor, a semisweet chocolate (at least 60 percent cocoa) is a happy compromise.
Are these vegan or gluten free?
Yes, Date Snickers are naturally gluten free. If you want them completely vegan, just make sure your chocolate and peanut butter don’t contain any milk products or additives.
Can I make these with regular (non-medjool) dates?
You can, but medjool dates are recommended for their larger size and softer, caramel-like texture. Smaller dates might be trickier to fill and won’t have the same chewy satisfaction—but in a pinch, any variety can work!
Why add sea salt on top?
That finishing sprinkle of sea salt really wakes up all the flavors in your Date Snickers, balancing out the sweetness and giving you that irresistible salty-sweet crunch. It’s a tiny detail that makes a huge difference!
Final Thoughts
If you’re searching for a snackable treat that brings blissful nostalgia with a nourishing twist, these Date Snickers are a revelation. With just a few pantry staples and a little bit of love, you can whip up a homemade delight that’s perfect for sharing or savoring solo. Give them a try, and let your own tastebuds become instant fans!
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Date Snickers Recipe
- Total Time: 20-30 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in these delicious homemade Date Snickers, a healthy twist on the classic candy bar. Sweet dates filled with creamy peanut butter, topped with crunchy peanuts, and dipped in dark chocolate for a decadent treat.
Ingredients
Ingredients:
- 12 medjool dates, pitted
- 1/4 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1/4 cup chopped roasted peanuts
- 100g dark chocolate (70% cocoa or higher)
- 1 tsp coconut oil
- Sea salt flakes (for garnish)
Instructions
- Slice and Prep Dates: Slice each medjool date lengthwise, remove the pits, and create a small pocket.
- Fill Dates: Fill each date with creamy peanut butter, spreading it evenly inside the pocket.
- Add Peanuts: Sprinkle chopped roasted peanuts over the peanut butter, pressing gently to stick.
- Melt Chocolate: Combine dark chocolate and coconut oil, melt in short intervals until smooth.
- Dip Dates: Dip each stuffed date in melted chocolate, fully coating with a fork.
- Add Salt: Sprinkle sea salt flakes over the chocolate-coated dates while still wet.
- Chill: Place dates on a tray, refrigerate for 20-30 minutes until chocolate sets.
- Serve: Enjoy chilled or at room temperature.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Mixing, Melting, Chilling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 Date Snicker
- Calories: 160
- Sugar: 14g
- Sodium: 30mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: Date Snickers, Healthy Dessert, Homemade Candy Bar, Peanut Butter, Dark Chocolate
