I’ll admit it… I just can’t resist the chocolate/nut butter combo to satisfy my sweet tooth cravings. These 5-Ingredient Date Snickers bars are a healthy, no-bake dessert you can make in minutes. Sweet dates are stuffed with peanut butter and crunchy nuts, dipped in dark chocolate, and topped with flaky salt — a naturally sweet treat that tastes just like classic candy but with better-for-you ingredients. I have my sister to thank for this one – she let me in on the trend, and it’s SO good, you guys. I promise you it tastes so similar to the real thing.
If you need convincing to try out healthier dessert recipes, let this 5-ingredient snickers bar recipe be the one! It quickly became a staple dessert I love to keep in the freezer, much like my 5-ingredient Copycat Reeses and Healthy Paleo Twix Bars. It brings back all the mems turning classic, childhood treats into ones you can feel better about indulging in 🙂
Why You’ll Love These Healthy Date Snickers
Even though this recipe consists of only 5 ingredients, it definitely is not lacking in taste. When I’m busy and wanting to make a dessert without spending too much time on it, this ooey gooey combo of chocolate and peanut butter stuffed dates is it, let me tell you!
It’s super easy, takes no time, and is a great alternative for any refined sugar, packaged candy in your pantry. I love to keep a stash in our fridge (or freezer) for the perfect sweet & salty bite any time of day. It’s also a great activity to do with kids 🙂 To help show them that a few ingredients make the best candy bar.
Ingredients & Substitutions
- organic pitted dates
- organic peanut butter (or nut butter of your choice)
- organic dry-roasted or raw peanuts (or nut of your choice)
- dairy-free dark chocolate (I love Evolved chocolate)
- maldon salt
How to Make Date Snickers (Step-by-Step Instructions)
Prep the dates
Slice each Medjool date lengthwise and remove the pit. Gently open the date without cutting all the way through so it can be stuffed easily.
Fill with peanut butter
Spoon a small amount of natural peanut butter into the center of each date. Spread it slightly so it fills the date evenly.
Add the crunch
Sprinkle chopped peanuts on top of the peanut butter, pressing them in gently so they stick.
Melt the chocolate
Melt dark chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl in 20–30 second increments, stirring between each, until smooth.
Dip the dates
Using a fork, dip each stuffed date into the melted chocolate, allowing excess chocolate to drip off.
Set and finish
Place the chocolate-covered dates on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Sprinkle with flaky sea salt, if desired.
Chill until firm
Transfer to the refrigerator or freezer for 20–30 minutes, or until the chocolate is fully set.
Serve or store
Enjoy immediately, or store in an airtight container in the fridge or freezer for a quick, healthy no-bake snack.
Recipe Substitutions & Questions:
I love to use peanut butter and either dry-roasted or raw peanuts for the filling, but any nuts & nut butter of your choice will work. Pro tip: the dry-roasted peanuts from Thrive Market are the best peanuts I’ve ever had in my life. I also use a dairy-free dark chocolate (I’m lactose intolerant and love using Evolved chocolate), but feel free to use whichever chocolate you prefer.
Are dates good for you?
Dates offer a handful of benefits! For starters, they are a healthier alternative to refined sugar and therefore used as a natural sweetener ingredient in many recipes. Dates are also high in fiber and provide various antioxidants which have a number of health benefits.
Are dates with peanut butter a good pre-workout snack?
The best part about this quick & easy recipe is that it doubles as a sweet treat and, yes!, can be eaten as a great pre-workout snack. Since dates are a fruit (that come from the date palm tree), aka a natural sugar source, they can provide a quick boost of energy. Peanut butter provides a good source of protein and healthy fats which can help you feel fuller for longer while providing sustained energy during your workout. Ideal combo!
Click here for the Reel I made of this recipe 🙂
5-Ingredient Date Snickers
Ingredients
- organic pitted dates
- organic peanut butter, (or nut butter of your choice)
- organic dry-roasted or raw peanuts, (or nut of your choice)
- dairy-free dark chocolate, (I love Evolved chocolate)
- maldon salt
Instructions
- Pit dates if not already pitted, and slice down the middle (but not all the way through) so you can open them up.
- Add parchment paper to a plate or small baking sheet (be sure it will fit in your freezer). Open each date slightly to form a pocket, and space them evenly on the parchment paper
- Add enough nut butter to fill each date about 75% of the way, top with a few nuts, then pinch closed. Place in the freezer to form for 15-20 minutes.
- While the dates freeze, melt your chocolate. Let the chocolate cool slightly before moving on.
- Remove dates from the freezer, then dip each one in the melted chocolate until completely coated. You can use two spoons to help dip for less mess, or choose to drizzle the chocolate instead of dip.
- Sprinkle with flakey salt, then add to freezer for 20-30 minutes or until the chocolate has hardened.
- Enjoy immediately or store in an airtight container 🙂
These are my favorite! So good!
I made this the other! Absolutely loved it. It’s such a great healthy snack and very easy to make which I’m all about!🙌🏽
THESE ARE AMAZING!!!!!!! So easy and literally soooooo good!!!! Such a little treat!!!! Not to the point where you feel so full or bloated! Just a little something sweet! Love!!!!