Naturally sweet Medjool dates are stuffed with peanut butter and roasted peanuts, drizzled in chocolate covered snickers dates and topped with flakey sea salt for a healthier dessert!
Okay I just had to try this viral recipe — it was a marriage of two loves, dates and peanut butter!!
Watch a step-by-step video of this recipe on The Savvy Spoon Instagram here!
Picture this: plump and luscious dates, stuffed with velvety peanut butter and sprinkled with a generous helping of roasted peanuts. But wait, there’s more! A mesmerizing mix of flavors awaits as a drizzle of rich, decadent chocolate cascades over these delectable treats, creating a symphony of indulgence. As if that weren’t enough, a sprinkle of flakey sea salt adds a whimsical touch, elevating this dessert to the realm of culinary bliss. Brace yourself, for you are about to embark on a journey to dessert heaven, where health and indulgence coexist in perfect harmony.
Chocolate Covered Snickers Dates
Ingredients:
- 10 medjool dates, pitted
- 10 teaspoons unsweetened peanut butter
- 5 teaspoons chopped roasted peanuts
- ½ cup semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil
- Maldon sea salt flakes for topping
Instructions:
- Prep the Dates: Make sure your dates are at room temperature. This will make them easier to stuff. Use a sharp knife to make a small slit lengthwise down the center of each date. Carefully remove the pit.
- Stuffing Time: Spoon a teaspoon of peanut butter into each date. If you prefer a more generous peanut butter filling, feel free to add a little more! Top the peanut butter with a sprinkle of chopped peanuts.
- Chocolate Magic: Now for the fun part! We have two methods for melting your chocolate:
- Double Boiler: This is the traditional method and ensures your chocolate doesn’t burn. Fill a small saucepan with about an inch of water and bring to a simmer. Place a heat-resistant bowl on top of the saucepan, making sure the bottom of the bowl doesn’t touch the water. Add your chocolate chips and coconut oil to the bowl and stir constantly until melted and smooth.
- Microwave: This is a quicker method, but you need to be careful not to overheat the chocolate. Place the chocolate chips and coconut oil in a microwave-safe bowl and heat in 30-second increments, stirring in between each interval, until melted and smooth.
- Get Dipping! One by one, carefully dip each stuffed date into the melted chocolate, making sure to coat it completely. Let any excess chocolate drip back into the bowl.
- Maldon Sea Salt (Optional): For an extra touch of elegance and a delightful sweet and salty flavor explosion, sprinkle a pinch of flakey salt on top of the chocolate-coated date before it sets.
- Cooling Down: Transfer your chocolate-covered Snickers Date Bars to a parchment-lined baking sheet and place them in the refrigerator to cool completely. This will take about 30 minutes.
- Devour! Once the chocolate is set, take your Snickers Date Bars out of the fridge and enjoy!
Are Snickers Date Bars Really Healthy?
Well, that depends on your definition of “healthy.” Compared to a regular Snickers bar, which is loaded with refined sugar and unhealthy fats, these Snickers Date Bars are definitely a win. Medjool dates are a natural source of sweetness and fiber, and nut butters provide protein and healthy fats. However, chocolate chips and coconut oil do add some sugar and fat, so keep that in mind.
The Best Dates for Snickers Date Bars
The key ingredient here are the dates. Medjool dates are the perfect choice for this recipe. They’re naturally sweet, soft, and have a wonderfully chewy texture. You can find medjool dates in the produce section of most grocery stores, or you can stock up at places like Trader Joe’s or Thrive Market.
Can I Use Other Types of Dates?
If you can’t find medjool dates, you can use another variety, but keep in mind that the texture and sweetness might be slightly different. Deglet Noor dates are a good alternative – they’re a little drier than medjool dates, so you might want to add a touch of maple syrup or honey for extra moisture.
What Kind of Chocolate Should I Use?
The beauty of this recipe is that you can customize it to your taste! Semi-sweet chocolate chips are a classic choice, offering a perfect balance of sweet and bitter. If you’re a dark chocolate lover, go for it! Dark chocolate has a higher percentage of cocoa solids, making it slightly less sweet and potentially offering some health benefits. You can even use milk chocolate if you prefer a sweeter treat.
The Best Peanut Butter for Snickers Date Bars
When it comes to peanut butter, the options are endless! For the most authentic Snickers flavor, use a creamy peanut butter. However, if you have nut allergies, feel free to experiment with other nut butters like almond butter or cashew butter. Just keep in mind that the flavor profile will be slightly different.
The Easiest Way to Make Melted Chocolate
There are two main ways to melt chocolate for this recipe: using a double boiler or the microwave.
- Double Boiler: This is the traditional method and ensures your chocolate doesn’t burn. Fill a small saucepan with about an inch of water and bring to a simmer. Place a heat-resistant bowl on top of the saucepan, making sure the bottom of the bowl doesn’t touch the water. Add your chocolate chips and coconut oil to the bowl and stir constantly until melted and smooth.
- Microwave: This is a quicker method, but you need to be careful not to overheat the chocolate. Place the chocolate chips and coconut oil in a microwave-safe bowl and heat in 30-second increments, stirring in between each interval, until melted and smooth.
Tips for Making Perfect Snickers Date Bars
- Make sure your dates are at room temperature. Cold dates will be difficult to stuff with peanut butter.
- Use a sharp knife to make a clean slit in each date. This will make it easier to add the peanut butter and chopped peanuts.
- Don’t overstuff your dates! You want to be able to comfortably close the date and coat it completely in chocolate.
- Let the chocolate cool completely before storing. This will help prevent the stuffed dates from becoming mushy.
How to Store Snickers Date Bars
These treats are best stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They will last for up to a week, but trust me, they won’t last that long!
Flavor Options!
The beauty of this recipe is its versatility. Here are some ideas to add your own personal touch and create unique flavor combinations:
- Nutty Delights: Instead of chopped peanuts, try using chopped almonds, pecans, or a mixture of nuts for added texture and flavor.
- Fruity Twist: Dip your Snickers Date Bars in melted white chocolate and drizzle with fruit-flavored jams or sprinkles for a fun and colorful variation.
- Sweet Caramel: Make a simple date caramel by blending softened dates with a little coconut oil and vanilla extract. Spread a thin layer over the peanut butter before adding the chocolate drizzle.
- Copycat Snickers: Want to recreate the classic Snickers flavor profile as closely as possible? Stuff your dates with a teaspoon of peanut butter, top it with a small piece of chopped nougat (you can find this at most grocery stores in the baking aisle), then add some chopped peanuts before coating in chocolate.
Creative Uses for Snickers Date Filling
The delicious peanut butter and date filling in these Snickers Date Bars can be enjoyed in so many ways beyond the traditional bar form. Here are a few ideas:
- Stuffed Apples: Core an apple and stuff it with the peanut butter and date mixture for a healthy and delicious on-the-go breakfast or snack.
- Smoothie Booster: Add a spoonful of the filling to your next smoothie for a boost of protein, healthy fats, and natural sweetness.
- Pancakes Topping: Use the filling as a pancake topping for a decadent and nutritious breakfast treat.
- Energy Balls: Roll the filling into balls and coat them in chopped nuts, coconut flakes, or cacao nibs for a delicious and portable energy bite.
Snickers Date Bars are the perfect solution for satisfying your sweet tooth without sacrificing your health goals. This sweet treat is easy to make, require only a handful of simple ingredients, and can be customized to your taste preferences.
I’m always thrilled when I find a GOOD tasting substitute for childhood faves. Be sure to follow me on Instagram for more recipes, twin mom and healthy lifestyle content!
Thank you for being an amazing reader of The Savvy Spoon! If you loved this post, I would so appreciate you rating it below and/or leaving a comment! Be sure to follow me on Instagram and Facebook for more recipes, twin mom and healthy lifestyle content!
Chocolate Covered Snickers Dates – Viral Recipe
Ingredients
- 10 medjool dates pitted
- 10 tsp. unsweetened peanut butter
- 5 tsp. chopped roasted peanuts
- 1/2 cup semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips
- 1 tbsp. coconut oil
- Maldon sea salt flakes for topping
Instructions
- Prep the Dates: Make sure your dates are at room temperature. This will make them easier to stuff. Use a sharp knife to make a small slit lengthwise down the center of each date. Carefully remove the pit.
- Stuffing Time: Spoon a teaspoon of peanut butter into each date. If you prefer a more generous peanut butter filling, feel free to add a little more! Top the peanut butter with a sprinkle of chopped peanuts.
- Chocolate Magic: Now for the fun part! We have two methods for melting your chocolate:
- Double Boiler: This is the traditional method and ensures your chocolate doesn’t burn. Fill a small saucepan with about an inch of water and bring to a simmer. Place a heat-resistant bowl on top of the saucepan, making sure the bottom of the bowl doesn’t touch the water. Add your chocolate chips and coconut oil to the bowl and stir constantly until melted and smooth.
- Microwave: This is a quicker method, but you need to be careful not to overheat the chocolate. Place the chocolate chips and coconut oil in a microwave-safe bowl and heat in 30-second increments, stirring in between each interval, until melted and smooth.
- Get Dipping! One by one, carefully dip each stuffed date into the melted chocolate, making sure to coat it completely. Let any excess chocolate drip back into the bowl.
- Maldon Sea Salt (Optional): For an extra touch of elegance and a delightful sweet and salty flavor explosion, sprinkle a pinch of flakey salt on top of the chocolate-coated date before it sets.
- Cooling Down: Transfer your chocolate-covered Snickers Date Bars to a parchment-lined baking sheet and place them in the refrigerator to cool completely. This will take about 30 minutes.
- Devour! Once the chocolate is set, take your Snickers Date Bars out of the fridge and enjoy!