Date Snickers (absolutely incredible 5-ingredient recipe!)
Date snickers combine caramel-y, soft Medjool dates, creamy peanut butter and crunchy nuts, all coated in smooth dark chocolate for a decadent yet wholesome snack.
Erica’s Notes
First of all, an apology. Because this blog post is WAAAAY overdue. I’ve been ranting about chocolate-covered dates for a decade now and I’m just now creating an ‘official’ post- so…sorry about that.
I do include my recipe in my first e-cookbook (which you should totally snag if you don’t have it already) but here I am with the official photo and video tutorial and ‘recipe’ even though this is kinda like a no recipe needed recipe.
So, I’m not into ‘copycat’ recipes. Just not really my thing. So while yes I do call these date snickers… I’m not pretending they taste the same as a classic Snickers bar, nor do I want them to. They do have similar qualities- like the caramel-like taste from the dates, roasted peanuts and of course, chocolate. But they are very distinctly their own delicious entity.
I have a ragingggg sweet tooth. And as a registered dietitian I used to be ashamed to admit that. But it is what it is and I truly believe that #allfoodsfit (my favorite hashtag) which includes sweet treats! Not only that, but this recipe not only satisfies my sweet craving but also provides nutritional merit as well!
Let’s talk about why I love these stuffed dates:
- Made with wholesome ingredients!
- Dates are a good source of fiber and nutrients like selenium, magnesium and potassium. (source)
- Peanut butter is high in monounsaturated fats, aka the healthy fats that prevent against heart disease and help lower cholesterol.
- Dark chocolate is a deceptively delicious source of antioxidants. (source)
- The nutrition profile is stellar and these taste like a REAL TREAT. Honestly, I would take these over a traditional Snickers bar a million times over.
- These date snickers bars are very filling and make for a great snack or sweet treat to tide you over until your next meal.
So what are we waiting for, let’s make them!
Simple Ingredients You’ll Need to Make These Easy Date Snickers:
Dates: the ‘meatier’ the date, the better. I like pit IN Medjool dates, which are always softer and fresher than already pitted dates. I recommend the box of Natural Delights dates from Costco- so good! If you don’t have access to Costco, dates are in the produce section of most grocery stores or you can buy online.
Peanut butter: I prefer using natural peanut butter (in this recipe and in life) but any brand of peanut butter will work. My favorite peanut butter brand of all time is the Kirkland signature organic natural peanut butter from Costco. The only ingredients are peanuts and salt and it is impossibly creamy and delicious.
Peanuts: I recommend snagging roasted salted peanuts, any brand or variety will work. You can find peanuts in the baking aisle and in the snack nuts aisle at any grocery store.
Chocolate: dark chocolate, semi-sweet chocolate, milk chocolate, whatever kind of chocolate you prefer! It can be chocolate chips or a chocolate bar that you chop. My one suggestion is to not use old chocolate (say, that’s been in your freezer for a millennium) because old chocolate = chocolate that is harder to melt.
Oil: a neutral oil like avocado oil, canola oil or refined coconut oil can help the viscosity of melted chocolate, making it easier to work with. It also lowers the melting point which helps mitigate the risk of overcooking the chocolate and causing it to seize.
Flaky sea salt: a pinch of flaky sea salt takes these chocolate dates over the top! The combination of salty and sweet is addicting. You can find flaky sea salt next to the other salt varieties in the baking aisle at most grocery stores.
How to Make Date Snickers Treats:
Pit the Dates
Line a plate or baking sheet with parchment paper. With a small paring knife, make a lengthwise slit in each date, slicing about halfway down. You don’t want to cut too far or all the way through because we are filling them. Pry the date open a little and remove the pit.
Fill with Peanut Butter
Fill each date with a spoonful of peanut butter- about ½ tablespoon per date. You can use a piping bag to add the peanut butter but I’m not precious about it- just spoon it in there. Add several peanuts on top of the peanut butter layer and place dates on the parchment-lined baking sheet in a single layer.
Freeze
Place dates in the freezer to firm up until completely solid- at least one hour.
Dunk in Chocolate
Add chocolate chips or chopped chocolate into a double boiler over medium-low heat, stirring with a spatula occasionally as the chocolate melts slowly. Add oil if desired to make the chocolate thinner and easier to work with. If your chocolate starts to seize, lower the heat and add a touch more oil to help it melt slowly.
Alternatively, you can add chocolate chips and oil to a microwave-safe bowl and microwave for 1-2 minutes, stopping at 30-second intervals to stir, until the chocolate is completely smooth and melted.
Take the frozen dates from the freezer. Drop the dates one by one into the melted chocolate, flipping it with a fork to get it entirely coated and tapping the fork on the side of the pan to let any excess chocolate drip off. Place the dates on a piece of parchment paper and sprinkle the top of the chocolate with a little bit of flaky salt while it is still wet and warm. The temperature of the chocolate will decline as you dip the dates and it will become a little harder to work with so work quickly! You can pop the chocolate back on the double boiler to ‘re-melt’ it, if needed.
Devour
Try to wait until the chocolate is set before eating but who are we kidding, eating these slightly warm and gooey with melted chocolate all over your hands is kinda the best part.
Expert Tips:
- Use parchment paper. If you don’t, the chocolate covered dates are likely to stick to the plate or baking sheet.
- Buy dates with the pit IN. They are softer and yummier than pitted dates!
- Use good quality chocolate. Good chocolate means an easier time melting + better flavor.
- Make sure the peanut butter is frozen before dipping the dates, especially if you’re using natural peanut butter. The peanut butter will soften when you dip it in the warm chocolate.
- I make a big batch of these dates and keep them in my fridge or freezer for a convenient snack!
Variation ideas:
- Try adding a pecan, walnut or roasted almonds to the center.
- Use almond or cashew butter instead of peanut butter.
- Add shredded or toasted coconut to the center.
- Drizzle dates with a thin layer of milk chocolate or white chocolate to make them even more beautiful.
- Sprinkle the tops with crushed peanuts.
FAQs
I think both almond butter and cashew butter are incredibly delicious substitutions.
I’d recommend crunchy sunflower seed butter for a similar vibe without the nut butter or nuts!
Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to two weeks or in a gallon Ziploc bag in the freezer for up to four months. I love these straight from the fridge or at room temperature.
Crunchy peanut butter is a delicious option no doubt and a great shortcut if you want to eliminate the step of adding peanuts. I think peanut butter + peanuts gives more of a Snickers vibe.
Need more delicious treat ideas!? I got you!
I mean c’monnnn, can you even!? Date snickers are a must-make!
If you try and like this recipe please don’t forget to leave a comment and star rating down below! If you love more lifestyle, behind the scenes and ‘eating in real life’ type of content come find me over on Instagram, @itsaflavorfullife, I love connecting with you all there!
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Date Snickers (absolutely incredible 5-ingredient recipe!)
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: N/A
- Total Time: 20 minutes + time to freeze
- Yield: 20 dates 1x
- Category: Snack
- Method: No Bake
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
Creamy, chewy and full of peanutty, caramel-y flavor, date snickers are snacking indulgence at its finest!
Ingredients
- 20 Medjool dates
- 1/2 cup peanut butter
- 3 tablespoons roasted peanuts
- 1 1/4 cup semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips or chopped chocolate
- 1/2 teaspoon avocado or coconut oil (optional, but helps the chocolate’s fluidity and lowers the melting point which prevents seizing)
- flaky sea salt
Instructions
- Line a plate or small baking sheet with parchment paper.
- With a small paring knife, make a lengthwise slit in each date, slicing about halfway down. You don’t want to cut too far or all the way through because we are filling them. Pry the date open a little and remove the pit.
- Fill each date with a spoonful of peanut butter- about ½ tablespoon per date. Add several peanuts on top of the peanut butter and place dates on the lined plate or baking sheet. Place dates in the freezer to firm up until completely solid- at least one hour.
- Add chocolate chips or chopped chocolate into a double boiler over medium low heat, stirring with a spatula occasionally as the chocolate melts slowly. Add oil if desired to make the chocolate thinner and easier to work with. If your chocolate starts to seize, lower the heat and add a touch more oil to help it melt slowly.
- Alternatively, you can add chocolate chips and oil to a microwave safe bowl and microwave for 1-2 minutes, stopping at 30-second intervals to stir, until the chocolate is completely smooth and melted.
- Take the frozen dates from the freezer. Drop the dates one by one into the melted chocolate, flipping it with a fork to get it entirely coated and tapping the fork on the side of the pan to let any excess chocolate drip off. Place the dates on a piece of parchment paper and sprinkle with flaky sea salt while the chocolate is still wet and warm. The temperature of the chocolate will decline as you dip the dates and it will become a little harder to work with so work quickly! You can pop the chocolate back on the double boiler to ‘re-melt’ it, if needed.
- Store in an airtight container in the fridge for 2 weeks (I promise you, they will not last that long) or up to 4 months in the freezer. Serve cold from the fridge or at room temperature.
Notes
Refer to the above blog post for ingredient information, helpful tips and tricks and answers to frequently asked questions.
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Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 date
- Calories: 147
- Sugar: 22.7 g
- Sodium: 10.6 mg
- Fat: 5.4 g
- Carbohydrates: 26 g
- Fiber: 2.7 g
- Protein: 2.2 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
I love these, especially since you can swap things to make them how you prefer. Used pecans vs peanuts in mine. Definitely will make these again.
So versatile! Love that. I love adding toasted coconut sometimes😋
Delish!!! 🤤 A good use of dates that isn’t just blending in a shake. Would taste good with salted Carmel inside, too.
Thanks Melinda!!🫶🏼
These are the best sweet treat! Sometimes if I’m low on energy I’ll slice the date, fill with peanut butter and add a couple of chocolate chips inside which is also delicious
Hahaha I do that all the time too when I’m too lazy to dip. I really need to try the date bark that is going viral right now too!
Made them this morning ! Really easy to make.
Hubby usually doesn’t really care for dates and peanut butter 🤷🏻♀️
But he had one piece and said « this is so delicious, you can make more »
So this is a win ! 😋🥳
I have been wanting to make these ever since I first saw them on Erica’s Instagram years ago. Finally whipped out a batch today and OMG these are amazing! I purchased the dates from Costco and needed two bags of Nestlé Toll House dark Chocolate chips. Everything I’ve been craving and didn’t even know it 🤤
These are incredibly decadent and delicious. I have quite the sweet tooth, and I love that only one or two of these will completely satisfy my chocolate-y cravings! These are so easy to make, and I always keep a stash in the freezer or fridge for easy snacking!
Haha you and me both girl! Embracing my sweet tooth with these!!
So easy and delicious! My kids love them too- hands down better than a Snickers and I feel great about making them for my family.
delicious! My family who loves recee’s peanut butter cups really enjoyed these. I happened to have a box of organic dates that were pitted from TJ and they worked perfectly! Thank you always for your great recipes! These will be in the frig as often as possible for a nice little chocolate snack when needing something sweet, chocolatey and yummy.
woot woot! Happy to hear Cindy, thank you for making these and for your kind review!
These are fantastic! Made as is and wouldn’t change a thing, such a great and simple and delicious recipe. I spread the leftover chocolate on seed crackers, then froze and broke into bits, so this made two yummy healthy snax in one!
Ooh that sounds delish! Thanks Susan!
Just made these and they were wayyyyyy better than I thought they would be. Yay!
YAY! Glad you love them Sasha!
I’m not saying these put me into labor, but I’m not NOT saying that either.