(Note: this post was originally published on October 25, 2020. It has since been updated with a few tweaks.)
Did you love Snickers bars as a kid but are looking for healthier options? Same. That's why I can't wait for you to try these decadent yet healthy Snickers brownies. Fabulously chewy, vegan, and grain-free date brownies get topped with an easy, naturally sweetened peanut butter "caramel", crunchy peanuts, a dark chocolate drizzle, and flaky sea salt. It's the ultimate combination of indulgent flavors.
You won't find any refined flour, refined sugar, oil, eggs, or dairy in this recipe. Instead, these vegan Snickers brownies are made from simple, whole-food ingredients like dates, peanut butter, and dark chocolate. They're a treat you can truly feel good about enjoying and they actually feel satisfying thanks to some protein and healthy fats.
Whether you make these healthy Snickers brownies for dessert, an on-the-go snack, or even a post-workout treat, I know you're going to love them!
Unlike the classic candy bar, these vegan Snickers brownies are loaded with good-for-you ingredients. In fact, they're basically just fruit and nuts.
You'll start by making decadent date brownies that are flourless, get their fat from peanut butter, and are entirely fruit-sweetened (more on this below). Next, instead of the usual sugar-laden caramel, you'll make a lightly salted maple peanut butter "caramel" by stirring together just a few ingredients. Finally, you'll top them off with crunchy peanuts and a simple chocolate drizzle.
That means these healthy Snickers brownies are entirely plant-based, grain-free, and made from nourishing whole-food ingredients. The date brownies themselves are fruit-sweetened and the peanut butter caramel layer is naturally sweetened with maple syrup. You can easily reduce sugar by decreasing the amount of maple syrup in the caramel and/or by choosing unsweetened dark chocolate for the drizzle.
This plant-based, grain-free Snickers variation is already friendly for most diets. If you can't eat peanuts, feel free to use another nut butter and nut instead, such as almond butter and almonds. To make these vegan Snickers brownies entirely nut-free, use sunflower butter and omit the peanuts on top. If you want to give these brownies a protein boost, substitute unsweetened chocolate protein powder for the cacao powder.
If you think brownies are automatically bad for you, then you have to try the decadent date brownies that form the base layer in this healthy Snickers brownie recipe. You'll ditch the refined sugar and refined flour in favor of one ingredient that provides both sweetness and structure: whole dates! You'll also omit the usual oil in favor of peanut butter, which provides healthy fats and protein. Those swaps mean that these fudgy brownies are grain-free, gluten-free, oil-free, fruit-sweetened, and satisfying.
Don't worry, though- these naturally sweetened brownies are still delicious and indulgent. They have a wonderfully fudgy, chewy texture and a rich chocolate flavor. Unlike flour-based brownies that can easily dry out, these date brownies stay moist even after several days in the refrigerator.
Although I think you'll love the fun toppings that make these brownies Snickers-inspired, you can also just make date brownies by themselves for a simpler treat. In that case, check out this date brownie recipe, which adds a couple flavor powerhouses like vanilla and espresso powder. Or, if you love girl scout cookies, try these vegan samoa brownies, which use the same base recipe with different toppings.
These vegan Snickers brownies require a few different steps, but nothing challenging. You'll make the date brownie batter in the food processor and bake it. Meanwhile, you'll make the peanut butter caramel and the chocolate drizzle. Let the brownies cool, add the caramel, drizzle with chocolate, and chill. They're well-worth the extra effort. These chewy brownies need to be chilled before cutting, which makes them the perfect make-ahead treat.
If you're pressed for time, you can make this brownie recipe over a few days. In that case, I suggest making the grain-free brownies and keeping them in the fridge, adding the caramel layer and chocolate drizzle the next day, then slicing and enjoying them on the third day.
Here's what you'll need for these healthy Snickers brownies, as well as some thoughts, tips, and possible substitutions. If you make any substitutions, I'd love to hear about it in the comments section below.
I can't wait for you to try these decadent yet healthy vegan Snickers brownies. The combination of the chewy, fudgy date brownies with the creamy peanut butter caramel and crunchy peanuts is divine, especially when paired with a dark chocolate drizzle and some flaky sea salt. You're going to go crazy for this nourishing dessert!
Although this recipe seems indulgent, you'll be amazed at the ingredients in these healthy Snickers brownies; they're essentially just fruit and nuts. That means you can enjoy one of these plant-based, grain-free brownies and feel great knowing you're fueling your body with a balanced, satisfying treat.
It makes me so happy to hear from you and see your creations! Please leave a comment below and let me know what you think about this recipe. If you post a photo on Instagram, hashtag #TheRogueBrusselSprout and tag me (@TheRogueBrusselSprout) in the post text so that I'm sure to see it.
These vegan Snickers brownies are made from whole-food ingredients like dates, peanut butter, and dark chocolate. They're fudgy, grain-free, entirely plant-based, and naturally sweetened — the ultimate healthy dessert!
For the Brownies
For the Peanut Butter Caramel
For the Toppings
Did you make this recipe? Did you make substitutions? How did you serve it? Any helpful tips? Please share your thoughts, since these insights are really useful to both me and to other readers.
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