These vegan snickers bars are rich and decadent and taste just like the ‘real thing’! They’re also super easy and fun to make.
These vegan snickers bars have some serious wow factor!
In fact I can’t even believe how much they taste like the ‘real thing’.
Especially since vegan nougat is something that I didn’t think was quite possible. Well at least it didn’t seem very possible, considering I looked at roughly a million recipe sites online for inspiration (conservative estimate) and all I could find were variations of ‘nougat’ made from nut butter or nuts and dates or coconut flour and dates or almond flour and dates or any combination of things that don’t taste anything like actual nougat.
I tried a version using coconut flour and dates and hmmm it tasted like eating a spoonful of (rather sweet) flour. So that all got tossed super quick.
And then I found a recipe from Oatmeal With A Fork that used rolled oats, coconut oil and maple syrup. And while I didn’t think that this would taste like nougat exactly, at least it sounded like it would definitely taste nice.
And don’t ask me how, but that rolled oats, coconut oil, maple syrup thing, when mixed with vegan caramel and peanuts tastes just like nougat. It’s basically magic I reckon.
How To Make Vegan Snickers
This is just a summary of the process, the full instructions and measurements can be found in the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
- So for the nougat layer, you just want to add rolled oats to a food processor and process it into a flour. Then add in coconut oil, maple syrup and some salt and process it again. Smooth this down into a parchment lined loaf pan and place into the freezer to set.
- Then you want to melt some coconut butter and pour that into a mixing bowl and add in some maple syrup and vanilla and stir it into a caramel. Pour out over your nougat base and smooth down.
- Add in roasted salted peanuts and press them down into the caramel. Freeze to set and then cut into 6 bars.
- Melt vegan chocolate and dip your snickers bars into the chocolate and place them on a parchment lined baking tray. Let them set and then use any remaining chocolate to drizzle over the top and create a pretty pattern. Done!
Recipe Tips
Coconut Butter: This is a crucial ingredient for the caramel layer and can’t be substituted. Coconut oil will definitely not work. It has to say coconut butter on the jar. You can even make your own homemade coconut butter if this is a difficult ingredient for you to get hold of.
Vegan Chocolate or Chocolate Chips: I prefer melting down any delicious high quality vegan chocolate for this, but vegan chocolate chips are also fine to use.
Make It Gluten-Free: This recipe is already gluten-free so long as you use gluten-free rolled oats.
Storing and Freezing
Keep them stored in the fridge where they will stay good for a week (or even two). They must be stored in the fridge as the chocolate and the caramel center will tend to get too soft at room temperature.
They are also freezer friendly for up to 3 months.
More Vegan Desserts!
- Vegan Twix Bars
- Vegan Bounty Bars
- Vegan Peanut Butter Cups
- Vegan Peppermint Patties
- Vegan Chocolate Truffles
- Vegan White Chocolate
Vegan Snickers
- Prep Time: 30 mins
- Total Time: 30 mins
- Yield: 6 Bars
- Diet: Vegan
Description
These vegan snickers bars are rich and decadent and taste just like the ‘real thing’! They’re also super easy and fun to make.
Ingredients
For the Nougat:
- 2/3 cup (64g) Rolled Oats*, processed into flour.
- 1/4 cup (60ml) Coconut Oil
- 3 Tbsp Maple Syrup
- 1/4 tsp Sea Salt
For the Caramel:
- 1/2 cup (120ml) Melted Coconut Butter*
- 1/2 cup (120ml) Maple Syrup
- 1 tsp Vanilla Extract
For the Peanuts:
- 2/3 cup (3.5 oz /100g) Roasted Salted Peanuts
For the Chocolate:
- 2 cups (350g) Vegan Chocolate (Chopped)*
- 1 tsp Coconut Oil
Instructions
- Place the rolled oats into a food processor and process until mostly powdery. Add the coconut oil and maple syrup and sea salt and process together into a paste.
- Pour out into a parchment lined loaf pan and smooth down. Place into the freezer to set.
- Melt the coconut butter by placing the whole jar into a bowl of hot water and then stir it very well until well mixed. Measure out 1/2 cup and pour it into a mixing bowl. Add in the maple syrup and vanilla and stir to combine.
- Pour the caramel out on top of the set nougat layer and smooth down. Then add the peanuts and gently press down with a spoon to press them into the caramel. Place into the freezer to set.
- When set, lift it all out with the parchment paper and cut into 6 even bars.
- Melt the chocolate by placing it into a microwave safe bowl along with the coconut oil and microwaving it in 30 second intervals, bringing it out to stir every 30 seconds until completely melted.
- Dunk each bar into the chocolate, flipping it over to coat both sides and then placing it onto a parchment lined baking tray. Repeat for all the bars. Place into the fridge to set. Once set, drizzle any remaining chocolate over the top of the bars to create a nice pattern and then return to the fridge again to set.
- Keep the bars stored in the fridge.
Notes
*This must be coconut butter. It must say butter on the jar. It will not work to use coconut oil for the caramel, it has to be coconut butter. It’s also crucial that you melt the whole jar of coconut butter (by placing the whole sealed jar into a bowl of hot water) and then stir it up very well so that it’s evenly mixed before you use it. You can also make your own homemade coconut butter and use it in this recipe.
*I prefer to use a high quality vegan chocolate to melt down for this. However, chocolate chips will also work fine.
*For a gluten-free version make sure your rolled oats are gluten-free.
*Prep time does not include time spent setting in the fridge/freezer.
*Nougat recipe adapted from Oatmeal With A Fork.
*This recipe was first published in October 2017. Now updated with clearer instructions and recipe tips.
- Category: Dessert, Gluten-Free
- Method: Food Processor
- Cuisine: Vegan
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/2 Bar
- Calories: 372
- Sugar: 16.1g
- Sodium: 92mg
- Fat: 27.4g
- Saturated Fat: 17.6g
- Carbohydrates: 24.8g
- Fiber: 6.5g
- Protein: 6.4g
Keywords: vegan snickers
Replacing Carmel layer with a date paste. Think this will work?
★★★★★
I think that would work great!
Hi, I’m yet to try making this, but I was wondering how you would adapt it for a vegan protein bar, where would you add the powder for the recipe and would you need to substitute it for any of the ingredients. Thanks
Hi Nikhil, you could probably add some protein powder to the nougat layer and I think you could just add it in, if it doesn’t want to come together then maybe a little extra coconut oil.
Can I use pre ground oat flour? My blender is useless! Thanks
I’m sure you can!
Hi. Thanks for all your lovely recipes.
Unfortunately we don’t eat chocolate. Is there a way to make some of these yummy treats using carob, particularly carob powder.
Thanks
Hi Natashia, you can definitely use carob if that’s what you prefer. All the best!
Would using your recipe for coconut butter work rather than buying a jar?
Yes! Most definitely. 🙂
I tried to make coconut butter by following your steps but failed. It seems the desiccated coconut I bought was too dry without too much oil left. I had made nut butter many times so I had no idea why it happened. But still it I managed to make this layer. And I replaced roasted peanuts by cashews due to allergies.
These look amazing! Can I use coconut flour instead of oat flour?
Hi Tori, I tried a version with coconut flour and didn’t like it, it also didn’t taste anything like nougat to me. Of course this could be a personal taste preference and you’re welcome to try it as you like, but I don’t think it works here. All the best! 🙂
I wouldn’t call them Snickers. They definitely have all the parts of a snickers bar but the coconut flavor is strong. For someone who generally enjoys coconut, such as myself, this bar is great. However my family were much harsher critics likened the bar more to an almond joy than a snickers. The caramel definitely doesn’t have the stringiness of true caramel and the nougat isn’t as firm and chewy, but it is a delicious treat all the same.
★★★★
Thanks for reviewing and your feedback Jillian! Glad it was delicious! 🙂
The bars are tasty, but as someone who enjoys Snickers and doesn’t like coconut too much, I find the coconut taste too present. I think date paste would work better for the caramel part or maybe a mix of date and coconut butter.
The nougat and caramel layers were so soft that it’s hard to differentiate them once you eat the chocolate bar.
★★★
How long will these keep in the refrigerator?
Hi Liz, at least a week! 🙂
Hi Alison
I did this tonight and it turned OK with the peanut butter. Dunking n chocolate is tomorrow’s job (and devouring !!!)
So glad it worked out! Thanks for updating us. 🙂
Can I use peanut butter instead of coconut butter?
I’m not sure actually. It is very different to coconut butter, but it’s possible that it could work, I really don’t know though. If you try it let us know if it works out.
When I chill the coconut butter and maple syrup mix, they seperate and only the butter freezes and goes solid. The maple syrup stays liquidy. Any idea why they are separating like this?
Hi Lizzie, the coconut butter needs to be stirred well before use or it separates, so the best thing is to warm the jar and then give it a very good stir before using. If it’s well stirred coconut butter that you’re using, this should mix properly with the maple syrup instead of separating.
This is the best recipe! Tastes exactly like the ‘real thing’! I am super happy! Always missed Snickers so it’s amazing to be able to make my own.
★★★★★
I make home made using soy milk,coconut oil and blue agave syrup. I boil and reduce untill and it’ill it’s as thick as pudding when warm. It always turn out wonderfully. I’m going to adapt it into this recipe.
These look delicious! Would love to make them but what can I replace the coconut butter with?
You could try using a date caramel instead.
Hi where can I get coconut butter and vegan chocolate in Dubai to make these? They look so yummy!
Spinneys has coconut butter, and Lindt swiss classic dark is vegan. 🙂
I would never have thought to use coconut butter and maple syrup for the caramel layer. My mind would have gone straight to dates! LOVE how inventive these bars are. I can’t wait to make a batch and sink my teeth into them!
Thanks Laurel! They are so good, you will love! 🙂
Crunchy, super delicious vegan chocolate bar!
★★★★★