Whenever I crave that classic candy bar, I turn to this Vegan Snickers Ice Cream Bars Recipe that nails all those irresistible flavors—creamy, sweet, nutty, and crunchy—without a lick of dairy. Trust me, you’re going to want to keep these bars in your freezer for quick, luscious snacking!
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
I honestly can’t get enough of these Vegan Snickers Ice Cream Bars. They have that perfect balance of creamy coconut and almond butter ice cream, luscious date caramel, crunchy peanuts, and a decadent chocolate shell. It’s like your favorite candy bar reinvented as a refreshing vegan dessert.
- Dairy-Free & Plant-Based: Enjoy all the classic Snickers flavors without any dairy or animal products.
- Natural Sweeteners: Using medjool dates and coconut sugar keeps things wholesome and refined sugar-free.
- Crunch & Cream: The combo of salty peanuts and smooth ice cream is an unbeatable duo.
- Make-Ahead Friendly: Prep these in advance and have a ready-to-eat treat whenever the craving hits.
Ingredients & Why They Work
Gathering the right ingredients is the first step to making homemade ice cream bars that taste indulgent yet stay healthy. Here’s my rundown on what you’ll need and why each element matters.
- Coconut Cream: It’s the secret to creamy, dreamy dairy-free ice cream with natural richness and body.
- Coconut Milk: Adds smoothness and helps create the perfect texture in the ice cream base.
- Almond Butter: Boosts nutty flavor and creaminess; feel free to swap in any nut or seed butter you prefer.
- Coconut Sugar: A lightly caramelized sweetener that pairs beautifully with coconut and nuts.
- Medjool Dates: Naturally sweet and sticky, perfect for making that luscious caramel layer without refined sugars.
- Vanilla Extract: Adds warmth and depth to the date caramel making it extra comforting.
- Dry Roasted Salted Peanuts: The essential salty crunch that makes this treat reminiscent of Snickers bars.
- Dark Chocolate Chips: For the rich, glossy coating that seals in all the flavors and adds indulgence.
- Coconut Oil: Combined with chocolate, it helps create a smooth, snappy coating that hardens beautifully.
Make It Your Way
The best part about this Vegan Snickers Ice Cream Bars Recipe is how easy it is to customize! Whether you want to swap out nuts, adjust sweetness, or add your favorite twist, these bars are super forgiving and totally adaptable.
- Nut Butter Swap: I love swapping almond butter for peanut butter when I want an even more authentic Snickers flavor. It adds a familiar, rich nuttiness that pairs beautifully with the date caramel.
- Date Caramel Tips: If your dates feel a little dry, soaking them in warm water for 10 minutes before blending makes your caramel silky smooth every time.
- Chocolate Variation: For a shinier, more professional-looking chocolate shell, try tempering your dark chocolate or add a teaspoon more coconut oil. This small tweak makes dipping even easier and the coating beautifully glossy.
- Nut-Free Option: If you’re allergic or avoiding nuts, sunflower seed butter and roasted seeds work wonderfully here. I tried it once and was amazed at how delicious and crunchy the bars stayed.
- Seasonal Twist: Adding a sprinkle of sea salt or a dash of cinnamon to your chocolate coating can bring a fun seasonal flair my family always loves.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Vegan Snickers Ice Cream Bars Recipe
Step 1: Whip Up That Creamy Ice Cream Base
Start by blending the solid parts of your coconut cream, coconut milk, almond butter, and coconut sugar at high speed. My tip? Make sure the coconut cream is well chilled so it blends into a luxuriously smooth and creamy texture without lumps. The sweetness from the coconut sugar balances the nutty almond butter perfectly, setting the stage for that classic Snickers flavor.
Step 2: Freeze It Up in Molds
Pour your blended ice cream base evenly into 8 silicone ice cream molds. Silicone molds are a total game-changer — they make releasing your bars a breeze without any cracking or crumbling. Pop the molds into the freezer for 2 hours or until the ice cream feels firm and scoopable.
Step 3: Blend the Date Caramel Magic
While your ice cream sets, toss medjool dates, creamy almond butter, coconut milk, and vanilla extract into a food processor. Blend until you get this luscious, spreadable caramel. If it’s a bit too thick, add a tablespoon or two of warm water to loosen it up—that way, it spreads like butter over your frozen treats.
Step 4: Assemble the Bars with Caramel and Peanuts
Once your ice cream bases are solid, take them out and evenly spread a generous layer of your dreamy date caramel over each one. Then sprinkle on dry roasted salted peanuts, pressing them in gently so they stick nicely. Back into the freezer they go — this time for about 30 minutes to 1 hour, allowing everything to firm up perfectly.
Step 5: Melt the Chocolate Coating
In a microwave-safe bowl, melt your dark chocolate chips with coconut oil in 30-second bursts. Remember to stir well between each round so the chocolate melts evenly and becomes silky smooth. This glossy coating is what truly transforms your bars into the ultimate vegan Snickers experience.
Step 6: Dip and Freeze to Finish
Pour the melted chocolate into a cup for easy dipping. Carefully dip each ice cream bar until fully coated, letting excess chocolate drip back into the cup. Lay the bars on a parchment-lined baking sheet and pop them back into the freezer for about 20 minutes until the chocolate hardens. Then, enjoy your stunning and delicious vegan Snickers ice cream bars!
Top Tip
These tips will help you create perfect Vegan Snickers Ice Cream Bars every time, ensuring your bars come out with the best texture, flavor, and ease of assembly.
- Use Silicone Molds: From personal experience, silicone molds make it much easier to pop out the frozen bars without cracking or breaking the delicate chocolate coating.
- Soften Your Dates: I learned that if your medjool dates seem dry, soaking them in warm water for 10 minutes makes a smoother, creamier caramel that's easier to spread.
- Chill Between Layers: Freezing the bars after adding the caramel and peanuts ensures each layer firms up nicely, so your bars have distinct layers that don’t mix together.
- Don’t Overheat the Chocolate: Melting the chocolate in short bursts while stirring prevents burning and keeps the chocolate glossy, especially when mixed with coconut oil.
How to Serve Vegan Snickers Ice Cream Bars Recipe
Garnishes
Add a sprinkle of flaky sea salt or a few extra chopped dry roasted peanuts right before serving for an irresistible salty crunch. For a festive touch, drizzle a little melted vegan white chocolate or dust a tiny bit of cocoa powder over the tops.
Side Dishes
These ice cream bars are a star on their own, but for a special dessert platter, pair them with fresh berries, a drizzle of warm vegan caramel sauce, or a light coconut whipped cream on the side. A small bowl of sliced bananas also complements the nutty and chocolatey flavors wonderfully.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover Vegan Snickers Ice Cream Bars in an airtight container or wrapped tightly in parchment paper inside the freezer. They stay fresh and delicious for up to 2 weeks, giving you plenty of time to enjoy them as a quick treat.
Freezing
Keep the bars frozen until you’re ready to serve. Make sure they’re fully frozen after the final chocolate dip (about 20 minutes) to prevent melting and to maintain the perfect crisp chocolate shell when bitten into.
Reheating
These bars are best enjoyed straight from the freezer. If they’re a bit too hard after storage, let them sit at room temperature for 3 to 5 minutes to soften slightly for easier biting — but avoid leaving them too long to keep the texture intact.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Absolutely! You can swap almond butter for sunflower seed butter or tahini for a nut-free version. Also, substitute the peanuts with roasted seeds like pumpkin or sunflower seeds to keep the crunch.
Medjool dates provide natural sweetness and creaminess for the caramel, but you can use other soft dates like Deglet Noor. If those are dry, soak them in warm water for 10 minutes before blending to achieve a smooth consistency.
You can use a loaf pan or a shallow baking dish lined with parchment paper. After freezing the ice cream base, cut into bars and layer the caramel and peanuts manually. It requires a bit more care but works well.
Stored properly in an airtight container, these bars will stay fresh for up to 2 weeks, making them perfect for prepping in advance and enjoying whenever a sweet vegan treat calls your name.
Final Thoughts
Making your own Vegan Snickers Ice Cream Bars is such a rewarding treat—each bite combines creamy coconut, rich chocolate, sweet date caramel, and crunchy peanuts in a way that feels indulgent but wholesome. I love how this recipe brings the nostalgic flavors of Snickers into a dairy-free, plant-based delight that’s perfect anytime you want a cooling dessert. Give it a try, customize it your way, and enjoy the smiles these bars are sure to bring!
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Vegan Snickers Ice Cream Bars Recipe
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours
- Total Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
- Yield: 8 ice cream bars
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Freezing
- Cuisine: Vegan
- Diet: Vegan
Description
Enjoy these delicious Vegan Snickers Ice Cream Bars made with creamy coconut and almond butter, sweet medjool date caramel, crunchy peanuts, and a rich chocolate coating. This dairy-free treat captures all the flavors of classic Snickers bars in a healthier, plant-based version perfect for a refreshing dessert or snack.
Ingredients
Ice Cream Base
- 1 can 13.5 oz coconut cream (solid parts only)
- ½ cup coconut milk (can substitute any other milk)
- ½ cup almond butter (can substitute any other nut or seed butter)
- ¼ cup coconut sugar (can substitute maple syrup or any other sugar)
Date Caramel
- 1 cup medjool dates (pitted)
- ¼ cup creamy almond butter
- 2 tablespoon coconut milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Toppings & Coating
- ½ cup dry roasted salted peanuts
- 1 cup dark chocolate chips
- 2 teaspoon coconut oil
Instructions
- Prepare the Ice Cream Base: In a blender, combine coconut cream (solid parts only), coconut milk, almond butter, and coconut sugar. Blend on high speed until the mixture is smooth and creamy, ensuring there are no lumps.
- Freeze the Ice Cream Base: Pour the blended mixture evenly into 8 silicone ice cream molds. Place the molds in the freezer and freeze for 2 hours or until the ice cream base is firm and scoopable.
- Make the Date Caramel: While the ice cream freezes, add the pitted medjool dates, creamy almond butter, coconut milk, and vanilla extract into a food processor. Blend until the caramel is smooth and creamy. If it becomes too thick, add a couple tablespoons of warm water to reach a spreadable consistency.
- Assemble the Bars: Remove the ice cream molds from the freezer. Evenly spread the date caramel over each firm ice cream base to form an even layer.
- Add Peanuts: Sprinkle dry roasted salted peanuts over each caramel layer. Gently press the peanuts into the caramel so they adhere well. Return the molds to the freezer to firm up for about 30 minutes to 1 hour.
- Melt the Chocolate Coating: Place dark chocolate chips and coconut oil in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave in 30-second increments, stirring well between each round until the chocolate is melted, smooth, and creamy.
- Coat the Ice Cream Bars: Pour the melted chocolate into a cup. Dip each ice cream bar fully into the chocolate, allowing excess to drip back into the cup. Place the coated bars on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Final Freeze: Freeze the dipped bars again for about 20 minutes or until the chocolate coating is firm and set. Once ready, remove from molds and enjoy your vegan Snickers ice cream bars!
Notes
- Use silicone molds for easy removal of ice cream bars without breaking.
- The date caramel can be stored in the refrigerator for up to one week if made ahead.
- To make the chocolate coating shinier, temper the chocolate or add a small amount of coconut oil.
- Feel free to swap almond butter with peanut butter or sunflower seed butter based on preference or allergies.
- If dates are too dry, soak them in warm water for 10 minutes to soften before making caramel.
- For a nut-free version, substitute almond and peanut ingredients with seed butters and roasted seeds.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 ice cream bar
- Calories: 280 kcal
- Sugar: 18 g
- Sodium: 90 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 13 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 23 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg

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