Vegan Snickers

Vegan Snickers are a plant based take on classic snickers bars! A thick nougat, covered in homemade caramel, and covered with chopped peanuts and extra chocolate, it requires no baking.

Love homemade candy recipes? Try kit kat bars, crunch bars, almond joy, and bounty bars.

Why buy store bought candy or chocolate bars when you can make a healthier, homemade version with a handful of ingredients?

Not to throw shade on junior mints, but I think snickers bars might just be my favorite candy bar. Of course, the store-bought version isn’t suitable for vegans, nor is it particularly healthy either. That’s why I decided to make my own vegan version. 

Not to gloat, but I have to say, these bars taste even better than the original. Just ask my whole family!

Why I love this recipe

• Easy to make. Whether you love making homemade candy or you’re a novice in the kitchen, this recipe is foolproof and simple to follow. 
• A healthier option. Traditional snickers are loaded with corn syrup, milk powder, and unnecessary fillers. This recipe is made with easy-to-pronounce ingredients, most of which you probably have on hand. 
• Fun for the whole family. No baking is required, and other than boiling the caramel, it’s a low-effort recipe that kids can enjoy getting involved with.

Ingredients needed

These bars are made with a short list of wholesome ingredients. Here’s everything you’ll need:

• Chocolate– vegan chocolate chips, which will be melted to form the bottom and top layers of the Snickers. This also helps hold the fillings together, as they are quite fragile. 
• Cashews– Soak the cashews in boiling water for 20 minutes, to soften them up before blending. 
• Cacao butter– Also known as cocoa butter, it is the yellow extract removed from the cocoa bean. It gives the nougat the perfect texture! 
• Maple Syrup– Adds sweetness and also keeps the nougat soft. You can also use agave nectar. 
• Caramel– I used my homemade vegan caramel that uses just 1 ingredient. You can use any caramel sauce of choice, or see my 3 ingredient caramel below, for a healthier alternative. 
• Chopped Peanuts– What is a Snickers without peanuts? 

Find the printable recipe with measurements below.

How to make vegan snickers

Step 1- Prep work. Line an 8×8-inch baking dish with parchment paper.

Step 2- Melt the chocolate. In a microwave-safe bowl or on the stovetop, melt 1 ¼ cups of chocolate chips. Pour the chocolate into the prepared pan, spread it into an even layer, and refrigerate. 

Step 3- Add the nougat layer. In a high-speed blender or food processor, add the soaked cashews, cacao butter, and maple syrup. Pulse until thick and smooth. Pour the nougat mixture over the chocolate and refrigerate.

Step 4- Add the caramel layer. While the bars are refrigerating, prepare the caramel. Pour it over the nougat, then sprinkle the chopped peanuts on top. Refrigerate for 10 minutes. 
Step 5- Top with chocolate. Melt the remaining chocolate chips and pour over everything. Refrigerate until firm, then remove from the fridge and slice into bars.

Recipe tips and variations

• Use high-quality chocolate. Since chocolate is a big part of the recipe, I like to use the higher-end stuff. It’ll improve the flavor of the bars and give them a silkier texture.
• Make them nut-free. If someone I know has a nut allergy, I’ll make these bars with sunflower seeds and sunflower seed butter. 
• Make thicker bars. If you like your bars to be thicker, use a 9×4-inch loaf pan instead. 
• Smother them in chocolate. This recipe leaves the bars chocolate-less on the sides, but if you’d like them to be covered in chocolate, build the nougat, caramel, and nut layers. Let them firm in the fridge, slice the bars, and dunk them in the melted chocolate using two forks. Transfer them to a cooling rack and refrigerate until firm.
• Change the texture. If you’d like to make the chocolate layer smoother and have a softer bite, add ¼ cup of peanut butter to the chocolate chips before melting. 
• Make a quick caramel. If you don’t have condensed coconut milk, you can make caramel using softened Medjool dates blended with a few tablespoons of warm water.

Storage instructions

To store: Snickers is best stored in the refrigerator, as the caramel is quite fragile and we don’t want it to seep out of the chocolate bars. Place the snickers bars in a sealable container and store in the refrigerator for up to 4 weeks. 

To freeze: Place snickers in a ziplock bag or freezer friendly container and store in the freezer for up to 6 months. 

More vegan candy recipes to try

• Candy grapes– Ever since I discovered this viral candy recipe, I always have a bag of these grapes in my freezer.
• Dairy-free candy bars– One of my family’s current obsessions.