I love a good copycat candy bar recipe, and I have to say after testing and tweaking this Healthy Snickers Protein Bar Recipe for quite some time, it’s become an absolute favorite in our household (I literally have to hide them from my husband).
While they might look complex with their beautiful and insanely delicious layers of homemade, high protein nougat, creamy caramel, crunchy peanuts, rich dark chocolate and flaky sea salt, they’re actually super easy to make and can be stored in the freezer for whenever a sweet craving strikes (aka they’re especially great right before your period starts!)
They also happen to be naturally gluten-free, dairy-free and refined-sugar-free (and easily made vegan!) and sneak in gut-friendly and hormone-healthy ingredients to boot. Which means no bloating, blood sugar crashes or breakouts post-consumption.
Snag the details and recipe below.
Looking for more hormone healthy + high protein recipes & treats? Check out my 28 Day Hormone Balancing Recipe Plan.
WHAT MAKES THIS COPYCAT SNICKERS PROTEIN BAR RECIPE HEALTHY
While yes, candy is…..candy, this doesn’t mean it can’t still be rich in nutrients and void of inflammatory agents found in most traditional store bought treats (think refined sugars, inflammatory oils, conventional dairy, etc.) Here are a few reasons why this healthy snickers protein bar recipe is a much healthier option.
+ NO REFINED SUGAR
Instead of using processed sugars like cane, corn syrup, maltodextrin, agave or artificial sweeteners that can spike your blood sugar and mess with your gut microbiome, this snickers bar recipe uses only a small amount of organic maple syrup and pure vanilla extract to sweeten.
+ NATURALLY DAIRY-FREE
Most chocolate candy bars contain conventional and condensed milk that many people find difficult to digest. This recipe uses magnesium-rich dark chocolate (very beneficial for your menstrual cycle!) without any added dairy.
+ A HIGH QUALITY PROTEIN SOURCE
Incorporating protein powder into this recipe is one of my favorite health hacks to minimize a blood sugar spike, which in turn wreaks havoc on your hormones. I love using this bone broth vanilla protein powder (20g protein per serving) for a gut-healthy protein boost, or this vegan vanilla protein powder (use code SOFRESH10 to save) for a tasty plant-based alternative.
+ HIGH IN NUTRIENTS
One of the reasons why candy has been deemed “unhealthy” is because it typically lacks nutrients that work to keep our blood sugar balanced, hormones happy and provide an overall feeling of satiation, hence why most of the time we’re still hungry after consuming. This healthy snickers protein bar recipe sneaks in a ton of nutrients to help keep us satisfied (see below for details).
+ OPTIMAL BALANCE OF PROTEIN, FAT + FIBER
Unlike pretty much all store bought candy, this snickers bar recipe also sneaks in plenty of high quality fats and fiber, that work in tandem with the protein to give our hormones the building blocks they need to do their jobs effectively.
HORMONE BALANCING + HEALTHY SNICKERS PROTEIN BAR INGREDIENTS
+ HIGH QUALITY PROTEIN POWDER
High quality protein is critical for hormone balance, as hormones are manufactured from amino acids, and without them your hormones aren’t be able to function optimally.
Unfortunately, there’s a lot of junk out there when it comes to protein sources (especially if you’re looking for it in the form of a powder), as most are quite processed and contain inflammatory ingredients like added sugars and shelf-stabilizing chemicals. Some of my favorite clean protein powders include this bone broth vanilla protein powder (20g protein per serving) for a gut-healthy protein boost, or this vegan vanilla protein powder (use code SOFRESH10 to save) for a tasty plant-based alternative.
+ ORGANIC PEANUT BUTTER W/ MINIMAL INGREDIENTS
Peanut butter contains a high amount of B-vitamins, which work to support liver detoxification in order to move estrogen effectively out of the body. It’s also rich in zinc, making it an ideal food to add during your period, as it will work to remineralize your blood. Make sure to purchase organic peanut butter without any added oils or sugars.
+ DARK CHOCOLATE
Dark chocolate (70% cacao or higher) is rich in magnesium, which helps lower prostaglandins, hormone-like substances that cause cramping. It also supports pituitary health, helping to signal the release of FSH and LH, necessary for a healthy menstrual cycle and fertility. Make sure to choose a brand without any emulsifiers that can disrupt gut and hormone health. This is my absolute FAVE dark chocolate and you can use the code LAUREN to save 15%.
HEALTHY SNICKERS PROTEIN BAR RECIPE SWAPS
+ TO MAKE VEGAN SNICKERS PROTEIN BARS
To make this recipe completely vegan, you’ll simply need to pick a protein powder sourced from vegan protein sources such as seeds, nuts or legumes. This is my preferred plant based protein, and you can use the code SOFRESH10 to save.
+ TO MAKE PALEO SNICKERS PROTEIN BARS
To make this recipe paleo-friendly, swap the peanut butter for a creamy, organic cashew butter and the peanuts for another nut like cashews, macadamia nuts, etc.
+ TO MAKE KETO SNICKERS PROTEIN BARS
While this snickers bar recipe is naturally lower in carbs and high in protein, healthy fats and fiber, you can reduce the net carbohydrates by a 1:1 ratio swap of monk fruit for maple syrup (full disclosure I don’t recommend this option).
SNICKERS PROTEIN BAR HORMONE HEALTH TIPS
+ USE A CLEAN, ORGANIC, UNSWEETENED PEANUT BUTTER
Peanut butter can get a bad rap, but like anything focusing on the ingredients can make all the difference. I always read labels and look for peanut butter without any added sugar or processed vegetable oils like palm/sunflower oil, which cause inflammation and disrupt hormones as a result. This is my go to clean, organic peanut butter brand.
+ FIND THE RIGHT PROTEIN POWDER
I’ve said it twice and I’ll say it again, there’s a lot of junk out there when it comes to protein sources (especially if you’re looking for it in the form of a powder), as most are quite processed and contain inflammatory ingredients like added sugars and shelf-stabilizing chemicals. Some of my favorite clean protein powder brands include this bone broth vanilla protein powder (20g protein per serving) for a gut-healthy protein boost, or this vegan vanilla protein powder (use code SOFRESH10 to save) for a tasty plant-based alternative.
+ OPT FOR A CLEAN DARK CHOCOLATE
When choosing chocolate for the snickers coating, I like to opt for brands without any refined sugars or added oils and emulsifiers (such as soy lecithin) which can disrupt gut health. This is my favorite clean brand, and you can use the code LAUREN to save 15%.
MORE HEALTHY NO-BAKE TREAT RECIPES
+ HEALTHY BUTTERFINGER BARS
+ SEA SALT + DARK CHOCOLATE PEANUT BUTTER BALLS
+ HEALTHY PEANUT BUTTER CUP FUDGE
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Healthy Snickers Bars (High Protein)
These delicious Healthy Snickers Protein Bars are gluten-free + vegan & layered with homemade high protein nougat, caramel + dark chocolate for a satisfying treat.
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PREP TIME: |
TOTAL TIME: |
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00:00 Mins |
02:00 Hours |
Ingredients
For the high protein nougat layer:
- 1 cup super fine almond flour
- 1/2 cup high quality protein powder
- 1/4 cup melted organic, unrefined coconut oil
- 2 tbsp pure maple syrup
- 2 tbsp creamy peanut butter
- 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp sea salt
For the vegan caramel layer:
- 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter (can sub for almond, cashew, etc.)
- 1/4 cup organic, unrefined coconut oil
- 1/4 cup pure maple syrup
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 1/4 tsp sea salt
- 1/4 – 1/2 cup unsalted peanuts
For the dark chocolate layer:
- 1/2 cup dark chocolate chunks or chips *use code LAUREN to save 15%
- 1 tbsp organic, unrefined coconut oil
- 1/4 tsp flaky sea salt for topping
Instructions
- First, make the high protein nougat layer by mixing together the dry ingredients in a medium sized bowl, then whisking the wet ingredients in a small, separate bowl and adding them to the dry. The texture should be dough like, not too sticky and not too dry. If too sticky, add a bit more protein powder or almond flour, if too try add a bit more coconut oil. Once dough texture is achieved, press into the bottom of a parchment lined loaf pan and store in the fridge.
- Next, make your vegan caramel layer by combining all caramel ingredients EXCEPT peanuts in a small saucepan over medium-low heat, stirring until completely liquified and well combined, about 2-3 minutes. Remove from burner and let cool completely.
- Once caramel is cooled, remove your pan from the fridge and evenly spread the caramel layer on top. Sprinkle the peanuts evenly on top of the caramel, then place in the freezer for 1-2 hours, until the caramel has completely hardened.
- When caramel layer has set, make your chocolate coating by adding the dark chocolate chips and coconut oil in a microwave safe bowl and heat in 30 second intervals, stirring in between, until completely melted.
- Lifting the parchment paper from the pan (the snickers should be in one solid block), place it on a cutting board and cut evenly into small rectangles (I like to cut the block vertically in half then horizontally into “bars”).
- Using a fork, dip each “bar” into the melted dark chocolate until completely coated on all sides. You’ll want to do this quickly so they don’t melt, gently tapping the fork before placing the bar back on the parchment paper to remove excess chocolate.
- Complete this step with all bars, then sprinkle with flaky sea salt and put back in the fridge for 10 minutes to harden.
- Store in an airtight jar or glass container in the fridge for a week or a freezer for 1-2 months.
Notes
*I love making a batch of these and keeping them in the freezer. Whenever a sweet craving strikes simply remove a bar from the freezer and store in the fridge (30 minutes to defrost) until ready to eat.
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