Healthier Homemade Mars Bars with Gooey Date Caramel

Written by Dietitian & Mom: Elis Halenko

Sweet, soft, chocolatey & secretly wholesome—this is your permission to treat yourself.

If you grew up loving Mars Bars (hi, same), but now crave snacks that hit the sweet spot without the sugar crash—this is your moment. These Healthier Homemade Mars Bars are layered with chewy almond flour nougat, a gooey date caramel center, and rich dark chocolate on top. They taste like the real thing—but with nourishing, real-food ingredients you can feel good about.

Freezer-friendly, kid-approved, and so satisfying with a cup of coffee, they’re the ultimate smart indulgence. No baking. No refined sugar. Just crave-worthy magic in every bite.

Why You’ll Love These Mars Bars:

Naturally sweetened with dates—no corn syrup here
No-bake, freezer-friendly, and super satisfying
Made with healthy fats, fiber, and whole ingredients
Gluten-free and easily made dairy-free or vegan
Perfect for lunchbox treats, post-nap snacks, or sweet tooth moments

Ingredients (Makes ~12 bars)

Base (Nougat Layer):

3/4 cup almond flour (or ground almonds)
2 tbsp maple syrup
2 tbsp melted coconut oil
1 tsp vanilla extract
Pinch of salt

Date Caramel:

10 soft Medjool dates, pitted
2 tbsp nut or seed butter (almond, tahini, or sunflower seed)
1 tbsp coconut oil
1 tsp vanilla extract
Pinch of salt
1–2 tbsp warm water, as needed to blend

Chocolate Topping:

1 cup dark chocolate chips or chopped dark chocolate
1 tsp coconut oil

Instructions:

1. Make the Nougat Base

Add almond flour, maple syrup, coconut oil, vanilla, and salt. Pulse until mixture sticks together when pressed.

Press into a parchment-lined loaf pan (or small square pan) and flatten with a spatula. Chill while making the caramel.

2. Make the Date Caramel

Add pitted dates, nut/seed butter, coconut oil, vanilla, and salt to a food processor or blender. Blend until smooth, adding warm water a little at a time to reach a thick, spreadable consistency.

Spread caramel evenly over the base and return to the fridge or freezer to firm up (~30 min). Chop chilled date caramel bars into bite sized pieces.

3. Top with Chocolate

Melt chocolate and coconut oil together in a small saucepan or microwave-safe bowl. Stir until smooth, then enrobe each piece by dipping each bar into chocolate.
Sprinkle with flaky sea salt if desired. Chill again until firm.

4. Slice & Store

Store in an airtight container in the fridge (1 week) or freezer (up to 2 months).

Dietitian Notes

These bars are more than just a healthier candy swap—they’re packed with:

Fiber from oats and dates
Healthy fats to keep you full and balance blood sugar
Natural sweetness without refined sugar highs & crashes
Plant-powered minerals like magnesium and potassium

Tip: For toddlers, slice into smaller squares and serve as a chilled treat or teether snack right from the freezer!

Variations:

Add a sprinkle of crushed peanuts between layers for a Snickers vibe
Use cacao nibs or puffed quinoa in the base for crunch
Swirl in some miso or espresso powder into the caramel for a more “grown-up” flavor twist
Vegan? Make sure your chocolate is dairy-free

Made These? Tag Me!

I love seeing your recreations—tag me @thefoodstylistrd so I can share your version! Bonus points if you pair it with a nap time coffee or post-yoga stretch moment