• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Home
  • Start Here
  • Recipes
    • Recipe Index
    • Sourdough
      • Gluten-Free Sourdough
      • Sourdough Discard
    • Main Dish Recipes
    • Breakfast and Brunch
    • Desserts
    • Bread Recipes
      • Sweet Breads
    • Condiment Recipes
    • Drink Recipes
      • Cocktails
      • Non Alcoholic
    • Seasonal Recipes
      • Spring
      • Summer
      • Fall
      • Winter
    • Recipes by Method
      • BBQ
      • Dutch Oven
      • Grilled
      • No Bake
      • Oven Baked
      • Roasted
      • Slow Cooker
      • Vitamix
Vanilla And Bean

Vanilla And Bean

Sweet and Savory Vegetarian

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • Subscribe
  • Shop
  • About
    • Subscribe
    • A little bit about me…
    • Contact
    • Let’s Work Together
    • Blogs I’m Reading
    • Blogger Resources
Sweet Potato and Black Bean tacos on parchment paper topped with lettuce, pepitas, cojita and chili lime avocado sauce.

Easy Sweet Potato and Black Bean Tacos

May 5, 2023 By Traci York 2 Comments

Avocado lime creama on a spoon.

Avocado Cream Sauce

April 28, 2023 By Traci York 2 Comments

Rustic Sourdough In a Pan with interior and exterior showing.

Rustic Sourdough Bread

April 21, 2023 By Traci York 4 Comments

You are here: Home / Recipes / Desserts / Bars & Brownies / Healthy Peanut Butter Bars

Healthy Peanut Butter Bars

5 stars (from 8 ratings)
By Traci York — Updated April 3, 2023 — 16 Comments / Jump to Recipe
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my affiliate policy.

Healthy Peanut Butter Bars for a treat anytime! Made with peanut butter, almond flour, chocolate chips, a hint of salt, vanilla and sweetened with maple syrup. This healthy no bake peanut butter snack, like my 3 Ingredient Peanut Butter Balls, is a treat to have on hand when cravings strike! This easy to make recipe is vegetarian, vegan and gluten free.

No Bake Peanut Butter Chocolate Bars with sea salt sprinkled on top.

This recipe is loosely adapted from Rachel Conner’s Book Bakerita; 100+ No-Fuss Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, and Refined Sugar-Free Recipes for the Modern Baker.

Table of Contents

  • Balancing That Sweet Tooth
  • Easy Healthy Peanut Butter Bars
  • A Few Recipe Notes
  • More Healthier Snacks to Love
  • Find Rachel’s book Bakerita where books are sold and check out her web site Bakerita for even more inspiration!
  • Healthy Peanut Butter Bars Recipe

Balancing That Sweet Tooth

Enjoying an indulgent sweet every now and then is something I look forward to, but for everyday, I crave something a little healthier. Always a fan of cake, cookies, and the like, I’m forever finding ways to balance my sweet tooth.

So when Rachel of the blog Bakerita reached out to share her new cookbook with me, I was delighted to try something new. Her book, Bakerita, is a collection of scrumptious gluten, dairy and refined sugar free recipes with vegetarian and vegan baked and no bake treats to enjoy. When I tried her cookie dough fudge recipe (healthy peanut butter bars), I knew I had to share it with y’all.

Mixing Peanut Butter, Maple Syrup and Vanilla in a Bowl for Healthy Peanut Butter Cookie Dough    Adding Almond Flour to the Peanut Butter, Maple Syrup and Vanilla in a Bowl for Healthy Peanut Butter Cookie Dough Mixing the Edible Peanut Butter Cookie Dough    Pressing the Peanut Butter Cookie Dough into a pan for the no bake peanut butter chocolate bars.

Easy Healthy Peanut Butter Bars

These easy and healthy peanut butter chocolate bars are a snap to make. With a short ingredient list and minimal hands on time, you’ll have these whipped up for snackin’ in no time! Here’s how to make em’ (for full recipe, see recipe card below):

  • First, mix the maple syrup, peanut butter, vanilla, almond flour, mini chocolate chips and salt.
  • Second, press the dough into a parchment lined loaf pan.
  • Next, melt peanut butter and chocolate in a bowl and mix.
  • Last, pour chocolate mixture over the dough in the pan and rest in the fridge for two hours until set.

Slice these no bake peanut butter bars to desired size and share with an optional sprinkle of flaky sea salt.

See how easy they are to make? 

Chopped Chocolate and Peanut Butter in a bowl, ready to melt.   Spreading melted chocolate over the Peanut Butter Chocolate Bars Peanut Butter Cookie Dough topped with melted chocolate in a pan, ready for the refrigerator.   A cookbook titled Bakerita by Rachel ConnorsEdible Peanut Butter Cookie Dough Bars stacked tall.

A Few Recipe Notes

  • Freezer Friendly? Yes Please! These no bake peanut butter bars have a long shelf life. I’ve stored them in the fridge for up to two weeks. Rachel suggests they can be frozen wrapped snugly in plastic for up to three months.
  • Variations:
    • Rachel suggests using cashew butter or other creamy nut butter of choice. I use natural peanut butter, crunchy for the dough, creamy for the chocolate top. I’ve also used almond butter!
    • I like mini chocolate chips for these healthy bars. Try subbing cacao nibs for a less sugar, richer, chocolatey flavor.
  • Bar Size: These little peanut butter bars are super rich and satisfying. I cut them into 1 1/2″ x 1″ bar size to keep them small. This yields about 18 mini bars. Feel free to slice into larger pieces!

More Healthier Snacks to Love

  • Maple Pecan Granola
  • Chocolate Pecan Pie Bliss Bites
  • Healthy Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
  • Peanut Butter Banana Oat Bars
  • No Bake Chocolate Almond Coconut Bars
  • Pumpkin Energy Bites

Find Rachel’s book Bakerita where books are sold and check out her web site Bakerita for even more inspiration!

No Bake Peanut Butter Chocolate Bars with sea salt sprinkled on top.
Print Recipe

Healthy Peanut Butter Bars Recipe

Prep Time:15 minutes minutes
Chill Time:2 hours hours
Servings:18 Pieces
Calories:200kcal
Author:Traci York
Healthy Peanut Butter Bars for a treat anytime! Made with peanut butter, almond flour, chocolate chips, a hint of salt, vanilla and sweetened with maple syrup, this healthy no bake peanut butter snack is a treat to have on hand when cravings strike! This easy to make recipe is vegetarian, vegan and gluten free.
This recipe is loosely adapted from Rachel Conner's Book Bakerita; 100+ No-Fuss Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, and Refined Sugar-Free Recipes for the Modern Baker.

Ingredients

For the Dough:

  • 1 C (255g) Natural Peanut Butter crunchy or creamy
  • 1/4 C (85g) Pure Maple Syrup
  • 1 tsp Vanilla Extract
  • 1 1/4 C (125g) Almond Flour blanched, I use Bob's Red Mill. See note*
  • 1/4 C (25g) Mini Chocolate Chips plus more for sprinkling
  • 1/4 tsp Fine Sea Salt

For the Chocolate Topping:

  • 4 oz (120g) Bittersweet Chocolate chopped small, I like 70% chocolate, or use chocolate chips
  • 2 Tbs Natural Peanut Butter creamy
  • 1/2 tsp Flakey Sea Salt optional

Instructions

For the Dough:

  • Line a 9x5 inch loaf pan with parchment paper and grease the paper lightly with coconut oil. Set aside.
    In a medium bowl, mix the nut butter, maple syrup and vanilla until smooth. Stir in the almond flour, chocolate chips and sea salt and mix until the ingredients come together. Using your hands, press the dough into the prepared pan in an even layer.

For the Chocolate Topping:

  • In a microwave safe bowl, microwave the chocolate and peanut butter for 30 seconds. Stir. Microwave again for 30 seconds and stir until the chocolate is completely melted. The chocolate should be soft, smooth and shiny. Melt for a few more seconds in the microwave if needed.
    Pour and spread the chocolate over the dough into an even layer. Sprinkle with mini chocolate chips if desired.
  • Rest in the refrigerator for at least two hours, or until firm. Slice into 18 pieces or as desired. Sprinkle with flakey sea salt if desired.

To Store:

  • Refrigerate in a lidded container for up to two weeks or in the freezer snugly wrapped in parchment and stored in a lidded container or freezer bag for up to three months.

Notes

*Blanched almond flour contains no almond skin. Unblanched almond flour contains the whole almond. Either can be used, but the texture of these bars with unblanched almond flour will produce a little more texture. 
Nutrition is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate. If this information is important to you, please have it verified independently.
Serving: 1Piece | Calories: 200kcal | Carbohydrates: 13g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 1mg | Sodium: 109mg | Potassium: 150mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 9IU | Calcium: 35mg | Iron: 1mg
Made It? Leave a comment below! The most helpful comment may include recipe rating, feedback, any modifications and/or helping other commenters. On Instagram? Take a snap of your make and share, tagging @VanillaAndBean #VanillaAndBean!

Many thanks to Rachel Conner and HMH Books for sending Bakerita; 100+ No-Fuss Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, and Refined Sugar-Free Recipes for the Modern Baker to me. All opinions are my own. . 

Healthy PB Bars Stacked Tall

Many thanks to Rachel Conner and HMH Cooks for sending me a copy of Bakerita; 100+ No-Fuss Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, and Refined Sugar-Free Recipes for the Modern Baker. All opinions are my own. 

You might also like:

Maple Pecan Granola in a large cookie jar with a scoop.

Maple Pecan Granola

Chocolate date bites cut into small squares

Double Chocolate Date Bites

Chewy Peanut Butter Fruit and Nut Granola Bars on parchment paper.

Chewy Peanut Butter Fruit and Nut Granola Bars

Close up of 3 ingredient peanut butter balls lined up on a sheet pan.

3 Ingredient Peanut Butter Balls

  • Chocolate
Shares751PinShareYummly

Join the Vanilla And Bean community to receive free sweet and savory vegetarian recipes, and get my Five Secrets to Vegetarian Cooking email series delivered to your inbox!

You will receive recipes and kitchen tips, along with information about our partners and offerings. For more details, review the Vanilla And Bean privacy policy.
Previous Post: « Vegan Eggplant Meatballs
Next Post: Pumpkin Chili »

Reader Interactions

16 comments

    Share Your Thoughts! Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

  1. Avatar for ShelleyShelley

    November 15, 2022 at 1:00 pm

    I made these today, they are so indulgent! Swapped maple syrup for honey, and didn’t add the choc chips. I may add less peanut butter to the base next time so it’s firmer. Overall really happy with these and will defo make them again!

    Reply
    • Avatar for TraciTraci

      November 21, 2022 at 1:11 pm

      SO happy to receive your note, Shelley! And, thank you for sharing your honey tip! Hooray for a healthier, indulgent snack :D

      Reply
  2. Avatar for Laura H.Laura H.

    October 10, 2021 at 8:42 pm

    I made these and they are delicious, easy to prepare, and more satisfying than a peanut butter cup.

    Reply
    • Avatar for TraciTraci

      October 12, 2021 at 11:44 am

      SO happy to hear Laura! Thank you for your note and giving the recipe a go!

      Reply
  3. Avatar for Mary Ann | The Beach House KitchenMary Ann | The Beach House Kitchen

    October 25, 2020 at 6:50 pm

    Oh my Traci, I bet Rachel’s book is fabulous, just like these bars! So easy and such a delicious dessert/snack! And just a handful of ingredients too. I’m so in!

    Reply
  4. Avatar for Tom MTom M

    October 21, 2020 at 9:59 am

    5 stars
    Love these! My sweetie made them a few days ago and I’ve been eating them up. They’re good for snacks, not too sweet, and they stay with me. Thank you, Traci!

    Reply
    • Avatar for TraciTraci

      October 21, 2020 at 10:03 am

      Love hearing this Tom! Thank you for your note and giving the recipe a go!

      Reply
  5. Avatar for DianeDiane

    October 18, 2020 at 5:58 pm

    Your peanut butter bars call for almond flour. If you’re severely allergic to tree nuts is there a substitute you recommend?

    Reply
    • Avatar for TraciTraci

      October 18, 2020 at 7:24 pm

      Hi Diane! Since I’ve not made this with any substitute, I’m not sure what would work specifically in this recipe.

      Reply
    • Avatar for TomTom

      October 19, 2021 at 7:56 pm

      Hi Diane, you could try substituting the almond flour for oat flour (ground oats). Haven’t tried it out yet but I don’t see why it wouldn’t work.

      Reply
  6. Avatar for amandaamanda

    October 17, 2020 at 12:17 pm

    Is her book completely GF and vegan? It says dairy free, but not egg free. Some of the online reviews make this sound unclear.
    Thanks!

    Reply
    • Avatar for TraciTraci

      October 17, 2020 at 1:57 pm

      Hi Amanda! Rachel’s book is gluten free, dairy free and refined sugar free. It is not vegan. I hope this helps!

      Reply
  7. Avatar for Liz @ Floating KitchenLiz @ Floating Kitchen

    October 17, 2020 at 5:58 am

    These look right up my alley! Yum! I’ll have to check out Rachel’s book!

    Reply
    • Avatar for TraciTraci

      October 17, 2020 at 1:58 pm

      You’d love these healthier treats Liz!

      Reply
  8. Avatar for JeanJean

    October 17, 2020 at 5:43 am

    Always nice to have an easy healthy sweet snack recipe at the ready and this one looks like it would satisfy my sweet tooth for sure! Thanks for the introduction to Rachel’s book and web site. Also, been meaning to tell you that the updates on your site are incredible-so easy to navigate and love how everything is laid out. Can’t imagine how much work went into it all. Hope you enjoy this fall weekend. We are right at peak leaf viewing here now-knee deep in apples and pumpkins.

    Reply
    • Avatar for TraciTraci

      October 17, 2020 at 1:59 pm

      Hi Jean! Gotta have healthy options, right? Thank you for your feedback regarding the web site! I’m so happy to hear. Leaf viewing is such a delight… and the apples and pumpkins are giving me all the fall feels too!

      Reply

Primary Sidebar

well hello!

I’m Traci and this is my blog. So Glad You Stopped By!

Here you’ll find full of flavor vegetarian comfort food with vegan and gluten free recipes too. I also share sourdough, sweets and naturally sweetened baked goods and desserts recipes because we all gotta have a little balance!

Learn More About Traci  or  The Blog.

Get on the List!

Join the Vanilla And Bean community to receive Sweet and Savory Vegetarian Recipes, and get my Five Secrets to Vegetarian Cooking email series delivered to your inbox!

Right this Way to Subscribe
10 Healthy Vegetarian Salad Recipes for lunch or dinner cover with images of those salad recipes.

Start Here!

Why vegetarian, what you’ll find on Vanilla And Bean and fan favorites all right here!

Right this Way to Start
View more...

Vegetarian Smoothies

More Posts from this Category

Vegetarian Sweets

More Posts from this Category

Vegetarian Appetizers and Snacks

Avocado lime creama on a spoon.

Avocado Cream Sauce

April 28, 2023 2 Comments

Crispy chickpea croutons on a sheet pan in a spoon with a lemon slice on the side.

Garlic Chickpea Croutons

March 10, 2023 2 Comments

5 layer bean dip n a plate garnished with jalapenos and cilantro, surrounded by tortilla chips.

Mexican 5 Layer Dip

February 3, 2023 4 Comments

Gluten free healthy oatmeal cookies on a sheet pan.

Healthy Oatmeal Raisin Cookies [vegan + easily gluten free]

January 13, 2023 82 Comments

More Posts from this Category

Vegetarian Breakfasts

More Posts from this Category

Vegetarian Salads

More Posts from this Category

Vegetarian Side Dishes

More Posts from this Category

Vegetarian Main Dishes

More Posts from this Category

Vegetarian Breads

More Posts from this Category

Vegan Sweets

More Posts from this Category

Vegan Smoothies

More Posts from this Category

Vegan Appetizers & Snacks

More Posts from this Category

Vegan Breakfasts

More Posts from this Category

Vegan Salads

More Posts from this Category

Vegan Side Dishes

More Posts from this Category

Vegan Main Dishes

More Posts from this Category

Vegan Breads

More Posts from this Category

Footer

Affiliate Info

Vanilla And Bean is monetized in part through the use of affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This means that if you click on a link and/or purchase an item after clicking on a link, Vanilla And Bean may receive a percentage of the sales price. I only recommend products that I love and use through my affiliate links. To learn more please see my Affiliate Policy. Thank you for your support!

© Vanilla And Bean, LLC  – 2023. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of any content or images without express and written permission from this blog’s owner is prohibited. Licensing inquiries for publication, general distribution, and/or commercial use, please contact me on my contact page.

Copyright © 2023 · Vanilla and Bean · Website by Meyne

Menu

Home · Recipes · Web Stories · Contact · Privacy Policy · Terms of Use · Accessibility · California Privacy Notice

Copyright © 2023 · Vanilla and Bean On Genesis Framework · Log in

Get On The List!
Get On The List!
_____________________

Join the Vanilla And Bean community to receive sweet and savory vegetarian recipes, as well as my Five Secrets to Vegetarian Cooking email series delivered to your inbox.

You will receive recipes and kitchen tips, along with information about our partners and offerings. For more details, review our Privacy Policy.
  • Recipes
    ▼
    • Recipe Index
    • Breakfast and Brunch
    • Main Dish Recipes
    • Bread Recipes
      ▼
      • Sweet Breads
    • Sourdough
      ▼
      • Sourdough Discard Recipes
      • Gluten Free Sourdough
    • Condiment Recipes
    • Drink Recipes
      ▼
      • Cocktails
      • Non Alcoholic
    • Desserts
  • Sign Up For Weekly Newsletter!
  • Start Here
  • Home
  • Shop
  • About
    ▼
    • Contact
    • A little bit about me…
    • Let’s Work Together
    • Blogs I’m Reading
    • Blogger Resources
Vanilla And Bean and our partners use cookies to enhance user experience and to analyze performance and traffic on our website. By using the Site, you consent to the use of cookies. Learn More

COOKIE SETTINGS   ACCEPT
Cookie Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.

Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
CookieTypeDurationDescription
__cfduid14 weeksThe cookie is set by CloudFare. The cookie is used to identify individual clients behind a shared IP address d apply security settings on a per-client basis. It doesnot correspond to any user ID in the web application and does not store any personally identifiable information.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary011 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-non-necessary011 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Non Necessary".
OptanonConsent01 yearTracks users cookie consent preferences
viewed_cookie_policy011 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Advertisement
CookieTypeDurationDescription
IDE12 yearsUsed by Google DoubleClick and stores information about how the user uses the website and any other advertisement before visiting the website. This is used to present users with ads that are relevant to them according to the user profile.
VISITOR_INFO1_LIVE15 monthsThis cookie is set by Youtube. Used to track the information of the embedded YouTube videos on a website.
Analytics
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
CookieTypeDurationDescription
_ga02 yearsThis cookie is installed by Google Analytics. The cookie is used to calculate visitor, session, camapign data and keep track of site usage for the site's analytics report. The cookies store information anonymously and assigns a randoly generated number to identify unique visitors.
_gid01 dayThis cookie is installed by Google Analytics. The cookie is used to store information of how visitors use a website and helps in creating an analytics report of how the wbsite is doing. The data collected including the number visitors, the source where they have come from, and the pages viisted in an anonymous form.
ad-id16 monthsProvided by amazon-adsystem.com for tracking user actions on other websites to provide targeted content
GPS030 minutesThis cookie is set by Youtube and registers a unique ID for tracking users based on their geographical location
Performance
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
CookieTypeDurationDescription
_gat01 minuteThis cookies is installed by Google Universal Analytics to throttle the request rate to limit the colllection of data on high traffic sites.
YSC1This cookies is set by Youtube and is used to track the views of embedded videos.
YTCpersistent10 minutesThis cookie is set by Youtube to manage the embed and viewing of videos