4 Ingredient Easy Vegan Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars (Gluten Free, Healthy, Dairy-Free)
Easy Vegan Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars (V, GF): a 4 ingredient recipe for healthy gluten free peanut butter bars! The best dairy free dessert recipe: yummy no bake peanut butter bars! Quick ‘n simple vegan dessert, Gluten Free, Dairy-Free, Vegan.
Have you tried making my 4 ingredient Vegan Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars? They’ve been one of my most popular recipes since I shared them a few years ago—along with the paleo version: No Bake Paleo Chocolate Almond Butter Bars.
Today, I thought it’d be high time to share some new photos, a bit of a recipe revamp and answer your common questions about my easy vegan chocolate peanut butter bars. Are you ready? Let’s do it!
Easy Vegan Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars (Gluten Free)
You might be asking, what the heck are no bake chocolate peanut butter bars? Some folks know them as Lunch Lady Peanut Butter Bars, Homemade Reese’s No Bake Peanut Butter Bars, or even No Bake Cafeteria Peanut Butter Bars.
The classic version of peanut butter bars include 2 layers: one layer that’s firm & sweet featuring peanut butter, and the second is the chocolate topping. How is my recipe for no bake chocolate peanut butter bars any different?
Most no bake peanut butter bars are made with a combination of butter, confectioners sugar and graham crackers. Years ago, when I really, really craved/needed to make a healthy, vegan + gluten free peanut butter bar, I realized that I had to leave those ingredients out.
So here’s what I came up with… 😉
Quick & Simple Vegan Peanut Butter Bars—in 4 ingredients!
My very favorite dairy free peanut butter bars can be made with just 4 simple & healthy ingredients. They’re so easy to make, gluten free, vegan and delish—basically my favorite easy vegan dessert recipe!
- Ingredient 1: unsalted, natural creamy peanut butter
- Ingredient 2: (dairy-free) vegan chocolate chips
- Ingredient 3: pure maple syrup
- Ingredient 4: coconut flour – which makes it grain-free!
I was a little too proud of myself for figuring out that my heretofore enemy, ahem, otherwise known as the indomitable coconut flour, could be used as a healthy, grain-free thickener for the peanut butter layer in these healthy peanut butter bars. Combined with maple syrup, well, you’ve got the tastiest vegan peanut butter bars. Like, ever.
How to Make No Bake Healthy Peanut Butter Bars
- Step 1: Combine peanut butter, maple syrup and coconut flour in a bowl. Whisk & fold until deliciously thickened.
- Step 2: Pour this peanut butter mixture into a prepared pan & smooth into an even layer.
- Step 3: Melt together vegan chocolate chips & remaining peanut butter. Stir until silky smooth.
- Step 4: Pour the melted chocolate mixture over the bars.
- Step 5: Chill until completely firm.
- Step 6: Slice & enjoy the best healthy peanut butter bars!
How Do I Make these Easy Vegan Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars Paleo?
Easy, use my No Bake Paleo Chocolate Almond Butter Bars recipe! It’s also dairy-free, vegan, gluten-free and made from healthy ingredients.
>>RELATED: Ultimate Healthy No Bake Peanut Butter Bars – 5 Ingredients! // Vegan Peanut Butter Cups // 4 Ingredient Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups (Vegan)
Simple & Easy Gluten Free Dessert: Healthy Vegan Peanut Butter Bars!
Isn’t that basically the best easy vegan chocolate peanut butter bars recipe. Evah?!? It’s so simple that I constantly get comments & emails being like, “Uhhh… I really didn’t think these gluten free peanut butter bars would work. But it did. And it’s AWESOME!!” and… “also, can you move next door so I can help you ‘taste-test’?” Tee-hee!!
The best part is that these no bake chocolate peanut butter bars are made without powdered sugar, butter or graham crackers. How cool is that?
Freezing & Storing these Easy Gluten Free Vegan Peanut Butter Bars
These gluten free peanut butter bars are easier to eat than they are to store. But they’re also easy to store. Lol. On the 1st day, the chocolate topping still needs to set, so you’re better off storing your healthy peanut butter bars in the fridge. After Day 1, go ahead and store your PB bars at room temperature, out of direct sunlight.
Great news: you can keep your healthy peanut butter bars for up to 2 weeks!
Freezing: store your dairy free peanut butter bars in a freezer-friendly container for up to 2 months. Allow to thaw for 10 minutes before storing or go for it (if you like it super duper firm & have strong teeth. Lol.)
Tools for Making Easy Healthy Gluten Free Vegan Peanut Butter Bars & Desserts!
Here are the tools that I used to make this healthy no bake peanut butter bars recipe:
- Coconut Flour: one of my favorite ingredients to use in gluten free vegan desserts!
- 8-inch Baking Pan: just the perfect pan for baking & no-baking vegan treats!
- My Favorite Knife: folks are always asking me about the super clean cuts that I make on my no bake bars. Here’s my secret weapon. 😉
- Vegan Chocolate Chips: no vegan kitchen is complete without some amazing vegan chocolate!
Are you ready to make ALL the vegan chocolate peanut butter bars?!? Wait ‘til you tell your loved ones that they’re gluten-free, dairy-free and made with healthy ingredients! 😉 I can’t wait to hear what you think of one of my favorite easy dairy free desserts recipes! Try this recipe & let me know what you think! I can’t wait. ‘Til then…
Sending you all my love and maybe even a dove, xo Demeter ❤️
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Did you make this healthy peanut butter bars recipe? Take a pic & share it on Instagram with the hashtag #beamingbaker and tag @beamingbaker. I’d love to see it!
Quick & Easy Vegan Gluten Free Desserts Recipes (Healthy, Dairy-Free)
If you’re looking for more quick ‘n simple vegan desserts, try my favorites below! They’re all gluten free & dairy-free!!
- No Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup Oatmeal Bars
- Healthy Peanut Butter Cookies (Gluten Free)
- Healthy Vegan Rice Crispy Treats
- Chocolate Peanut Butter No Bake Energy Bites Recipe
- No Bake Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies
- Peanut Butter Crunch Bars
- 2 Ingredient Chocolate Peanut Butter Vegan Fudge Recipe
- 4 Ingredient Peanut Butter Energy Bars
- Soft Baked Chocolate Vegan Donuts Recipe (Gluten Free) – w/ Vegan Chocolate Ganache Glaze!
- 3 Ingredient Peanut Butter Bites
4 Ingredient Easy Vegan Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars (Gluten Free, Healthy, Dairy-Free)
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 16 bars 1x
- Diet: Vegan
Description
Only 4 ingredients for healthy gluten free peanut butter bars! The best dairy free dessert recipe: yummy no bake peanut butter bars! Quick ‘n simple vegan dessert. Gluten Free, Dairy-Free, Vegan
Ingredients
Peanut Butter Layer
- 1 cup natural, unsalted creamy peanut butter
- ¼ cup + 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
- ½ cup coconut flour
Chocolate Topping
- 1 cup vegan chocolate chips
- ½ cup unsalted, natural creamy peanut butter
Instructions
- Line an 8-inch square baking pan with parchment paper or wax paper. Clear some space in the freezer for this pan—you’ll need it later. Set aside.
- Make the Peanut Butter Layer: In a medium bowl, add Peanut Butter Layer ingredients: 1 cup peanut butter, ¼ cup + 2 tablespoons maple syrup, and ½ cup coconut flour. Using a rubber spatula, stir and fold until well-mixed and thickened, with no visible flour patches remaining.
- Transfer peanut butter mixture into the prepared baking pan. Using the rubber spatula, smooth into an even layer. Set aside.
- Make the Chocolate Topping Use the double boiler method or the following. Add Chocolate Topping ingredients to a medium, microwave-safe bowl: 1 cup chocolate chips and ½ cup peanut butter. Heat in 20-second increments until chocolate is softened and melty. Stir in between heating increments, until smooth.
- Pour the chocolate mixture over the peanut butter filling. Using a clean rubber spatula, smooth into an even layer. Tap the pan a few times to help even out the chocolate.
- Transfer pan to freezer. Freeze for 45-60 minutes, or until firm. Remove from freezer and slice into 16 bars. Enjoy! Storing instructions below.
Also try my 4 Ingredient No Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup Oatmeal Bars and my Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Breakfast Bars.
For the Paleo version: No Bake Paleo Chocolate Almond Butter Bars.
Notes
- Note: On the first day, these bars are best stored in the refrigerator, as the chocolate topping hasn’t fully set yet. Serve and enjoy within 1 hour.
- Where to Buy Ingredients: Organic Peanut Butter | Coconut Flour | Pure Maple Syrup | Vegan Chocolate Chips
- Storage Instructions: After the first day, you may store these bars in an airtight container at room temperature (1-2 weeks) or in the refrigerator (1-2 weeks). Starting week 2, the bars are a bit drier (like Reese’s PB cup filling), but still delicious.
- Freezing Instructions: these bars freeze well. Store in an airtight container in the freezer for 1-2 months. Thaw at room temperature for 10 minutes before enjoying.
- Recommended Tools: Unbleached Parchment Paper | Baking Pan (8-inch) | 4 Event Timer | My Favorite Knife
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Snack, Dessert
- Method: No Bake
- Cuisine: American
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Yummmm!
That’s what I like to hear! 😄
Ooooo
I have the ingredients but o also wonder what these would be like without almond butter.
Can’t wait to try these out
The peanut butter in this recipe adds a wonderful flavor that’s like a Reese’s peanut butter cup, but you could use another nut/seed butter if need be. Hope you enjoy!
This is great!! My kids are eating so much food and treats. I prefer that if they are going to eat treats they have some protein in them.
Thanks, Lisa! 🙂 Oh totally—if they’re gonna go for the snacks, it’s time to sneak a little nutrition in as well. Enjoy!!
Some of your recipes have been real life changers for me but these and the breakfast bars are the ones I make the most. I just wanted to add that we put these in silicon cupcake molds and using 1 tablespoon of the bottom and one tablespoon of the top it comes out just even to make 18 cups. We just press the bottom down with wet fingers before adding the top. Thank you so much for all these wonderful recipes!
Thank you so much! Life changers? I’m blushing over here, April! 😉 I love that you make these peanut butter bars into cups–portable yumminess here we come. Thank *you* for your sweet comment; it truly means so much to me.
Mmm, tastes just like a Reese’s! My husband made these for me for Valentine’s Day, since I’m grain-free and can NEVER have enough peanut butter in my life… especially when paired with chocolate!
Loving that compliment! 🙂 What a sweet gift to receive. 😉 I’m so happy you enjoyed my recipe, Heather. Can’t wait to see what you and your husband try next!
This is really great news. Thank you for sharing it with us!
These looks sooo good and seems like within my beginner’s baking repertoire lol. Thank you for sharing. I will be making these soon for a bake sale fund raising my nieces are doing for the koalas in Australia in their neighborhood. ❤️
Haha I’m sure you’re going to have a wonderful time making these Daisy! . And you’re so sweet too! I know the bake sale is going to be a huge success!
These are great and so easy to make! Hubby can’t stay out of them and has asked twice if they were really vegan. Thank you! This ones a keeper v
That’s so awesome!! When they ask twice, that when you know they’re GOOD! 😉 I’m so happy that you’re both enjoying my recipe, Stephanie! Happy no-baking! 🙂
My husband said that this might be the best dessert I’ve ever made. He couldn’t believe it was vegan. They are so addictively delicious!
Oh I’m so happy that he enjoyed it Sheri! Very high praise. ☺️
Any tips on how I can make this sugar-free (the chocolate)?
Hi Anna! You could try using these sugar-free chocolate chips. Let me know how it goes! 🙂
I’ve just been told that I need to eat gluten and dairy free. Your recipes may just rescue me from feeling lost. Thanks for sharing!!
Oh boy, that’s a tough one. But I’m so glad to hear that my recipes might just be the thing you need, Julie! Please do let me know if there’s any way I can help. 🙂
Is there nutritional info posted anywhere?
Hi Valerie! I’m in the process of adding nutritional info to all the recipes on the site. Tanks for your patience! 🙂
Hi,
These look awesome! Do you think i can use regular peanut butter? I bought a hug tub of it before I realized that it called for natural peanut butter
Hi Bridget! Yep, you can definitely use regular peanut butter. Happy no-baking! 🙂
Can I use PBFit instead of natural peanut butter? If so should I use a cup of the powder and just add water to make it creamy? Thanks for your help.
I’m just wondering on the carb content? I have type 2 and really need to watch, everything. But, I love pb and chocolate!
Can you use regular flour/gluten free flour instead of the coconut flour?
Hi Danielle! You might be able to use regular flour or gf flour. You’d have to increase the amount since coconut flour is super absorbent. Also: toast the flour for 5 mins at 350F in the oven first to remove potentially harmful bacteria in the raw flour. Enjoy!
Can you use rice flour?
Hi Roxy, I’m not sure because I haven’t tried it yet. If you do, let me know how it turns out! 🙂
Hello!
This look absolutely delicious! I going to bake it tonight!
Juste one question, concerning the quantity, you just use the bowl? and you put the same amout of each ingredients inside?
Thanks for all your awesome recipies!!
Hi Romane! I’ve got the full listing for ingredients and instructions in the recipe card, at the bottom of the post below the long image and above the tools sections. Let me know how they turn out! 🙂
Is there an alternative for coconut flour?
Chocolate and peanut butter are a match made in heaven. I can’t wait to make these no bake treats for Easter.
Yay! Hope you enjoyed them and had a wonderful Easter Jackie! .
Omg, this recipe has my name on it! I’m totally drooling over this goodness, can’t wait to try!
LOL can’t wait to hear what you think Melanie! .
Oh these bars look delicious!
You know it Allyson! .
These are so easy and tasty! Perfect for snacktime
Yes! They’re soo good to snack on! .