Paleo Peanut Butter Bars (vegan)
These paleo peanut butter bars only use 5 ingredients, are no-bake, super easy to put together and are also vegan. The perfect paleo dessert!
Before you have any objections to these paleo peanut butter bars, I know full well that peanut butter isn’t paleo. These bars are actually made with sunflower seed butter instead of peanut butter, but they taste really close! If you don’t believe me, check out the reviews on my paleo peanut butter cookies recipe, where I have done the same thing successfully.
Sunflower seed butter, of course, doesn’t taste exactly like peanut butter, but after a few bites of these bars, I forgot that they weren’t made with peanut butter. It could just be that I haven’t had peanuts in so long but these bars 100% satisfied my peanut butter cravings!
I used homemade sunflower seed butter, which is really pretty runny. If you use a different nut butter, you’ll likely need less coconut flour.
Especially if you use something particularly firm like cashew butter. At least my cashew butter is firm, not so easy to even spread and very far from pourable.
If you add too much coconut flour and the mixture is crumbly, then add vanilla or water, just a little at a time, until the mixture holds together better. The video shows you what consistency it should be.
These vegan peanut butter bars are nice and thick, so the 8″x 8″ pan will give you plenty to snack on. And they freeze great! If you’re worried about portion control, you can hide them deep down in the freezer, a method that I utilize quite often. ;)
When I was young, I often made peanut butter bars with melted chocolate mixed with a little butter on top. This topping is so much better! It uses chocolate + sunflower seed butter.
That change makes the topping softer and more fudgy. I thought about using my peanut butter chocolate fudge recipe (which can also be made with sunflower seed butter), but this way was much quicker, easier, and I think just as tasty as a topping.
Questions about these paleo peanut butter bars?
Can you taste the coconut flour?
Nope!
Can I use something other than sunflower seed butter?
Any nut butter should work. Check out the post above for more details. And here’s how to make homemade almond butter!
Can I use nut / seed butter with added fat or sugar?
You could try if it’s really runny and pourable, but the result will be sweeter. I don’t recommend the firm kind like Jif or Skippy although I guess it might work if you reduce the coconut sugar.
What can I use instead of maple syrup?
It needs to be a liquid sweetener. I think using honey would make the bars taste more honeyish and less peanut buttery. I think you’d also need a little less honey or to add a little more vanilla or water.
Date paste might be yummy, and I think it would go well with the peanut butter flavor, but I haven’t tried it.
You could also try a granulated sweetener, but then you’d need to add some water or milk. I have no idea how much to recommend, and I’m not sure if it’d come out well, so I suggest sticking to a liquid sweetener.
As for liquid stevia or any other low-carb sweeteners, I have no idea! Sorry.
Can I use a different flour?
Unfortunately not. Coconut flour is way more absorbent than any other type of flour.
So you don’t need much to get the right texture. If you tried almond flour (or something else), you’d have to add way more, and then the proportions of all the ingredients would be off and not taste right.
Oat flour might work, but I haven’t tried it.
Can I reduce the sugar?
I used the least amount that I thought was enough. You could try reducing it a little, but then add less coconut flour.
If you try these paleo peanut butter bars, I’d love to hear how they come out!
Paleo Peanut Butter Bars (vegan)
Ingredients
For the base:
- 1 1/4 cups (320 grams) natural sunflower seed butter see notes
- 1/2 cup (120 ml) maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon salt omit or adjust if using salted seed butter
- 2/3 to 3/4 cup (84 to 96 grams) coconut flour
For the topping:
- 1 1/4 cups (213 grams) semi-sweet paleo / vegan chocolate chopped, melted
- 7 1/2 tablespoons (120 grams) natural sunflower seed butter
Instructions
- Line an 8"x8" pan with a piece of parchment paper. In a medium mixing bowl, stir together the sunflower seed butter, maple syrup and vanilla until well combined.1 1/4 cups (320 grams) natural sunflower seed butter, 1/2 cup (120 ml) maple syrup, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Add the salt and coconut flour (starting off with 2/3 cup) until well combined. Let sit for 10 minutes to let the coconut flour absorb the moisture. If it's not firm enough (see the video), add the remaining coconut flour. Pat onto the bottom of the prepared pan.1/4 teaspoon salt, 2/3 to 3/4 cup (84 to 96 grams) coconut flour
- Prepare the topping. Mix together the seed butter and melted chocolate and spread over the bottom layer. Chill for 2-3 hours or until firm enough to cut into bars.1 1/4 cups (213 grams) semi-sweet paleo / vegan chocolate, 7 1/2 tablespoons (120 grams) natural sunflower seed butter
- Keeps well at room temperature for a few days if it’s not too warm. Otherwise, refrigerate for up to a week or freeze for several months.
Notes
- Natural nut-butters have no added fat or sugar. You can also use homemade peanut butter / store-bought natural peanut butter for non-paleo.
- The nutrition information provided is calculated as a courtesy and is only an estimate. I am not a licensed nutritionist or dietitian. For the most accurate nutritional data, consult a professional or use your preferred calculator.
Chocolate and peanut butter are the perfect combination! I can’t wait to try this healthier version.
I hope you’ll get to try them out! :)
I love these! Great dessert or snack option for my house!
I’m glad to hear that! :)
These look incredible! I can’t wait to make these!!
Thanks! Hope you’ll love them. :)
This is absolutely magnificent, scrumptious, delicious, super yummy chocolate peanut butter bars. I am obsessed with healthy desserts!
Thank you! Hope you’ll give them a try soon. :)
These peanut butter bars look so good! My perfect afternoon snack!
Thank you! :)
Love that these are paleo! They look amazing, can’t wait to make them!
I hope you’ll enjoy them!
OMG these look perfect! So yummy :) Def making these for a treat this week
I hope you loved them as much as we do!
These look fantastic, Erin! I’m always looking for peanut-free recipes for my kids, this one looks delicious :)
I hope you’ll get to try them out! :)
Raw coconut flour? Shouldn’t the base blood baked?
Nope. Lots of no-bake recipes use raw coconut flour.
These are on my must-make list!
I hope you’ll love them as much as we do!
Yum, I need these in my life ASAP! Always looking for new paleo treats!
I think you do, too! ;)
These are a must make dessert! The best flavor combination ever!!
I think so, too! :D
Chocolate and peanut butter go together perfectly! So delicious!
I totally agree!
Yes, yes, and YES!! These are my absolute favorite.
Thanks! :)
These look absolutely amazing ! I cannot wait to try them !
I hope you’ll love them!
You think I could use oat flour instead of coconut flour?
Please check out the subs section of the post. :)
They look very perfect and neat, yet chocolatey! Need to try this!
I hope you will! :)
Good Morning
Do post the nutritional content of your recipes? These look wonderful – doing WW right now – to calculate the point value.
Hi there! I don’t, sorry. I’m actually not supposed to legally. Sorry again!
These bars have my name written on them! Looks so delicious!
Thank you! :)
dairy and gluten free, I’m on the trail, thank you………..
You’re welcome! I’d love to hear how they come out for you. :)