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    You are here: Home | Recipes | Desserts

    Healthier Peanut Butter Bars (Vegan + Gluten-Free!)

    Apr 26, 2023 by Faith VanderMolen

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Full of rolled oats, popped amaranth and protein-packed peanut butter, these Healthier Peanut Butter Bars make for a decadent snack or dessert!

    peanut butter bars with chocolate topping stacked on top of each other

    It'll come as no surprise that we love the combination of chocolate and peanut butter. You'll quickly discover that just by looking through my dessert archive! We love these Vegan Peanut Butter Blossom Cookies. We're obsessed with these Easy Peanut Butter Cups. We almost always have a batch of peanut butter protein balls on hand. And of course, you can never go wrong with the BEST Peanut Butter Brownies...yes please!

    Today I'm adding another peanut butter and chocolate dessert to my archive with these healthier Peanut Butter Bars!

    Let me show you how to make them

    Ingredients

    all the ingredients you'll need for healthier peanut butter bars laid out on a table

    You'll be happy to know that these peanut butter bars only require 8 ingredients, many of which you probably already have on hand in your pantry. I'll list out everything you need below.

    • Popped amaranth
    • Rolled oats
    • Peanut flour
    • Liquid sweetener (agave, rice syrup or honey, if not vegan)
    • Peanut butter (natural, salted peanut butter)
    • Coconut oil
    • Dairy-free dark chocolate chips
    • Salted, roasted peanuts

    Learn how to make homemade peanut butter!

    You may not have heard of one the ingredients, amaranth, so let me tell you more about it!

    What is Amaranth?

    popped amaranth from Erbology
    Popped Amaranth from Erbolody

    As you can see, this recipe calls for popped (or puffed) amaranth. You may be wondering what amaranth is, considering it's not a very popular ingredient.

    Amaranth is a pseudo-cereal. This means that it acts like a grain, when really it's a seed. Quinoa and buckwheat are also pseudo-cereals.

    Amaranth has an earthy and nutty flavor which can work well in both sweet and savory recipes. Plus, it's gluten-free, rich in fiber and other micronutrients.

    How to Make Healthy Peanut Butter Bars

    These peanut butter bars require no baking and only 8 simple ingredients. Follow the step-by-step instructions below and you'll be enjoying a delicious, healthy dessert in no time!

    Step 1: Line a standard sized loaf pan with parchment paper and set it aside.

    Step 2: In a mixing bowl, stir together the popped amaranth, rolled oats and peanut flour. Add in the peanut butter, liquid sweetener and melted coconut oil and stir until a uniform batter forms.

    the base for peanut butter bars being stirred in a mixing bowl

    Step 3: Press the batter into your lined loaf pan until compact and level. Set the pan aside.

    Step 4: Place the chocolate chips and 1 teaspoon of coconut oil into a microwave safe bowl (or use a double boiler) and microwave for 30 second intervals, stirring after each interval, until almost melted. Stir the chocolate well until smooth before pouring it over top of the peanut butter layer and spreading it out into a smooth, level layer.

    Step 5: Sprinkle the roasted, chopped peanuts over top of the chocolate.

    Step 6: Place the pan into the freezer until the chocolate has set. Once set, use the parchment paper to remove the bars from the pan. Allow them to sit at room temperature for a few minutes before cutting into 16 bars, or whatever size you desire.

    peanut butter bars with a chocolate topping on a cutting board
    a slab of peanut butter bars on a cutting board after they've been cut into strips

    Storage

    These bars probably won't last long, but if you do have leftovers you can store them in the fridge or freezer.

    Fridge: These peanut butter bars can be stored in the fridge in an airtight container for up to a week.

    Freezer: To freeze these bars, place them in a freezer-safe zip-lock bag or container and freeze them for 2-3 months. If desired, you can prevent them from getting freezer burn by wrapping them individually in plastic wrap before placing them in the zip-lock bag.

    three healthier peanut butter bars stacked on top of each other

    I really hope you guys can get your hands on some popped amaranth and make these decadent, yet healthy peanut butter bars!

    If you do make this recipe, please let me know your thoughts in the comments down below. If you enjoyed the recipe, be sure to give it a 5 star rating by clicking on the stars in the recipe card. Also, be sure to share a photo of the final product on Instagram and tag me, @theconscientiouseater!

    The tops of peanut butter bars that have been coated in chocolate and topped with roasted peanuts
    healthier peanut butter bars cut up on a cutting board

    📖 Recipe

    Healthier Peanut Butter Bars (Vegan + Gluten-Free!)

    Faith VanderMolen
    Full of rolled oats, popped amaranth and protein-packed peanut butter, these Healthier Peanut Butter Bars make for a decadent snack or dessert!
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 15 minutes mins
    Additional Time 1 hour hr
    Total Time 1 hour hr 15 minutes mins
    Course Dessert Bars
    Cuisine American
    Servings 16 bars
    Calories 262 kcal

    Equipment

    • Loaf Pan
    • Unbleached Parchment Paper

    Ingredients
     
     

    PEANUT BUTTER BASE

    • 1 ½ cup popped amaranth
    • 1 cup rolled oats
    • ½ cup peanut flour
    • ½ cup natural peanut butter
    • ½ cup thick sweetener agave, rice syrup, honey if not vegan, etc.
    • 3 tablespoons coconut oil

    CHOCOLATE TOPPING

    • 1 cup dark chocolate chips
    • 1 teaspoon coconut oil
    • 2 tablespoons salted roasted peanuts, chopped

    Instructions 

    • Line a standard sized loaf pan with parchment paper and set it aside.
    • In a mixing bowl, stir together the popped amaranth, rolled oats and peanut flour. Add in the peanut butter, liquid sweetener and melted coconut oil and stir until a uniform batter forms.
    • Press the batter into your lined loaf pan until compact and level. Set the pan aside.
    • Place the chocolate chips and 1 teaspoon of coconut oil into a microwave safe bowl (or use a double boiler) and microwave for 30 second intervals, stirring after each interval, until almost melted. Stir the chocolate well until smooth before pouring it over top of the peanut butter layer and spreading it out into a smooth, level layer.
    • Sprinkle the roasted, chopped peanuts over top of the chocolate.
    • Place the pan into the freezer until the chocolate has set. Once set, use the parchment paper to remove the bars from the pan. Allow them to sit at room temperature for a few minutes before cutting into 16 bars, or whatever size you desire.
    • Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week...if they last that long!

    Notes

    I love Erbology's Popped Amaranth!

    Nutrition

    Calories: 262kcalCarbohydrates: 30gProtein: 8gFat: 13gSaturated Fat: 7gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 3mgSodium: 145mgPotassium: 305mgFiber: 3gSugar: 10gVitamin A: 4IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 77mgIron: 2mg
    Tried this recipe?Let me know how it was!

    More Desserts

    • Date Brownies (Vegan + Gluten-Free!)
    • Vegan Brookies (Half Brownie / Half Cookie!)
    • Vegan Oatmeal Bars with Jam!
    • Almond Pulp Brownie Bites


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