Full of rolled oats, popped amaranth and protein-packed peanut butter, these Healthier Peanut Butter Bars make for a decadent snack or dessert!
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
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?
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.
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.
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.
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!
📖 Recipe
Healthier Peanut Butter Bars (Vegan + Gluten-Free!)
Equipment
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!
Please Leave A Star Review In The Recipe Card!