With a sweet coconut filling and a dark chocolate exterior, these 5 ingredient Homemade Vegan Almond Joys are going to be your go-to dessert!
I'm so excited to share the recipe for these Homemade Vegan Almond Joys with you all!
I made these homemade almond joys for the first time last Friday and have made them three times since then!
My friends have only given rave reviews for these 5 ingredient Almond Joys.
Unlike traditional Almond Joys, this homemade recipe uses wholesome ingredients and are dairy-free!
Almond Joys were always one of my favorite candies growing up. I would always eat through my Almond Joys on Halloween quicker than any other candy bar.
So I'm so excited to share an easy, homemade recipe for them today.
If you love Almond Joys, then I know I'll die over these decadent, yet healthy Homemade Vegan Almond Joys Recipe!
What Are Almond Joys?
Almond Joys are a candy bar that have a creamy, coconut filling, coated in chocolate to make a candy bar and topped with a whole almond.
The Almond Joy was first introduced in 1946 by Peter Paul.
If you've never tried an Almond Joy, you need to make this recipe!
Ingredients for Homemade Vegan Almond Joys
Did I mention this recipe for Homemade Almond Joys only requires 5 ingredients?!
If you bake, I bet you already have quite a few, if not all, of these ingredients on hand.
To make these Homemade Almond Joys, you'll need the following ingredients:
That's it!
Are Almond Joys Vegan?
Even though Almond Joys are coconut flavored, they still contain dairy in them, meaning they are not vegan.
If you read the ingredient list for an Almond Joy candy bar you'll find the following ingredients:
Corn Syrup, Sugar, Coconut, Vegetable Oil (Palm Oil, Shea Oil, Sunflower Oil, Palm Kernel Oil, and/or Safflower Oil), Almonds, Chocolate, Skim Milk, Contains 2% or Less of Lactose (Milk), Cocoa, Whey (Milk), Salt, Lecithin (Soy), Milk Fat, PGPR, Cocoa Butter, Hydrolyzed Milk Protein, Sodium Metabisulfite (to Maintain Freshness), Vanillin (Artificial Flavor).
As you can see, there is skim milk, why and hydrolyzed milk protein in an Almond Joy bar.
Are Almond Joys Candy Bars Made with Dark Chocolate?
Traditional Almond Joy candy bars are coated in milk chocolate.
So, no! Almond Joys are not made with dark chocolate.
However, if you are like me and avoid dairy and love dark chocolate, don't worry!
Instead of buying Almond Joys at the store, make this homemade almond joy recipe!
Not only is this homemade recipe for almond joys dairy-free, but the chocolate coating is made with dark chocolate for a decadent, wholesome dessert!
How to Make Homemade Almond Joys
These Homemade Almond Joy Candy Bars really couldn't be easier to make.
Let me walk you through how to make them!
STEP 1: Start by lining a baking sheet with wax paper and set it aside.
STEP 2: In a food processor, process the shredded coconut, coconut oil and maple syrup until combined, scraping down the sides of the food processor as necessary. You want the shredded coconut to be broken down into little bits, which could take about 3-5 minutes.
STEP 3: Form the coconut mixture into 20 almond joy shaped rectangles and place them on the wax paper lined baking sheet. Press an almond into the center of each rectangle. Place the baking sheet in the freezer for 15 minutes for the coconut mixture to harden.
STEP 4: Meanwhile, melt the chocolate chips with 1 teaspoon of coconut oil in a microwave safe bowl or with a double boiler.
STEP 5: After 15 minutes, coat each almond joy in the melted chocolate. Shake or scrape off excess chocolate before returning the chocolate coated almond joys to the wax paper. If possible, try to keep the uncoated almond joys in the freezer as you work. Once you have coated all the almond joys in chocolate, let the chocolate harden in the freezer for about 10-15 minutes.
Storage
These homemade almond joys should be stored in an airtight container in the fridge or freezer.
Pro Tip: If you choose to freeze these vegan almond joys, be sure to remove them from the freezer about ½ hour before serving.
Pairing
For an extra-decadent treat, pair these almond joys with my top-rated homemade vegan ice cream!
Homemade Vegan Almond Joys Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 cups shredded unsweetened coconut
- 6 tablespoons + 1 teaspoon coconut oil divided
- ¼ cup maple syrup
- 20 almonds
- 1 cup dairy-free chocolate chips
Instructions
- Line a baking sheet with wax or parchment paper and set it aside.
- In a food processor, process the shredded coconut, 6 tablespoons of coconut oil and maple syrup until combined. You want the shredded coconut to be broken down into little bits. This will take about 3-5 minutes. Scrape down the sides of your food processor when necessary.
- Form the coconut mixture into 20 almond joy shaped rectangles and place them on your lined baking sheet. Press an almond into the center of each rectangle, reforming the shape if necessary, and then place the baking sheet in the freezer for 15 minutes for the coconut mixture to harden.
- Melt the chocolate chips with 1 teaspoon of coconut oil in a microwave safe bowl or with a double boiler. After 15 minutes, coat each almond joy in the melted chocolate. Do this by using a fork, and shaking off excess chocolate before returning the chocolate-coated almond joys to the wax paper. If possible, try to keep the uncoated almond joys in the freezer as you work. Once you have coated all the almond joys in chocolate, let the chocolate harden in the freezer for about 10-15 minutes.
- Store the hardened almond joys in an airtight container in the fridge!
Vickie says
I made these as a Valentine's Day treat for my husband. The store-bought kind are high in sulfites, which cause his migraines. He hasn't had an Almond Joy in years. They were easy to make and really delicious. He raved about them.
Faith VanderMolen says
So happy to hear that! They're definitely one of my favorite desserts as well:)
Ellie says
These turned out so good! I used sweetened coconut and omitted the maple and it came out well. After dipping in chocolate I gave it a sea salt sprinkle to give it that sweet and salty 🙂 My fiancé will love these for Valentine’s Day!
Faith VanderMolen says
That's so great to hear Ellie! And the addition of sea salt on top is brilliant. Glad you had a great Valentine's Day!
janet @ the taste space says
Lovely! I clicked over from VVL and love this and your blog. Simple raw desserts are one of my favourite snacks. 🙂
Faith says
Thanks for your kind words Janet! These have been a huge hit at our house:) And that Pumpkin Chili looks amazing! I think I have all the ingredients already in my house too!
Tina Muir says
Oh man, faith, this could be dangerous! I probably could not tell those were homemade, they look THAT good, actually, they look better! You are a master 🙂 Thanks for joining us again, you always bring a great recipe to meatless monday, keep up the good work 🙂
Faith says
Haha that's exactly what I thought when I first made these. Thanks for your kind words Tina!! I love linking up with y'all:) Thanks for hosting!
Deborah @ Confessions of a Mother Runner says
Wow that looks so easy to make. Thanks for linking up with us again today 🙂
Faith says
They really are, thanks! And thanks for hosting. Hopefully I'll be able to link-up some more savory meals soon:)
Leigha @ The Yooper Girl says
These are so cool!! I was always a chocolate girl at Halloween but since starting to eat healthier I don't crave packaged sweets anymore. I was never a fan of almond joys since I didn't like almonds or coconut (crazy me!!) but now I love both of them! Can't believe how easy these are!
Faith says
Thanks Leigha! It's crazy how our palates change! I know, these were so much easier to make than I thought too:) Holla!