Gluten-Free Homemade Peanut Butter Chocolate Bars Recipe

Introduction

These homemade gluten-free bars are a delightful treat combining a crisp almond flour shortbread base, creamy peanut butter caramel, and a rich chocolate coating. Perfect as a healthy snack or dessert, they bring a homemade twist to a classic favorite.

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups almond flour
• 3 tbsp butter (melted)
• 1 1/2 tbsp maple syrup
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1 cup creamy peanut butter
• 1/3 cup maple syrup
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/4 cup almond flour
• 1 cup chocolate chips
• 1 1/2 tbsp coconut oil

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8 inch baking pan with parchment paper, making sure the edges are well covered for easy removal later.
2. Step 2: Prepare the shortbread base by mixing almond flour, melted butter, maple syrup, vanilla extract, and salt in a large bowl until a dough forms. Press evenly into the prepared pan and bake for 10–12 minutes until edges turn golden. Let cool.
3. Step 3: Make the caramel filling by combining peanut butter, maple syrup, vanilla extract, and almond flour until smooth. Spread evenly over the cooled shortbread and freeze for at least 1 hour to set.
4. Step 4: Melt chocolate chips with coconut oil in a shallow bowl over boiling water or in 30-second microwave intervals, stirring until smooth.
5. Step 5: Remove the block from the freezer, lift out using the parchment paper, and slice into 16 bars by halving and then cutting each half into 8 even pieces.
6. Step 6: Dip each bar fully into the melted chocolate, tap off excess, and place on a parchment-lined tray. Repeat for all bars.
7. Step 7: Optionally drizzle remaining chocolate over the bars and sprinkle with flaky sea salt. Freeze for about 10 minutes until chocolate hardens.
8. Step 8: Enjoy your homemade gluten-free bars! Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge or freezer.

Tips & Variations

• Use natural peanut butter without added sugar for a cleaner taste and better texture.
• For a nut-free version, substitute almond flour with oat flour and peanut butter with sunflower seed butter.
• Adding a pinch of cinnamon to the shortbread adds a warm spice note.
• If you prefer a firmer chocolate coating, chill the dipped bars in the freezer until set before adding a second chocolate layer.

Storage

Store the bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week or freeze for up to 1 month. To reheat, let frozen bars thaw in the fridge for a few hours before serving to maintain texture and flavor.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use other nut butters instead of peanut butter?

Yes, almond butter or cashew butter work well as substitutes, but keep in mind the flavor and texture may vary slightly.

Is it necessary to freeze the bars before dipping in chocolate?

Yes, freezing the caramel layer helps it firm up, making it easier to dip the bars without the filling melting or sliding off.

Gluten-Free Homemade Peanut Butter Chocolate Bars Recipe

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4.5 from 81 reviews

These homemade gluten-free Twix bars combine a buttery almond flour shortbread base with a creamy peanut butter caramel layer, all coated in rich dark chocolate. Perfectly sweetened with maple syrup and infused with vanilla, these bars offer a deliciously healthy alternative to the classic candy, with easy preparation and no refined sugars.

• Author: rami
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 12 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 40 minutes
• Yield: 16 bars 1x
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Gluten Free

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Shortbread Base

• 1 1/2 cups Almond Flour
• 3 tbsp Butter (melted)
• 1 1/2 tbsp Maple Syrup
• 1/2 tsp Vanilla Extract
• 1/4 tsp Salt

Caramel Filling

• 1 cup Creamy Peanut Butter
• 1/3 cup Maple Syrup
• 1 tsp Vanilla Extract
• 1/4 cup Almond Flour

Chocolate Coating

• 1 cup Chocolate Chips
• 1 1/2 tbsp Coconut Oil

Instructions

1. Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8 inch baking pan with parchment paper, covering the edges well to ensure the shortbread can be removed easily after baking.
2. Make the Shortbread Base: In a large mixing bowl, mix the almond flour, melted butter, maple syrup, vanilla extract, and salt until fully combined into a dough. Press this mixture firmly and evenly into the prepared pan. Bake for 10-12 minutes until edges are golden brown. Let cool completely.
3. Prepare Caramel Filling: In a medium bowl, blend together peanut butter, maple syrup, vanilla extract, and almond flour until smooth. Once the shortbread has cooled, spread this caramel mixture evenly over the base. Freeze the pan for at least one hour to set the layer.
4. Melt Chocolate Coating: Melt the chocolate chips with coconut oil in a shallow bowl over a pot of boiling water (double boiler method) or in 30-second microwave intervals, stirring until the mixture is smooth and fully melted.
5. Assemble Bars: Remove the pan from the freezer, lift out the set shortbread and caramel block using the parchment paper, and place it on a cutting board. Cut into 16 bars by halving, then slicing each half into 8 equal pieces.
6. Coat Bars in Chocolate: Dip each individual bar into the melted chocolate, making sure each bar is fully coated. Gently tap off excess chocolate and place bars on a parchment-lined tray. Repeat until all bars are coated.
7. Final Touch and Set: Optionally drizzle remaining melted chocolate over the coated bars and sprinkle with flaky sea salt. Place the bars back in the freezer for about 10 minutes until the chocolate hardens.
8. Serve and Store: Enjoy immediately or store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator or freezer for longer freshness.

Notes

• Use parchment paper to ensure easy removal from pan.
• Freezing the layers helps achieve firm bars that hold their shape.
• Adjust sweetness by using more or less maple syrup according to preference.
• For a dairy-free version, substitute butter with coconut oil.
• Store bars in an airtight container to maintain freshness and texture.

Keywords: gluten-free bars, homemade Twix bars, almond flour shortbread, peanut butter caramel, healthy dessert, maple syrup sweetened, chocolate coated bars