Dark, intense peanut butter bars are keto and low carb. An easy no bake recipe, these bars are gluten free and made without graham crackers.
I adore these healthy keto peanut butter bars! They are chocolatey, intense, and wonderful. They combine two of my favorite foods: creamy peanut butter and very dark chocolate.
There’s something addictive about peanut butter. And when paired with dark chocolate, it’s even more dangerous. But these amazing peanut butter bars are so satisfying, that a little goes a long way. My husband and I have been enjoying one square each night after dinner, with our coffee, taking small bites, savoring, prolonging the pleasure.
How to make keto peanut butter bars
Scroll down to the recipe card for the detailed instructions. This is a no-bake recipe. Super easy. And these peanut butter bars are made without graham crackers. I use almond flour instead. So for the bottom layer, you mix almond flour, butter, peanut butter, and honey or a low carb liquid sweetener. Then for the top layer, you melt chocolate and butter and spread that on the bottom layer.
If you don’t want to use the honey substitute, feel free to experiment with other sweeteners. I haven’t tried this recipe with other sweeteners, though, so I don’t know what would work and what wouldn’t.
But is this a healthy recipe?
These peanut butter bars are a sweet tasting dessert, and as such, they shouldn’t displace other, more nutritious foods in your diet. But as far as desserts go, I think this is indeed a good choice. Almonds and dark chocolate are very healthy. Butter is harmless for most healthy people. And peanut butter is not as toxic as some think. As it turns out, there is a cumulative total reduction of 89% of aflatoxin concentration during the production process of peanut butter.
Admittedly, peanut butter is not paleo. I have to admit that peanut butter is one reason why I could never adopt a strict Paleo diet. Well, that and cheese. 🙂
More peanut butter recipes you might enjoy
Speaking of peanut butter, you should definitely try this amazing keto peanut butter fudge. It’s wonderful. And these keto peanut butter truffles are perhaps too good! They are so rich and chocolatey.
Peanut Butter Chocolate Bars
INGREDIENTS
- 1 cup blanched almond flour (112 grams)
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled (112 grams)
- ½ cup creamy peanut butter, unsweetened, room temperature (128 grams)
- ¼ cup low carb honey substitute (or real honey if you don't mind the carbs)
Topping:
- 3/4 cup 85% cacao chocolate chips (100 grams)
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
INSTRUCTIONS
- In a medium bowl, use a rubber spatula to mix together the almond flour, melted butter, peanut butter and honey substitute.
- Use the spatula to transfer the mixture to a wax-paper-lined, 8-inch square pan, and to spread the mixture evenly.
- Place the chocolate chips and the butter in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave in 30-second increments, stirring after each microwave session, until almost fully melted. Stir the mixture with a rubber spatula until fully melted.
- Pour the melted chocolate on top of the peanut butter mixture, using the spatula to scrape it off the bowl and to spread in evenly. Work gently, so that the chocolate layer stays on top of the peanut butter layer.
- Cover the pan with plastic wrap. Refrigerate until set and firm, about 4 hours.
- Carefully lift the wax paper and place it on top of a cutting board. Using a sharp chef’s knife, cut into 16 squares.
- Keep leftover peanut butter chocolate bars refrigerated in an airtight container, separated by layers of wax paper. Remove from fridge five minutes (but no longer, or they become too soft) before serving.
