These deeply dark and flavorful peanut butter bars are keto and low carb. An easy no-bake recipe, these gluten-free bars are made without graham crackers.
While they require a few steps and take some time to be ready, they are actually quite easy to make, and they last for several days in the fridge.
If you like the combination of peanut butter and chocolate, you're in for a very special treat!
These keto peanut butter bars are amazing. They are so chocolatey and decadent. They combine two of my favorite foods: creamy peanut butter and extra-dark chocolate. And as impressive as they look, they are actually quite easy to make.
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Ingredients
You'll only need a few simple ingredients to make these tasty bars. The exact measurements are included in the recipe card below. Here's an overview of what you'll need:
- Almond flour: I use blanched finely ground almond flour in this recipe. I don't recommend using a coarse almond meal.
- Butter: I use unsalted butter, and I prefer creamy European butter. But any butter will be great.
- Peanut butter: I use natural creamy peanut butter. The only ingredients are peanuts and salt, and it's the kind of peanut butter you need to stir well before using.
- Sweetener: I use stevia. You can probably use a sugar-free granulated sweetener instead (powdered would be best), but I haven't tested that.
- Dark chocolate chips: As dark as you can go and still enjoy them! You can also use a dark chocolate bar (Lindt is good) and chop it with a sharp knife.
Instructions
Scroll down to the recipe card for detailed instructions. Here are the basic steps for making these keto peanut butter bars:
Your first step is to line the pan with some wax paper, ensuring that you have a wax paper overhang. You will later use the overhang as handles for lifting the bars out of the pan.
Now, go ahead and melt some butter in a medium microwave-safe bowl. Allow it to slightly cool, then mix in the stevia, peanut butter, and almond flour.
Start mixing these ingredients with a rubber spatula, then use a whisk to mix them thoroughly until completely smooth and no almond flour lumps remain, as shown in the video below.
Spread this mixture in the wax-paper-lined pan, then freeze it for 15 minutes.
Your next step is to gently spread a melted chocolate mixture on top of the hardened peanut butter layer.
The last step is to cover the pan and refrigerate it for at least 4 hours until the mixture is fully set. Then you can cut it into 16 bars.
Expert tip
It's best to use a freshly opened jar of peanut butter, since the bottom of these jars is often a bit too dry, even if you stir the peanut butter well when you open them.
Frequently asked questions
No! In this keto version, there's no need for Graham crackers. Almond flour works just as well.
I add a bit of butter to the melted chocolate to keep it from hardening too much and becoming brittle after it sets. The butter keeps it just a bit softer.
These flours are very different than each other and are not interchangeable. I only tested this recipe with almond flour.
Variations
Instead of peanut butter, you can make this recipe with natural almond butter. If you do, you might want to add half a teaspoon of almond extract to enhance the almond flavor.
Serving suggestions
If you like the combination of chocolate and peanut butter, it's fun to make a platter of several types of desserts for your guests. You can include these bars, keto peanut butter cups, keto peanut butter cookies, and keto fudge.
Storing leftovers
You can keep the leftovers refrigerated in an airtight container, separated by layers of wax paper, for up to a week. You can also freeze them for up to three months.
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Recipe card
Keto Peanut Butter Bars
INGREDIENTS
- ½ cup unsalted butter melted and slightly cooled (4 oz)
- ½ teaspoon stevia glycerite (heaping, to equal ¼ cup sugar)
- ½ cup natural creamy peanut butter unsweetened, room temperature
- 1 cup almond flour blanched finely ground (4 oz)
Topping:
- ¾ cup dark chocolate chips (3.5 oz)
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
INSTRUCTIONS
- Line a square 8-inch baking dish with wax paper so that you have a wax paper overhanging on both sides. This will allow for easy removal later on.
Make the bottom layer:
- Melt the butter in a medium microwave-safe bowl. Allow it to slightly cool.
- Mix in the stevia, peanut butter, and almond flour. Start mixing with a rubber spatula, then use a hand whisk to mix thoroughly until completely smooth and no almond flour lumps remain.
- Use the spatula to transfer the mixture to the prepared pan, and to spread the mixture evenly. Freeze for 15 minutes.
Make the top layer:
- 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 layer, using the spatula to scrape it off the bowl and to spread it 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 leftovers refrigerated in an airtight container, separated by layers of wax paper.
WATCH THE VIDEO:
NOTES
ADD YOUR OWN NOTES
NUTRITION PER SERVING
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Vered DeLeeuw, LL.M., CNC, has been following a low-carb real-food diet and blogging about it since 2011. She's a Certified Nutrition Coach (NASM-CNC), has taken courses at the Harvard School of Public Health, and has earned a Nutrition and Healthy Living Certificate from Cornell University. Her work has appeared in several major media outlets, including Healthline, HuffPost, Today, Women's Health, Shape, and Country Living. 