Do you really need a reason to make these homemade almond joy candy bars? Ok I’ll give you three! They are made with 100% real ingredients, they are dairy free and have no processed sugar. Don’t let all that healthy stuff fool you, they are 100% addicting and you are going to love them! These homemade almond joy candy bars are also gluten free, grain free, paleo friendly, and vegan.
With the holidays coming, I have been more aware than usual of all the candy out around the registers at the grocery store. I haven’t bought store bought candy in years. I just don’t have any desire for it. I know I’m in the minority here, but once you figure out how easy it is to make at home, you might find yourself buying less store bought candy too.
When I was working as a CPA, we had a candy drawer that was kept stocked, especially around busy season (which I swear started in June and ended in February). Needless to say, candy was not only accessible but it was my main source of quick energy when I would start crashing from way too many long nights at the office. The almond joys were one of the first candy bars to disappear, so I would always grab a few and stash them at my desk for a late night craving.
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This was not good for my energy or my waistline. By the end of busy season I was always wearing dresses because my pants wouldn’t feel comfortable and I was always cursing my inability to avoid the candy jar. I didn’t have any idea that my diet mentality was not serving me at all. I would eat very little for breakfast and lunch (probably less than 500 calories between these two meals). I would have a snack of granola around 4pm and of course I would be crashing in the energy department.
Why you’ll love these Homemade Almond Joy Candy Bars
If I would have known better I would have increased my food earlier in the day, and packed a few of these homemade almond joy candy bars for when my sweet tooth was calling. These homemade almond joy candy bars are full of healthy fats, are sweetened with maple syrup and even have some protein! There is no high fructose corn syrup or cheap fillers in these. Just coconut, cacao and chocolate protein powder.
Like in my paleo pumpkin bites, I made the chocolate from coconut oil, cacao powder and chocolate protein powder. You could also melt 1 ½ cups of dairy free chocolate chips if you don’t want to make your own chocolate.
Once you have the chocolate made (or melted) the filling is just coconut butter, coconut flakes, maple syrup and coconut oil.
Did you know that coconut oil is full of medium chain triglicerides (MCT), which are easier for the body to use for immediate energy (vs other kind of fats). If you are worried about coconut oil being full of saturated fats, I understand. But here is the thing; the research I’ve done on saturated fats indicated that saturated fats are only an issue if they are combined with a diet high in processed sugar (aka the Standard American Diet)
Did you know that MCT has also been shown to help with concentration and focus? The perfect reason to have these on hand for that afternoon slump!
Homemade Almond Joy Candy Bars
Recipe Video
Ingredients
Chocolate coating
- 1/3 cup coconut oil - melted
- 1/4 cup cacao powder
- 1.5 scoop protein powder - Vega Performance Protein
- 1-2 tsp coconut oil - if needed
Coconut Filling
- 1/2 cup coconut butter
- 1/2 cup coconut flakes - unsweetened
- 2 tbsp. coconut oil
- 2 tbsp maple syrup
- 1/4 cup almonds - you need 20
Instructions
- Combine the ingredients for the chocolate coating. Stir well, making sure to break up any of the chocolate clumps. You may need to add 1-2 more tsp. of coconut oil.
- Add waxed paper to a baking sheet or pan that will fit in your freezer.
- Pour out about 1/4 cup of the chocolate mixture and spread out with a spatula into a rectangle (about 4 candy bars across and 5 down).
- Place in the freezer to harden (about 5 minutes)
- While the chocolate is setting, make the coconut filling by combining all the ingredients (except the almonds) in a bowl.
- Spread out the coconut mixture on the frozen chocolate and make sure it goes out to the edges. Spread as evenly as you can.
- Add the almonds, 4 or 5 across and 4 or 5 down, using 20 almonds total.
- Freeze for 5 minutes.
- Remove from freezer and cut into squares, using the almonds to indicate the center of each piece of candy.
- Freeze again 10 minutes.
- Stir the chocolate (and microwave 20 seconds if it got a bit hard, it can do that in the cooler months). Using a spoon, spoon a light coating over each piece of candy
- Freeze until chocolate has hardened, about 10 minutes.
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Nutrition Information
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Jason
These looks amazing! Thanks for the recipe.
Miz Helen
I can’t get much better than this, a wonderful homemade Almond Joy, YES! Thanks so much for sharing your awesome post with us at Full Plate Thursday. Hope you are having a good week and come back to see us real soon!
Miz Helen
Jhuls | The Not So Creative Cook
I love anything with coconut in them! These sound so good and surely, these would be perfect for this week’s Fiesta Friday party! Thanks for sharing!
Samantha
Thanks Jhuls! These almond joys are seriously ah-mazing. You can make a batch and stick them in your freezer to enjoy whenever you want. So easy!
Antonia
Fantastic recipe! There is nothing like a healthy version of a treat! Thank you for bringing a bit of health and deliciousness to Fiesta Friday this week! Happy Fiesta Friday!
Justyna
Oh, they look so good… Yes, please! And the fact you made them so healthy – this is right up alley! Thanks for sharing!
Cindy @CindysRecipesAndWritings
I love your version! Snack happy!
Samantha
Thanks Cindy!
The Ninja Baker
You are gifting us with this post. Good to know coconut oil is a concentration helper. Ps Almond Joys were a coveted treat from America when I was in Japan..Glad to know about your healthy option. Thanks for the recipe =)
Samantha
Thanks! I can’t wait for you to try them! Tag me on instagram when you do! @bites_of_wellness
Wendy Klik
I love this guiltless version of one of my favorite guilty pleasures.
Sara
I’d much rather make my own candy bars and these are perfect! Thanks for remaking a classic!
Laura Dembowski
I am a coconut lover! I had some coconut butter for breakfast on a peach. I do enjoy a little store bought candy now and then, but homemade is always a better choice.
Kathleen
Yum these look amazing!
Liz
I love your healthy version of one of my favorite candy bars!