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Home / Recipes / Dessert / Homemade Almond Joy Candy Bars

Homemade Almond Joy Candy Bars

Published October 29, 2017. Last updated November 3, 2019 by Samantha Rowland

Small white bowl filled with homemade almond joy candy bars surrounded by other candy bars and chocolate chips
Gluten FreeDairy FreeVeganPaleo

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.

5 from 3 votes
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Homemade almond joy candy bars with chocolate chips in a bowl

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.

Homemade almond joy candy bars in a bowl

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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Homemade almond joy candy bars with chocolate chips in a bowl

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.

Homemade almond joy candy bars with chocolate chips in a bowl

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.

Homemade almond joy candy bars with chocolate chips in a bowl

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.

Homemade almond joy candy bars with chocolate chips in a bowl

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 with chocolate chips in a bowl

★ Did you make this recipe? Please give it a star rating below!
These homemade almond joy candy bars are made with 100% real ingredients and have no processed sugar. Gluten free, grain free, paleo friendly, and vegan. | bitesofwellness.com #dessert #vegan #dairyfree

Homemade Almond Joy Candy Bars

These homemade almond joy candy bars are made with 100% real ingredients, they are dairy free and have no processed sugar. Gluten free, grain free, paleo friendly, and vegan.
5 from 3 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: almond joy, candy, candy bar, gluten free, grain free, paleo, vegan
Prep Time: 35 mins
Total Time: 35 mins
Servings: 20 servings
Author: Samantha Rowland

Guided 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

Nutrition Facts
Amount per Serving
Calories
113
Fat
 
9
g
Carbohydrates
 
4
g
Fiber
 
1
g
Sugar
 
1
g
Protein
 
3
g
Where does nutrition info come from? Nutrition facts are provided as a courtesy, sourced from the USDA Food Database.
DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE?Share a pic on Instagram @bites_of_wellness or tag #bitesofwellness

Small white bowl filled with homemade almond joy candy bars surrounded by other candy bars and chocolate chips

This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission if you click a link and purchase something that I have recommended. Please note I only recommend products that I personally use and trust. Please see my disclosure policy for more details.
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Jason

    January 30, 2018 at 12:11 pm

    These looks amazing! Thanks for the recipe.

    Reply
  2. Miz Helen

    November 7, 2017 at 10:57 am

    5 stars
    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

    Reply
  3. Jhuls | The Not So Creative Cook

    November 4, 2017 at 1:30 am

    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!

    Reply
    • Samantha

      November 28, 2017 at 9:02 am

      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!

      Reply
  4. Antonia

    November 3, 2017 at 9:07 pm

    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!

    Reply
  5. Justyna

    November 3, 2017 at 11:28 am

    5 stars
    Oh, they look so good… Yes, please! And the fact you made them so healthy – this is right up alley! Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  6. Cindy @CindysRecipesAndWritings

    October 29, 2017 at 7:34 pm

    I love your version! Snack happy!

    Reply
    • Samantha

      November 28, 2017 at 9:04 am

      Thanks Cindy!

      Reply
  7. The Ninja Baker

    October 29, 2017 at 7:21 pm

    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 =)

    Reply
    • Samantha

      November 28, 2017 at 9:05 am

      Thanks! I can’t wait for you to try them! Tag me on instagram when you do! @bites_of_wellness

      Reply
  8. Wendy Klik

    October 29, 2017 at 12:47 pm

    I love this guiltless version of one of my favorite guilty pleasures.

    Reply
  9. Sara

    October 29, 2017 at 1:06 pm

    5 stars
    I’d much rather make my own candy bars and these are perfect! Thanks for remaking a classic!

    Reply
  10. Laura Dembowski

    October 29, 2017 at 12:16 pm

    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.

    Reply
  11. Kathleen

    October 29, 2017 at 11:59 am

    Yum these look amazing!

    Reply
  12. Liz

    October 29, 2017 at 9:14 am

    I love your healthy version of one of my favorite candy bars!

    Reply

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