Irresistibly Delicious & Healthy Gluten-Free Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars

Get ready to discover your new favorite dessert! These gluten-free cookie bars are an absolute game-changer. Imagine the comforting taste of a classic chocolate chip cookie blended with the rich, fudgy texture of a brownie – all in one easy-to-make, healthier bar. Crafted with simple, wholesome ingredients like rolled oats and all-natural peanut butter, they offer a truly amazing flavor experience without any gluten or dairy. If you’re searching for one of the best gluten-free dairy-free desserts that everyone will love, look no further!

These gluten-free cookie bars truly stand out. They’re not just “good for being gluten-free,” they’re simply fantastic. The combination of a chewy, chocolate chip cookie flavor with a delightfully moist, almost brownie-like texture is pure perfection. It’s no wonder cookie bars are a personal favorite for creating satisfying sweet treats!

What makes these particular bars so special? They are incredibly moist, bursting with rich peanut butter and chocolate flavor, and surprisingly wholesome. Made with ingredients you can feel good about, they’re healthy enough to enjoy as an afternoon snack, yet decadent enough for a special occasion. Our love for peanut butter and oats shines through in many of our gluten-free creations, including our equally popular gluten-free monster cookies.

How to Make the Best Gluten-Free Peanut Butter Cookie Bars

Creating these delightful gluten-free cookie bars is surprisingly straightforward. You’ll be amazed at how quickly you can whip up a batch of these protein-packed, feel-good treats. Follow these simple steps for perfectly moist and flavorful results every time:

1. Combine Wet Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the creamy peanut butter, melted coconut oil, rich brown sugar, sweet honey, and aromatic vanilla extract. Beat these ingredients together until they are thoroughly combined and smooth. This forms the luscious base of your cookie bars.
2. Incorporate Eggs: Add the eggs to your wet ingredient mixture. Beat them in well, ensuring they are fully integrated. Eggs provide structure and moisture, contributing to the bars’ excellent texture.
3. Prepare Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together all your dry ingredients: baking soda (for lift), a pinch of salt (to balance flavors), finely ground coconut flour, hearty oat flour, and wholesome rolled oats. Mixing these separately ensures even distribution.
4. Combine Wet and Dry: Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients. Mix until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; overmixing can lead to tougher bars.
5. Fold in Chocolate Chips: Gently fold in your semi-sweet chocolate chips. Distribute them evenly throughout the batter for chocolatey goodness in every bite.
6. Prepare for Baking: Grease a 13×9 inch casserole dish thoroughly. This prevents sticking and ensures easy removal. Pour the prepared batter into the greased dish.
7. Evenly Spread: Use a spatula to gently flatten the batter evenly across the pan. This ensures uniform baking and consistent bar thickness.
8. Bake to Perfection: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175°C). Bake the bars for 18-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Keep an eye on them to prevent overbaking, which can dry them out.
9. Cool and Serve: Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan before cutting them into squares. While they are delicious warm, cooling helps them set properly for clean cuts. Serve them as is, or for an extra special treat, enjoy them warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream!

These bars are not only a delicious dessert but also packed with protein and wholesome ingredients, making them a feel-good snack you can indulge in without guilt.

Why You’ll Love These Gluten-Free Cookie Bars

Even if you don’t have a gluten intolerance, you’ll find yourself reaching for these bars again and again. While I personally don’t strictly follow a gluten-free diet, I genuinely enjoy creating and consuming recipes that cater to my gluten-free readers. What’s more, I’ve consistently observed that gluten-free desserts often leave me feeling lighter and more energized, making them a fantastic choice for everyone.

These cookie bars are so incredibly good that they evoke the feeling of a luxurious dessert you’d savor at your favorite high-end restaurant. The secret lies in the thoughtful combination of ingredients and a baking process that ensures a moist, tender, and deeply satisfying result.

Debunking Gluten-Free Dessert Myths

Let’s be honest, many gluten-free recipes often get an unfair reputation. I’ve certainly encountered my share of bland or texturally-challenged gluten-free attempts over the years. Achieving the right balance of moisture, chewiness, and flavor without traditional gluten can indeed be a culinary challenge.

That’s why I’ve made it my personal mission to curate a collection of truly delicious and satisfying gluten-free recipes for everyone to enjoy. These aren’t just substitutes; they are stand-alone fantastic treats designed to impress even the most discerning palates. To prove it, I even compiled a comprehensive roundup of 25 gluten-free dairy-free desserts that I have personally tested, loved, and wholeheartedly recommend!

Key Ingredients for Healthy & Flavorful Cookie Bars

The secret to the incredible taste and texture of these bars lies in their carefully selected, wholesome ingredients. This recipe thoughtfully combines:

• Oat Flour: A fantastic gluten-free alternative to traditional wheat flour, providing a slightly nutty flavor and contributing to a tender crumb.
• Coconut Flour: Known for its high fiber content and absorbent properties, coconut flour helps achieve that perfect moist, slightly dense brownie-like texture.
• Rolled Oats: Adding chewiness and a wholesome, rustic appeal, rolled oats also boost the fiber content, making these bars more satisfying.
• All-Natural Peanut Butter: This is the star ingredient! It not only binds everything together, creating that irresistible chewy texture, but also infuses the bars with rich flavor and a significant protein boost.
• Coconut Oil: Used in its melted form, coconut oil contributes to the bars’ moistness and helps achieve the ideal consistency.
• Honey & Brown Sugar: A balanced combination of natural sweetness, adding depth of flavor and helping with moisture retention.
• Eggs, Vanilla, Baking Soda, Salt: Essential for structure, flavor enhancement, leavening, and balancing the sweetness.
• Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips: The classic pairing with peanut butter, adding pockets of melty, rich chocolate in every bite.

Choosing the Right Peanut Butter

For this recipe, and generally for healthier eating, I exclusively use all-natural peanut butter. When you’re shopping for healthy peanut butter, always check the ingredient label. The ideal choice will list only two ingredients: peanuts and salt. Avoid brands that include added sugars, hydrogenated oils, or other unnecessary fillers, as these can alter both the flavor profile and the nutritional value of your cookie bars.

Surprisingly Easy, Incredibly Decadent, and Healthier Too!

Despite their sophisticated flavor and luxurious texture, these gluten-free cookie bars are surprisingly simple to prepare. They truly are incredibly decadent, yet remarkably healthy when compared to most traditional cookie bar recipes. This makes them a fantastic option for anyone looking to enjoy a sweet treat without compromising on their dietary preferences or health goals.

Give these a try – I promise you won’t be disappointed! They strike that perfect balance between satisfying your sweet tooth and providing beneficial nutrients. Whether you’re a seasoned gluten-free baker or just starting out, this recipe is accessible and rewarding.

A Treat Even Picky Eaters Will Adore

Need any more convincing to make these extraordinary cookie bars? Don’t just walk, run to your kitchen to whip up a batch! These bars are so universally appealing that they even won over my notoriously picky toddler, who rarely approves of anything new. When he tasted one, he actually laughed out loud and danced with joy! That’s the kind of endorsement you can trust – a clear sign that these are SO. GOOD. They are truly a family-friendly dessert that brings smiles to everyone’s faces.

Explore More Delicious Gluten-Free Desserts

If you’re hungry for more amazing gluten-free desserts, you’re in luck! We have a treasure trove of reader-favorite recipes that are just as delightful as these cookie bars. Each recipe is designed to be easy to follow and incredibly satisfying, proving that gluten-free baking can be both simple and spectacularly delicious:

• Dark Chocolate Pecan Cookie Bars: A rich and decadent twist on cookie bars, perfect for chocolate lovers.
• Flourless Peanut Butter Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies: Classic flavors in a chewy, flourless cookie form.
• No Bake Peanut Butter Truffles: Quick, easy, and melt-in-your-mouth delicious, no oven required!
• Vegan Peanut Butter Cups: A plant-based take on a beloved candy, perfect for dairy-free indulgence.
• Almond Butter Cups: A delightful alternative to peanut butter, offering a different nutty flavor.
• Gluten Free Chocolate Mug Cake: For those moments when you need a single-serving dessert in minutes.
• Peanut Butter Cookie Mug Cake: Another quick mug cake option, featuring the comforting taste of peanut butter cookies.
• Magic Protein Mug Cake: A guilt-free dessert that packs a protein punch, great for post-workout cravings.

Are you inspired to make this incredible recipe? I can’t wait to see your creations! Don’t forget to tag me on Instagram @buildyourbite and use the hashtag #buildyourbite with your recipe photos. Your culinary triumphs inspire us all!

Did you make this recipe? We’d love to hear your thoughts! Be sure to leave a star rating and a comment below to share your experience!

4.60 from 35 votes

Gluten Free Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars

By:

Joy Shull

Ultra decadent and secretly healthy, these gluten-free peanut butter chocolate chip cookie bars are the perfect dairy-free treat that will not disappoint!

Prep:

10 minutes
mins

Cook:

20 minutes
mins

Total:

30 minutes
mins

Servings:

16
bars

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Ingredients 

• 
  ▢
  
  
  1 1/2
  cups
  creamy peanut butter

• 
  ▢
  
  
  1/3
  cup
  brown sugar

• 
  ▢
  
  
  1/2
  cup
  honey

• 
  ▢
  
  
  3
  eggs

• 
  ▢
  
  
  1/8
  cup
  coconut oil,
  melted (measured while solid)

• 
  ▢
  
  
  1
  tablespoon
  vanilla extract

• 
  ▢
  
  
  1 1/2
  cups
  rolled oats

• 
  ▢
  
  
  1/2
  cup
  oat flour

• 
  ▢
  
  
  1/4
  cup
  coconut flour

• 
  ▢
  
  
  1/4
  teaspoon
  salt

• 
  ▢
  
  
  1
  teaspoon
  baking soda

• 
  ▢
  
  
  1
  cup
  semi sweet chocolate chips

Instructions 

• Beat peanut butter, melted coconut oil, brown sugar, honey, and vanilla in a large bowl until well combined.
• Add eggs and beat well.
• In a separate bowl, whisk together baking soda, salt, coconut flour, oat flour, and rolled oats.
• Add dry ingredients to wet and mix together until just combined.
• Gently fold in chocolate chips.
• Grease a 13 X 9 casserole dish and pour in batter.
• Bake at 350 degrees F (175°C) for 18-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
• Allow the bars to cool completely before cutting them for best results.

Nutrition

Serving:
1
bar

,

Calories:
339
kcal

,

Carbohydrates:
33
g

,

Protein:
9
g

,

Fat:
20
g

,

Saturated Fat:
7
g

,

Polyunsaturated Fat:
4
g

,

Monounsaturated Fat:
8
g

,

Trans Fat:
0.01
g

,

Cholesterol:
31
mg

,

Sodium:
228
mg

,

Potassium:
266
mg

,

Fiber:
4
g

,

Sugar:
20
g

,

Vitamin A:
50
IU

,

Vitamin C:
0.1
mg

,

Calcium:
34
mg

,

Iron:
2
mg

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