These homemade Almond Joy bars taste just like the store-bought candy but are so much healthier! They are gluten-free, vegan, and keto-friendly! Made with only six ingredients, these almond joys are not only delicious but are also really easy to make! 

What is your favorite candy?

I love almond joy bars, and they are even better when you can make them yourself! 

These candy bars are so easy to make, only require six ingredients, and are so much healthier than the original store-bought version. 

Vegan, gluten-free, and keto – all can be achieved with this candy recipe and with non of the flavors being compromised. 

I love making them with dark chocolate for a less sweet and deeper chocolate flavor. However, if you prefer milk chocolate, go for it! 

If you are all about the no-bake chocolate treats, you should try these Chocolate Raspberry Truffles and the No-Bake Double Chocolate Cookies as well. 

Is Almond Joy a healthy snack?

Almond joys laid out on parchment paper, majority are coated in chocolate and topped with fine shredded coconut

Heck yes! These homemade almond joy bars are healthy! 

This homemade candy recipe only requires six ingredients that are more or less healthy. And compare to the store-bought candy bar, these homemade almond joys are extremely healthy. 

These dark chocolate candy bars are gluten-free and can easily be made vegan or keto to fit into your diet. It all depends on the chocolate you buy.

And speaking of chocolate, there are a lot of health benefits found in high-quality dark chocolate. In fact, so many that it should be called a superfood! 

In dark chocolate (darker than 70%) there is a lot of iron, magnesium, copper, potassium, and zink to be found. All very important for our bodies’ wellbeing. It’s also packed with antioxidants and the properties of dark chocolate may reduce the risk of heart disease. 

You can read more about the health benefits of dark chocolate here. 

Ingredients in homemade almond joy bars

All ingredients laid out- maple syrup, canned coconut milk, almonds, fine shredded coconut, chocolate chips
A measuring cup of maple syrup and also coconut milk, also cups of almonds, chocolate chips, and coconut oil

To make these healthy homemade almond joy bars, all you need are six wholesome ingredients. 

Coconut Filling

  • Dried coconut – I used finely shaved coconut
  • Canned coconut cream – You can also use full fat coconut milk. Chill the can in the fridge for a few hours or overnight and use the solid thick part on top, which is the coconut cream. Save the clear liquid on the bottom for smoothies!
  • Coconut oil – Melted
  • Maple syrup – For a keto-friendly homemade almond joy, use liquid keto-friendly sweetener
  • Large almonds – One or two per bar, you decide

Chocolate Coating

  • Dark chocolate chips – Melted. For vegan candy bars use vegan and dairy-free chocolate. For keto almond joys, use keto-friendly chocolate
  • Salt – just a pinch to balance the chocolate 
  • Coconut oil – Melted

How do I make homemade almond joy bars?

These homemade chocolate bars are made in three easy steps. 

If using finely shaved coconut shreds, combine all the ingredients for the coconut filling (except the almonds) – finely shaved coconut shreds, coconut cream, coconut oil, and maple syrup in a bowl. Mix until everything is evenly combined. 

If using large coconut shreds or another larger form of dried coconut, blend it up in a food processor until you have small pieces.

Then, add coconut cream, coconut oil, and maple syrup to the food processor and pulse to combine.

Coconut mounds on a lined cookie sheet on the left, on the right, on undipped almond joys

Now, form the coconut filling with your hands into 12-16 small logs.

You can also press the mixture into a baking dish and freeze it for 15-30 minutes and then cut it into logs. 

Then, gently press 1-2 almonds on top of each log without breaking the logs.

Freeze the coconut logs for 2-3 hours or overnight.

Then, in a microwaveable bowl, add dark chocolate chips, coconut oil, and a pinch of salt for the chocolate coating.

Almond joy is sitting in a bowl of melted chocolate chips- being fully coated

Place the bowl in the microwave and melt it on medium heat. Stir occasionally. 

Dip the coconut logs in the chocolate to coat all sides. Use one or two forks to handle the homemade almond joy bars. 

Lastly, place the chocolate-coated candy on a piece of parchment paper and freeze them for one hour. 

Enjoy!

How to store homemade candy bars

Almond joys fully dipped in chocolate and topped with sea salt sitting on a line cookie sheet

Keep the homemade almond joy bars in the fridge for up to one week.

You can also keep them in the freezer for up to 3 months. However, they probably won’t last that long because they are so freaking delicious!

What’s your favorite candy? Let me know in the comments and maybe I can make a healthy homemade version of yours! 

A homemade almond joy is topped with shredded coconut, and has a bite being taken out of it

More healthy sweets to make:

1. Raw Peanut Butter Fudge

2. Strawberry Crunch Energy Balls

3. Healthy Zucchini Chocolate Bread

Almond joys fully dipped in chocolate and topped with sea salt sitting on a line cookie sheet

Get the recipe:Homemade Almond Joy

Yield: 14
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Additional Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
These Homemade Almond Joy bars taste just like the store-bought candy but are much healthier! They are gluten-free, vegan, and keto-friendly! 
4.50 stars (2 reviews)
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Ingredients

Coconut filling

  • 1 1/2 cup dried coconut, I used finely shaved coconut
  • 1/2 cup canned coconut cream *
  • 1 tbsp coconut oil, melted
  • 2-3 tbsp maple syrup **
  • 12-32 large almonds

Chocolate coating

  • 1 1/4 cup dark chocolate chips**
  • 2 tbsp coconut oil
  • Pinch of salt

Instructions 

  • If using finely flaked coconut shreds, combine all the ingredients for the coconut filling (except the almonds) – finely shaved coconut shreds, coconut cream, coconut oil, and maple syrup in a bowl. Mix until everything is evenly combined. 
  • If using large coconut shreds or another larger form of dried coconut, blend it up in a food processor until they are cut into small pieces. Then, add coconut cream, coconut oil, and maple syrup to the food processor and pulse to combine.
  • Form the coconut filling with your hands into 12-16 small logs. You can also press the mixture into a baking dish and freeze it for 15-30 minutes then cut it into logs. 
  • Gently press 1-2 almonds on top of each log without breaking the logs.
  • Freeze the coconut logs for 2-3 hours or overnight.
  • In a microwaveable bowl, add dark chocolate chips, coconut oil, and a pinch of salt for the chocolate coating. Place the bowl in the microwave and melt it on medium heat. Stir occasionally. 
  • Dip the coconut logs in the chocolate to coat it all sides. Use one or two forks to handle the homemade almond joy bars. 
  • Place the chocolate-coated candy on a piece of parchment paper and freeze them for one hour. 
  • Enjoy!

Notes

* you can also use full-fat coconut milk. Chill the can in the fridge for a few hours or overnight. Use the solid thick part of coconut cream on top, that's the coconut cream. Save the clear liquid on the bottom for a smoothie!
** For keto option, use a keto-friendly liquid sweetener
** For keto option, use keto-friendly chocolate. For vegan option, use vegan chocolate
Serving: 1g, Calories: 199kcal, Carbohydrates: 23g, Protein: 2g, Fat: 12g, Saturated Fat: 8g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g, Cholesterol: 1mg, Sodium: 51mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 19g

The Nutrition Facts above are specific to the ingredients I chose to use for this recipe, which may vary.

Author: Shuang Shuang Liang
Course: Desserts
Cuisine: American