Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Bars

Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Bars

Gluten Free. Dairy Free. Refined Sugar Free. Vegan.

These soft, chewy peanut butter bars are the perfect way to satisfy a sweet tooth without weighing your body down with processed sugar and flour. They have a rich peanut flavor and the chocolate chips make these healthy treats feel much more indulgent than they really are!

The secret ingredient: CHICKPEAS!

Chickpeas are packed with protein and fiber and in this recipe, they replace the use of flour, making this a gluten free dessert! The chickpeas get pureed into a very smooth, velvety texture and help these bars stay nice and moist. 

A mixture of honey and pure maple syrup are used instead of processed white or brown sugar. Yay for all natural sweeteners! So the bars are totally refined sugar free! Until you add the chocolate chips... but hey, sometimes you gotta live a little. OR find a variety of chocolate chips that are naturally sweetened. Check your labels- the only ingredients should be chocolate (cocoa) and sugar. The less processed, the better!

Give this recipe a shot and you will NOT regret it! Your taste testers will have no idea that there are chickpeas in it- unless you decide to tell them, of course! These bars couldn't be easier to make. Check out the recipe below!

 

Watch the VIDEO of this recipe on YOUTUBE!

 

INGREDIENTS:

- 1/2 cup All Natural Peanut Butter

- 1 15 oz. can Chickpeas, drained and rinsed

- 2 tbsp Pure Maple Syrup

- 2 tbsp Honey (to make Vegan, use another 2tbsp Maple Syrup)

- 1 tbsp Vanilla Extract

- 1/2 tsp Salt

- 1/4 tsp Baking Soda

- 1/4 tsp Baking Powder

- Chocolate Chips, if vegan, make sure to use vegan chocolate chips

INSTRUCTIONS:

Preheat Oven to 350 degrees. Spray 8x8 baking dish with nonstick spray.

Blend all ingredients, except chocolate chips, in a food processor until smooth. Pour into baking dish and spread evenly.

Sprinkle with desired amount of chocolate chips! (Or if you would like to mix some into the batter, go for it!) If you like sweet/salty flavor, like I do, sprinkle a pinch of sea salt over the top.

Bake for approximately 18 minutes. 

Let cool. Cut into squares.