Healthier PayDay Candy Bars

Calling all peanut butter lovers. You can now make a homemade version of your favorite Payday candy bar that tastes just like the real deal!

Payday Peanut Caramel Bars have been a favorite of peanut fans for decades. The original candy bar was invented in 1932 and consisted of salted peanuts rolled over a nougat-like sweet caramel center.  In 2020, Hershey's released a chocolate covered PayDay bar as a permanent part of its product line.

Although the combination of salty and sweet is simply amazing, these bars are not as common as compared to Snickers or Kit Kats. They are definitely underrated in my opinion, and I am sad I didn’t enjoy more of them growing up.

However it’s not too late because I  have managed to ‘healthify’ the recipe somewhat and have created a delicious healthier payday bar recipe that is super easy to make. I mean who doesn’t love a creamy melt in your mouth peanut butter caramel coated in roasted peanuts! This recipe is made with just 6 ingredients and is a real sweet treat.

Although it’s quick and convenient to pick up a candy bar at the grocery checkout line, sometimes homemade versions of candy bars are just BETTER! There is something to making it from scratch without any of the “extra” ingredients in manufactured products.

These Healthy Homemade Paydays are so much healthier and don’t require any baking! They are just as good as the classic candy bar but made with simple ingredients.

If you love sweet and salty, peanut butter and caramel, these bars are probably going to be your new favorite treat! I’ve been loving coming up with simple, healthy alternatives to our favorite classic candy bars so I wanted to know what recipes YOU wanted and so many said Paydays! I couldn’t agree more and was SO excited to make this recipe

If you like PayDay bars, you are going to love these bars. I’ve been making these babies for years because they are one of my most requested snacks.They are the perfect sweet-salty snack that the entire family loves.

The grandkids start asking for these bars every time we begin planning a family beach vacation. I usually make them 2-3 times during the week of our vacation. I have a large family and they go like hotcakes with my crowd!

These couldn’t be easier to make - they come together quickly in a blender. The perfect amount of chew, and just the right amount of crunch. Plus, the flavor is to die for!

Course Dessert, Snack

Cuisine Healthy Clean Eating

Keyword clean eating dessert or snack, copycat payday candy bars, healthier candy bars, healthier payday candy bars, healthy peanut butter bars

Servings 8

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups peanuts, dry roasted
• 1 13.5 oz can coconut cream, full fat (solid part only) *see note below
• 1/2 cup peanut butter
• 1/4 cup honey or maple syrup
• 1/4 cup coconut flour
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

• Note: Place the can of coconut cream or milk in the fridge or freezer for at least 1-2 hours before making these bars to allow coconut cream to separate.

  Line an 5 x 7” loaf pan or dish with parchment paper on the bottom and sides leaving some overhanging to act as a handle to get the bars out easier for cutting. Or use a silicone candy mould or dish.

  Open chilled can and scoop out the cream that has separated and set hard on the top. Save the remaining coconut water to use in a smoothie, drink, or discard.

  In a pan on the stove over medium heat, add the coconut cream, honey and vanilla extract.

  When the mixture starts bubbling, turn the heat down to low and let simmer for 20 minutes making sure to stir the mixture often.

  Once done, set the caramel aside to cool for a few minutes. Add the peanut butter and coconut flour to the caramel mixture and whisk until well incorporated.

  To the parchment lined loaf pan add 3/4 cup of peanuts to the bottom, spreading them out evenly.

  Pour the caramel mixture over top of the peanuts, spreading it out evenly.

  Top the caramel layer with the remaining 3/4 cup of peanuts, pressing them gently into the top.

  Place the pan in the freezer for 2-4 hours, or overnight, before cutting into 6-8 bars or more smaller squares and store in the fridge.

   

   

   

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If you are looking for more delicious, healthy, no bake desserts and treats to help you reach your health, wellness and fitness goals, you will love my collection here: Blended Bites