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! I’ve been loving coming up with simple, healthy alternatives to our favorite classic candy bars and this one is no different. A ‘healthified’ version of a PayDay Candy Bar,

If you love candy bars as much as I do you will LOVE these Salted Peanut Protein Bars. They are chewy and delish. When it comes to candy bars, everyone’s got their tried-and-true favorites that they will stick with forever.

Not that we don’t branch out every now and again, but once you have found your faves, we have a tendency to stick with them, right? And furthermore, if you are already obsessed with the flavors and ingredients of said favorites, it only makes sense that you would want to emulate the combination in other dishes!

With all that in mind, I decided to make a variation of PayDay bars so that we could have a dessert on hand whenever our peanut and peanut butter cravings strike…and boy, are I glad I made these!

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 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.

I knew I had to make a homemade version with better for you ingredients and I couldn’t be happier with these! I am all for treating yourself to the real deal, but once I made these at home, I never wanted to go back to the store-bought option. These just taste so much fresher and aren’t full of unnecessary additives. Let’s take a peek at the ingredients:

Classic PayDay bar: Peanuts, Sugar, Corn Syrup, Skim Milk, Vegetable Oil (Palm Oil, Sunflower Oil), contains 2% or less of: salt, carrageenan, mono- and diglycerides.

This copycat PayDay bar recipe: Peanuts, Peanut Butter, Canned Coconut Cream, Honey, Coconut Flour, Protein Powder, Vanilla Extract

As you can see, the ingredients in these homemade bars are so much simpler and a whole lot healthier than the classic PayDay bar. 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 wholefood ingredients. I mean who doesn’t love a creamy melt in your mouth peanut butter caramel coated in roasted, salted peanuts! This recipe is made with just 7 ingredients and is a real sweet treat.

I have been making these bars 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 they visit. 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!

You should probably just make two batches….

Salted Peanut Caramel Protein Bars

Sinfully delicious bars that taste like a candy bar. The salty mixed with the sweet is heavenly, with lots of peanuts and the right amount of caramel. Each bar is the perfect combination of salty-sweet goodness. Protein-rich, fudgy and surprisingly easy to make! Just one bite, and you will see why these bars will become your all-time favorite!

Course Dessert, Snack

Cuisine Healthy Clean Eating

Keyword clean eating candy, clean eating dessert or snack, copycat pay day bars, healthy peanut caramel protein bars, peanut caramel protein bar recipe, salted peanut caramel protein bars

Servings 8

Ingredients

• 2 cups peanuts, dry roasted, salted or unsalted if preferred
• 1 13.5 oz can coconut cream, full fat (solid part only) *see note below
• 1/2 cup peanut (or any other nut or seed) butter
• 1/2 cup oat flour (rolled oats blended to a flour)
• 1/4 cup protein or collagen peptides powder
• 1/4 cup honey or maple syrup
• 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 7 x 5-inch 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 mold 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 hardened 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, oat flour and protein powder to the caramel mixture and whisk until well incorporated.

  To the lined loaf pan add 1 cup of peanuts to the bottom, spreading them out evenly.

  Pour the caramel mixture over top of the peanuts, spreading it out evenly with a spatula or back of a spoon.

  Top the caramel layer with the remaining 1 cup of peanuts, pressing them gently into the top.

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

   Will keep in the fridge for up to 1 week or freezer for up to 3 months.

Print Recipe

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