Healthy Twix Bars

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These healthy Twix bars are vegan and gluten-free – made with an almond flour crust and a date caramel filling. They taste like the real deal and are sure to satisfy your candy craving!

Halloween is right around the corner… is this year flying by for you too?! And I’m so excited to share this recipe for upgraded Twix. It’s surprisingly easy to make and is sure to be a family favorite.

This recipe was actually created by my friend and cookbook author, Liz Moody. She created this Twix recipe for Eating Bird Food and I created Healthy Mounds Bars for her site! Isaac and I are obsessed with the homemade Mounds Bars so I have a feeling you’re going to love them as well.

Healthy Twix bars stacked on top of each other. They are cut in half and exposing the inside cookie layer.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • It’s dairy-free, vegan, gluten-free and made with natural sweeteners.
  • It’s kid-friendly and adult-approved!
  • They taste just like the regular Twix bars, but are loaded with real, whole food ingredients. No artificial ingredients over here!
  • It’s the perfect healthier Halloween treat to make when you’re craving something sweet, but are trying to avoid the store-bought candy.
5 health Twix bars on a piece of brown parchment paper.

Making Twix Bars Healthier

Twix bars have always been one of my favorite candies, along with Reese’s peanut butter cups and Snickers. Ya girl loves her peanut butter! And if we’re being entirely honest, I would still sneak a bite every now and then, even in my health-obsessed adult life. Once I created this recipe, though, there was no longer a need because these are straight up amazing.

The almond meal cookie layer is crispy and rich and the caramel is decadently gooey and sweet. They’re an easy way to have all the scrumptious satisfaction of the candy bar, just without the refined sugars or artificial ingredients. Plus, they’re vegan and gluten-free!

Ingredients measured out to make healthy Twix bars: vanilla, maple syrup, almond butter, coconut oil, baking soda, chocolate chips, salt, dates and almond meal/flour.

Here’s What You Need

  • almond meal or almond flour – this is the base of the cookie inside the Twix. Almond flour is more finely ground than almond meal, but either works for this recipe! I haven’t tried a substitute for the flour, but if you need this recipe to be nut-free, oat flour or all-purpose flour could work. Let me know if you try either in the comments below!
  • baking soda – helps the cookies rise.
  • maple syrup – a natural sweetener in the cookie layer. Any liquid sweetener like agave or honey should work well as a substitute.
  • coconut oil – you’ll use coconut oil in the cookie layer and the date caramel sauce.
  • vanilla extract – adds a hint of vanilla to these bars.
  • dates – medjool dates give these Twix bars that distinct caramel flavor. Just pit the dates and soak them in hot water for 10-20 minutes to soften them up. This will be the base of the caramel layer.
  • unsalted almond butter – you’ll add a little almond butter to the caramel mixture for a delicious, sweet, nutty flavor. If you don’t have almond butter on hand you can use cashew butter or peanut butter. Just note that if you use peanut butter it’ll have a stronger flavor. If you’re looking for a nut-free option, you can easily swap out the almond butter with tahini or sunflower seed butter.
  • sea salt – to bring the flavors together in the cookies and caramel!
  • chocolate chips – I used Lily’s dark chocolate chips but feel free to use whatever chocolate chips you have on hand. Just make sure they’re vegan if you want the Twix bars to be vegan!
Side by side photos of the shortbread cookie dough in bar shape before being baked. Next photo is a spoon spreading date caramel onto the shortbread cookie.

How to Make Homemade Twix

There are three main parts to this bar: the cookie layer, caramel layer and chocolate! Here’s how to make these Twix bars:

  1. Make cookies: Combine the almond meal, sea salt, baking soda, maple syrup, coconut oil and vanilla extract with your hands and press together until everything is well mixed and the “dough” is a ball. Let it sit in the fridge for 10 minutes to set. Roll the dough into snakes and press them flat on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Place the dough in the freezer for 15 minutes before baking at 325ºF for 15 minutes. When they’re done cooking, let the cookies cool completely before removing from the pan. If you want to take a shortcut, you can press the dough into the bottom of a pan lined with parchment paper and bake right away – this will result in Twix “bars” instead of the traditional candy bar shape.
  2. Make caramel layer: Combine the dates, coconut oil, almond butter, salt and vanilla extract in a food processor or high powered blender until the mixture is really smooth. If you’re using a blender, start on low and increase to high when the mixture is more liquid.
  3. Assemble bars: Spread a generous layer of caramel on top of the cookie layer and place the caramel-topped cookies in the freezer.
  4. Melt chocolate: While your Twix bars are setting in the freezer, melt the chocolate in a double boiler or in the microwave in 30 second increments until fully melted. Watch your chocolate to make sure it doesn’t burn!
  5. Coat bars: When the chocolate has melted, spoon the chocolate over the bars, making sure to get it around the sides. If you went with the shortcut, spread an even layer atop the caramel and chocolate layer.
  6. Cool and enjoy: Let the bars cool completely and enjoy!
tip!
If you want to take a shortcut, you can press the dough into the bottom of a pan lined with parchment paper and bake right away – this will result in Twix "bars" instead of the traditional candy bar shape.
A hand holding up half of a healthy twix bar, exposing the inside cookie layer with date caramel sauce.

How to Store Twix Bars

These homemade Twix bars store really well in the fridge or freezer! Store in an airtight container or bag in the refrigerator for up to 1 week or in the freezer for 1-2 months. But trust me, they won’t last this long!

2 Healthy Twix bars cut in half, showing 4 open sides of the crispy cookie and date caramel layers.

More Candy Recipes

Be sure to check out all of the dessert recipes here on EBF!

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4.02 from 55 votes

Twix Bars

These healthy Twix bars are vegan, gluten-free – made with an almond flour crust and a date caramel filling. They taste like the real deal and are sure to satisfy your candy craving!
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Servings: 16

Ingredients  

Cookie Layer

Caramel Layer

  • 1 cup dates, pitted and soaked in hot water for 10 – 20 min, then drained
  • 2 teaspoons coconut oil
  • 3 Tablespoons unsalted almond butter
  • teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Chocoalte Coating

  • 1-2 cups chocolate chips of choice, I used dark chocolate
  • ½-1 Tablespoon coconut oil

Instructions 

Cookie Layer:

  • Combine all ingredients in a bowl, using your hands to press it together until it is well mixed and a ball shape. Let sit in fridge for 10 minutes. If you'd like to do the easier option, simply press dough into bottom of a parchment lined 8×8" pan
    An overhead shot of the ingredients for a cookie layer all mixed together, forming a dough.
  • To make traditional Twix shapes, roll dough into snakes and press snakes flat on a parchment lined baking sheet. Place shaped dough in freezer for 15 minutes before baking at 325°F degrees for 15 minutes. Remove from oven and let sit for at least 10 minutes (ideally, until they cool completely) before removing from pan.
    Cookie dough shaped into thin wafers in a row on a sheet pan.

Caramel Layer:

  • Using a food processor or blender, process all ingredients together until completely smooth. If you're using a blender, it helps to start on a "low" setting until everything is more liquidy, then switching to "high" to get rid of any chunks.
    Date caramel in a food processor after being processed.

Assembly:

  • Spread a generous layer of the caramel on top of cookie layer; place caramel-topped cookies in freezer while you melt the chocolate in a double boiler or the microwave. (I did 1 cup chocolate chips  + 1/2 Tablespoon coconut oil).
    Baked wafer cookies being topped with date caramel layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
  • Spoon chocolate over bars, making sure to swipe it around the sides, or simply spread an even layer atop the caramel and cookie layer if using 8×8″ pan. Let cool completely and enjoy!
  • Store in an airtight container or bag in the refrigerator for up to 1 week or in the freezer for 1-2 months.

Notes

  • Almond flour: I haven’t tried a substitute for the flour, but if you need this recipe to be nut-free, oat flour or all-purpose flour could work. Let me know if you try either in the comments below!
  • Maple Syrup: Any liquid sweetener like agave or honey should work well as a substitute.
  • Almond butter: If you don’t have almond butter on hand you can use cashew butter or peanut butter. Just note that if you use peanut butter it’ll have a stronger flavor. If you’re looking for a nut-free option, you can easily swap out the almond butter with tahini or sunflower seed butter.

Nutrition

Serving: 1bar | Calories: 132kcal | Carbohydrates: 18g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 4mg | Sodium: 44mg | Potassium: 175mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 10g

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: healthy twix bars
Did you make this recipe?Mention @eatingbirdfood and tag #eatingbirdfood!

About Brittany

Hey there, I’m Brittany, the creator of Eating Bird Food, cookbook author, health coach and mama of two littles. Here you’ll find quick and easy recipes that make healthy fun and enjoyable for you and your family!

More about Brittany
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Recipe Rating




42 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    Love this recipe, it’s so yummy! Thanks for the tip about using a pan instead of making the bars it was easier! My husband loves them too! Was so excited to see a healthier version of a favourite chocolate bar.

    1. Yay!! Happy to hear these twix bars were a hit, Tanya. Thanks so much for the review. I really appreciate it!

  2. 5 stars
    Yum! These took a good bit more work than your usual recipes, but they are worth it! My son is gluten and dairy free, so these are a VERY special treat for him!

    1. Happy to hear these twix bars were a success, Sue. Thanks for trying them out and coming back to leave a review and star rating. I really appreciate it!

  3. 5 stars
    This was soooo good! I’m not a fan of almond flour so I used oat flour and it was AMAZING! This is my go to “cheat dessert” it satisfies all my chocolate cravings without being terrible for me to eat. Definitely recommend

    1. Ah yay!! So happy to hear these Twix bars have been a hit, Rahchel. Thanks so much for the review. I really appreciate it!

  4. 5 stars
    Being British, I love Trix Bars but haven’t had one more than 10 yrs due to being Celiac, lactose-intolerant, and allergic to almonds. I made these with gluten-free flour and cashew butter, and they are AMAZING! The only issue I had was the cookie layer was very crumbly.

  5. 5 stars
    Looks delicious! Planning to make this as an Easter treat instead of all the usual candy. Can you share what the yield is supposed to be? Is it 12 bars? (And does the nutritional info given for 1 serving equate to eating 1/12 the recipe as your serving?) Thanks so much for the healthy recipe!!

    1. Hi, Anna. This recipe makes 16 bars and 1 bar (1/16) is considered a serving. Let me know how they turn out for you!

  6. 4 stars
    This recipe is delicious, really loved it even if it doesn’t taste exactly like twix, it’s a great homemade candy bar and definetly will make again.I used PB which was great, and I’m not a fan of the coconut oil (too strong flavor), so I’ll just use butter instead next time, but aside from that I wouldn’t change anything and it’s worth trying it out.

    1. So glad you liked this recipe, Sofia! I appreciate you taking the time to leave me a comment and review.

  7. Do I need to do any special prep before hand?
    Thank you so much! I can’t wait to try out this recipe & your Almond Joy recipe.

    An 11 year old baker-

    1. Hi Claire – Nope you shouldn’t need anything in advance. Can’t wait to hear how these turn out for you!

  8. 5 stars
    I have made these at least 5 times and I LOVE them. My whole family begs me to make them. In fact, I am going to make a triple batch right now for three different occasions. The cookie layer is crunchy and a little bit sweet. The caramel layer is sweet,but not overly, and has a delicious, creamy/nutty taste. The texture is feels like caramel. And the chocolate layer, is well, chocolate! Perfect. Thank you for this recipe, it is a lifesaver! My second to youngest sister,( I’m the oldest of 6, and I am 11 years old) and my mom can not eat dairy,gluten,egg ,peanut butter, the list goes on. But my sister’s face lights up every time when she find out that I’m making these. THANK YOU!

    1. Hi Claire! This is SO amazing. I am so glad you are loving this recipe and it turned out great for you! Thank you for giving my recipe a try and sharing it with your family, it means so much to me. I appreciate your review + star rating. ❤️

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