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Jump to RecipeAn easy grain-free chocolate chip cookie bar recipe. If you follow a paleo diet but still love a good chocolate chip cookie, you are in luck! This recipe is grain-free AND paleo and has only 10 ingredients (all real food) and is low in sugar. Definitely a favorite grain-free dessert recipe!
Grain-free Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars (Paleo)
OH my gosh, you guys – I have the yummiest cookie bars for you!! And guess what – there are NO grains and they are low in sugar. But dannnng you guys, they are super good! Truth be told, I’m generally a brownie person but really, these are (as my kids would say) bomb. So good. I think the fact that they are bars are what are selling me. Yeah, these grain-free chocolate chip cooke bars are:
- grain-free (they use almond flour and coconut flour – not grains!)
- gluten free (since they are grain free, obvs.)
- dairy-free (sub coconut oil for butter)
- low in sugar
- have only 10 ingredients
- easy to make
- deliciously thick and chewy
- best when stored in the fridge
Paleo Cookie Bars
So let’s talk about paleo and grain-free, because I think sometimes these labels get confusing. Basically when you eat paleo, you don’t eat grains. So you can rest assured that on that front, this would be paleo. There are a few other hoops to jump through, but these chocolate chip cookie bars check the paleo box, too. I’ll address butter and chocolate chip choices below – but otherwise, they are a suitable paleo dessert. But spoiler alert, my kids who are not paleo or grain-free cannot get enough of them. Read: double batch!! Make the double batch!! You’ve been warned ;).
What about the butter?
So you might be wondering – is butter paleo? Honestly, it’s one of those tricky foods that technically *shouldn’t* be because it’s dairy. But some people who follow a paleo diet allow it. And some do not! Some use ghee (the milk solid parts of butter that are separated out) and others prefer to outright not use butter. So it’s a personal choice.
My situation gets even more interesting … I am grain free, and lactose intolerant – but get this – butter doesn’t bother me! So in my case, I’m fine using it.
On the note of butter – for this recipe, it really must be room temperature to work. Don’t heat it in the microwave – I know what you’re thinking. Instead, plan ahead and have that butter on the kitchen counter for a bit until it’s not so solid before using. Oh, and if you CAN’T do butter, then use coconut oil in it’s place. Note that it may have a slight coconut taste if you use it.
Substitutions/questions about grain-free chocolate chip cooke bars:
Can I use another flour instead of coconut flour?
Nope! Coconut flour is very unique and really can’t be substituted. If you have a bag of it, I’ve got lots of recipes that utilize it – so no worries, we can use it up!
How about almond butter – can I use another nut butter?
I would suggest using cashew butter if you want a substitute. I honestly love these most with almond butter and I also use Nutzo Power Fuel because I love the combination of nuts and seeds in it. And I feel like I’m making this dessert even healthier – love it!
Do I have to use coconut sugar?
I personally always use coconut sugar, one because it’s paleo and two because it is said to spike your blood sugar less than table sugar. So I definitely recommend that as my first choice. If you don’t have it, you can sub brown sugar.
What type of chocolate chips should I use?
These are my favorite low carb, stevia-sweetened, no sugar added chocolate chips. I also have always loved Enjoy Life chocolate chips as well; they are dairy-free and paleo, too.
An easy grain-free chocolate chip cookie bar recipe. If you follow a paleo diet but still love a good chocolate chip cookie, you are in luck! This recipe is grain-free AND paleo and has only 10 ingredients (all real food) and is low in sugar. Definitely a favorite grain-free dessert recipe!
- 5 tbsp unsalted butter , room temperature
- 1/2 cup coconut sugar
- 1 1/2 cups almond butter (or other nut butter of choice)
- 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 egg
- 1 cup almond flour
- 1/4 cup coconut flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 3/4 cup paleo chocolate chips
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Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line an 8 x 8 baking ban with parchment paper.
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In a large mixing bowl, beat together butter, sugar, almond butter and vanilla extract at medium speed until well combined with an electric hand mixer (or a stand mixer). After mixed, beat in egg.
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In a separate mixing bowl, stir together the almond flour, coconut flour, baking soda and salt.
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Combine wet and dry ingredients. Mix until combined without over mixing. Fold in chocolate chips.
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Gently press mixture into lined pan. Bake for 16-18 min. Let cool before enjoying. I find these best when kept in the refrigerator.
Other grain-free cookies that you may like:
Healthy Lemon Cookie Recipe (paleo, gluten-free + vegan)
3 Ingredient Paleo & Egg-Free Cookies
Healthy Vegan Cookie Dough (with Chickpeas!)
Let me know which ones are your faves and if you try these yummy grain-free cookies!
