Easy to make low-carb and gluten-free chocolate chip coconut bars are great alternative to regular chocolate chip cookie bars. Enjoy one fresh out of the oven with a glass of almond milk!
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If you give in to treats on a low carb diet, you tend to crave them more. That's why I like to reserve my sweet low carb snacks for special occasions or an occasional treat.
Unfortunately, I ate too many keto desserts over the holidays and I baked several low carb pies that I overindulged in. So now my sweet tooth has been out of control.
I decided to make a few sugar free snacks to share so that I wouldn't eat too many. And since I had a bag of unsweetened coconut to use up, I made a batch of chocolate chip coconut bars and keto coconut macaroons.
The macaroons are an old favorite that I created when I first started sharing my low carb recipes. They have since become a regular item to make for Christmas. But the chocolate chip bars with coconut are a new creation.
Ingredients
To make these easy coconut bars with chocolate chips, you'll need the following ingredients:
- almond flour
- coconut flour
- unsweetened dried shredded coconut
- xanthan gum (optional)
- baking powder
- butter
- golden low carb sweetener
- eggs
- low carb milk (either unsweetened almond or coconut milk)
- vanilla extract
- sugar free chocolate chips
I prefer to use homemade stevia sweetened sugar free chocolate chips instead of store bought ones like Lily's baking chips. The added fiber and sugar alcohols in commercially made low carb chocolate chips gives me digestive issue. That's why I like to make my own. And, it doesn't take much time to prepare them.
Instructions
To make the bars, I basically took a chocolate chip bar cookie bar recipe and added coconut. But, I replaced the wheat flour with a blend of almond flour and coconut flour. And I added a bit of xanthan gum although it's likely not essential. However, I've found adding it provides a little elasticity that could be missing in gluten-free flours.
The brown sugar was also replaced with a golden low-carb sweetener. But, a regular white granular sweetener with a little gold fiber syrup or blackstrap molasses could be used instead.
Like most cookie bar recipes, the dry ingredients are combined in one bowl and the wet ingredients are combined in another bowl. Then the wet ingredients are stirred into the dry ingredients to form a thick batter and the chocolate chips are stirred in.
The dough is then spread into a greased square baking dish (I used an 8x8-inch pan). Next, it's baked in the oven at 350°F for about 25 to 30 minutes or until the top is browned. The bars can be eaten warm out of the oven, but it's best to let them cool for easier slicing.
Why you'll love it
These chocolate chip coconut bars reminded me of soft gooey chocolate chip cookies with the added bonus of coconut. One of my favorite treats are the seven layer magic cookie bars, mainly because of the coconut. Instead of trying a low carb version of those, I went for this easier recipe.
You will not be disappointed with these soft cookie bars. If you love the taste of coconut, these low carb chocolate chip bars are the ones to try. No one will believe they are gluten free and sugar free. So feel free to share them with those not on a low carb diet. They are a real treat for all.
Related recipes
Looking for more sweet keto treats? Here's a list of some of my other favorite snacks made with chocolate chips:
- Gluten Free Pumpkin Bars are a similar snack bar with pumpkin flavor.
- Flourless Chocolate Chip Cookies bake up with a nut butter based dough.
- No Bake Almond Butter Balls are super quick and easy to make.
- Double Chocolate Zucchini Bread is the perfect sweet bread for chocolate lovers.
- Sugar Free Pecan Blondies are a classic cookie bar with nuts added.
- Low-Carb Coconut Flour Brownies make a wonderful mix-in-a-jar gift.
Enjoy these easy and delicious low carb cookie bars. And be sure to tell us how they turned out by leaving a comment below.
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Recipe
Chocolate Chip Coconut Bars
Video
Ingredients
- ¾ cup almond flour
- ¼ cup coconut flour
- ½ cup unsweetened shredded coconut
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon xanthan gum optional
- ½ cup butter melted
- ½ cup Lakanto Golden Monk Fruit Granular Sweetener or other brown sugar alternative
- 2 eggs beaten
- ½ cup almond milk
- 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
- ½ cup sugar free chocolate chips
Instructions
- Combine almond meal, coconut flour, unsweetened coconut, baking powder, and xanthan gum (if using) in medium bowl.
- In another bowl, whisk together butter, sweetener, eggs, almond milk, and vanilla extract.
- Pour butter mixture into dry mix and stir together until well combined.
- Mix in chocolate chips.
- Spread into a greased 8×8 baking pan and Bake at 350 degrees F for about 25-30 minutes.
Notes
Low Carb Sweeteners | Keto Sweetener Conversion Chart
Nutrition
Additional Info
Notes on Nutritional Information
Nutritional information for the recipe is provided as a courtesy and is approximate only. We cannot guarantee the accuracy of the nutritional information given for any recipe on this site. Erythritol carbs are not included in carb counts as it has been shown not to impact blood sugar. Net carbs are the total carbs minus fiber.
Copyright
© LowCarbYum.com - Unauthorized use of this material without written permission is strictly prohibited unless for personal offline purposes. Single photos may be used, provided that full credit is given to LowCarbYum.com along with a link back to the original content.
Post updated in January 31, 2019. Originally published January 29, 2012.
Cathy
Very good. I added appx 1/2 c chopped pecans..this will work!
Cheryl Reynolds
I have made this recipe SO many times over the past couple of years with lots of variations and it has never failed me. Sometimes I make the bar into cookies instead. I have used the base for a bunch of different bars, substituting the chocolate chips with other chips (like Lily's Salted Caramel flavor) or just adding cacao powder in place of part of the almond flour to have double chocolate. Almost always add in some kind of nuts as well. I've brought it to several pot lucks and had lots of non-Keto/non-lowcarb people compliment me on them. So thanks, Lisa! These are my go-to bars and cookies.
Sonya
Impressive - tastes so good! Thinking maybe substituting walnuts for choc chips and using some banana extract for a mock banana bread? This is def a keeper - and thank you for no dairy lol!
Dawn West
Do you think you could use parchment paper instead of greasing pan? I am thing maybe it might correct some of the doughiness on the bottom. I really prefer a crisp crunchy cooler over a soft one.
Lisa MarcAurele
Yes. Parchment paper should work instead.
Nancy Bateson
I love this recipe! It is my go to when I need something sweet and easy to assemble. I add chopped pecans for extra crunch.
Bev
The first Keto dessert recipe I love. Just wondering cannot be frozen? To take away the temptation of eating it all at once
Lisa MarcAurele
These bars can be frozen for long term storage. I like to freeze in single servings and thaw each in the fridge when needed.
Misty A.
This is one of the best low carb desserts I've tried. A real winner. So moist and sweet ,you'll swear it's a cheat treat. Had a piece with some cold almond milk. It was amazing!
Tara
I made these yesterday and must say just how fantastic they are. Oh my heavens! A keeper recipe for sure!
Irma Canny
How big is a bar for nutritional value count?
Lisa MarcAurele
They are about 2 inches square at 1/2 inch high.
Irma
These are delicious and sooo easy to make!
Debbie
No salt needed?
Lisa MarcAurele
You can add a small amount of salt to enhance the taste if needed.
Susan
We loved these! And easy to make! Delicious...is it typical that the bottom of the bars seemed to be very soft, almost like a raw texture? However, the top was nice and brown like real chocolate chip cookie bars. I used a toothpick for testing and it came out clean.
Thanks for sharing such a great recipe, my husband put whipped cream on the top and made it taste even better.
Lisa MarcAurele
The bottom of the bars are a bit softer than the top, but shouldn't be raw like. Maybe turn the oven down a bit next time and bake longer. I do have a convection oven so it tends to bake more evenly than a conventional one.
Cathy
I'm new to the low-carb world and haven't found anything that I'm crazy about yet in the way of desserts. That has now changed!! These bars and easy to make and delicious! Thank you for the recipe!
Katie
I don’t have have almond flour, can I use JUST the coconut flour?
Lisa MarcAurele
It requires other changes like more egg and or liquid and amount of coconut flour will be less than the total of almond and coconut flours.
Gilly
These are amazing! I used heavy cream slightly diluted as we don't use almond milk. They came out like a gooey cookie dough bar. Hubby loved them (i made them for his birthday) and we will definitely make them again! Thank you!
Lisa MarcAurele
What an awesome low carb birthday treat!
Ann
These are fantastic!
Joy Lord
Is there a good replacement for the eggs in the pancake or other recipes? My grand daughter is allergic to eggs and I have had a horrible time trying to find something that taste good and mixes well? She is also allergic to milk and nuts but that I can handle.
Joy
Lisa MarcAurele
I've used psyllium eggs with success. I've also used gelatin successfully when using in sweet baked goods.
Dorothy
Hi, just made these and l have only one word, WOW. Thank you so much for the recipe.
Lisa MarcAurele
I'm happy to share these yummy low carb treats!
Mike
I didn’t have any almond milk I had whipping cream and I use that instead the recipe turned out pretty good I’m gonna try almond milk to see what the differences but thank you for the recipe it was delicious also the pancake recipe was fantastic!!
Wendy
Can you use cashew milk instead of almond milk?
Lisa MarcAurele
Sure. The kind of low carb milk doesn't matter.
Rose
I' m also having a problem printing the recipe. The link you gave in the comment section didn't work
for me either. Can't wait to make and taste these!
Lisa MarcAurele
You'll need to provide more information on the printing problem, like the browser used and device.
Michele Rusk
If you are on an Apple device, from the upper right corner (...) open in Safari then you can save it on your home screen.
I think I am going to mix this up and cook them in a pizzelle machine.
Susan LaRiccia
Just wondering how many that have made these and used xanthum gum were happy with the texture as opposed to not using it.
Lisa MarcAurele
I've found there's really no difference so I opt not to use xanthan gum.
Erin Lloyd
Hmmm I don't have almond milk. I wonder if heavy whipping cream would work?
Lisa MarcAurele
I'd dilute the whipping cream as it's pretty heavy and calorie dense.
Sonja Lang
Not sure if there's a glitch in the programme today, but I'm not able to print this particular recipe out, and when I've tried to search for it by name on your site (both on windows and apple products), these just aren't found. I'll keep trying though as I really want to print! 🙂
Lisa MarcAurele
Try this direct link to the print page: https://lowcarbyum.com/wprm_print/23685
Hilde
Yummi ?I'm gonna make this again ?
Lisa MarcAurele
Enjoy!
Rhonda
Can I do without the coconut shavings?
Lisa MarcAurele
It should work, but you may want to add something else like nuts to make up for it.
Nicky
Can you use coconut oil instead of butter?
Lisa
It should work out okay. But I'd use the butter flavored kind if you want a buttery flavor.
Linda Molenaar
Help? What options are there for the “low carb sweetener” in this recipe? Can I use Stevia? Or Swerve?
Lisa
You can use Swerve or any other one-for-one sugar replacer.
Laura Samuelson
If I double the recipe will it make a half sheet cookie “cake”?
Lisa
It should fit in a 9x13 if doubled.
Bambi
This is the first cookie or bar recipe that I've loved. They're just as good as a "regular cookie. These will be a regular at my house, thanks!
Lisa
I'm so glad this recipe worked out for you Bambi!
Lera
I have made these several times and really like them. Just took a batch out of the oven and this time I added some pecans. Expecting to eat one soon as they cool down and imagine it will be heaven!
Lisa
Love pecans! I bet they are going to taste great. 🙂
Rachel
How are these sugar free with the molasses in them? Just curious for a substitute? Sugar free maple syrup maybe? Also, I have stevia but am not familiar with extract powder. Can you use regular stevia? or whats the difference?
Lisa
These are still low carb even using a touch of blackstrap molasses which is the only molasses I use. It is free of refined white sugar which is the bad stuff. If you prefer, you can simply omit the molasses which helps mimic the softer brown sugar or use a low carb brown sugar replacement. Stevia extract powder is a concentrate of the sweet part of the stevia leaf. You can use any sweetener you'd like. 1 teaspoon of stevia extract powder is about equivalent to 1 cup sugar.
Rachel
Thank you! 🙂 I have them in the oven now. Also, because I track more than carbs I was just calculating the entire thing and my per bar wasn't even close to yours. I know it could be a tad off based on brands but its not even close. Do you have your totals? For the ENTIRE recipe I got:
CALS 2353
FAT 195.5
CARBS 138
FIBER 46.7
PROTEIN 33
I must have done something way wrong lol. I calculated everything and made sure the serving sizes were right. Any ideas!?!?
Lisa
For totals, I got:
Cals: 2121
Fat: 200
Sodium: 1139
Carb: 59.5
Fiber: 30.1
Protein: 45
Deb Murray
For the whole recipe? Cool!
Pat
still confused--in one area recipe says 1.8 net carbs but in nutrition section say 5 carbs minus 2 fiber--isn't that 3 net carbs? Still plan on trying--they sound great!
Lisa
It is, some of the notes are carry over from old nutritional information and were missed when the recipes were updated. All recipes are being updated with nutritional data at the moment and the notes aren't always getting fixed.
Anonymous
A lot of the calorie calculation sites are off. You should maybe try a few and look things up individually to have a better idea. One of the reasons I stopped tracking...
Lisa
Agree! All macro data is best estimate.
Carol Doucette
so I am thinking that I could substitute 1/4 c of brown sugar substitute for the stevia extract and the molasses. Is my thinking correct?
Lisa
You are right! 1/4 cup brown sugar sweetener can be used in place of the stevia and molasses.
Teresa
I just wanted you to know I made these last week and they were easy to make and really delicious. Very moist and satisfying. They will definitly be in my regular rotation! Thank you!
Lisa
So happy that you enjoyed these bars Teresa. They are one of my personal favorites.
Judy Z.
Made these for dessert this evening. Wow!! They are wonderful. These will become a reguar in my house.
Lisa
Judy - So glad you liked them. They will be a regular sugar free snack in my house as well.