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These coconut bars need just 3 ingredients to make and are irresistibly delicious. Thick, soft, and chewy, they take less than 5 minutes to prep!
If you’ve tried coconut candy bars before, these homemade version is a game changer!
They are chewy, sweet, and satisfying but healthier. They are like the filling of an almond joy or bounty bar!
Table of Contents
Why this recipe works
- Easy to make. The recipe needs just 3 simple ingredients and 5 minutes of prep time.
- Versatile. It’s easy to customize their flavor. Add vanilla extract or different toppings, like chocolate chips, chopped nuts, or candy.,
- Vegan and gluten-free. Thanks to the coconut condensed milk used, these bars are naturally dairy-free and suitable for celiacs.
- Everyone loves them. The flavor and texture of these bars are so good that it’s sure to please everyone, from kids to adults.
Ingredients needed
- Shredded unsweetened coconut flakes. As the remaining ingredients are sweet, always opt for the unsweetened kind. Also, the more finely shredded the coconut, the smoother the bars will be!
- Coconut condensed milk. Holds the ingredients together and gives the bars a chewy texture. It also adds sweetness.
- Confectioners sugar. To sweeten the bars, and make them softer to bite into!
How to make coconut bars
Prep. Line an 8 x 8-inch pan with parchment paper and set aside.
Make the dough. Add all the ingredients to a mixing bowl and mix until a thick dough forms.
Refrigerate. Transfer the coconut mixture to the lined pan. Wet your hands lightly while pressing the dough on the top to smooth it out. Refrigerate the bars to firm up.
Slice into bars. Once the mixture is firm, slice it into bars with a sharp knife.
Recipe tips and tricks
- Choose finely shredded coconut over large flake ones, as the mixture will be more smooth and easier to work with.
- Use a sharp knife to slice the bars to create even slices without falling them apart.
- Make sure the condensed milk is sweetened and full-fat.
- Before slicing the bars, take the pan out of the refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature for a few minutes. This will make it easier to cut the bars cleanly without cracking or crumbling.
Recipe variations
Add mix-ins. Fold through some chocolate chips, dried fruit, or chopped nuts for some added texture and a less pronounced coconut flavor.
Dip in chocolate. Almost identical to our chocolate coconut bars, melt your favorite kind of chocolate (milk, white, semi-sweet, dark) and dip the bars in them.
Make bite sized. Evenly distribute the mixture amongst a 12-count mini muffin tin and let them set in there. When ready to enjoy, pop them out.
Use standard condensed milk. We opted to use coconut based coconut condensed milk to keep it dairy free, but traditional condensed milk works.
Storage instructions
To store. Put leftovers in an airtight container and store them in the fridge for up to two weeks.
To freeze. Wrap each bar individually in parchment paper, then store in a ziplock bag in the freezer for up to 6 months.
More coconut dessert recipes to try
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, all the ingredients used in the recipe are gluten-free. So, these coconut bars are gluten-free.
Yes, both kinds of coconut will work. Just be sure to use unsweetened versions of the two, as there is already plenty of added sugar.
Coconut Bars
Ingredients
- 3 cups unsweetened shredded coconut
- 2/3 cup coconut condensed milk
- 1/2 cup confectioners sugar
Instructions
- Line an 8 x 8-inch pan with parchment paper and set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, add all the ingredients and mix until a thick dough remains.
- Transfer the mixture into the lined pan. Using lightly wet hands, press down on top to smooth it out.
- Refrigerate the coconut bars for at least an hour to firm up.
- Once firm, use a sharp knife to slice into bars.
I am making these today for my husbands birthday. We love anything coconut!
Fantastic 🙂 Hope he has a great day!
My husband and I were looking for a healthy snack when I came across your website. I am so impressed. The first thing I made was the Coconut Crack, it is fantastic! It’s a great healthy snack, and it has a great flavor and consistency.
So great to hear that!
Would this work with desiccated coconut instead of shredded? Thanks x
I should think so!
Oooh I want to try these. If I only have coconut flour and not coconut flakes, do you think that would work? I believe the coconut flour is just the flakes ground up into a flour. I have flakes on hand but they are sweetened :/
Hi there! That won’t work, it needs to be the exact 3 ingredients used 🙂
I have tried a few of your recipes and wanted to say that so many of the recipes are so easy to follow and I like that it’s a simple list of ingredients. Baking for my 6 kids who are extremely health-minded some being marathon runners, add son-in-laws and grandbabies we are a family of 16 ! Making healthier treats is our family’s priority. Your photographs are beautifully taken and really motivate me to try the recipe! I loved finding your book at my local library ! I look forward to reading your emails and IG posts! Thank you for sharing your talents!
You are so sweet, Marsha
xx
Oh my word!! By far, my favorite keto food!!! I’m not one to experiment so I appreciate you doing the work on this one. I didn’t know monk fruit sweetened maple syrup even existed but wow! I’ve shared these bars with several people and everyone loves them!
That means so much, thank you, Sherry!
Could not ask for more in a recipe – quick, delicious, easy, healthy. Thanks so much for this recipe!
I added a little almond extract for an almond joy flavor, would even be good with a little melted chocolate drizzled over top. So glad I found your website and cant wait to try more!
I know you mention to use honey in moderation due to its ability to be overpowering. Do we still use the 1/4 cup, or would you decrease?
You’d still need to use the standard amount, to ensure it holds together 🙂
Can I make this without any sweetner?
They won’t turn out at all.
Any thoughts on using Blackstrap Molasses? It’s what I have on hand.
It’ll be overpowering but should work!
Could I use swerve instead of the maple syrup?
I think you’d need a sticky sweetener to keep it all together.
Can we use desiccated coconut?
Could I use powdered sweetener? I could add water and make it into a liquid if necessary. I have spent a lot on sugar aĺternatives and would like to make use of them rather than buying yet another if I could . Thank you
Hi there, I haven’t tried that, I wouldn’t recommend it!
Can you substitute the coconut oil for something else in this??
I’ve only tried coconut oil.