Healthy Cookie Dough Bars

Healthy Cookie Dough Bars are the perfect all natural chocolate treat! This no-bake recipe is gluten-free and made with just four simple ingredients.

Delicious healthy cookie dough bars

Growing up, I loved making homemade chocolate chip cookies, and not because of the actual cookies. My favorite part was the dough! The same goes for healthy brownie recipes and gluten free cakes... I only wanted the batter! I'd always have to sneak it so that nobody would scold me about the risk of eating raw eggs.

As I got older and didn't need the help of a parent to bake, I was able to fully enjoy the dough and batter without risk of getting caught! Ahhh, adulthood.

It's safe to say, any cookie dough treat is a winner in my book, these no-bake treats included! I love that though they're made with healthier ingredients, they really do taste exactly like cookie dough. Topped with a chocolate and cashew butter "icing," they're absolutely drool-worthy.

Healthy cookie dough bars are the perfect treat for gatherings

If you're looking for a sweet treat that can be enjoyed by pretty much everyone, this is it. This recipe is gluten-free, vegan, naturally sweetened, and made with just four ingredients. How can you beat that?! If you're hosting a gathering or attending a potluck, this is a perfect option.

And... for all of the parents out there, don't be afraid to give this treat to your kiddos. Since it's sweetened naturally, you don't have to prepare for a sugar attack! No jumping off of the walls with this sweet treat!

Ingredients used to make this cookie dough recipe

This recipe only uses four main ingredients (plus salt)! It's that simple. Though there are two parts, both parts use the same ingredients!

Keep the chocolate chips, cashew butter, and salt from the dough layer handy, because that's what you'll be using for the chocolate layer!

Cookie dough layer:

• Cashew butter
• Maple syrup
• Oat flour
• Mini chocolate chips
• Salt

Chocolate layer:

• Cashew butter
• Mini chocolate chips
• Salt

Kitchen tools required to make this recipe

This no-bake recipe only requires tools for mixing and setting the ingredients. Here's what you'll need, and in order:

• Large mixing bowl
• Mixing spatula or spoon
• 8x8 pan (or a larger pan if you'd like thinner bars)
• Parchment paper
• Microwavable bowl

How to make healthy cookie dough bars

Cookie dough bars are a wonderful no-bake option that you can whip together in a matter of minutes! This is a treat that everyone will enjoy. Plus, you'll enjoy making it because it only takes about 10 minutes of prep time. After that, to the freezer it goes!

To begin preparing the dough layer, mix the cashew butter, maple syrup, and oat flour in a large bowl.

Next, add the chocolate chips and the salt.

Line an 8x8 pan with parchment paper, and then press this mixture down on top.

For the chocolate layer, you'll need a microwavable bowl. Melt the chocolate chips and cashew butter in 30 second increments until fully melted.

Pour the mixture on top of the dough layer.

Place the pan in the freezer for one hour, sprinkle sea salt on top, and then cut into bars.

Store in the fridge or freezer.

Ingredient substitution options

Cashew butter and chocolate chips are two ingredients that can be easily substituted in this recipe. Here are some swap ideas for each.

• Cashew butter: You can use any nut butter that you'd like. Peanut butter and almond butter are two easy options! Use a 1:1 ratio.
• Mini chocolate chips: In more of a white chocolate mood? That'll work! Use a 1:1 ratio when making the swap.

A healthier cookie dough recipe

By using select ingredients, I was able to keep these cookie treats totally gluten free and all natural.

• All natural sugar: This recipe is sweetened with all natural maple syrup. The chocolate chips add their fair share of sweetness as well!
• Cashew butter: Cashew butter is a great option because it contains an exceptional amount of nutrients! It provides a great serving of protein, healthy fat, iron, calcium, and more.
• Oat flour: This recipe is gluten-free thanks to oat flour! Plus, this type of flour provides much more taste than all-purpose flour.

Try these chocolaty recipes too

Calling all chocolate lovers! If you have a sweet tooth and love making new chocolate chip recipes, you'll want to try these!

• Healthy Chocolate Chip Cookie Skillet
• Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins
• Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies (Gluten-Free)
• Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Bars