Healthy Almond Joy Recipe (6 Ingredients, No Corn Syrup!)

Make your own vegan and gluten free healthy Almond Joy candy cups, with just 6 ingredients and no oven required!

Healthy Almond Joy Candy Cups (Dairy Free, Sugar Free)

Why you’ll love these healthy Almond Joys

They taste just like the classic coconut candy bar, but with much less sugar.
Ultra smooth dark chocolate and crunchy whole almonds.
Sweet, chewy coconut centers.
No corn syrup, milk fat, or preservatives.
Unlike packaged Almond Joys, these can be dairy free, low carb, soy free, and vegan.
Perfect for all candy centered holidays, including Halloween, Valentine’s Day, and Easter.
Equally perfect for a random Monday afternoon when you’re craving chocolate.

You’ll also love these Chocolate Peanut Butter Eggs

Full recipe video

Healthy Coconut Candy Ingredients With Nuts

Key ingredients

Coconut – You need three and a half cups of shredded, unsweetened coconut. For the best results, do not substitute sweetened or low fat flakes.

Almonds – Store bought Almond Joy candy bars contain one roasted almond per bar. Raw almonds are fine in this homemade chocolate coconut confection if you prefer.

Coconut Oil – Use refined or unrefined coconut oil, or an equal amount of coconut butter. Coconut oil hardens when chilled, helping to set the candies. Therefore, it is best to not substitute it with a different fat source like vegetable oil or almond butter.

Sweetener – I like refined sugar free pure maple syrup or raw agave. You can choose honey (not for vegans). For keto almond chocolate candy, sweeten with stevia and add water or additional oil to make up the difference in liquid. I’ve never tried a granulated or powdered sweetener.

Chocolate – The packaged version from the grocery store is made with a milk chocolate coating. I personally like semi sweet or dark chocolate chips better. It is entirely your choice. You could even use white chocolate or skip the chocolate topping entirely. (If you do omit the chocolate, I will try not to judge.)

Other Ingredients – A little salt balances the sweetness of the maple syrup. I also sometimes include a half teaspoon of pure vanilla extract or a drop or two of maple, peppermint, or almond extract to enhance the almond flavor. Or change up the recipe by blending in a teaspoon of fresh lime or orange zest.

Healthy Almond Joys (Refined Sugar Free Chocolates)

Health benefits of the vegan Almond Joy cups

Low sodium
Just 100 calories each
No artificial flavors
Can easily be cholesterol free, sugar free, and keto
Contains 6% of the RDA for fiber
Provides essential minerals, like manganese and copper
Includes healthy fats
Grain free and gluten free, with a paleo option

Homemade Almond Joy (Halloween or Easter Candy)

How to make healthy Almond Joy

Step 1: Gather your ingredients. Read through the recipe, and take out all of the ingredients and equipment in advance.

Step 2: Blend the coconut filling. If it is not already melted, gently heat the coconut oil until liquid. Add the shredded coconut, melted oil, sweetener, salt, and optional pure vanilla extract to a food processor or blender. Process on high, stopping occasionally to scrape down the sides, until well mixed and super sticky.

Step 3: Form candies. To make healthy Almond Joy cups, press the mixture very firmly into parchment lined or silicone mini cupcake tins or candy molds. Fill each cup about two thirds of the way up. Alternatively, shape the mixture into healthy Almond Joy bars with your hands.

Step 4: Chill until set. Refrigerate or freeze the healthy gluten free candy for at least a few minutes, until hard. You can shape the Almond Joys in advance and refrigerate overnight to save time if you wish.

Step 5: Add the chocolate. In a microwave or a double boiler on the stove top, carefully melt and stir the chocolate chips until they turn into a smooth sauce. Use a spoon to spread about a teaspoon of the chocolate topping over each coconut Almond Joy. Or dip each bar into the melted chocolate.

Step 6: Add the almonds. Press one whole roasted almond into the center of each no bake coconut treat. Then refrigerate or freeze to set the chocolate.

Step 7: Pop out of the pan and enjoy. Devour each delicious coconutty bite, reveling in the best soft, chewy texture and rich chocolate coating.

Step 8: Store leftovers. On cool winter days, you can leave the candies out on the counter or at a party for a few hours. But due to coconut oil’s tendency to melt when warm, I recommend storing leftovers in the refrigerator or freezer if possible.

Frequently asked questions

Can I use sweetened coconut?

My experiment with sweetened coconut turned out too sweet (not surprising). The coconut treats also did not hold together as well.

Can I mix the ingredients by hand?

A food processor breaks down the dried coconut shreds and releases their natural oils. Mixing by hand will result in crumbly bars or candy cups. It makes a tasty topping for Vegan Chocolate Cake or Banana Carrot Cake but does not work for bars.

How long do homemade Almond Joy last?

Ten minutes, or however long it takes to shovel them all into your mouth. More seriously, they last up to two weeks refrigerated or up to three months in the freezer.

Can I omit the almonds for a nut free or allergy friendly version?

Toasted almonds sit on top of each cup, so feel free to simply leave the nuts off to create your own healthier chocolate Mounds Bar cups. Replacing the almonds with whole toasted pecans, cashews, or walnuts is yummy as well.

Isn’t coconut high in saturated fat?

Yes, but the saturated fat in coconut is mostly medium chain fatty acids, whereas saturated fat from meat and dairy is long chain. Metabolically, the two types are processed differently in the body. But fat is still fat. As with any candy bars or desserts, healthy or not, moderation is key.

Easy Healthy Almond Joys (Vegan, Gluten Free)

The recipe was adapted from these Coconut Balls and Healthy Bounty Bars.

1. If not already melted, warm up the coconut oil until liquid. Add the shredded coconut, oil, sweetener, salt, and optional vanilla extract to a blender or food processor.
2. Process the ingredients on high speed, stopping occasionally to scrape down the sides of the machine. Continue blending until it forms a well mixed, sticky mixture.
3. Press very firmly into lined or silicone molds. (I used and highly recommend this Silicon Mini Cupcake Pan.) Or shape into bars with your hands.
4. Refrigerate or freeze the candies a few minutes until chilled and firm.
5. Carefully melt the chocolate chips and stir into a smooth sauce. Spread about a teaspoon of chocolate sauce over each candy. Or dip the bars into the melted chocolate.
6. Press a whole almond into the center of each healthy Almond Joy. Then return to the refrigerator or freezer to set the chocolate coating.
7. Serve and enjoy! The recipe can sit out in a cool environment for a few hours, but it is best to refrigerate or freeze leftovers so the coconut Almond Joys do not melt.