Protein Twix Bars (Gluten-Free with Almond Flour)
If you’re a fan of Twix, these Protein Twix Bars are perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth. Made with almond flour, coconut oil, cashew butter, maple syrup, and your choice of chocolate chips, they’re gluten-free, naturally sweetened, and packed with a protein boost—no refined sugar or artificial flavors.
If you’re a fan of Twix and love homemade treats, these Protein Twix Bars are going to be a game-changer for your sweet tooth cravings. This recipe has all the rich flavors and textures you’d expect from your favorite candy bars, but with wholesome ingredients like coconut oil, cashew butter, maple syrup, and your choice of chocolate chips.
The shortbread layer gives you that classic crumbly cookie base, and the chewy caramel brings in just the right amount of sweetness, all without any artificial flavors or refined sugar. They’re gluten-free with almond flour but can easily be made with a variety of gluten-free flours. Plus, the healthy fats from the nut butter and the extra protein boost make these bars more than just a dessert. I love to keep these in my freezer for when I want to satisfy a sweet, chocolate craving!
What Makes These Protein Bars a Better Choice than Store-Bought Twix Candy Bars?
These Protein Twix Bars are a better choice than store-bought Twix candy bars because they are made with clean, wholesome ingredients like almond flour, coconut oil, and maple syrup, without the processed additives commonly found in commercial candy. They offer a significant protein boost thanks to the inclusion of protein powder and cashew butter, making them more satisfying and a great option for a quick snack or post-workout treat. Additionally, these bars are gluten-free when made with almond flour, making them a perfect choice for those with gluten sensitivities. Unlike traditional Twix bars, they are naturally sweetened with maple syrup and contain no refined sugar, offering a more mindful alternative to processed sweets. Plus, they’re customizable with your choice of chocolate chips, nut butters, and toppings like chopped nuts or coconut, allowing you to adjust the flavor and texture to suit your preferences.
Why You’ll Love This Easy Twix Recipe
- Easy to Make: With simple, everyday ingredients, these homemade protein bars come together in no time.
- Protein-Packed Treat: These high-protein bars are the perfect way to enjoy your favorite candy flavors with a boost of protein.
- Naturally Sweetened: Made with wholesome ingredients like maple syrup, there’s no need for refined sugar.
- Customizable Toppings: Add your favorite mix-ins like chunky peanut butter, chopped nuts, or a drizzle of date syrup to make it your own!
Ingredients & Substitutions
Here is everything you need to make the best homemade twix bar recipe:
Almond Flour: You will want to use blanched almond flour. You can also use these gluten-free flour subtitutions.
Vanilla Protein Powder: Use collagen powder with callogen peptides, whey protein powder, a plant-based protein powder if you’re dairy-free, or a vegan protein powder. You can also leave out protein powder and substitute it with 1 additional cup of almond flour. This is my favorite naturally sweetened vanilla protein powder that tastes delicious in these bars.
Coconut Oil: Butter or ghee works great if you’re not avoiding dairy.
Maple Syrup: Honey or agave syrup will sweeten things up just as nicely while keeping it all-natural.
Salt: Sea salt, pink Himalayan salt, or even a pinch of flaky salt for a little extra texture would work perfectly here.
Cashew Butter: You can also use peanut butter, almond butter, or even sunflower seed butter will give you different, tasty variations for the caramel layer.
Pure Maple Syrup: Honey or agave syrup are good alternatives, keeping it naturally sweet while giving a slight flavor variation.
Coconut Oil: Butter or ghee can easily take coconut oil’s place if dairy isn’t a concern.
Vanilla Extract: You can use pure vanilla extract or imitation. A smaller amount of almond or maple extract adds a fun flavor switch if you’re out of vanilla.
Chocolate Chips: Use any variety of chocolate chips that meet your dietary needs, including dairy-free chocolate chips. You can also use dark chocolate chips, milk chocolate, or even sugar-free chocolate chips if you’re cutting back on sugar—any of these will melt down for the top layer.
How to Make My Gluten-Free Twix Candy Bar Recipe
Here are easy, detailed, step-by-step instructions for making my easy candy bars. The instructions are also repeated in the recipe card at the bottom of this blog post.
Step 1: Prepare the Cookie Layer
Preheat your oven to 350°F (170°C) and line a 8×8″ pan with parchment paper.
In a medium bowl, combine 1 cup almond flour, 1/2 cup protein powder, 3 tablespoons coconut oil (melted), 2 tablespoons maple syrup, 1-2 tablespoons milk, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Stir with a spatula until a thick dough forms similar to a cookie dough. Press the dough evenly into the bottom of the pan. Bake the shortbread layer for 10-11 minutes or until lightly brown on the edges.
Step 2: Make the Caramel Layer
In a small saucepan over low heat, melt together 2/3 cup cashew butter, 1/3 cup maple syrup, 1/4 cup coconut oil, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Stir with a whisk until smooth and fully combined. Pour the warm caramel mixture over the baked shortbread base and spread it evenly. Allow the pan to cool on the counter for atleast ten minutes. Then, place it in the freezer for at least 30 minutes or overnight to set it.
Step 3: Prepare the Chocolate Layer
In a microwave-safe bowl, combine 2/3 cup chocolate chips and 1-1/2 tablespoons coconut oil. Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until the chocolate is fully melted and smooth. Pour the melted chocolate over the caramel layer and spread it evenly. Lightly sprinkle coarse sea salt over the chocolate. For best results, place the pan in the fridge for 10 minutes or until the chocolate is set. Then remove and slice into bars. Store leftovers in the fridge or freezer.
My Expert Recipe Tips
Protein Powder Choice: Protein powders have different moisture levels. You may need to add slightly more flour or milk to your dough until it becomes a cookie dough consistency.
Chocolate Cracking: Freezing the bars before adding the chocolate layer helps the chocolate set quickly and makes the caramel and cookie layers easier to cut through. You can also freeze the entire pan with all the layers before slicing. Just let the bars thaw slightly on the counter, then use a sharp knife warmed under hot water to slice through the chocolate without cracking it.
Smaller Batch: You can make a half-batch and use a 4×8 loaf pan if you don’t need as many.
Delicious Serving Suggestions
- Date Caramel Layer: Swap out the usual caramel for a date caramel made from blended dates for a naturally sweet, sticky layer that pairs beautifully with the shortbread cookie crust.
- Drizzle with Date Syrup: For an extra touch of sweetness, drizzle your Protein Twix Bars with date syrup. This adds a caramel-like flavor with a smooth, refined sugar-free finish.
- Chunky Peanut Butter Boost: If you’re a peanut butter fan, spread a layer of chunky peanut butter between the shortbread and caramel layers for extra texture and richness. The peanut crunch adds a satisfying bite.
- Butterscotch Chips or White Chocolate Chips: Melt butterscotch chips or white chocolate chips to drizzle over the top or use as part of the chocolate layer for a different twist on the traditional Twix bar.
- Chopped Peanuts, Cashews, or Almonds: For a crunchy topping, sprinkle chopped peanuts, chopped cashews, or chopped almonds over the chocolate layer before it sets. This adds a nutty texture that contrasts perfectly with the smooth chocolate and caramel.
- Cinnamon Touch: Add a dash of cinnamon to the cookie base or the caramel layer for a warm, cozy flavor that elevates these bars to another level.
- Coconut Crunch: Toasted coconut flakes make a wonderful topping or can be mixed into the shortbread layer to give a hint of tropical flavor and added texture.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are Amazon links to my favorite naturally sweetened protein powders that are very affordably priced:
This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.
Do you love homemade chocolate treats? Check out more of my easy and delicious date bark recipes:
Protein Twix Bars (Gluten-Free with Almond Flour)
Ingredients
Cookie Layer:
- 1 cup almond flour (105g)
- 1/2 cup protein powder (55g)
- 3 tablespoons coconut oil
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- 1-2 tablespoons milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Caramel Layer:
- 2/3 cup cashew butter (160ml)
- 1/3 cup maple syrup (80ml)
- 1/4 cup coconut oil (60ml)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Chocolate Layer:
- 2/3 cup chocolate chips
- 1-1/2 tablespoons coconut oil
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (170°C) and line a 8×8" pan with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, combine 1 cup almond flour, 1/2 cup protein powder, 3 tablespoons coconut oil (melted), 2 tablespoons maple syrup, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Stir with a spatula until a thick dough forms similar to a cookie dough. Press the dough evenly into the bottom of the pan. Bake the shortbread layer for 10-11 minutes or until lightly brown on the edges.
- In a small saucepan over low heat, melt together 2/3 cup cashew butter, 1/3 cup maple syrup, 1/4 cup coconut oil, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Stir with a whisk until smooth and fully combined.
- Pour the warm caramel mixture over the baked shortbread base and spread it evenly. Allow the pan to cool on the counter for atleast ten minutes. Then, place it in the freezer for at least 30 minutes or overnight to set it.
- In a microwave-safe bowl, combine 2/3 cup chocolate chips and 1-1/2 tablespoons coconut oil. Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until the chocolate is fully melted and smooth. Pour the melted chocolate over the caramel layer and spread it evenly. Lightly sprinkle coarse sea salt over the chocolate.
- For best results, place the pan in the fridge for 10 minutes or until the chocolate is set. Then remove and slice into bars. Store leftovers in the fridge or freezer.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
This recipe has been reviewed by a healthcare professional for its nutritional balance and alignment with healthy eating principles.
One of the best protein bar recipes that I have made! I crushed some almonds to sprinkle on top of the chocolate layer. They are delicious and taste like Twix!!
Thank you so much for the review, Linda! That’s a great idea to add crushed almonds on top 🙂
I made these using regular old peanut butter as cashew butter is quite expensive. We absolutely love them!!!!!!! I’ve sent many other people this recipe as well because I can’t stop talking about them! Also very simple to make!
Awe…thank you so much for sharing this with me, Mae!! And for sharing the recipe 🙂
Can something be substituted for the cashew butter? Thank you!
Hi Shirley! Yes, you can use any nut butter you like 🙂
Thanks for another delish recipe!
You’re welcome! Thank you for the review 🙂
I made this with whey protein and peanut butter. They are delicious and pretty easy to make. Thanks!
Thank you so much for the review, Linda! I’m so glad you liked them 🙂
10/16/24
Found your recipe this morning, while I was at the gym.. luck would have it- I had all the similar ingredients-
I’m not really a Twix fan- but OMG!
These are amazing!
Definitely a keeper-
Will be making and sending some to the hubby’s co- worker who is Gf- and no one ever makes treats for him..
Thank you!
Hi Amy! This makes me so happy…especially because your coworker gets to enjoy a sweet treat, too 🙂 Thank you for sharing!
Knocked it out of the park with this recipe! My kids will literally do ANYTHING to have one of these bars as a reward. Seriously, my son even volunteered himself to scrub the toilet for another! I’ve been sharing them with friends and they are to die for.
Hi Liz, thank you so much for sharing this with me! Haha…that’s awesome these bars are inspiring a cleaner house 🙂 I love it!!
My kids like these, not too sweet, but super satisfying
That’s awesome, Lindsey! Thank you for the review 🙂
THIS IS SO GOOD!! Tastes really similar to the real Twix, and so much better for you.
Hi Kathy, thank you so much for the review 🙂
These literally will become my new favorite treats😋
Haha…thank you for the review, Jalangela 🙂
Made these Protein Twix Bars and they’re legit! Super easy, and the almond flour base was on point. The caramel was perfect too. Way better than store-bought, plus you get that protein boost. Definitely makin’ these again!
Thank you for the review, Margie! I’m so glad you liked them 🙂
These twix bars are so delicious and fun and easy to make. I hope you enjoy them 🙂