Paleo Blondies

These delicious gluten free paleo blondies are soft, chewy, and make the perfect healthier treat! Best of all, they’re gluten and grain free, vegan, refined sugar free, and come together in a just few minutes. Includes low carb and keto sweetener option.

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Updated July 2020

What are blondies?

Looking for a way to satisfy that chewy chocolate chip cookie but don’t feel like scooping and rolling out cookie dough? These Paleo Blondies have everything you love about chocolate chip cookies without the extra work. Blondies (also known as Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars) are just like chocolate chip cookies in bar form and sort of like the vanilla cousin to the brownie and just as delicious!

Filled with drippy almond butter and dairy free chocolate chips, this refined sugar free recipe is great for anyone looking for a healthy treat. Amazing textures that will satisfy any sweet tooth, these baked goods are both sweet and tender.

My family loves these paleo blondies so much that we decided to make paleo chocolate chip cookies  to satisfy the chocolate craving. Both of these treats are healthier versions of the yummy classic desserts.

Why we love this recipe

This gluten free blondie recipe is filled with rich, yet healthy flavors. Plus, they are so easy to throw together and you only need ONE bowl to make them.

They’re also refined sugar free, gluten free, grain-free, paleo and vegan-friendly in case you don’t have any butter or eggs on hand. This paleo recipe uses coconut sugar in place of refined sugar and contains dairy free chocolate chips. Healthier than most baked treats, these chocolate chip blondies are irresistible.

Ingredients For Gluten-Free Blondies

WET INGREDIENTS: 

• Natural almond butter – use drippy almond butter and not near the bottom of the jar. You can also sub with any nut or seed butter you like.
• Flax eggs to keep this blondies recipe vegan – you can also try subbing with 2 chia eggs and if you prefer using regular eggs, only sub with 1 large egg.
• Pure maple syrup: an unrefined and lower glycemic sweetener but you can also try subbing with another low carb liquid sweetener such Lakanto sugar-free maple syrup to make Keto Blondies or Low Carb Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars
• Coconut sugar – an unrefined and lower glycemic sweetener but you can also try subbing with another low carb brown sugar substitute such as golden monk fruit sweetener to make Keto Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars or Low Carb Blondies
• Melted and cooled Coconut oil– use refined coconut oil if you don’t want any coconut flavor

DRY INGREDIENTS

• Gluten-free baking powder OR regular baking powder if not gluten free (you can also try subbing with 3/4 teaspoon baking soda but I have not tried)
• Vanilla extract, ground cinnamon and a pinch of salt: these balance out the sweetness and add flavor to help make these soft and chewy blondies taste even more amazing and delicious
• Almond flour – an amazing gluten free alternative to all purpose flour. Be sure to use superfine almond flour and not almond meal.
• Chocolate chips – be sure to use dairy-free chocolate chips for paleo blondies.

How To Make Paleo Blondies

1. PREHEAT OVEN AND PREP PAN: Preheat your oven to 350F. Line an 8×8 baking pan with parchment paper, leaving a slight overhang.
2. MAKE THE FLAX EGG: In a large mixing bowl, make the flax eggs by adding 2 Tablespoons of ground flaxseeds to a large bowl. Add 5 Tablespoons of water and allow to sit for at least 5 minutes or until thickened into a gel-like consistency.
3. MIX WET INGREDIENTS AND SWEETENER: Stir in almond butter and coconut sugar and use a fork to mix until smooth. Add the maple syrup and coconut oil,
4. ADD DRY INGREDIENTS: Add the baking powder, pinch of salt and almond flour and stir until combined.
5. FOLD IN CHOCOLATE: Add chocolate and gently fold into the blondie batter.
6. TRANSFER TO PAN: Spread the chocolate chip cookie dough batter into pan and use an offset spatula to spread evenly. Top with more chocolate chips, if desired.
7. BAKE in preheated oven for 18-20 minutes, until just set. Do not over-bake if you like a gooey and soft center.
8. COOL: Allow to cool completely before cutting into squares.

Can I Double This Blondie Recipe?

Yes, just double the ingredients in this recipe and bake these fudgy blondies in a 9×13-inch pan. You may have to increase the baking time though so keep an eye on them after the 20 minute mark.

Can I use Melted Butter instead?

I haven’t tried but you may be able to swap in melted butter for the coconut oil. Your baking time may be slightly different.

Variations

This quick and simple bar recipe can be adapted easily to what you have on hand and what you are craving.

• Add chopped nuts: Chopped walnuts, pecans or sliced almonds would be a great way to add some texture for a nice crunch.
• Use different chocolate: If you aren’t dairy-free or following any specific diet protocol, feel free to use any chocolate chips you like. White chocolate chips, semi-sweet chocolate chips, milk chocolate chips, butterscotch chips or you can use peanut butter chips.
• Add color: If you aren’t dairy-free or following any specific diet protocol, you can add a pop of color by adding sprinkles at the end, or even a mix of small candies like M&Ms or Reese’s Pieces.
• Nut butter: You can swap out the almond butter and use any other nut butter or seed butter you like. For Tahini blondies, I recommend using 1/3 cup of Soom Tahini (not sponsored: it’s seriously the best for baking) or if you’re not paleo, you can use drippy peanut butter to make Peanut Butter Blondies.

How to store paleo blondies

You can leave these vegan cookie bars on the counter overnight to a day since I think they will get soft and cakey from the coocnut oil. I suggest storing them in a resealable container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Can I freeze blondies?

Yes. To freeze these vegan blondies, you’re going to keep them in the baking pan and place the pan in the freezer for about 30 minutes. Once they are hard, you can remove each individual blondie and transfer to a clear resealable freezer bag or airtight container for up to 3 months.

To reheat, simple thaw them on the counter, reheat in the microwave or bake them up in the oven at 325F for 10-15 minutes

What does paleo mean?

Paleo simply means ancient or older with connections to the past of the planet. To have a paleo diet, one ingests foods that would have been grown and available for our ancestors, such as lean meats, fish, fruit, vegetables, nuts, and seeds.

Other Paleo Recipes You’ll Love:

Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars

Lemon Loaf

Paleo Banana Bread

Berry Crisp 

5 from 22 votes

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Paleo Blondies

Prep Time

10 mins

Cook Time

19 mins

Total Time

29 mins

 

These delicious gluten free paleo blondies are soft, chewy, and make the perfect healthier treat! Best of all, they’re gluten and grain free, vegan, refined sugar free, and come together in a just few minutes. Includes low carb and keto sweetener option.

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Keyword: blondies, chocolate chip cookie bars, gluten free dessert, paleo blondies, paleo dessert, pumpkin blondies

Servings: 16 squares

Calories: 165 kcal

Author: Kelly

Ingredients

• 2 tbsp ground flaxseeds + 5 Tbs water , can sub with 1 large egg if not vegan
• 1/2 cup drippy unsalted almond butter , can sub with any nut or seed butter you like but make sure it is creamy and drippy (not near the bottom of the jar)
• 1/2 cup coconut sugar , you can also sub with Lakanto golden monkfruit sweetener OR even brown sugar
• 3 tbsp maple syrup you can also sub with 2 Tbs Lakanto sugar-free maple syrup
• 2 tbsp softened coconut oil you want it soft like butter (use refined coconut oil if you don't want any hint of coconut flavor)
• 1.5 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp gluten-free baking powder
• 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/8 tsp fine sea salt , optional but helps to balance out the sweetness
• 1 1/8 cups superfine blanched almond flour , measured correctly using the spoon and level method
• 1/2 cup dairy-free chocolate chips OR chopped chocolate , we like Hu's Kitchen or Lily's Sweets
• OPTIONAL:
• flaky sea salt for garnish

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350F. Line a 7x7 (can also use 8×8 baking pan but the bars will be thinner) with parchment paper, leaving a slight overhang.

2. In a large mixing bowl, make the flax eggs by adding 2 Tablespoons of ground flaxseeds to a large bowl. Add 5 Tablespoons of water and allow to sit for at least 5 minutes oruntil thickened into a gel-like consistency. (can sub with 1 large egg if not vegan)

   
3. Stir in almond butter and coconut sugar and use a fork to mix until smooth. Add the maple syrup, melted and cooled coconut oil.
   
4. Add the baking powder, salt, cinnamon and almond flour and stir until combined. Gently fold in chocolate chips.
   
5. Spread the batter into pan and use an offset spatula to spread evenly. Top with more chocolate chips, if desired.
   

6. Bake in preheated oven for 19-22 minutes, until just set. Do not over-bake - you want them still gooey and they will continue to cook after you remove them from the oven. Allow to cool completely before cutting into squares. Top with flaky sea salt if desired.

   

Nutrition Facts

Paleo Blondies

Amount Per Serving (1 serving)

Calories 165 Calories from Fat 108

% Daily Value*

Fat 12g18%

Carbohydrates 14g5%

Fiber 2g8%

Sugar 9g10%

Protein 4g8%

* Nutrition facts are provided as a courtesy using the WPRM recipe calculator. It is best to make your own calculations to ensure accuracy. We expressly disclaim any and all liability of any kind with respect to any act or omission wholly or in part in reliance on anything contained in this website. Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.