Keto Almond Joy Bars — A Low-Carb Twist on a Classic

Few candies are as instantly recognizable as the Almond Joy: creamy coconut filling, crunchy almonds, and a smooth milk chocolate coating. But while the original is undeniably tasty, it’s also packed with sugar — definitely not keto-friendly.

That’s why we’ve created this homemade keto Almond Joy recipe: all the indulgence of the classic, but low in carbs, sugar-free, and made with wholesome ingredients you can feel good about.

Ingredients & Why We Use Them

Unsweetened Shredded Coconut (2 cups)
The heart of an Almond Joy bar is its chewy coconut center. By using unsweetened shredded coconut, we keep the carbs low and let the natural coconut flavor shine. Coconut is also rich in fiber and healthy fats, which make it satisfying and keto-friendly.

Coconut Cream (½ cup)
This binds the shredded coconut into a rich, moist filling. Coconut cream provides creaminess without the need for condensed milk (which is loaded with sugar). It adds healthy medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs), known for their energy-boosting properties.

Keystone Pantry Allulose (½ cup)
Allulose is our sweetener of choice for this recipe. It’s a rare natural sugar that tastes and behaves like traditional sugar but has zero net carbs. Unlike erythritol, it doesn’t have a cooling aftertaste, and it caramelizes beautifully — making it perfect for a smooth, sweet coconut filling.

Vanilla Extract (1 tsp)
A little vanilla enhances the sweetness and rounds out the coconut flavor, giving the bars that “candy shop” depth without any extra sugar.

Whole Almonds (12)
Of course, it wouldn’t be Almond Joy without almonds! We use roasted, unsalted almonds for crunch and nutty flavor. You can also lightly salt them if you want a sweet-and-salty contrast.

Sugar-Free Chocolate Chips (1 ½ cups)
We recommend Keystone Pantry sugar-free chocolate morsels, sweetened with allulose, for the coating. They melt smoothly and taste just like classic milk chocolate, without the sugar spike.

Coconut Oil (1 tbsp)
This helps thin the chocolate for coating and gives it a glossy finish once set.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Make the coconut filling – Mix shredded coconut, coconut cream, allulose, and vanilla in a bowl until well combined and sticky.

2. Shape the bars – Press the mixture into small rectangles on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Place one almond on top of each bar. Freeze for 30 minutes to firm up.

3. Melt the chocolate – In a microwave or double boiler, melt chocolate chips with coconut oil until smooth and glossy.

4. Dip the bars – Coat each coconut-almond bar in melted chocolate, ensuring full coverage. Place back on the tray.

5. Set and enjoy – Chill in the fridge until the chocolate hardens. Store in an airtight container.

Nutrition (per bar, makes 12)

• Calories: ~140

• Net Carbs: ~2g

• Fat: ~13g

• Protein: ~2g

Why These Are Better Than the Original

• Sugar-free & keto-friendly – only ~2g net carbs per bar compared to 24g sugar in the store-bought version.

• Made with real ingredients – no corn syrup, fillers, or preservatives.

• Customizable – want dark chocolate instead? Swap in sugar-free dark chocolate chips for a richer taste.

• Fresher flavor – homemade always beats mass-produced candy.

FAQ

Q: Can I use another sweetener instead of allulose?
Yes, but we recommend allulose because it has no aftertaste and keeps the coconut filling soft. Erythritol tends to crystallize and can make the bars gritty.

Q: Do I have to use coconut cream?
Coconut cream works best for a rich, chewy texture. If you don’t have it, you can use heavy cream, but the flavor will be less coconut-forward.

Q: Can I make these dairy-free?
Absolutely! Just be sure your sugar-free chocolate is dairy-free. Everything else is naturally dairy-free.

Q: How should I store them?
Keep in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks, or freeze for longer storage. They taste great straight from the fridge!

Q: Can I make a Mounds-style version?
Yes — simply skip the almonds and use sugar-free dark chocolate instead of milk chocolate.

✨ These homemade Keto Almond Joy Bars are everything you love about the original candy — chewy coconut, crunchy almonds, rich chocolate — but without the sugar overload. A sweet treat that keeps you keto!