This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
Peanut butter in a candy bar form! These bite-size peanut butter candies are made with just 3 ingredients in about 10 minutes! Perfectly peanutty, sweet, and slightly crispy, you are going to love these!
Introducing peanut butter candy!
These small candy bars are inspired by a Vietnamese peanut candy called “keo bo dau phong”. It’s basically the peanut version of halva. It’s sweet, has a subtle crystallized texture, and is usually coated with a thin and crispy layer of sugar. Here, we will skip the sugar coating to make it easier. Worry not, it’s just as delicious!
⭐️ Why You Should Try It
- Full of peanut flavor. These candy bars are PACKED with peanut flavor. With over 50% peanut butter in each bar, you won’t miss the nuttiness!
- Quick and easy. This recipe takes about 10 minutes from start to finish and requires just peanut butter, sugar, and, optionally, vanilla extract. The only tool you will need is a candy thermometer.
- It keeps very well. Stored in an airtight container, these little bites of deliciousness will keep for weeks!
🥜 Ingredient Notes
This homemade vegan candy requires just super basic ingredients you most probably already have on hand! Here is what you will need:
- Peanut butter – Use natural and unsweetened peanut butter. I recommend using peanut butter with a smooth and runny consistency.
- Sugar – Since we will be making sugar syrup, you want to use granulated white sugar. I strongly advise against using coconut or brown sugar.
- Vanilla extract – For extra flavor and some freshness. Use store-bought or homemade vanilla extract.
🥣 How to Make It
The process of making these bars is simple and pretty straightforward.
- Heat the peanut butter. Add the peanut butter and vanilla extract to a small saucepan and heat it until it gets a runny consistency. Set aside.
- Make the sugar syrup. Add the granulated sugar and water to another saucepan and heat it until it reaches a temperature of about 257°F (125°C).
- Combine. Immediately transfer the warm peanut butter into the sugar syrup and stir until fully combined. You will have to work quickly as the mixture will crystallize and harden very quickly. As soon as everything is combined, transfer it to the pan.
- Transfer to a mold and let it set. Transfer the mixture to a small pan and let it cool for a few minutes before cutting it into small bars!
- Let it cool completely. Finally, let the bars cool completely before enjoying!
Be aware that these candy bars are crumbly just like halva, so handle them carefully!
📔 Tips
- Do not omit to heat the peanut butter. The sugar syrup will crystallize too quickly if your peanut butter is cold or at room temperature.
- Monitor the temperature of the sugar. For the best texture, use a candy thermometer to make sure the sugar has reached the desired temperature. Your candies will be too soft if the sugar syrup is not hot enough. On the contrary, if you heat the sugar to a too-high temperature, your bars will be too hard and crumbly.
- Slice while still warm. As they cool down, the bars will harden and become crumbly. Slice into bars using a very sharp knife while the mixture is still slightly warm.
- Slice into tiny bars. These peanut butter candy bars are pretty sweet and should be enjoyed as a treat, so I recommend cutting them into 1-inch-long bars.
💬 What to Serve It With
While these little bites are delicious on their own as an afternoon snack, they shine while served alongside coffee (like Vietnamese Coffee), tea, or your favorite hot beverage!
Want to Save This Recipe?
Enter your email below & we’ll send it straight to your inbox! Plus, you will receive new recipes every week!
I’d like to receive more tips & recipes from Full of Plants.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Peanut Butter Candy
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup natural peanut butter
- 1/4 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/3 cup sugar
- 2 tbsp water
Instructions
- Line a 6×3.5-inch pan with parchment paper. Note: You can use any pan as long as it is about this size.
- To a small saucepan, add the peanut butter and vanilla extract. Heat over low heat and stir it from time to time.
- To another medium saucepan, add the sugar and water. Bring to a boil over medium heat. Using a candy thermometer, measure the heat of the syrup. You want the syrup to reach a temperature of 257 °F (125°C).
- As soon as the syrup reaches this temperature, turn off the heat and immediately pour in the hot peanut butter. Use a wooden spatula or spoon to quickly stir the peanut butter into the syrup.
- Once the peanut butter and syrup are fully combined (it should only take a few seconds), pour the mixture into the prepared pan. Be careful; the mixture will harden very fast, so you want to act quickly.
- Let the mixture cool for about 5 minutes before removing it from the pan and cutting it into small bars.
Notes
- Do not omit to heat the peanut butter. The sugar syrup will crystallize too quickly if your peanut butter is cold or at room temperature.
- Monitor the temperature of the sugar. For the best texture, use a candy thermometer to make sure the sugar has reached the desired temperature. Your candies will be too soft if the sugar syrup is not hot enough. On the contrary, if you heat the sugar to a too-high temperature, your bars will be too hard and crumbly.
- Slice while still warm. As they cool down, the bars will harden and become crumbly. Slice into bars using a very sharp knife while the mixture is still slightly warm.
- Slice into tiny bars. These peanut butter candy bars are pretty sweet and should be enjoyed as a treat, so I recommend cutting them into 1-inch-long bars.
Nutrition
About the Author
Thomas Pagot is the founder, photographer, and recipe developer behind Full of Plants. He created the blog in 2016 as a personal cookbook for vegan recipes. Through years of recipe development, Thomas has successfully grown Full of Plants into a trusted resource for plant-based recipes.
Leave a Comment
Turned out well only from my second attempt. Very good recipe! Easy and tasty
Thanks for your feedback Ivan!
I tried these last night! They were super easy to make and quite wonderful. They made a quick, delicious snack which, surprisingly, wasn’t overly peanut buttery. We will definitely make them again. Maybe try them with almond butter, or some other nut butter? But peanut butter is really good. Thanks Thomas – we always enjoy trying your recipes!
Thanks for your feedback Deb, you were quick! 😉
I was, wasn’t I! These are good – really good. They give a nice boost of protein and just the right amount of sugar so they are not overwhelming or hard on the blood sugar. I’ve made them a few times now any they always turn out great – definitely a recipe to recommend and share. You’re doing a great job on your site – it’s gorgeous, and I don’t seem to have any problem with ads. Please keep it coming! All success to you – Deb
Thanks so much for your kind words Deb, I really appreciate it ^^
I made these candy bars for my family yesterday. We loved it. Thank you, and wish you all the best.
Glad you liked these peanut butter bars Tommy 😉
Thomas I love your recipes and I know you are trying to make a living but there are so many ads and a lot of them are flashing that I can’t stand to be on your site.
Wish you the best though.
Hi Sandra,
Thanks for your feedback 🙂 We are already running fewer ads than the majority of the other blogs in that field.