• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to secondary sidebar
Compston Kitchen
  • Recipes
    • Breakfast
    • Easy Weekday Meals
    • Plant-Based
    • Smart Snacks
    • Salads, Sauces, and Sides
    • Soups and Stews
    • Dessert
  • Products
  • Nutrition Corner
  • Work With Us
  • The Compstons
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms of Use
    • Website Disclaimer
  • Nutrition Corner
    • Build A Better Cooler
    • Boost Your Mood with Food
    • Perfectly Imperfect Foods
  • Recipes
    • Breakfast
    • Easy Weekday Meals
    • Plant-Based
    • Smart Snacks
    • Salads, Sauces, and Sides
    • Soups and Stews
    • Dessert
  • Work With Us
  • In The News
  • Products
menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • Recipes
    • Breakfast
    • Easy Weekday Meals
    • Plant-Based
    • Smart Snacks
    • Salads, Sauces, and Sides
    • Soups and Stews
    • Dessert
  • Products
  • Nutrition Corner
  • Work With Us
  • Let's Connect!

    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ×

    Home » Recipes

    Healthy Homemade Mounds Bars

    February 4, 2021 by Stephen & Elise Compston, RD, LDs 14 Comments

    Tweet
    Share29
    Share
    Pin95
    124 Shares
    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Healthy Homemade Mounds Bars are an upgraded twist on a classic candy favorite! This simple recipe tastes even better than the original.

    Close-up shot of a pile of Healthy Homemade Mounds Bars

    Coconut has always been one of my very favorite flavors. From sweet to savory dishes, coconut lends that fun, tropical, unmistakable flavor to a variety of cuisines. When we're talking candy, Mounds bars are at the top of my list! It's near impossible to beat that sweet, chewy, coconutty filling all wrapped up in creamy chocolate. So simple yet SO incredibly delicious. These Healthy Homemade Mounds Bars are reminiscent of that childhood classic (arguably, way better) and made with ingredients you can feel good about indulging in. We think you'll agree, this homemade version takes the cake.

    RECIPE TIPS

    Coconut Types. We've found that unsweetened coconut flakes works best for this recipe. Pre-sweetened coconut tends to be too overpowering, especially once chocolate is added on. For a tasty twist, you can replace ⅓ of the coconut with toasted coconut flakes. Adds a little crunch and that toasty flavor.

    Chocolate. Classic Mounds bars use milk chocolate but we opted for dark. Truthfully, either works well so we say pick your favorite! For a fun, kid-friendly twist, you can use white chocolate and food coloring to really shake things up! The same goes for a chocolate drizzle versus the full dunk. We've made them countless times both ways and still can't pick a favorite.

    Overhead shot of Mounds Bars with fresh Chocolate Drizzle

    Coconut Oil. While this may seem like a ridiculous thing to say on a recipe featuring coconut, there are two primary types of coconut oil to choose between. Unrefined (virgin) coconut oil has that classic, bright, tropical coconut scent and aroma. It also has a light yellow or sometimes ivory shade. On the other hand, refined coconut oil is practically void of any distinguishable scent or flavor and tends to be clear or brighter white if solid. Either oil works perfectly well for this recipe, so it really comes down to personal preference. If you can't get enough coconut flavor, the unrefined oil is for you! If you desire "just enough" coconut, refined is the way to go.

    Time to Chill. When you've mixed your coconut filling together, we recommend chilling in the fridge, not the freezer. Over hardened filling can crack more easily than lightly chilled. If you are in a time crunch, we recommend popping your mixture into the freezer and allowing it a few minutes at room temperature before slicing, to decrease the chance of cracking.

    FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

    Do these bars freeze?
    Yes! These bars freeze extremely well (for up to 2-3 months) without any loss of taste or texture. We recommend removing them from the freezer at least 1 hour prior to enjoying.

    Can I use another sweetener in place of maple syrup?
    Other liquid sweeteners can be substituted in place of maple syrup with some differences in flavor. Honey and date syrup both lend very distinct flavors that take away from that classic "mounds" bar flavor. Our second pick in place of maple would be agave syrup, which has a very mild, almost nonexistent flavor that won't affect the overall end product.

    Help! My filling isn't "sticking"!
    A semi-sticky filling is essential for creating your bars. The filling should be tacky enough that it sticks together when firmly pressed. Add additional oil and syrup, in ½ teaspoon increments, as needed, until mixture holds. When adding filling to your pan, ensure mixture is pressed down very firmly so it can "set" into shape. If needed, use a can or the back of a spoon to roll or press the bars into form.

    My chocolate shell is too thick!
    For a thinner dipping chocolate, add coconut oil, in ½ teaspoon increments, until you reach desired consistency. Coconut oil will thin your chocolate and help the "shell" set more quickly.

    Close-up shot of a pile of Healthy Homemade Mounds Bars
    Print Recipe
    4.86 from 14 votes

    Healthy Homemade Mounds Bars

    Healthy Homemade Mounds Bars are an upgraded twist on a classic candy favorite! This simple recipe tastes even better than the original.
    Prep Time20 mins
    Chill Time30 mins
    Total Time50 mins
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: American
    Servings: 10 bars
    Calories: 213kcal

    Ingredients

    • 3 cups unsweetened coconut flakes
    • 3 tablespoon unrefined coconut oil
    • 3 tablespoon maple syrup
    • 1 ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
    • ⅛ teaspoon salt
    • 1 cup chocolate chips for melting

    Instructions

    • To a food processor, add coconut flakes, coconut oil, maple syrup, vanilla, and salt. Process on low for 30-45 seconds, or until mixture is well combined and beginning to become slightly tacky. You want your mixture to be sticky enough to press and hold together.
    • Pour mixture into a lightly oiled or parchment-lined bread pan or baking dish*, pressing down firmly until evenly distributed. Place in the refrigerator for 20-30 minutes, or until "set".
    • Using a firm spatula, gently remove coconut mixture from pan and slice into "bars" or mini bites.
    • Melt chocolate in a microwave safe dish, in 10-15 second intervals, until melted. Drizzle or dunk bars with chocolate and place back into the fridge until chocolate sets.

    Notes

    *we often double our batch and find this perfectly fills a 9x9 baking pan, yielding approximately 20 good sized bars.
    Halving/Doubling Recipe: You can easily halve or double your recipe with great success using the 1:1:1 ratio of 1 cup of coconut flakes to 1 tablespoon oil to 1 tablespoon maple syrup. Vanilla extract and salt cannot be doubled, and should be adjusted per preference. 
    Storage: these bars are best kept in the fridge. For a softer, chewier eating experience, remove from the fridge 5-10 minutes prior to enjoying. 

    Nutrition

    Calories: 213kcal
    Tweet
    Share29
    Share
    Pin95
    124 Shares
    « 30-Minute Sheet Pan Pineapple Chicken
    Easy Pizza Pasta Bake »

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Monica

      August 25, 2021 at 5:33 pm

      5 stars
      Such a good summer recipe! A chocolate fix with no oven included!

      Reply
      • Stephen & Elise Compston, RD, LDs

        August 27, 2021 at 7:03 pm

        Hi Monica, SO happy to hear you enjoyed the recipe! We are also big fans of anything chocolate and no-bake!

        Reply
    2. Annie

      July 23, 2021 at 7:10 pm

      3 stars
      I followed the directions exactly. The coconut mixture is too crumbly to hold together into bars. I may need to add more oil perhaps. And the melted chocolate is too thick to evenly coat. I'll have to experiment with something to add to it to thin it out and help make it easier to coat the bars. It was a complete mess, but tasted good. That's the reason for the 3 stars.

      Reply
      • Stephen & Elise Compston, RD, LDs

        July 23, 2021 at 8:51 pm

        Hi Annie, so sorry to hear the bars didn't turn out as expected! A few tips that may help:

        -For a "stickier" coconut mixture, additional oil and/or maple syrup (starting in 1/2 tsp increments) may be helpful. If you're working with larger coconut flakes, they may take some extra pulsing in the food processor. This allows the mixture to blend more thoroughly and evenly coat all pieces. As the flakes grind down they will also release some natural oil which can help build a "sticky" consistency as well.
        -For a thinner chocolate, you can add several tsp of coconut oil when melting. The oil will help thin your chocolate to desired consistency.

        We thank you for your honest feedback and hope you have better success next time!

        Reply
    3. Joyce K Bondra

      February 17, 2021 at 3:33 pm

      When Kevin heard about these he said "Homemade Mounds Bars sound GREAT!!" We both LOVE Mounds bars. Because the ingredients are natural, you don't have all the preservatives like the store bought candy does. And Kevin says "for that reason you won't get that acidy taste in your mouth when you eat them...." I cannot wait to try these, they look delicious!!

      Reply
      • Stephen & Elise Compston, RD, LDs

        February 18, 2021 at 3:55 pm

        Joyce, we are so happy to hear you both were excited to see this! We hope it does not disappoint!

        Reply
    4. Judy Mische

      February 16, 2021 at 3:38 pm

      5 stars
      I’ve always loved Mounds and Almond Joy bars. These are just as good if not better - no they are better - because I can use healthier ingredients! Such a great idea for gift giving too.

      Reply
      • Stephen & Elise Compston, RD, LDs

        February 17, 2021 at 11:27 am

        So glad to hear you enjoyed them! And love the idea of gifting them!

        Reply
    5. Garey

      February 16, 2021 at 3:24 pm

      5 stars
      Currently drooling

      Reply
      • Stephen & Elise Compston, RD, LDs

        February 17, 2021 at 11:34 am

        Thank you so much!!!

        Reply
    6. Rosemary

      February 11, 2021 at 3:38 pm

      5 stars
      These are incredible!! I’ve been so into chocolate and coconut bars lately I’ll have to make some homemade !

      Reply
      • Stephen & Elise Compston, RD, LDs

        February 15, 2021 at 9:01 pm

        Thank you so much! We hope you'll enjoy them!

        Reply
    7. Erica

      February 05, 2021 at 9:04 am

      These look absolutely beautiful! Must. Try. Immediately!

      Reply
      • Stephen & Elise Compston, RD, LDs

        February 05, 2021 at 9:58 am

        Thank you so much Erica! We hope you love them!!!

        Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Secondary Sidebar

    Let's Connect!

    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter

    The Compstons

    We're Stephen and Elise Compston! Husband and wife registered dietitians, recipe revitalizers, and developers of upgraded everyday eats. We create simple, affordable, plant-focused recipes with fun, fresh, and creative spins on classic dishes and tasty new favorites.

    Subscribe for updates!

    Privacy Policy

    Copyright © 2023 Compston Kitchen on the Foodie Pro Theme

    We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
    Cookie settingsACCEPT
    Manage consent

    Privacy Overview

    This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
    Necessary
    Always Enabled
    Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
    CookieDurationDescription
    cookielawinfo-checbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
    cookielawinfo-checbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
    cookielawinfo-checbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
    cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
    cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
    viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
    Functional
    Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
    Performance
    Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
    Analytics
    Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
    Advertisement
    Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
    Others
    Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
    SAVE & ACCEPT