The BEST healthier monster cookie bars with no oil, butter, flour or sugar! Use coconut sugar or honey instead! Makes an 8×8 square pan so you don’t have too many around!

The BEST healthier monster cookie bars with no oil, butter, flour or sugar! Use coconut sugar or honey instead! Makes an 8x8 square pan so you don’t have too many around! A few weeks ago I was asking the ladies in my bible study for recipe ideas.

The BEST healthier monster cookie bars with no oil, butter, flour or sugar! Use coconut sugar or honey instead! Makes an 8x8 square pan so you don’t have too many around! Let’s be clear.. these friends are the type of girls who get up at 5am to work out, while I sleep for at least 2 more hours. Maybe I need to spend more time with them and it will eventually rub off on me. But I am pretty partial to afternoon workouts.

They said that they like when I post healthier dessert recipes (layered cakes are out the window, boo) but I thought about it, and I like when I share healthier desserts too, because I am more likely to re-make a quick & easy healthier sweet treat than a 3 layer cake and I figured there’s probably a lot of you who agree with me!

The BEST healthier monster cookie bars with no oil, butter, flour or sugar! Use coconut sugar or honey instead! Makes an 8x8 square pan so you don’t have too many around! I’ve been dreaming about healthier monster cookie bars so I knew that was a good place to start.

This healthier recipe calls 3/4 cup of m&ms, and before you start commenting that m&ms are not healthy, I’m saying that this recipe is healthier than regular monster cookie bars. In a traditional monster cookie bar recipe you’ll find 2 cups of sugar, a stick of butter, and up to 3 cups of m&ms and chocolate chips.

The BEST healthier monster cookie bars with no oil, butter, flour or sugar! Use coconut sugar or honey instead! Makes an 8x8 square pan so you don’t have too many around! First, we scaled the recipe down to fit in a 8×8 square pan. Less in the beginning = less to eat :)

Second, we replaced the granulated and brown sugar with coconut sugar and/or honey. Still sugar, but healthier!

Third, we omitted the chocolate chips altogether and cut the m&ms back to 3/4 cup. Next time, I’d even scale it back to 1/2 cup. You could also use mini m&ms! You can go (semi) crazy because they’re healthier!

The BEST healthier monster cookie bars with no oil, butter, flour or sugar! Use coconut sugar or honey instead! Makes an 8x8 square pan so you don’t have too many around!

The BEST healthier monster cookie bars with no oil, butter, flour or sugar! Use coconut sugar or honey instead! Makes an 8x8 square pan so you don’t have too many around!

Healthier Monster Cookie Bars

5 from 1 rating
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 18 minutes
Total Time: 28 minutes
Yield: 12 servings
The BEST healthier monster cookie bars with no oil, butter, flour or sugar! Use coconut sugar or honey instead! 

Ingredients

  • 1 cup creamy peanut butter
  • 2 tbsp honey
  • cup coconut sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • 1 ½ cups quick cooking oats
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • ¾ cup m&ms

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 350º F.
  • Spray or line an 8x8 inch square baking pan with cooking spray or aluminum foil/parchment paper.
  • In a mixing bowl, combine the peanut butter, honey and coconut sugar, using a spatula or electric mixer.
  • Add in the eggs and vanilla, mix until incorporated.
  • Add the quick cooking oats, baking soda, and salt. Mix gently by hand.
  • Mix in the m&ms.
  • Pour the monster cookie mixture into the pan and use a spatula or your hands to evenly distribute the batter. The batter will be thick.
  • Bake for 18-23 minutes, or until the bars begin to turn golden on top.
  • Remove from the oven and allow the bars to cool completely before cutting.
  • Store in an airtight container.
Cuisine: American
Course: Dessert
Author: Beth
Calories: 267kcal, Carbohydrates: 27g, Protein: 8g, Fat: 15g, Saturated Fat: 5g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g, Monounsaturated Fat: 6g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 33mg, Sodium: 268mg, Potassium: 189mg, Fiber: 3g, Sugar: 16g, Vitamin A: 74IU, Vitamin C: 1mg, Calcium: 34mg, Iron: 1mg
Share a Photo!Tag @beth_thefirstyear!

The BEST healthier monster cookie bars with no oil, butter, flour or sugar! Use coconut sugar or honey instead! Makes an 8x8 square pan so you don’t have too many around!