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    Home » Recipes » Brownies/ Blondies/Cookie Bars

    Almond Flour Cookie Bars

    By Wendy Sondov · Published: Apr 23, 2021 · Modified: Apr 9, 2025 · This post may contain affiliate links · As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Jump to Recipe

    Almond Flour Cookie Bars are soft, golden-brown cookies swirled with melted chocolate chips. These flourless and naturally gluten free cookies, make a delicious Passover snack that is also a year round favorite!

    Overhead shot of golden brown cookie bars with swirls of melted chocolate baked in.

    Why you'll love this recipe

    Baking gluten free treats often requires a lot of specialty ingredients to create the texture of baked goods made with wheat flour. Not this recipe! Get delicious flavor and soft, chewy texture using a handful of common ingredients.

    Finely ground almond flour can easily be found at most supermarkets. It gives the bars a soft crumb and almond flavor.

    Adding starch, potato starch for Passover use and corn starch for all other times, provides the chewiness expected from cookies and bars.

    Recipe ingredients

    Recipe ingredients; almond flour, chocolate chips, unsalted butter, sugar, eggs, powdered sugar, potato starch, vanilla.

    For bars with the soft texture of regular flour, use finely ground almond flour. Using almond meal will produce a grainier texture.

    Mini chocolate chips melt faster than regular sized chips, which is important in this recipe. If substituting regular chips, chop them into smaller pieces before using.

    Potato starch is a common Passover ingredient and can sometimes be found in the kosher food section of a grocery store year round. For non-Passover use, corn starch can be substituted with the same results.

    Instructions

    This is an overview of the instructions. The full instructions are in the recipe card below.

    Recipe instructions; combine ingredients, spread into pan, bake, swirl melted chocolate, finish baking, cut into bars.
    1. Using an electric mixer, combine the ingredients.
    2. Spread the batter evenly into a lined jelly roll pan with a silicone spatula.
    3. Bake for 5 minutes, until the chocolate chips are melted. Remove from the oven and swirl the batter with the spatula to create a marbling effect.
    4. Return to the oven and bake until golden. Cool then cut into squares.

    Recipe tips

    • For the best texture, use finely ground almond flour.
    • For non-Passover use, corn starch can be substituted for the potato starch in this recipe.
    • To get the swirled chocolate effect, very small pieces of chocolate must be used so that they melt before the dough begins to bake. Use mini chips or chop regular chips or chocolate.
    • There is enough batter to cover the bottom of the jelly roll pan. It will be very thin, but will rise when baking to produce cookie-like bars.
    • For thicker bars use a smaller pan. The baking time will be slightly longer.
    • This recipe can also be used to make thick, chewy almond flour blondies. Make the recipe as written using an 8" or 9" square baking pan and bake for 20-25 minutes after swirling the melted chocolate.
    • Slice into bars while still warm to reduce cracking and crumbling.
    • Do not attempt to move the bars out of the pan until they are completely cooled. The bars get sturdier when cool and will hold together beautifully.

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    Storage tips

    • Store at room temperature in an airtight container for up to one week.
    • To keep these bars soft while shipping, double wrap piles of 2-4 squares in plastic wrap, then place the bundles in a column, in a plastic storage container or freezer weight ziplock bag.
    • These bars freeze well for up to a month, when well wrapped in plastic wrap. Defrost at room temperature.
    Closeup stack of cookie bars showing chocolate swirled throughout the almond dough.

    Frequently asked questions

    What is the difference between almond meal and almond flour?

    Almond meal is usually made from coarsely ground raw almonds with their skin. Almond flour is made from blanched almonds with the skin removed, giving it a lighter color and finer texture.

    Can you substitute almond meal for almond flour?

    The finer the grind, the closer the texture will be to wheat flour. If almond meal is used, the baked goods will have a heavier, grainier texture.

    More gluten free cookie recipes

    Coconut Macaroons without condensed milk are moist, chewy, coconut cookies with crisp outer edges. Dip them in chocolate for an extra special flourless treat.

    Double Chocolate Gluten Free Biscotti are completely flourless cookies for chocolate cookie fans who like to dunk their cookies.

    Chocolate Mint Cookies a favorite flavor combination in a fudgy, crisp cookie.

    Flourless S'mores Peanut Butter Cookies will become your favorite way to make quick and easy, gluten free peanut butter cookies!

    Marzipan Cookies have a crunchy, almond encrusted exterior and a soft, chewy center. Made with just a handful of ingredients, this recipe is quick and easy.

    Matzo Marshmallow Treats are a sweet, chewy Passover dessert you can sink your teeth into! Marshmallows and crunchy bits of matzo make this Passover candy a favorite of both kids and adults.

    Ready to bake? Join the free membership group to get new recipes and a newsletter delivered to your inbox! You can also stay in touch on Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram. I’d love to stay in touch!

    Almond Flour Cookie Bars

    Soft, golden-brown cookie bars that are flourless, naturally gluten free, and a delicious Passover treat. 
    5 from 4 votes
    Pin Recipe Print Rate
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: American, Jewish
    Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 25 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 30 minutes minutes
    Servings: 28
    Calories: 129kcal
    Author: Wendy Sondov

    Ingredients

    • 1 cup granulated sugar
    • ½ cup unsalted butter room temperature
    • 3 large eggs
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla or almond extract
    • 1 ¼ cups plus 2 tablespoons finely ground almond meal/flour
    • ¼ cup plus 2 tablespoons potato starch or corn starch for non-Passover use
    • 1 cup mini chocolate chips
    • Optional: powdered sugar for dusting tops of cookies

    Instructions

    • Preheat oven to 350° F. Line a jelly roll pan (15” x 11”baking pan with sides) with parchment paper allowing a few inches of overhang on the long sides.
    • In the bowl of an electric mixer, cream together the sugar and butter. Add the eggs one at a time and almond/vanilla extract. Beat to combine.
    • In a medium bowl, whisk together the almond meal/flour and potato starch. Stir into the creamed mixture.
    • Fold in the chocolate chips.
    • Spread the batter evenly, from edge to edge, into the prepared pan.
    • Bake for about 5 minutes, or until the chocolate chips are melted. Remove the pan from the oven and, using a rubber spatula, swirl the melted chocolate into the batter.
    • Return the pan to the oven and continue baking for another 20 minutes, just until the top is dry and golden brown.
    • Remove from oven and slice into squares.
    • Allow the squares to cool completely in the pan before removing to serve or store.
    • Optional: Sprinkle with powdered sugar.
    • Store at room temperature in an airtight container for at least 5 days.

    Notes

    • For the best texture, use finely ground almond flour.
    • For non-Passover use, corn starch can be substituted for the potato starch in this recipe.
    • To get the swirled chocolate effect, very small pieces of chocolate must be used so that they melt before the dough begins to bake. Use mini chips or chop regular chips or chocolate.
    • There is enough batter to cover the bottom of the jelly roll pan. It will be very thin, but will rise when baking to produce cookie-like bars.
    • For thicker bars use a smaller pan. The baking time will be slightly longer.
    • This recipe can also be used to make thick, chewy almond flour blondies. Make the recipe as written using an 8" or 9" square baking pan and bake for 20-25 minutes after swirling the melted chocolate.
    • Slice into bars while still warm to reduce cracking and crumbling.
    • Do not attempt to move the bars out of the pan until they are completely cooled. The bars get sturdier when cool and will hold together beautifully.
    Packing tips
    • Double wrap piles of 2-4 squares in plastic wrap, then place the bundles in a column, in a plastic storage container.
    • Use crinkled wax paper, if necessary, between the cookie bundles and the lid of the container to ensure there is no movement during shipping.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 129kcal | Carbohydrates: 14g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 27mg | Sodium: 12mg | Potassium: 22mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 11g | Vitamin A: 141IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 23mg | Iron: 1mg
    Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @TheMondayBox or tag #themondaybox!

    First Published: April 21, 2014. Last Updated: April 23, 2021. Updated for additional information and improved photographs.

    Save

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    Comments

    1. Lin

      May 05, 2014 at 5:38 pm

      Have you ever tried making these low carb by using Splenda instead of the sugar and coconut flour instead of the potato starch?

      Reply
      • themondaybox

        May 13, 2014 at 1:54 pm

        I haven't tried those substitutions, Lin, but I would love to know if it works! If you try it, please let me know the results. 🙂

        Reply
    2. Reeni

      May 03, 2014 at 3:19 pm

      What a great save! They look and sound absolutely delicious! I love the flavor and texture of almond meal in baked goods. Your daughter rocks! That is a great accomplishment.

      Reply
      • themondaybox

        May 04, 2014 at 10:27 am

        Thanks, Reeni! These cookie squares will be making frequent appearances at our house and I have already received a request for more in an upcoming care package! I really should have named these Serendipity Bars. 🙂 My daughter's half marathon really was a great accomplishment!

        Reply
    3. BruCrew Life

      April 30, 2014 at 2:06 pm

      These sound and look amazing! And how awesome that your daughter completed her first half marathon. Maybe someday I'll get there.. 😉

      Reply
      • themondaybox

        April 30, 2014 at 8:50 pm

        Thanks, Jocelyn! I will pass on your congrats to my daughter. 🙂 I have shown her your posts and photos of your mud runs. The funny thing is that she always says, "Maybe someday I'll get there..." 🙂 She tells me its all about setting goals and working toward them. I wouldn't know. I don't think I could run around the block! 🙂

        Reply
    4. Winnie

      April 27, 2014 at 3:25 pm

      These look FANTASTIC !!
      Sometime the best recipes come from accidents 🙂
      2 of my nephews are gluten free, so I'd probably make these pretty soon.
      Pinning!

      Reply
    5. miss messy

      April 26, 2014 at 6:11 am

      I love that these don't have flour in. What a great idea 😀

      Reply
      • themondaybox

        April 26, 2014 at 8:04 am

        Thanks! I had no idea going in that almond flour could create such a tender cake-like crumb! No one would know that there is no flour unless you told them! 🙂

        Reply
    6. Elizabeth @ SugarHero.com

      April 25, 2014 at 12:50 am

      I love it when accidents turn into successes! These sound fantastic!

      Reply
      • themondaybox

        April 25, 2014 at 9:58 am

        Thanks, Elizabeth! These squares were a wonderful surprise. 🙂

        Reply
    7. mmmarzipan

      April 24, 2014 at 3:28 pm

      Fabulous!!!

      Reply
      • themondaybox

        April 24, 2014 at 6:12 pm

        Thanks! These bars don't have flour which fits your new eating plan....I wonder if something could be done about the sugar to make them fit your plan too?

        Reply
        • mmmarzipan

          April 25, 2014 at 5:46 am

          perhaps the use of rice malt syrup instead of sugar... or a little stevia... or a combo of both as a substitute could work! Thanks for the inspiration! x

          Reply
    8. Tricia @ Saving room for dessert

      April 23, 2014 at 10:53 am

      Yeah!! I love a successful recipe accident! You have every right to be proud of your daughter - that is a great accomplishment!

      Reply
      • themondaybox

        April 24, 2014 at 8:30 am

        Thanks, Tricia! Meira sets a goal and goes for it! She has always made me shake my head in wonder. 🙂 Successful baking accidents are so rare in my kitchen that I was as surprised as I was thrilled. I get so frustrated when recipes from highly reliable sources end up in the trash!

        Reply
    9. shannon

      April 23, 2014 at 6:45 am

      yay for Meira! I have a great deal of respect for anyone who can run that far, seriously. and these bars! you have to hand it to baking accidents: sometimes, it's horrible, sometimes funny, but sometimes, when you turn things around and make a disaster into an awesome treat, it's totally satisfying. These look wonderful, and i'll be excited to try these here at home. we're not GF, but i dig a chocolate chip anything with almond flour, because it just adds that specific flavor and texture that only almonds can give things. love this.

      Reply
      • themondaybox

        April 24, 2014 at 8:25 am

        Thanks, Shannon! Running is so out of my comfort zone that I could only stand and marvel as Meira took this on! I am awed, truly. The problem with a highly successful baking disaster is that there is the risk of misinterpreting luck for baking know-how. As in, "Look! I have learned something about baking and can figure out how to fix faulty recipes!" Though this was definitely only luck, you are right, it is satisfying. Do I remember correctly that you have a little gluten free cousin? These cakey bars are totally "normal" tasting and I think they would receive a big thumbs up from kids.

        Reply
    10. gottagetbaked

      April 22, 2014 at 11:38 pm

      You must be so proud of your daughter for completing her first half marathon. I can't even read about other people running marathons without getting tired! I love this story of how a potential baking disaster turned into a delicious new recipe. I'd never have known there was a tumultuous back story to these gorgeous chocolate chip almond squares! Seriously, they look delicious!

      Reply
      • themondaybox

        April 24, 2014 at 8:18 am

        Thanks, Nancy! I am with you on the running. Sweat and purposeful pain and exhaustion aren't my thing. 🙂 The funny (and sweet) part is that the running gene seems to have skipped a generation. My dad was a runner. I think it would have tickled him to see Meira running. 🙂 These bars were definitely a comedy of errors! My dog will even attest to the raw drips of batter tasting delicious right off the floor! 🙂

        Reply
    11. Monica

      April 22, 2014 at 7:29 pm

      Wendy, are you making this up?! : ) I am totally kidding! I seriously tip my hat off to your ability to think on your feet and be creative. I never have happy "accidents" like that. The only thing I could probably come up with would be to crumble up anything that didn't work out and use it in a parfait or something! : ) I am so happy this came about and you found a new family favorite. And sounds like you have a wonderful daughter (along with wonderful son). I'm glad she is so flexible and dealing well with needing to be gluten-free. That would be a struggle for me! And I'm glad she has a lovely mom who is adventurous and creative in the kitchen to help along. xo

      Reply
      • themondaybox

        April 22, 2014 at 9:42 pm

        Monica, I wish I was making it up!! 🙂 Seeing that log of dough melted and dripping through me into OMG! mode. I wasn't so much thinking on my feet as panicking on my feet! This is the first time one of my disasters has not only been edible, but probably better than what I was planning in the first place! 🙂 And I have done the crumbled cookie/cake in a parfait (sometimes as a cake pop!). Thank you so much for your kind words about my "kids". I am very proud of the adults they are growning into. You are always so supportive, Monica and I really appreciate it!!

        Reply
    12. Ashley

      April 22, 2014 at 10:54 am

      Gluten-free baking is definitely a whole different ball game! My sister and mom both have to do the gluten-free thing so family events are always interesting coming up with something that they can eat yet is still delicious for everyone!

      These cookie squares sound great! I'm glad you kept going and turned a possible disaster into something delicious!

      Reply
      • themondaybox

        April 22, 2014 at 9:35 pm

        Thanks, Ashley! I have been trying to avoid buying all the unusual flours called for in some gf recipes but for the best results and for cost that might eventually happen. Cooking gf isn't so hard but baking,as you said, is a whole different ball game! These cookie squares bake up almost cake-like. (In a smaller pan they might be cake squares...I have to try that!) I am so happy with the final surprising product!

        Reply
    13. Sarah @ The Cook's Life

      April 22, 2014 at 9:47 am

      Oh, yum! These look fabulous! I love anything with chocolate and almond. And double bonus that the recipe came out of a near fail! Quick thinking to save the batch before they ran all over the oven and were lost. Score for kitchen ingenuity and Wendy! 🙂

      Reply
      • themondaybox

        April 22, 2014 at 9:50 am

        Thanks, Sarah! I would consider it kitchen desperation! My family is loving these "ingenuity cookies" and the sad part is that I can't even try one (as they take seconds and thirds) because I am allergic to nuts!

        Reply
    14. Margaret

      April 22, 2014 at 6:25 am

      You must be filling better! Look delicious.

      Reply
      • themondaybox

        April 22, 2014 at 7:58 am

        Thanks, Margaret! I am definitely feeling way better. Energy on the upswing and taste buds slowly returning to normal! 🙂

        Reply
    15. thehungrymum

      April 22, 2014 at 3:27 am

      these look phenomenal - so gooey & yum.

      Reply
      • themondaybox

        April 22, 2014 at 7:57 am

        Thanks! My family has been gobbling these up! They aren't really gooey (unless the chocolate chips are still warm) but they are soft and chocolaty and yum. 🙂

        Reply
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    I'm Wendy, a baker, care package maker, and smile creator. On The Monday Box you’ll find care package inspiration and recipes for delicious treats that make it easy for you to share home baked love. Let’s spread happiness, one cookie at a time!

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