If you have a sweet tooth and love the nostalgic crunch of classic candy bars, you are going to adore these Better-Than-Store Vegan Butterfinger Bars. This recipe takes everything you love about traditional Butterfinger bars—the crispy layering, the nutty peanut butter center, and the decadent chocolate coating—and elevates it with wholesome, plant-based ingredients that make them amazingly delicious and ridiculously addictive. These bars blend crunchy corn flakes with creamy peanut butter and rich sweetened condensed coconut milk, all wrapped up in smooth melted chocolate. Whether you’re making a treat for yourself or impressing friends at your next gathering, these Better-Than-Store Vegan Butterfinger Bars will quickly become your new favorite dessert to share.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Crafting these bars is delightfully simple because each ingredient plays a crucial role in creating that perfect balance of texture and flavor. From the crunch of the corn flakes to the luscious smoothness of peanut butter and chocolate, every element combines effortlessly for an unbeatable candy bar experience.

Corn flakes cereal: Provides that signature crunchy, flaky texture that makes these bars irresistible; opt for gluten-free if needed.
Peanut butter: Use a thick, no-stir variety for creamy, rich flavor and perfect binding.
Coconut sugar: Adds a subtle caramel sweetness without overpowering the natural peanut taste.
Solid coconut oil: Helps meld ingredients together and gives a luscious mouthfeel.
Sweetened condensed coconut milk: The secret ingredient that offers moisture and a rich sweetness keeping everything sticky and cohesive.
Vanilla extract: Enhances all the flavors with a warm, fragrant note.
Salt: Just a pinch is essential to balance the sweetness and amplify the peanut butter’s natural depth.
Chocolate chips: For the irresistible coating—smooth, melty, and perfectly sweet.

How to Make Better-Than-Store Vegan Butterfinger Bars

Step 1: Prepare your pan

Start by lining a loaf pan with parchment paper, letting some edges hang over the sides. This simple step makes it so much easier to lift the bars out once they’re set, ensuring clean, neat slices without any mess or fuss.

Step 2: Cook the peanut butter mixture

In a small saucepan over medium-high heat, combine peanut butter, coconut sugar, solid coconut oil, and sweetened condensed coconut milk. Bring this mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to low and let it simmer for 2 to 3 minutes. This step fuses the flavors while thickening the blend into a sticky, irresistible base.

Step 3: Add flavor and crunch

Remove the pan from heat and stir in vanilla extract and salt for that perfect touch of flavor harmony. Next, fold in the corn flakes. Don’t worry about breaking them up a bit as you mix—crushed flakes add to the fun texture that makes these bars truly mimic the classic counterpart but without any artificial ingredients.

Step 4: Press and chill

Transfer the mixture directly into your prepared loaf pan, pressing firmly to compact everything. This ensures your bars hold their shape and snap satisfyingly when bitten. Pop the pan into the freezer to chill for one hour until solid and ready to be sliced into eight generous bars.

Step 5: Coat with chocolate

Melt the chocolate chips together with a tablespoon of coconut oil in a bowl until silky smooth. Carefully dip each bar into the melted chocolate, making sure every side is coated for maximum indulgence. Place dipped bars on parchment paper and return to the freezer for about 10 minutes so the chocolate sets perfectly, creating that classic candy bar shell.

How to Serve Better-Than-Store Vegan Butterfinger Bars

Garnishes

While these bars shine on their own, you can add a sprinkle of sea salt or a drizzle of extra melted peanut butter on top for a gourmet touch. Chopped roasted peanuts scattered across the chocolate layer also enhance the nutty character and add appealing texture contrast.

Side Dishes

Enjoy your Better-Than-Store Vegan Butterfinger Bars alongside a tall glass of cold almond milk or a scoop of coconut milk ice cream. This combination brings out the creamy, crunchy qualities of the bars with refreshing smoothness, perfect for when you want a more substantial treat.

Creative Ways to Present

For parties, serve these bars on a rustic wooden board alongside fresh berries and mint leaves to add color and freshness. You can also wrap individual bars in parchment and tie them with twine for sweet homemade gifts or party favors that everyone will rave about.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Keep your bars fresh by storing them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. This prevents melting and preserves that perfect crunch. They will stay delicious for up to one week—ideal if you want to savor a little at a time.

Freezing

If you want to enjoy these bars over a longer stretch, freezing is a fantastic option. Wrap bars individually or layer them between parchment paper in a freezer-safe container. Stored this way, your Better-Than-Store Vegan Butterfinger Bars will last up to three months, ready to thaw whenever a craving hits.

Reheating

Since these bars are best enjoyed cold or at room temperature, reheating isn’t necessary. If your chocolate coating becomes too hard after refrigeration, let the bars sit at room temperature for 10 to 15 minutes before serving to soften up gently without losing that delightful texture.

FAQs

Can I use a different type of nut butter?

Absolutely! Almond or cashew butter can work well, but peanut butter provides the classic flavor that makes these bars so iconic. Just make sure to use a thick, creamy version for the best texture.

Are these bars gluten-free?

They sure are, as long as you use gluten-free corn flakes. This makes the Better-Than-Store Vegan Butterfinger Bars a great option if you’re avoiding gluten for dietary reasons.

What if I don’t have sweetened condensed coconut milk?

You can substitute with another vegan condensed milk alternative or make your own by simmering coconut milk and sugar until thickened. This ingredient is key for that sticky, rich center, so try not to skip it.

Can I make these bars nut-free?

If you need a nut-free version, sunflower seed butter is a good alternative to peanut butter. It will change the flavor slightly but will keep the creamy, binding quality crucial for these bars.

How long do the Better-Than-Store Vegan Butterfinger Bars last?

Stored properly in the refrigerator, these bars stay fresh and tasty for up to a week. If frozen, they maintain their quality for about three months, making them a wonderful make-ahead treat.

Final Thoughts

There’s nothing quite like the joy of biting into one of these Better-Than-Store Vegan Butterfinger Bars—the perfect fusion of crunchy, creamy, and chocolaty all in one. Whether you’re vegan, gluten-free, or simply craving a healthier candy bar, these little slices of happiness are sure to brighten your day. So go ahead, give this recipe a try and treat yourself to a homemade classic that tastes even better than store-bought!

Better-Than-Store Vegan Butterfinger Bars

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.4 from 90 reviews

Author: Elina
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Yield: 8 bars 1x
Category: Dessert
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American
Diet: Vegan

Print Recipe

Description

These Better-Than-Store Vegan Butterfinger Bars are a delicious, healthier homemade candy treat featuring a crispy, flaky peanut butter center covered in rich melted chocolate. Made with simple, wholesome ingredients like corn flakes, peanut butter, coconut sugar, and sweetened condensed coconut milk, these bars are no-bake, dairy-free, gluten-free, and vegan-friendly. Perfect for a guilt-free dessert or a festive Halloween treat!

Instructions

Prepare the Pan: Line a loaf pan with parchment paper, ensuring that some paper hangs over the edges to make lifting the bars out easier later on.
Cook the Peanut Butter Mixture: In a small saucepan over medium-high heat, combine peanut butter, coconut sugar, coconut oil, and sweetened condensed coconut milk. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer gently for 2-3 minutes, allowing the ingredients to meld.
Add Flavors and Cereal: Remove the saucepan from heat. Stir in vanilla extract and salt, then add corn flakes. Mix well, allowing the corn flakes to crush slightly as they incorporate.
Set the Base: Transfer the mixture into the prepared loaf pan and press firmly against the bottom to create an even layer. Place the pan in the freezer and chill for 1 hour to fully set.
Slice the Bars: After chilling, lift the set mixture from the pan using the parchment paper edges and slice into 8 even bars.
Melt the Chocolate Coating: In a heatproof bowl, melt the chocolate chips together with coconut oil until smooth and glossy.
Coat the Bars: Carefully dip each bar into the melted chocolate, ensuring full coverage. Place the coated bars on parchment paper and return them to the freezer for 10 minutes or until the chocolate coating is firm.
Serve and Enjoy: Once the chocolate has set, the vegan butterfinger bars are ready to enjoy or store as desired.

Notes

Storage: Store bars in a tightly-sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
For longer storage, keep bars in the freezer where they will stay fresh for up to 3 months.
Use gluten-free corn flakes to keep the bars gluten-free.
Ensure peanut butter is thick and no-stir for best consistency.
These bars are perfect for Halloween or whenever you want a vegan, dairy-free, and gluten-free treat.