No-Bake Grasshopper Bars – low carb, AIP, vegan, & gluten free
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These low carb no-bake paleo grasshopper bars are healthy, dairy free, refined sugar free and so tasty. They're loaded with all kinds of nourishing ingredients so you can feel good about serving them and eating them anytime!
Today I have a really exciting healthy grasshopper bars recipe.
Since I was little, chocolate mint has been one of my favorite flavor combinations.
I feel a little bad sharing this but really–chocolate mint was a huge problem for me. As in Thin Mints and Breyer's Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream.
My mother was a Girl Scout cookie mother one year.
Bad idea. Very bad.
And if we ever had Breyer's Mint Chip in the house, let's just stay it wasn't around for very long and I was the main reason for that.
Or the only reason.
So anyhow, it only makes sense that I would have to have some healthy chocolate mint treats on my blog like these Frosted Chocolate Mint Cookies, Vegan Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream, Fresh Mint Chocolate Ice Cream with Ganache, and today's treat, Healthy No Bake Grasshopper Bars.
These Grasshopper Bars are great in so many ways.
Chocolate Mint
First of all, they are chocolate mint, and chocolate and mint are just about the best combination out there, in my humble opinion.
No Bake
Second, they are a no-bake recipe. And that's not only great during the summer months — that's great for all year round, 'cause it makes for a fast, easy recipe. Always good in my book!
We LOVE no bake desserts like these Coconut Delights, Chocolate Fudge-Topped Brownies, Chocolate Avocado Truffles with a Kick, Chocolate Avocado Pudding, and 5-Minute Snickerdoodle Cookie Dough Balls.
Low carb
Great for helping you keep your carb intake down.
Dairy free
With so many being allergic or sensitive to dairy, this is a huge plus
AIP (autoimmune protocol) diet
These even can fit the AIP Diet, so they are the perfect dessert recipe for almost any special diet. It's hard to find recipes that work so well for so many special diets.
If you're on the AIP diet, this grouping of Easy AIP desserts should help.
If you don't know about the AIP diet, here is a great post with more information.
Healthy
Sixth, these chocolate mint bars are loaded with healthy ingredients, so you can feel good eating this yourself, or serving this treat anytime to your family and friends, knowing that you are feeding them real nutrition.
Ingredients
Coconut – full of antioxidants and healthy fats
Coconut Oil – antifungal, healthy fats, and a great energy source
Avocado – antioxidants, cardiovascular support, helps with satiety (feeling full). Here is more on all of the health benefits of avocados.
Cocoa – antioxidant source, good source of magnesium, cardiovascular support. Of course, cocoa does have stimulants, so carob is a better alternative if you are sensitive to that.
I don't know about you, but I'm craving these chocolate mint bars now!
These bars taste great just out of the fridge or the freezer.
Of course, they don't travel well in very warm weather, but you could use a freezer bag to take to a special occasion.
Ooh – and while we're talking about freezing, did you know that freezing avocados is a thing? Yes, you can make these Low Carb Grasshopper Bars more of a frugal treat by purchasing your avocados on sale and freezing them!
And all the Frugal Avocado Lovers rejoiced!
You could also drizzle some of these melted White Chocolate Chips on top for a special treat. Just melt over low heat, place in a plastic bag, cut a small hole in a corner and squirt out as you would from an icing bag. Of course, you can use an icing bag as well.
Whatever way you choose to eat these chocolate mint bars, enjoy the healthful goodness.
This recipe was inspired by Raia's wonderful recipe here.
Directions
For Mint Layer
- Lightly grease pan.
- Place all ingredients in high powered blender or food processor. Process until blended to desired consistency. (Photos 1 & 2)
- Spread mixture into prepared pan and place in freezer. (Photos 3 & 4)
For Chocolate Layer
- In small pan, melt coconut oil and sweetener over low heat. (Photo 5)
- Remove from heat, add in remaining ingredients, and stir.
- Pour over chilled bottom layer. Return to the freezer until the chocolate is solid.
- Cut into bars. (Photo 6)
Recipe Notes and Substitutions
- Sweetener: Any healthy sweetener can be used. If using stevia extract, use about 1/8 teaspoon for the mint layer and 1/16 teaspoon for the chocolate layer. It is better to not use stevia in the mint layer if possible, though, since the bars will taste better if you use another sweetener because there is already stevia in the mint layer. For AIP, use organic coconut sugar.
- Stevia: See this post for information on measuring and using stevia.
- Peppermint: You can substitute 9 drops peppermint essential oil for the peppermint extract. (I recommend Rocky Mountain Oils. You can read why here.)
- Carob: Substitute organic carob for the cocoa to have a caffeine-free treat or for AIP – this adds more carbs.
- THM: For those on the Trim Healthy Mama plan, this recipe qualifies as an “S.”
- Cutting Tips: Using a warmed knife will help the cutting process so that the topping doesn't crack and you can cut more smoothly.
No-Bake Grasshopper Bars
Ingredients
Mint Layer
- 2 Hass avocados (about 8-10 oz / 200-300 grams each)
- 1/2 cup low-carb sweetener (see Recipes Notes for alternatives)
- 3/4 cup coconut oil (melted)
- 3/16 teaspoon stevia (6 scoops; see How to Use Stevia)
- 4 cups shredded unsweetened coconut
- 3/8 teaspoon peppermint extract
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 teaspoon vanilla
Chocolate Layer
- 1/2 cup coconut oil
- 1/4 cup low-carb sweetener (blended preferred for smoothness–see Recipes Notes for subs)
- 1/2 cup cocoa powder
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
Instructions
Mint Layer
- Lightly grease an 8×8 pan.
- Place all ingredients in high powered blender (such as a Blendtec or Vitamix) or a food processor. Process until blended. If you prefer the texture of coconut in the finished result, do not process completely.
- Spread mixture into prepared pan and place in freezer.
Chocolate Layer
- In small saucepan, melt coconut oil and sweetener over low heat.
- Remove from heat, add in remaining ingredients, and stir to combine.
- Pour over chilled bottom layer. Return to the freezer until the chocolate layer is solid–about 15 minutes.
- Cut into bars using a warmed knife (see Recipe Notes above)
- Store covered in the refrigerator or freezer.
Notes
- Sweetener: Any healthy sweetener can be used. If using stevia, use 1/8 teaspoon for the mint layer and 1/16 teaspoon for the chocolate layer. It's better to not use stevia in the mint layer if possible, though, since the bars will taste better using a variety of sweeteners. For AIP, use organic coconut sugar.
- Stevia: See this post for information on measuring and using stevia.
- Peppermint: You can substitute 9 drops peppermint essential oil for the peppermint extract. (I recommend Rocky Mountain Oils. You can read why here)
- Carob: Substitute organic carob for the cocoa to have a caffeine-free treat or for AIP – this adds more carbs.
- THM: For those on the Trim Healthy Mama plan, this recipe qualifies as an “S.”
- Cutting Tips: Using a warmed knife will help the cutting process so that the topping doesn't crack and you can cut more smoothly.
- Pan: Any size pan will work but the bars will be thicker or thinner depending on the size.
Nutrition
Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. It may vary depending on ingredient brands, substitutions, and preparation methods. Optional ingredients are not included. Net carbs are typically calculated by subtracting fiber and sugar alcohols (such as erythritol) from total carbohydrates. This information should not be relied upon for medical or nutritional purposes.
Try these chocolate mint bars – and let me know what you think!
Am I able to substitute plain organic sugar for the sweeteners? I know, it defeats the health benefits your recipe has. I just do not like the flavor of Stevia.
I could handle the Xylitol if the layers must use different sweeteners.
I figure that the avocado is a huge health benefit on it’s own and don’t mind the sugar, if the recipe will work using it.
Hello and yes, you can do that. You could even do honey or coconut sugar as well but coconut sugar has some color to it–enjoy!
Hi,
The recipe says 1/2 cup of sweetener but doesn’t specify what that is. I thought that the stevia and xylitol are the sweeteners. I want make this tomorrow. Can you please let me know what you mean by this.
Thanks so much,
Val
I am so sorry about that. I forgot to change that, but I just did change it. Yes, xylitol and stevia are the sweeteners, and that 1/2 cup of sweetener is supposed to be xylitol, but see the Recipe Substitutions for other options.
I’m sorry, I don’t understand your measurement for the stevia..in the no bake grasshoppers bar recipe. 2 scoops = what? Do you mean 3 sixteenth’s of a teaspoon?
Hi there. Yes, the 3/16 tsp in the parenthesis shows how to measure it. You can read more about How to Use Stevia here: https://wholenewmom.com/kitchen-tips/stevia-what-it-is-and-how-to-use-it/ Hope you like them!
Grass Hopper Bars….Absolutely a winner! Everyone who has tried them want more. Next time I think I will try with mint from the garden. I used peppermint essence, using a dropper to measure…I live in the UK so measurements differ hence my query! Bit hard to measure 3/16tsp unless you have spoon to correspond.
So you tried these? That’s so great! Sorry about that measurement thing–I get it but the spoons are handy if you can get your hands on some :).
Hi there! Where is the Nutrition List?
Hi there- we’re working on getting those going – thanks for your patience. In the meantime please use an online calculator that you trust. Thanks!
Awesome recipe! How much coconut sugar do you recommend in both the mint layer and in the chocolate layer for the AIP version? Thank you!
Thanks! Coconut sugar is 1:1 for sugar or xylitol so you can sub in accordingly. LMK if you need more help than that :).
I love this recipe however I have an avocado allergy in my home. What can I substitute?
My that’s a tough one b/c they are the main ingredient – you could try coconut butter but you will have very hard bars unless you eat them warmed a bit. Other options that you could play around with are banana, nut butter…..possibly squash of some kind? I just don’t know how this would work so try a very small batch maybe unless you’re a die hard “I’m not going to waste this” person!!
Did you ever try a substitute? I would love to know how it turned out since I really dislike avocado.
I can’t imagine that there is one but you could potentially try hmmm..I just don’t know. Coconut butter?
Just wondering if you have the serving size, protein, carbs, and fat fats per serving? I’ve looked through the comments and I can’t seem to find the nutrition index. Just need it because my son is on this diet for his epilepsy and we have our first birthday party to go to and he wants these as his replacement. Thank you so much!
Hi there – thanks for commenting. I am working on getting this going on my site but it’s not ready to go yet. in the meantime, please plug in the ingredients in an online nutritional calculator that you trust. I hope to have this ready soon! Would that work for this time?
I so hope he likes them and that he has a great time at the party!!
Hello!
I have Hashimotos and am loving your site! The link to the coconut sugar you recommend is broken, can you tell me what you suggest? Thank you!
Kim
Hi Kim! Thanks so much and welcome! The link should be fixed now – thanks for telling me!
Avocados contain unsaturated monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats that do not elevate cholesterol level in the human blood.
Hi there
I love your blog post, Low-Carb No-Bake Grasshopper Bars, and we would love to feature it on our website, GreenThickies.com. Would it be OK for me to use one of your photos within my post? I will of course link back to your post.
Thanks so much
Myra
GreenThickies.com
Yes, sure – thanks for asking!