Vegan Gluten-Free Kit Kat Recipe
If you’ve ever wished you could enjoy a classic Kit Kat bar without worrying about gluten or animal products, I’ve got fantastic news for you! This Vegan Gluten-Free Kit Kat Recipe is a game-changer—rich, crispy, and utterly indulgent, but healthy enough to make you feel good about sneaking a treat or two. I’ll walk you through the steps so you can whip up your very own batch of these crunchy-fudge chocolate bars that are perfect for anytime cravings.
Why This Recipe Works
- Simple, Clean Ingredients: You won’t find any mysterious additives here—just wholesome flours, natural sugars, and good-quality chocolate that come together perfectly.
- Layered Texture: The cookie base is thin and crisp, layered with creamy fudge, then dipped in chocolate for that familiar, satisfying snap.
- Easy to Customize: Whether you want nut-free, sugar variations, or a different nut butter, this recipe is super adaptable without losing charm.
Ingredients & Why They Work
The magic of this Vegan Gluten-Free Kit Kat Recipe really lies in how these ingredients come together to replicate the iconic texture and flavor while staying allergen-friendly and delicious. When shopping, look for high-quality dark chocolate that suits your vegan needs, and if you’re allergic to nuts, don’t worry—I’ve got tips below.
- Blanched Almond Flour: Provides a tender yet sturdy base for the cookie layer, with a subtle nuttiness that boosts flavor.
- Coconut Sugar: A gentle sweetener that caramelizes nicely in the bake, lending a deeper flavor than plain white sugar.
- Ground Flax: Acts as a binder replacing eggs, and adds nutrients without any fuss.
- Coconut Oil: Keeps the cookies moist and adds richness while remaining dairy-free.
- Vanilla Extract: A little goes a long way to enhance the overall flavor.
- Dark Chocolate: The star of the show in both the fudge filling and coating, choose a vegan-friendly brand with at least 70% cocoa for that perfect bittersweet balance.
- Peanut Butter (or Sunbutter): Adds creamy texture and a hint of nuttiness to the fudge layer—perfect for that melt-in-your-mouth feeling.
Tweak to Your Taste
One of my favorite things about this Vegan Gluten-Free Kit Kat Recipe is how easy it is to personalize. Whether you want to swap nut butters or adjust sweetness levels, you can make this your signature treat without compromising on that classic bar feel.
- Nut-Free Variation: I’ve used tigernut flour instead of almond flour to keep this allergy-friendly—it still bakes up wonderfully crisp and has a slightly sweet taste.
- Sweetener Swap: Sometimes I use maple syrup instead of coconut sugar for a bit more moisture and a different flavor note. Just reduce liquids slightly.
- Chocolate Choices: Dark chocolate chips or bars work, but be sure your chocolate is dairy-free to maintain the vegan integrity.
- Additional Flavors: For a fun twist, mix a pinch of sea salt in the fudge layer or sprinkle crushed nuts on top before the chocolate coating sets.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Vegan Gluten-Free Kit Kat Recipe
Step 1: Mix & Knead the Cookie Dough
Begin by combining all the dry ingredients—almond flour, coconut sugar, ground flax, and salt—in a mixing bowl. This step is key because you want those components evenly distributed to avoid any clumps or dry patches. Then, melt the coconut oil and stir it in along with the water and vanilla extract. I like to start mixing with a spatula and then use my hands to knead the dough gently. It should come together into a soft, slightly sticky ball. Trust me, this hands-on touch helps create that perfect cookie texture.
Step 2: Roll Out & Cut Your Cookies
Place the dough between two sheets of parchment paper and roll it out evenly until it’s about ⅛” thick. This is incredibly important — if it’s too thick, the cookie won’t have that crisp bite. Use a knife or pizza cutter to slice the dough into rectangles roughly 3.5″ by 0.75″. Don’t toss that leftover dough—you can re-roll it for more bars! Transfer the parchment with cutouts onto a baking sheet.
Step 3: Bake & Cool the Cookies
Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 8-10 minutes. When they come out, use your knife or pizza cutter again to carefully separate the rectangles while still warm—this prevents them from sticking together. Let them cool on the baking sheet for about 5-10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack so they crisp up as they cool completely.
Step 4: Make the Fudge Filling & Assemble
Melt your dark chocolate gently, then stir in the peanut butter until you get a smooth, spreadable fudge. Let it cool for about 10 minutes so it thickens to a frosting-like consistency—that way it won’t slide off your cookie layers. To build your Vegan Gluten-Free Kit Kat, spread fudge between every two cookie layers so each bar has three cookies and two layers of fudge. Place the assembled bars on a lined baking sheet and pop them in the freezer to set firmly. I usually leave them in there for about 15-20 minutes.
Step 5: Dip and Decorate Your Kit Kats
In a small pan, melt your dark chocolate with coconut oil over low heat, stirring frequently until smooth. Take the chilled bars out of the freezer one at a time and dip them into the melted chocolate, ensuring every side is coated. Return them to the lined baking sheet and, if you want, drizzle any leftover chocolate over the tops for a decorative touch. Refrigerate or freeze again until the chocolate hardens.
Pro Tips for Making Vegan Gluten-Free Kit Kat Recipe
- Roll Thinly for Crispness: Rolling the cookie dough to about ⅛” thick is crucial—thicker dough will yield a soft cookie that doesn’t mimic a classic Kit Kat.
- Chill Before Coating: Freezing the bars before dipping helps the fudge layer stay put and makes coating smoother with less mess.
- Use a Double Boiler: If you can, melt your chocolate over a double boiler to prevent burning and keep it silky smooth.
- Avoid Overmixing Dough: Knead gently—overworking the dough will make the cookies tough instead of tender and crisp.
How to Serve Vegan Gluten-Free Kit Kat Recipe
Garnishes
I love sprinkling just a pinch of flaky sea salt over the chocolate before it sets—it creates a beautiful contrast with the sweet, nutty layers. Sometimes I add a tiny dusting of cocoa powder or even a few crushed roasted nuts on top to impress guests without any fuss.
Side Dishes
These bars shine on their own but are fabulous paired with strong, full-bodied coffee or a creamy oat milk latte—perfect for an afternoon pick-me-up. If you’re serving dessert, a scoop of vegan vanilla ice cream or a fruit compote balances out the richness perfectly.
Creative Ways to Present
For parties, I like presenting the bars in individual mini cupcake liners or arranging them in a tiered dessert tray with leafy herbs for a fresh touch. Wrapping each bar in parchment and tying with twine turns them into delightful homemade gifts during the holidays.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I usually store leftover Vegan Gluten-Free Kit Kat bars in an airtight container in the fridge to keep that chocolate coating firm. They stay fresh for up to a week—though, honestly, they rarely last that long in my kitchen!
Freezing
If you want to stash some for later, freezing works like a charm. Wrap each bar individually in plastic wrap or parchment, then store them in a freezer-safe container. They’ll keep for 2-3 months without losing any texture or flavor.
Reheating
Rather than reheating, I recommend letting frozen bars thaw in the fridge for a couple hours to preserve their crisp texture. If you’re in a hurry, a quick 10-second zap in the microwave softens them without melting the chocolate completely.
FAQs
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Can I make this Vegan Gluten-Free Kit Kat Recipe nut-free?
Absolutely! Swap the almond flour with tigernut flour for a nut-free version, and use a seed butter like sunflower or pumpkin seed butter instead of peanut butter. The texture and flavor remain wonderfully satisfying!
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What’s the best chocolate to use for coating?
I recommend a vegan dark chocolate with at least 70% cocoa content. It gives the perfect bittersweet kick and sets up nicely when melted with coconut oil.
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How thin should I roll the cookie dough?
Roll it out to roughly ⅛ inch thick (about 3 mm). Too thick and the cookie layer won’t be crisp; too thin and it might break apart. This thickness gives you the perfect crunch you expect in a Kit Kat.
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Can I make these without a pizza cutter?
Definitely! A sharp knife works just fine—just make sure you cut while the dough is on the parchment paper to keep shapes clean and even.
Final Thoughts
This Vegan Gluten-Free Kit Kat Recipe has quickly become one of my favorite go-to treats when I want something nostalgic but mindful of dietary restrictions. It’s straightforward, fun to assemble, and frankly, way better than store-bought candy bars! I hope you enjoy making and sharing them as much as I do—they’re perfect for surprising friends with a thoughtful homemade snack. Give it a try, and don’t be surprised if you find yourself making these over and over again.
Print
Vegan Gluten-Free Kit Kat Recipe
- Prep Time: 40 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 12 Kit Kat Bars
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
A healthy, gluten-free and vegan Kit Kat recipe featuring almond flour cookies layered with a rich peanut butter fudge filling and coated in dark chocolate for a delicious homemade treat.
Ingredients
Cookies
- 1 ¼ cup blanched almond flour (or tigernut flour) (115g)
- 3 Tbsp coconut sugar
- 1 Tbsp ground flax
- ⅛ tsp salt
- 3 Tbsp melted coconut oil
- 1 Tbsp water
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Fudge Filling
- 2 Tbsp dark chocolate
- 3 Tbsp peanut butter (or Sunbutter)
Chocolate Coating
- 1 cup dark chocolate (5oz)
- ½ Tbsp coconut oil
Instructions
- Prepare Cookies: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. In a medium bowl, combine almond flour, coconut sugar, ground flax, and salt. Add melted coconut oil, water, and vanilla extract; mix first with a spatula then knead with your hands until dough forms.
- Shape Dough: Roll the dough between two sheets of parchment paper using a rolling pin until about ⅛ inch thick. Cut into 3.5″ x 0.75″ rectangles using a knife or pizza cutter. Set aside any excess dough for re-rolling.
- Bake Cookies: Transfer parchment with cut dough rectangles onto a baking sheet. Bake at 350 degrees F for 10 minutes. Remove from oven, separate cookies with a knife or pizza cutter while warm, then cool on the pan for 5-10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
- Make Fudge Filling: Melt dark chocolate until smooth, stir in peanut butter until combined. Let the fudge cool for about 10 minutes until thick like frosting.
- Assemble Kit Kats: Spread fudge between three cookies to form two layers of filling per Kit Kat bar. Place assembled bars on a lined baking sheet and freeze to set.
- Prepare Chocolate Coating: In a small saucepan, melt dark chocolate and coconut oil over low heat, stirring frequently until smooth.
- Coat Kit Kats: Remove frozen bars and dip each one into the melted chocolate, coating all sides. Return bars to lined baking sheet. Drizzle any remaining chocolate over the bars and let set completely before serving.
Notes
- Substitute tigernut flour for a nut-free cookie base.
- Make your own ground flaxseed by grinding whole flax seeds using a coffee grinder for freshness.
- Ensure fudge is thick before spreading to prevent slipping.
- Store assembled Kit Kats in the freezer to keep texture intact.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 Kit Kat Bar
- Calories: 180 kcal
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 45 mg
- Fat: 13 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
