Vegan Coconut Chewies

Coconut Chewies are the sweet, buttery, chewy coconut bars just like grandma used to make! This easy one-bowl dessert recipe is vegan, gluten-free, and allergy-free! Made with rich dairy-free brown butter, caramely brown sugar, and loads of shredded coconut, these coconut blondies are ultra chewy on the inside and crisp on the outside!

Chewy, sweet, coconut decadence! Vegan coconut chewies, chewy coconut bars, are an old-fashioned recipe that was just begging for a veganized and gluten-free remake! 7 simple ingredients, one-bowl (er...one-pot; you'll see what I mean in a second), and some bake time in the oven. These bars are for the ultimate coconut lover and are perfect for just about any occasion where you need an easy treat that's vegan, gluten-free, and allergy-friendly!

What Are Coconut Chewies?

Essentially, they're just coconut blondies. Made with butter and brown sugar, without cocoa, the hallmarks of a blondie recipe versus a brownie recipe. Crisp on the outside and ultra-chewy on the inside. You'll find multiple variations and names, from chewy coconut bars, coconut chewy bars, coconut chews, coconut blondies, and a layered variation with a shortbread crust and the coconut filling on top, or a version that includes an orange jam. The first variation seems to stem from a 1980s Betty Crocker cookbook!

Why You'll Love This Vegan Recipe

This homemade recipe makes a few 1-to-1 ingredient swaps so everyone at the party can enjoy a chewy bar! The butter is swapped with vegan butter, eggs with vegan eggs, flour with gluten-free flour, and you can even swap the light brown sugar with sugar-free brown sugar like Swerve for a healthier dessert! All simple pantry staple ingredients, besides possibly the shredded coconut, so you can make this recipe asap! These from-scratch coconut chewies are:

• Gluten-Free
• Vegan & Vegetarian
• Allergy-free (Dairy-Free, Soy-Free, Egg-Free, Nut-Free, Peanut-Free, Wheat-Free, Sesame-Free, Corn-Free)
• Kid-Friendly
• Quick, Easy, 7 Simple Ingredients
• Make-Ahead & Freezer-Friendly
• Perfect Dessert For Any Occasion

Ingredients For Chewy Coconut Bars

• Gluten-Free All-Purpose Flour: For some structure to the bars, your favorite all-purpose gluten-free flour will do the job, complementing the texture of the shredded coconut!
• Baking Powder + Salt: Baking powder and a pinch of salt for some extra lift to the gluten-free bars.
• Vegan Butter: One whole stick (or half a cup) of vegan butter is melted down in a pot and browned for a richer flavor and color.
• Light Brown Sugar: Light brown sugar has just the right amount of caramel flavor notes without the molasses intensity of dark brown sugar. You can also use sugar-free brown sugar-style sweetener for a reduced sugar coconut bar with all the same great flavor! The sugar keeps the bars super moist and adds to the golden blondie color.
• Shredded Coconut: Sweetened shredded coconut is the way to go. While you can use unsweetened shredded coconut, I find it too dry and not chewy enough for these bars. Sweetened shredded coconut is soft and moist, making these chewies what they are! Also make sure you use SHREDDED, not flakes!
• Vegan Egg Replacer: I suggest using a commercial powdered egg replacer in this recipe, like the Bob's Red Mill brand. This ensures the egg replacement isn't adding too much extra liquid and can really do its job of holding these vegan coconut bars together!
• Vanilla Extract: Vanilla is an essential ingredient to any cozy baked good and it just helps deepen the flavor of the coconut!

How To Make Vegan Coconut Chewies

1. In a medium sauce pot, add the stick of vegan butter and allow it to melt over medium-high heat. Once the butter starts bubbling, reduce the heat slightly and stir to prevent it from burning. Continue cooking until the butter darkens in color before removing it from the heat.
2. Add the brown sugar to the hot brown sugar and mix it together so the sugar clumps up and absorbs the butter.

3. Next, stir in the prepared vegan eggs and vanilla until you get a smooth, thick liquid base.
4. Then add the gluten-free flour, baking powder, and salt. Stir until you have a smooth batter.

5. Fold in the shredded coconut until it's evenly distributed throughout the blondie batter.
6. In an 8x8 baking pan lined with parchment paper, evenly spread the coconut batter in the pan. Use your fingers to help. Sprinkle and slightly press in extra shredded coconut over top, if desired.

7. Bake the bars for 30-35 minutes until the edges are crisp and the top is golden brown.
8. Remove the bars from the oven and allow them to cool slightly in the pan before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely before cutting.

Recipe Tips & Tricks

• If you want a softer center, you'll want to bake the chewy bars for about 30 minutes; however, if you want a crisper outer edge, 35-40 minutes is ideal. You can tent the pan with foil for the last 10 minutes if the edges look like they are beginning to get too dark and crispy.
• I prefer to let the block of coconut chewies chill in the fridge overnight or for at least a few hours before slicing them. This ensures no-mess, super clean cuts!
• I prefer to cut these into 16 small squares since they are indulgent if you make the full sugar option, but you can cut them into 9 squares if you prefer. Make sure you use a sharp knife and the bars and 100% cooled and/or chilled from the fridge!
• Serving the vegan coconut chewies slightly chilled is my favorite way to eat them, as they remain extra chewy! You can also serve them at room temperature or warmed in the microwave with a scoop of vegan vanilla (or coconut) ice cream!

Storage & Freezing Instructions

• Storage: You can store leftovers in a closed container in the fridge for about 7 days or at room temperature for 5 days. This also works if you are making the chewy coconut bars ahead of time.
• Freeze: For freshness, cut and individually wrap the bars in plastic wrap and foil, or allow the cut bars to freeze solid before adding them to a large freezer-safe bag before storing for up to 3-4 months. To thaw, simply let them defrost overnight in the fridge or on the counter.

More Vegan Dessert Bar Recipes:

• Maple Blondies
• Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars
• Fudgy Vegan Brownies
• Snickerdoodle Blondies
• Lemon Bars
• Funfetti Blondies
• Pumpkin Pie Bars
• Blackberry Crumb Bars

Print

A perfect dessert bar for the ultimate coconut lover! Sweet, caramely, coconutty goodness baked up in a perfect vegan and gluten-free chewy bar!

So tell me:

+ What do you call these chewy coconut bars? I think some people make them as cookies instead of bars.

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