4 Ingredient Almond Croissant Bars (No Wheat Flour, Refined Sugar, Dairy, Butter or Oil)
These almond bars are soft, chewy and taste like almond croissants. The bars need just 4 ingredients and don’t contain any wheat flour, refined sugar, dairy, butter or oil. The bars take only about five minutes to prepare.
This is my healthier version of the popular almond croissant bars. These almond bars have all the flavors of an almond croissant but in a softer bar form. The bars taste like the creamy frangipane filling that is used in almond croissants. The crispy sliced almonds on top
Ingredients
- Almond flour
- Eggs
- Maple syrup
- Sliced almonds
An optional ingredient to add is almond extract which will give the bars a more intense almond flavor and smell. I think they smell more like almond croissants with the addition of almond extract, but if you don’t have any on hand, the bars still turn out well without them.
Almond flour: Make sure to use superfine almond flour. Regular almond flour will result in a grainy texture. Superfine almond flour melts into the dough better, creating a soft center.
Eggs: Eggs provide structure for these bars and give them a slight chewiness.
Maple syrup: The bars are sweetened with maple syrup.
Sliced almonds: Sliced almonds are added on top. They add texture and make the bars look more like almond croissants which are typically finished with sliced almonds.
How to Make Almond Croissant Bars
- The eggs and maple syrup are mixed together. If you are using almond extract, also add it at this time.
- Stir in the almond flour until it is evenly incorporated and a thick paste forms.
- Transfer the paste to your prepared cake pan and use a spatula to evenly spread the mixture across the pan.
- Add sliced almonds on top.
- Bake the bars for about 30 minutes or until the bars are set and cooked through. Allow the bars to cool fully before removing and cutting. If desired, dust the bars with powdered sugar.
Texture
These almond croissant bars will not have a flaky croissant texture. They are meant to be soft bars, similar to blondies or cake bars that taste like almond croissants.
Expert Tips
- These almond bars are lightly sweetened. You can increase the sweetness level by adding a little more syrup or dusting the tops with powdered sugar.
- If you prefer the bars to be a little chewier and less cakey, you can reduce the almond flour by 1/2 cup.
More Almond Recipes
4 Ingredient Almond Croissant Bars
Ingredients
- 2 large eggs, lightly whisked
- 1/2 cup +2 tbsp (5 fl oz/150ml) maple syrup
- 3 cups (274g) superfine blanched almond flour, see note before starting
- 1/3 cup + 1 tbsp (38g) sliced almonds
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8-inch square baking pan with parchment paper, leaving some overhang for easy removal.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the eggs and maple syrup until smooth and fully combined. If adding almond extract, add 1/2 tsp at this time and whisk it in.
- Add the almond flour and fold with a spatula until a thick, smooth batter forms and no dry spots remain. The batter will be thick, like a paste.
- Transfer the batter to the prepared pan and spread into an even layer, smoothing the top with an offset spatula or the back of a spoon. You can also press a piece of parchment paper on top and then use your hands to smooth the mixture evenly across (remove the parchment paper on top when you're done). Sprinkle the sliced almonds evenly over the top, gently pressing them into the surface.
- Bake for 25–30 minutes, until the bars are golden brown around the edges and lightly browned on the surface. The center should look set and no longer appear wet or raw. A toothpick inserted should come out clean.
- Let the bars cool in the pan fully before removing. After removing the bars from the pan, cut them with a large sharp knife. If desired, you can also dust the bars with powdered sugar before cutting.
- Store any uneaten bars in an airtight container in the fridge or freezer.
Notes
- Almond flour note: It is best to measure the almond flour with a scale. If you are measuring the almond flour with measuring cups, make sure to fluff up the almond flour in the bag first with a spoon. Then spoon it into your measuring cup and level off the surface with a spoon. If you don't fluff up the flour first or you directly scoop the flour with your measuring cup, you will end up with too much almond flour for this recipe.
- I used Kirkland superfine almond flour.*
- *These product links are affiliate links. This means I earn a commission from qualifying purchases.
- Almond extract note: I like adding almond extract because it adds a more intense almond flavor and the smell is more like the smell of almond croissants. However, if you don't like almond extract or don't have any on hand, you don't need it.
- Estimated nutrition does not include optional powdered sugar dusting.
Very tasty! Easy to make too.
We’re so glad you enjoyed this recipe!
One word…. Fantastic. Made as directed (including almond extract) except left off the almond slivers on top as I didn’t have them on hand. Still turned out great.
Thank you so much
I’m so glad you like them! I’ve made them without the sliced almonds as well!
These almond bars are amazing! Simple to make and so delicious. Will be making these on repeat.
Thank you! We’re so glad you love them!
So easy and so yummy! This is a great (healthier) dessert recipes. Texture is great, flavor is wonderful. I opted for including the almond extract and it definitely makes the flavor pop. Thank you
We’re so glad you loved this recipe!
Can I use granulated or brown sugar instead of the maple syrup since I don’t have it? The recipe sounds delicious and I’d love to try it
Hello! Sorry, we haven’t tested that with this recipe so we’re not sure if that would work the same.
Sounds like a great recipe. What is the suggested amount of almond extract should I decide to add it to my batch, I have some on hand.
Thank you.
Thank you! If adding almond extract, add 1/2 tsp! This info is also included in the recipe instructions in Step 2.
Can I use honey instead of maple syrup? These sound delicious!
Sorry, we haven’t tested this recipe with honey so we’re not sure if the would work the same!
Did you try it with Honey?
They were delicious!!
Thank you! We’re so glad you enjoyed these!
Wow
Thank you!
For a 4 ingredient gluten free almond bar recipe, it was delicious. I added a tsp of vanilla to it and tasted really good. I would make this again.
Thank you! We’re so glad you loved these bars!
Sounds great! Will try!!
Thank you! Let us know how you like these!
Looks great! A must try!
Thank you!
Really good.
Thank you! We’re so glad you enjoyed these!
Hi Jennifer, I have *regular* almond flour from NOW REAL FOODS. Can that be processed in a food processor so it’s fine ground? Thanks for your answer!
Unfortunately, I haven’t had success processing regular almond flour to be superfine in a food processor.
Thank you for this recipe. I’m a novice baker so pardon me for asking….
I would like to use the almond extract when making these but I cannot seem to find the actual amount of extract to use. Thank you for your help.
Hello! If adding almond extract, add 1/2 tsp! This info is also included in the recipe instructions in Step 2!
Another winner!
Thank you! We’re so glad you enjoyed these!
I will to try this recipe when I get home…next week hopefully.
Great! Let us know how you like these!
How much extract would you use
If adding almond extract, add 1/2 tsp!