No Bake Vegan Peanut Butter Pretzel Hearts

Swap out the traditional peanut butter cups and make these healthy Valentine’s Day treats. Using only simple ingredients, this is the type of sweet treat you won’t feel guilty eating. With creamy peanut butter, rich chocolate, and salty pretzels, this is the perfect family-friendly dessert.

Why These Peanut Butter Pretzel Hearts Will Be Your Favorite

A sweet yet salty treat: Only my favorite thing about these candies and will be yours, too. Whether you are a sweet lover or a salt lover, you’ll be satisfied no matter what.

No-bake goodness: The best part about these chocolates is that they are no-bake. That means that all you need is a blender and a silicone mold to make these sweet treats.

Ditch unhealthy candy bars: You won’t feel guilty giving these to your kids. Get rid of the junk in your house because these treats are so much healthier.

A healthy sweet treat: If you like a traditional milk chocolate peanut butter cup, you’ll love these heart candies with a pretzel crust. And, they are perfect for people on special diets. They are dairy-free and can be made gluten-free.

Unprocessed sugars only: Only sweetened by pure maple syrup, you won’t find any processed cane sugar in this recipe.

Easy as 1-2-3: I love a healthy and easy dessert recipe. And, you will, too! No need for any fancy steps like melting chocolate chips, instead, you throw everything into a food processor and blender, and it’s that easy.

Kid-Friendly Sweet Treat

The first time my daughter’s tried these chocolate candies, they couldn’t get enough. Fortunately, I don’t feel bad letting them indulge in these delicious bites.

These valentine’s peanut butter pretzel hearts are the perfect holiday sweet treat. Grab yourself any silicone mold shape and the world is yours. We’ve made Christmas trees, snowflakes, squares, and circles. No matter the shape, they are always the perfect treat.

When reviewing these candies, my daughters both agree that they love the salty-sweet flavor, the taste of the layer of crushed pretzels, and the heart shape. They are kid-approved and mom-approved. Yippie!

The Ingredients

For the pretzel layer, you will only need 3 ingredients.

Pretzels-I like to use thin pretzel sticks or pretzel slims. Also, I recommend salted pretzels for this recipe. If you are gluten-free, feel free to use gluten-free pretzels.

Coconut sugar-This is an ideal replacement for processed cane sugar. Coconut sugar contains vitamins, and minerals and has a lower glycemic index.

Vegan butter-This helps bind the crushed pretzels and the coconut sugar.

For the blended peanut butter mixture you’ll need some key ingredients that you can most likely find in your kitchen pantry.

Coconut oil-Make sure that the melted coconut oil cools slightly before pouring it into the blender. Otherwise, it could harden too fast and ruin the consistency.

Cacao powder-Cocoa powder is a great alternative, too.

Peanut butter-The best thing about these desserts is the peanut butter. Can I get an amen? My love for this nut butter is real and I can admit it is one of my favorite flavors.

Maple syrup-This is the perfect unprocessed sweetener for these sweet treats. I have not tried honey but I am sure it would work also.

Vanilla extract-I love the hint of flavor vanilla brings to desserts. There’s no such thing as a dessert without vanilla, right?

Plant-based milk-You can use a can of coconut milk. Feel free to use your favorite variety from cashew to oat, almond, and everything in between.

Optional-flakey sea salt-These pretzel bites are already a salty between the peanut butter and salted pretzels. Only add salt if you enjoy it on the saltier side.

How to Make These Vegan Desserts

Step one-Add the pretzel layer ingredients to a small food processor. Pulse until a crumbly mixture forms that sticks together nicely. You may need to scrape down the sides a few times in between pulses.

Step two-Using a small spoon, place the pretzel mixture into the silicone candy mold. Use your fingers to press until a solid and even layer forms. Note: Each candy mold should be filled up about 1/4 of the way with the pretzel layer.

Step three-Place the silicone mold onto a small and flat plate or baking sheet and place it into the freezer for 15 minutes.

Step four-Place all of the blended peanut butter mixture ingredients into a blender. Add the coconut oil last. Immediately turn on the blender to medium-high and blend for about 30 seconds. Scrape down the sides as needed once or twice.

Step five-Transfer the mixture to each candy mold right away. It will start to harden pretty quickly. Make sure that the chocolate fills the entire candy mold to the top. Optionally, sprinkle with a very small amount of salt flakes.

Step six-Place the candy mold into the freezer for at least 45 minutes.

How to Store These No Bake Vegan Peanut Butter Pretzel Hearts

Place the candies into an airtight container and store them in the freezer. They have the best texture when enjoying them straight out of the freezer, in my opinion.

You can store them in the fridge for an even softer texture but my vote is still the freezer.

These candies will last up to a month in the freezer.

Tips + Modifications

You can substitute peanut butter for cashew butter, almond butter, or sunflower butter if needed. I really enjoy the peanut butter, personally.

Just a reminder, these chocolates already have salt in them from the peanut butter and the salted pretzels. If you like a more salty treat, sprinkle the flakey salt on top but only a little bit. Otherwise, I would just leave off the salt on top.

Enjoy!

XOXO

Michelle