• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • About
    • About Me
      • resources for a simple blog
    • Work with Me
  • Recipe Index
    • Baby Food
    • Breakfast
    • Brunch
    • Dessert
    • Dinner
    • Drinks
    • Lunch
    • Side Dishes
    • Snacks
  • Disclosures
  • Subscribe
  • The Beginners Guide to Simple Meal Planning

Simple Gray T-Shirt

menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipe Index
    • Breakfast
    • Lunch
    • Dinner
    • Snacks
    • Baby Food
  • About Me
    • Work with Me
  • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipe Index
      • Breakfast
      • Lunch
      • Dinner
      • Snacks
      • Baby Food
    • About Me
      • Work with Me
    • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×

    Home » Dessert

    Peanut Butter Tahini Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars

    Published: May 29, 2020 · Modified: Dec 26, 2020 by Marni Katz · This post may contain affiliate links

    Sharing is caring!

    439 shares
    • Share
    Jump to Recipe - Print Recipe

    “This post may contain affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase using this link.”

    These little bars of goodness pack a big flavor punch without the use of any flour!  That’s right, these are a grain free cookie bar with peanut butter and tahini and chocolate chips and they are magic.  I still can’t believe they work even though I’ve made them dozens of times.  Make them now and be eating in less than 30 minutes!

    peanut butter chocolate chip tahini bars with a glass of milk

    Why you should make these now!

    These bars are mixed together in less than five minutes and the hardest part is cleaning out the measuring cups when you are done with them.

    They are naturally dairy free and grain free which makes them feel guilt free in our house!  The kids can snack on them as they please and  I feel good about it.  There is also some magic chemistry that happens in these peanut butter tahini chocolate chip cookie bars that I still can’t understand, but the simple ingredients come together perfectly every time.

    I first saw these when Melinda Strauss shared them on her instagram and they went totally viral.  These peanut butter tahini cookie bars are perfect for a quick Shabbat dessert or an afternoon snack.  A simple parve dessert, they take 5 minutes to make and are a real crowd pleaser.

    Ingredients

    ingredients for tahini chocolate chip bars

    A few notes on the ingredients:

    • Tahini:  Make sure to stir the tahini in the jar before you measure it out.  The oil sometimes separates and needs to be reincorporated.
    • Peanut Butter: Any brand of regular store bought peanut butter will work.  I have not tested this with natural peanut butter.
    • Chocolate Chips:  I like to use Ghiradelli 60% chocolate, but any chocolate chips you have on hand will work.  If you want to make sure these are totally dairy free cookie bars, be sure to choose a dairy free chocolate chip

    Simple step by step instructions

    You won’t believe me when I tell you how easy these are. First, preheat your oven to 350 degrees and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

    Then, simply put all the ingredients, except the chocolate chips into a bowl and whisk.

    egg, peanut butter, tahini, maple syrup and baking soda in a glass bowl

    Yep, that’s it.  Seriously, they are super easy to make.  

    cookie batter in a bowl with chocolate chips next to it

    The peanut butter tahini chocolate chip cookie bar batter will look broken when you start mixing, but just keep whisking.  It will come together after about a minute.  Once it’s nice and smooth, stir in the chocolate chips.

    smooth batter in a glass bowl

    Then, pour the batter on the parchment lined baking sheet into a general log shape.  Sprinkle with coarse salt, put into the oven and bake at 350 degrees for about 15 minutes.

    log of tahini cookie bar dough on parchment paper

    After 15 minutes, take the log of  peanut butter tahini chocolate chip cookie goodness out of the oven and slice into bars.  Separate the bars a bit so they can firm up on all sides and return the pan to the oven.  Bake another 5 minutes or so before removing from the oven.

    Cool on the baking sheet and enjoy!

    Frequently Asked Questions 

    What exactly is tahini and what is used for?

    Tahini is a sesame paste that is made from toasted and hulled sesame seeds that are ground up to paste.  It’s a condiment often found in Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cuisine and can be found in many of the classic dishes.  Tahini is a main ingredient in hummus and is awesome on a falafel sandwich.

    Tahini is a super versatile ingredient.  You can use it in baking (think salted tahini chocolate chip cookies, tahini brownies, etc) in salad dressings and marinades.  It’s also great as a veggie dip or swirled into sauces with noodles or spread on toast.  Basically, anywhere you use peanut butter, you can also use tahini.

    Where can I buy tahini?

    While you could make it at home, while not hard, it’s not quite simple enough for me.  Instead, I like to buy a jar almost every time I’m at the grocery so I can make these tahini cookie bars at a moment’s notice. Tahini can be found in most grocery stores and is also readily available online.

    My favorites are the Trader Joe’s brand and the brand, Soom that is super smooth and creamy.  Another great alternative is the Whole Food’s store brand tahini. 

    Can these cookie bars be made nut free?

    Yes, definitely.  Just substitute more tahini for the peanut butter and you’ll have a great nut free dessert on your hands. Call them tahini chocolate chip cookie bars and no one will be the wiser 🙂.

    Tip & Tricks

    • Peanut butter tahini chocolate chip cookie bars are best eaten the same day you make them or the next day.  They don’t last as long as other cookies, but you’ll eat them up anyway, so it won’t be something to worry about.
    • You can easily half this recipe if you aren’t looking to eat all the cookie bars in just a day.  It won’t look like much in the bowl, but I promise it works just as well.
    • To clean your measuring cups easily, spray them with non-stick cooking spray before using and the peanut butter and tahini will pop right out into the bowl.

    Looking for more simple and delicious cookie recipes?  Try these:

    • lemon shortbread cookies
    • coffee chocolate chunk shortbread cookies
    • passover chocolate chip cookies (yes, we make them year round)

    When you try this recipe and love it 😍 let me know by leaving a comment below or 5 ⭐ rating!

    📖 Recipe

    Peanut Butter Tahini Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars

    Marni Katz
    30 minutes to snacking heaven when you make these peanut butter tahini chocolate chip cookie bars.  Grain free, dairy free and totally delicious!
    5 from 3 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 5 mins
    Cook Time 15 mins
    Total Time 20 mins
    Course Dessert
    Cuisine Mediterranean
    Servings 10
    Calories 235 kcal

    Equipment

    • Cookie Sheet
    • Mixing Bowl
    • Whisk

    Ingredients
      

    • ½ cup peanut butter
    • ½ cup tahini
    • ⅓ cup maple syrup
    • 2 large eggs
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla
    • ½ teaspoon baking soda
    • ½ cup chocolate chips
    • ½ teaspoon coarse kosher salt optional

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and line a baking sheet with parchment paper
    • In a mixing bowl, add peanut butter, tahini, maple syrup, eggs, baking soda and vanilla and whisk together until smooth.
    • Stir the chocolate chips into the cookie batter
    • Pour the batter onto the prepared baking sheet into a log. Wet your fingers and gently make sure the batter is in one long oblong log shape.
    • Sprinkle the coarse salt over the top of the log and bake at 350 degrees for about 15 minutes
    • Take the cookie sheet out of the oven and slice the log into cookie bars, Once cut, separate them a bit and return the cookie sheet to the oven. Bake an additional 5 minutes.
    • Remove from oven, let cool at least 10 minutes and enjoy!

    Notes

    • When you first start whisking the batter it will appear separated, just keep whisking and everything will come together to form a smooth batter.
    • If you want to have a crispier cookie bar, leave them in the oven a few extra minutes on the second bake. 

    Nutrition

    Serving: 2barsCalories: 235kcalCarbohydrates: 19gProtein: 7gFat: 16gSaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 34mgSodium: 254mgPotassium: 175mgFiber: 2gSugar: 13gVitamin A: 76IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 50mgIron: 1mg
    Keyword Dairy Free, Grain Free, Kosher
    Tried this recipe?Let me know what you think!

    Want more recipes like this delivered right to your inbox?  Be sure to subscribe below and never miss a thing!

    get three simple dinner ideas in your inbox now!

      We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at anytime.
      powered by convertkit

      More Simple Dessert Recipes

      • stack of lemon shortbread cookies with a squeezed lemon
        Simple Lemon Shortbread Cookie Recipe
      • matzo crack stacked on a white plate
        Easy Chocolate Toffee Matzo Crack
      • slice of pudding pie on a plate with whip cream and a fork
        Vanilla Pudding Pie with Graham Cracker Crust
      • coconut bread with a slice laying in front
        Simple One Bowl Coconut Bread Recipe

      About Marni Katz

      Marni Katz is the recipe developer, photographer and writer behind Simple Gray T-Shirt. She wants to help people keep things simple in the kitchen. With simple recipes, easy menu ideas and plenty of tips and tricks along the way, she wants getting a meal on the table to be as simple as putting on your favorite gray tee!
      "I want to inspire you to get back in the kitchen and do this, because you can!"

      Reader Interactions

      Comments

      1. Tutness

        December 16, 2020 at 12:43 am

        5 stars
        I've revisited this recpie in colder weather, once again using natural peanutbutter! And I can now say with comfodence that the temperature outside played a part in my ability to make a log hehehe. In hot weather I got a puddle, in colder weather I was able to make a very neat log that kept its shape.

        Next time I try it when it's hotter outside I might pop my bowl in the fridge for 10 minutes 🙂 in hopes that the baking soda won't lose its magic.

        Reply
        • Marni Katz

          December 16, 2020 at 9:19 am

          Amazing tip. Thanks for revisiting it and letting me know how things worked out. Kitchen temperatures are tricky and often an important part of recipes that can't be written down!

          Reply
      2. Tutness

        September 28, 2020 at 9:09 am

        5 stars
        So I may have skimmed a little when it came to reading all the notes, and used the natural peanut butter I have at hand - while I don't know what the original version is like, natural peanut butter is definitely viable. It's less of a log, and more of a puddle, but the eggs and baking powder gave their lift, I approve 🙂

        Reply
        • Marni Katz

          September 29, 2020 at 10:01 am

          I'm so glad to know that natural peanut butter worked for you! Logs, puddles, in my book a cookie is a cookie no matter what shape! Enjoy 😍!

          Reply
      3. Rivka bialik

        September 13, 2020 at 11:27 am

        I made it. Its delicious but came out gooey. What did i do wrong? I see your picture and it looks more firm than mine. I actually made it in a pyrex loaf pan. Could that be the reason??

        Reply
        • Marni Katz

          September 14, 2020 at 9:47 am

          That could be the problem, or since every oven is a little bit different, you may need to bake just a few extra minutes. I'm glad the flavor was spot on!

          Reply

      Leave a Reply Cancel reply

      Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

      Recipe Rating




      This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

      Primary Sidebar

      marni sitting on a counter eating

      Hi, I'm Marni! I'm so glad you are here. I'm all about keeping things simple for you as you figure out what to feed your family each day. You'll find simple recipes, with easy to find ingredients and simple directions!

      More about me →

      Cozy Winter Recipes

      • three ingredient garlic butter sauce in a mason jar with cloves of garlic
        Simple Garlic Butter Sauce
      • curried vegetable soup in a white bowl garnished with a lime and peanuts
        Curried Vegetable Soup with Root Vegetables
      • french toast piled on a plate with a syrup container in the background
        Easy Sourdough French Toast
      • chocolate bark for valentines day with m&ms and oreo cookies
        Simple Valentine's Day Chocolate Bark

      Most Popular Recipes

      • bowl of pink sauce pasta
        Pink Sauce Pasta
      • chocolate coffee chunk cookies on a cooling rack and small plate
        Coffee Chocolate Chunk Shortbread Cookie
      • all bran muffin featured image
        One Bowl All Bran Muffins
      • everything bagel seasoning over roasted veggies and a fried egg in a white bowl
        Everything Bagel Seasoning Roasted Veggie Bowl

      Want your own simple gray t-shirt? This is my favorite!

      Moosejaw Women's Floral Critter Vintage Flowy SS Tee - XS - Heather Grey

      As featured in

      Footer

      ^ back to top

      Disclaimers

      • Privacy Policy
      • Disclaimer
      • Terms & Conditions
      • Accessibility Policy

      As seen in...

      Want simple recipes direct to your inbox?

      Sign Up! for emails and updates

      Stay in touch

      • Instagram
      • Facebook
      • About

      As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases made through links on the blog.

      Copyright © 2023 Simple Gray T-Shirt