Homemade PayDay Bars

Homemade payday bars are a vegan and gluten-free copycat of the original candy bar! It’s a sweet, caramel-like nougat covered in salted peanuts. They are made with peanut butter chips, mini marshmallows, and sweetened condensed coconut milk. These homemade candy bars are perfect for Halloween!

What is a payday bar?

The PayDay candy bar contains a caramel nougat that’s covered in salted peanuts. It was originally created by the Hollywood Candy Company in 1932. The Hershey Company began producing the candy bars in 1996, and still make them today!

Have you tried a PayDay bar before? Although this candy bar is often overlooked by the more popular varieties, like Kit-Kat and Reese’s, it is truly delicious in its own right. This candy bar is simultaneously salty, sweet, crunchy and chewy. It’s perfect for peanut butter lovers and incredibly easy to make at home!

These payday candy bars are:

• Vegan, gluten-free, no-bake, and dairy-free
• Sweet and salty
• Made with 6 ingredients
• Covered in crunchy peanuts
• A homemade candy bar recipe
• Great for Halloween parties & festivities

What is a payday candy bar made out of?

• Peanuts: Peanuts are the main ingredient in payday bars. I recommend using a salted and roasted variety for the best flavor.
• Peanut butter chips: These are just like chocolate chips, but they have a peanut butter flavor. If you can’t find any, use butterscotch or caramel chips instead.
• Sweetened condensed coconut milk: This is a dairy-free alternative to sweetened condensed milk. It’s made of coconut milk and sugar.
• Vegan butter: You can either use dairy-free butter sticks or tub butter.
• Mini marshmallows: Mini marshmallows are better than regular marshmallows because they melt quickly. If you are vegan, choose a gelatin-free variety.
• Vanilla extract: Vanilla adds a sweet flavor and aroma.

How to make vegan payday bars

For the full ingredient measurements and step-by-step instructions, scroll down to view the recipe card at the bottom of the page.

First, line an 8×8-inch or 9×9-inch baking dish with parchment paper. Then, spread half of the peanuts across the bottom of the dish.

Next, in a medium saucepan, add peanut butter chips and vegan butter. Melt together, stirring frequently, until combined. Add sweetened condensed coconut milk, mini marshmallows, and vanilla extract. Stir until melted and evenly combined.

Then, immediately pour the mixture into the dish, spreading evenly across the layer of peanuts. Top with the remaining peanuts.

After, chill in the refrigerator for 1 hour or until set. Remove from the refrigerator and slice into bars. Enjoy!

Tips for making these homemade payday bars

Use peanut butter chips, not peanut butter. If you are vegan, it can be tricky to find dairy-free peanut butter chips. You can always try searching for butterscotch chips or caramel chips instead. They will provide a very similar flavor and texture.

Use roasted and salted peanuts. If your peanuts are not salted, add 1/2 teaspoon salt to the nougat. Additionally, I recommend sprinkling flaky sea salt on top of the bars before chilling.

Don’t forget parchment paper. Parchment paper is an essential component of this recipe. It will prevent the bars from sticking to the pan and allow you to easily remove them.

Slice into full-size or fun-size bars. You can make these vegan candy bars as large or small as you’d like!

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Are PayDay bars vegan?

The original payday candy bars are not vegan. However, these homemade payday bars are, indeed, vegan! Just be sure to use dairy-free peanut butter chips and gelatin-free marshmallows.

Are PayDay bars healthy?

Hershey’s PayDay bars are typically thought of as a “healthier” candy bar compared to others. How come? The first ingredient is peanuts and they contain 7 grams of protein.

However, this candy bar still contains 20 grams of sugar, vegetable oil, and preservatives. I would not consider them to be a health food by any means, but you can certainly find worse candy bars out there.

What is in the middle of a PayDay candy bar? Is there nougat in PayDay?

The Hershey Company describes the PayDay candy bar as having “a nougat-like sweet caramel center.” It tastes like a traditional nougat, but it is sweeter and chewier.

Are PayDay candy bars still made?

Yes! This classic candy bar is still being made today by The Hershey Company.

How to store vegan payday bars

Store these homemade payday bars in a sealed container inside the refrigerator. They will keep for up to 1 week. If you would like to store them longterm, keep in the freezer for up to 3 months.

If you try these Homemade PayDay Bars, please let me know your thoughts by leaving a rating and comment below! Ready for more? Subscribe to my newsletter or follow along on Instagram and YouTube!

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