Meet the caramel of your dreams that only takes 5 ingredients, less than 5 minutes to make and just so happens to be completely vegan!
I couldn’t believe how delicious, creamy, and incredible this vegan peanut butter caramel sauce was the first time I tried it. It’s perfect for dipping apples or bananas in, drizzling on top of apple crisp, spooning over your favorite ice cream, or enjoying on top of a delicious coffee smoothie for a little afternoon pick me up. JUST TOO DANG GOOD.
Ingredients in homemade vegan caramel
This easy vegan caramel recipe has just 5 simple ingredients that you probably have in your pantry. The combination is a luscious sweet and salty peanut butter caramel sauce that you’ll absolutely LOVE. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Peanut butter: be sure to use an all natural, drippy peanut butter that just has peanuts + salt as the ingredients. You can also use natural almond butter or cashew butter.
- Maple syrup: the natural sweetener we’re using in this peanut butter caramel.
- Coconut oil: a bit of coconut oil gives the caramel that silky texture.
- Vanilla: for delicious flavor.
- Salt: you’ll just need a pinch of sea salt to create that salted peanut butter caramel flavor.
How to make vegan caramel sauce
- Add all of your ingredients: peanut butter, maple syrup, coconut oil, vanilla extract and sea salt to a medium pot and place over medium-low heat for approximately 2 minutes until caramel starts to slightly bubble along the edges (DO NOT BOIL), stir frequently then remove from heat and pour into a jar or container of choice. Instead of warming on the stove, you can also heat in the microwave!
- Allow caramel to cool. Once it starts to cool it will begin to thicken up. If it’s too thick, add a 1/2 teaspoon more of coconut oil. Use when warm, or if you prefer, cover and store in the fridge and reheat to enjoy!
Ways to use this vegan peanut butter caramel
You’ll literally want to use this vegan caramel sauce on everything. Here are some ideas to get you started:
- Use it as a dip for apples, pears, bananas and your other favorite fruits (way better than the store bought platter caramel!)
- Drizzle it on your fav desserts like ice cream, oatmeal cookies, cinnamon rolls, apple crisp and brownies.
- Dip or drizzle it on pretzels and popcorn for that amazing sweet & salty combo.
How to store vegan peanut butter caramel
Store this easy vegan caramel sauce recipe in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week.
How to reheat vegan caramel sauce
If you store this vegan peanut butter caramel in the fridge it will likely harden due to the coconut oil. When this happens simply reheat it over low heat or microwave in 10 second increments.
I hope you love this easy vegan peanut butter caramel recipe! If you make it be sure to leave a comment & a rating so I know how you liked it (and how you used it). Enjoy, xo!

Ingredients
- 1/2 cup natural creamy peanut butter (only peanuts or peanuts + salt as the ingredients)
- ¼ cup pure maple syrup
- 2 tablespoons virgin coconut oil
- ½ teaspoon vanilla
- Pinch of sea salt
Instructions
- Add peanut butter, maple syrup, coconut oil, vanilla extract and sea salt to a medium pot and place over medium-low heat for approximately 2 minutes until caramel starts to slightly bubble along the edges, stir frequently then remove from heat and pour into a jar or container of choice.
- Allow caramel to cool. Once it starts to cool it will begin to thicken up. Use when warm, or if you prefer, cover and store in the fridge. If it hardens simply reheat over low heat or microwave in 10 second increments.
Recipe Notes
Nutrition
Recipe by: Monique Volz // Ambitious Kitchen | Photography by: Eat Love Eats

6 comments
I’m not sure at would call this caramel but that doesn’t matter – it is amazing! I used butter instead of coconut oil and it turned out perfect!
Perfect! Glad you enjoyed 🙂
This looks like something I would eat right off the spoon. Yum! Can’t wait to make this!
So delicious! Hope you like it 🙂
This is the most delicious and easy caramel recipe I’ve ever made…it’s absolutely delicious and perfect paired with apples or on top of ice cream. I love it!
SO DELICIOUS & SIMPLE!! Seriously— this stuff is amazing, I make it all of the time! It is great on so many things (cookies, apples, heck even on its own with a spoon)! Made this for all my neighbors as a Christmas goodie (which was perfect since it is so easy and quick to make) and many asked for the recipe.