Chewy Coconut Granola Bars.
There will be an endless supply of freshly baked chocolate chip cookies in a cookie jar. And then I’ll have an additional endless supply of freshly made chocolate chip cookie dough in the freezer for quick baking, rolled into teeny tiny perfect little balls.
On movie night, I’ll pop the perfect batch of popcorn old-school style and cover it with some melted butter, then stud it with peanut butter m&m’s.
I’ll be the queen of after school snacks and make little nut butter and fruit sandwiches.
Always… and I do mean always… there will be freshly churned ice cream in the freezer.
And s’mores ingredients will forever live in the pantry.
Oh seriously… I also sort of want white carpet that will never get dirty. Because THAT’s realistic.
And every time we go on a trip – by plane, train or automobile – I’ll whip up a bunch of healthy snacks that nourish and excite, like homemade granola and bars and fruit leather and other things that take a million years to make, and I will do so without batting an eyelash since all of the laundry and packing are completed 48 hours before.
Right. Right?
Yeah right.
So I got in one of those wildly domestic moods before my trip last week and decided to make a few granola bars for myself and also to stow away at home so my other half wouldn’t starve.
Oh, but then I added coconut.
So these were just for me.
Are super cool moms insanely selfish? Crap.
The truth is that most of that stuff is pretty far out of my grasp, and I’ll totally end up being the mom who walks to the bus stop in a robe and hot rollers, one who lacks showers and serves pop tarts and makes boxed macaroni and cheese with crushed potato chips on top. Because um, I like… do that stuff now.
Hmmpfh.
A few months ago I recreated one of my favorite granola bars complete with peanut butter and SALTY pretzels. Yes yes. Since then I’ve changed my tune, and simply cannot get enough of the chocolate almond coconut Mojo bars. It’s like my… dream combination. Minus wine. But that would be weird. But I like wine. But but but.
Enough about me.
These bars are super easy and quick to throw together, needing just a little time in the fridge to set up. Once removed, you can cut them into squares or rectangles, and I successfully packed single bars in mini ziplock bags that lasted for my trip. After a few hours (especially when rough-housed in a carryon) they may begin to crumble due to lack of syrup and preservatives, so you can choose to store them in the fridge or just… crumble them up. They are my favorite homemade granola bars to date and I can’t.stop.eating them. Best problem ever.
Chewy Coconut Granola Bars
makes 12 squares
1 cup old-fashioned oats
1 cup unsweetened flaked coconut
1/2 cup raw sliced almonds
1/2 cup raw whole almonds, coarsely chopped
1/2 cup ground flaxseed
1 tablespoons whole wheat pastry flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/3 cup packed + 1 tablespoon coconut oil
1/2 cup honey
optional: 1/4 cup mini chocolate chips
Line an 8×8 inch square pan with parchment paper.
In a large bowl, combine oats, coconut, flour, flaxseed, sliced almonds, chopped almonds, salt and chocolate chip, mixing very thoroughly until combined. In a small bowl, combine honey and coconut oil, microwaving on high powder for 10 seconds at a time, stirring after each increment, until coconut oil is melted. Stir vanilla extract into coconut oil mixture, then pour the entire mix over the dry ingredients.
Using a large wooden spoon, stir until all of the ingredients are wet, using your hands and bring it together like a dough. Press the dough into the pan, pressing with the back of the spoon to smooth the top. Place in the refrigerate for 90 minutes, then remove and cut into squares. Serve immediately, or pack in ziplock bags (or plastic wrap) for later consumption.
P.S. Random winner of the Cookie Cravings Giveaway is Cassandra Early!
123 Comments on “Chewy Coconut Granola Bars.”
i’ve been looking for a good homemade granola recipe – and this one looks perfect!
I kind of want you to be my mom in EITHER scenario. Chips on mac and cheese AND homemade granola bars are right up my ally.
The minute I opened your post this morning I knew I had to make these and I did! Oh my god, they are so good. I understand why you can’t stop eating them.
I actually made your homemade granola bar recipe the other day and it was SO good. I didn’t add pretzels but that’s definitely next on the list!
Ha. Yeah, unfortunately, becoming a mom doesn’t instantly transform you into a domestic diva. I think it actually magnifies any housekeeping “flaws” you already have. Oh well. As long as you have a steady supply of cookie dough on hand, you are good to go! :)
HA… I totally agree Rachel. But occasionally we get crazy and make it happen every once in a while! :)
how long do you think these would keep if packed individually?
I think probably 3-4 days, then after that they would probably go stale.
Those granola bars look like a perfect combination of Larabars and AlmondJoy–I cannot wait to try them :)
I love making homemade granola bars and I’m definitely adding these to my list!
You are so freaking FUNNY! you will be a great Mom.. and all the neighbourhood kids will want to come over for dinner to enjoy all your yummy treats.
I have been looking for a granola bar recipe! Love this one with the coconut! Recipe search over! Thanks!
this is health food! can’t wait to make them.
My stand by granola bar was really getting kind of old so I’ve been trying to come up with ideas for a new one and these look so delicious! I’m also slightly obsessed with coconut so I’d say these are a must try.
I love honey in granola bars. It really makes them such a treat. Love these!
You can be that mom and even more. Some of my best childhood memories include walking through the door after school and seeing warm chocolate chip cookies on the cooling racks or helping my mom twist dough into soft pretzels (and she worked full-time). I wouldn’t want it any other way for my own children.
I love granola! Homemade ones especially! These bars look awesome. :)
I was briefly dissappointed in you when I looked at the pictures and thought I saw… gag reflex, raisins. But no, alas- they are chocolate pieces. Bless you.
Raisins!!! Blah. Never.
um, do you want to come be my mom??
made them love them OMG
may never make another granola bar recipe again
I love homemade granola bars. Thanks for the great recipe!
okay – so hubby very allergic (tongue swell, choking.. the whole bit- not a pretty picture) on coconut, so I am guessing I will skip on these… unless I make them, and hide them in my secret stash drawer… nope, not gonna tell ya.. it’s a s-e-c-r-e-t!!
Totally making these! Instead of the chocolate, I’m going for some dried papaya! I’m the only one who will eat them with the coconut so I might as well make it REALLY just for me, right? Or…..just maybe…..there will be a way to sneak some white chocolate in there AND the papaya AND some dried pineapple??? Oh……. Seriously……. I have to leave the flour out anyway…..so maybe they’ll hold together? What’s a little more honey anyway!
Those mojo bars taste WAY too good to be in the “nutrition aisle,” haha, but I buy them anyway! This recipe looks great though, and I love that you don’t even have to bake them!
You will be THEE cool mom, I have no doubt.
These look awesome! I have a very depressing almond allergy. Any other nut you’d recommend for these? I am searching my brain and can’t quite come up with what the best substitute might be…hmmm…
Ah what a bummer! I’d probably go with pecans. But really, any nut should work! Peanuts too.
What I find fascinating is reading how many people have already made them and they were just posted today! I will have to go get coconut oil before I can make these, but they look great and healthy! yayayayay :)
This is something that always blows my mind too. After 2+ years of blogging I don’t think it will ever not surprise me. It makes me all warm and fuzzy!
um yea…I’m about to have a baby and I still eat the blue box mac and cheese (sometimes scooped up with tortilla chips) and there is currently a can of spaghettios on my desk for lunch. but you know what? We will be cool moms because our kids will actually get to eat those type of things, vs. all natural, non sugar, non flavor crap.
I have every single ingredient for this recipe! I could eat coconut in everything. And so what if they crumble up after awhile…wouldn’t that be just divine sprinkled over ice cream? Mmmmmm.
I’d totally nominate you for like super mom if you did half that list!!
these look absolutely delicious. I was dying for a homemade granola bar recipe–way to deliver :)
I would love the title of Supermom but then again it’s nice having some me time and leaving the occasional load of laundry for another time. These granola bars look so delicious. I need to make these for Little Man instead of buying him Nature Valley Granola Bars.
I have those same fantasies of being that mom. :)
Oh, my. When I saw “can’t stop eating them” I thought MUST STAY AWAY but here I have Evernoted your post and the almonds and the coconut and choc chips…I’m toast. :)
I am anything and everything coconut — these looks so scrumptious :D
ps: So bummed we didn’t get to meet at FBF!!
I make homemade granola bars all the time! I love trying new versions and can’t wait to give these a whorl!
COCONUT!! – I’m sold.
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Ooooh! Another use for coconut oil!
These sound decadent… And I don’t even like coconut! I can’t say anything about the whole “mom” thing… But you’d make one hell of a sister.
These look lovely! A great recipe. Thanks for sharing :) Beautiful photos by-the-way!
I want these right now! Pinned and Stumbled :)
Could you use canola oil instead?
These look great – prefect to bring to work for that 2:30/3pm snack!
Also wanted to drop by and let you know I nominated you for The Versatile Blogger Award. I love following your posts!! If you want to check out the details, they’re on my blog:
http://attemptingdomestication.com/?p=460
i love granola bars. i love coconut. perfect! looks like they’re cool-mom worthy to me!
i love ur recipies and pictures, i creep on ur recipies on a daily basis lol, i made this one yesterday. i didn’t have any unsweetend cocunut flakes so i just made it with sweetened cocunut flakes. OMG SO GOOD, the pan is already half gone!! thanks for helping me out with prom diet.
prom dress fitting me < these granola bars
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Ha, I totally want to be that mom, and am somewhat delusionally convinced I can still do it. Also, these granola bars look good!
I made these this weekend, chocolate chips not optional, but required. they are so good!
Wanted to THANK you for this granola idea. Made these today and added craisins and LARGE choc chips. They are so yummy. Cant wait for my kids to try them. Just found your blog about a week ago and I have to say you really got me into the kitchen. Im greatful for the insparation!! I love to cook but hardly ever change things up. IT is so time to do so…
xxx Julie
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Made these today – delicious. A big hit with the hubby and kids Used gluten free oats and flower. Will definitely make again. Thanks for sharing!
Getting ready to make these babies with the kids now! Thanks for sharing…