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Coconut Chocolate Chip “Magic” Granola Bars

Recipe from @choccoveredkt can be sugar-free / gluten-free / vegan / with no flour and absolutely no high fructose corn syrup. Full recipe here: https://chocolatecoveredkatie.com/2014/11/16/coconut-chocolate-chip-magic-bars/

I’ve spent most of the weekend, most of the week before it, and really most of the entire month before that working on a blog post to be published either tomorrow or Tuesday… and I don’t think I’ve ever been so nervous or excited about anything I’ve ever published before.

After hours staring at a computer screen, writing and then promptly deleting paragraphs over and over again, I very often found myself needing “study breaks.” And—just like back in high school—my favorite form of procrastination from working is to make and eat food.

Some things don’t change!

Coconut Granola Bars

Unsweetened Coconut

healthy granola bars

These granola bars are a product of one such study break. It’s amazing how productive you can be at a task when you’re trying to procrastinate doing something else.

Don’t believe me? Just try cleaning your apartment the next time you don’t want to work… 😉

They can be sugar-free, flourless, and there’s no baking required. If you can imagine eating one of those popular Coconut Seven Layer Bars in the form of a granola bar, that sort of describes these!

Coconut Chocolate Chip Granola Bars

Coconut Chocolate Chip “Magic” Granola Bars

Yield: Makes 6-8 Bars
Print This Recipe [mrp_rating_result show_count="false" show_rich_snippets="false"]

Ingredients

  • 1 cup quick oats, or gluten-free quick oats (80g)
  • 1/4 cup shredded coconut, regular or reduced-fat (14g) (Don’t like coconut? Try these bars)
  • 1/4 cup oat flour, gluten-free if desired (or grind up rolled oats in a food processor, then measure out 1/4 cup) (35g)
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 3-4 tbsp mini chocolate chips (30-40g)
  • 1/4 cup coconut or vegetable oil (40g)
  • pinch uncut stevia OR 2 tbsp agave or pure maple syrup (or honey for non-vegans)
  • 1/4 cup milk of choice (60g) (decrease to 2 tbsp if using agave or maple)
  • 1 tsp pure vanilla extract

Instructions

If using coconut oil, you can freeze instead of baking for no-bake granola bars. Otherwise, grease a loaf pan and preheat oven to 400 F. In a mixing bowl, combine all ingredients until evenly incorporated. Transfer to the loaf pan, spread out, and press down VERY firmly with a sheet of wax paper or a small spatula. Bake 10 minutes. Then press down very firmly again. So that they don’t crumble, wait for the bars to cool completely before trying to invert the loaf pan onto a plate. If cooled completely, they should come off the pan in one big piece. Then you can cut into bars. Refrigerate or freeze leftovers for optimal freshness.

View Magic Coconut Granola Bars Nutrition Facts

Question of the Day:

What is your favorite way to procrastinate?

Link of the Day:

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Pineapple Upside Down Pancakes

Published on November 16, 2014

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Chocolate Covered Katie is one of the top 25 food websites in America, and Katie has been 
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ABC's 5 O’Clock News. Her favorite food is chocolate, and she believes in eating dessert every single day.

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53 Comments

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  1. Honeybird says

    Hi Katie, I’m so curious about this post you’ve been working so long on!
    As for procrastination… Currently I’ve started a new study, which brings a LOT of work. I used to stand every day whole day in the kitchen before (more or less) baking/making things. Now it’s only for dinner, because I don’t have the time anymore! I need every minute I have.
    If the workload drops a little, I’m sure I’ll go bake something to snack on during studying ;P. These bars look like something to try, not to much work, and full of necessary nutrients for your brain ;).
    Love.

  2. Beth says

    would these turn out better if I did bake them using coconut oil? Or do you suggest not baking at all if using coconut oil? They sound wonderful!!!!!

  3. Hailey says

    These look so yummy, and I’m also curious about your post!! As for ways to procrastinate… I have so many, lol. The computer is definitely my detriment because I log on to do school and end up reading food blogs, checking email, watching “just one more” video… etc.! 🙂

  4. EVA says

    ICK! COCONUT!

    Not like I can eat it anyways, but oh how I wish I liked it!

    My procrastination: calling my mom. It’s my excuse because she misses me so badly that she rambles to me for at LEAST an hour. It really kills the time and I don’t feel as guilty!

      • EVA says

        Holy cow….I just said I didn’t like coconut, “K”. There are many posts on here, such as the raisin breakfast cookies, where people freak out about raisins. I also said I wish I liked it. SOUNDS POSITIVE TO ME.

        But whatever. If this is how you de-stress, have at it.

  5. Mina says

    Hi Katie, this is my first time posting and wanted to say I’m a huge fan!
    I made these bars last night and ended up eating half the batch in one sitting… oops…
    I added a tablespoon of peanut butter and it was so yummy.
    I don’t think I’ll ever buy granola bars again! Thank you!

  6. nuts4knits says

    Made these last night. Big hit with the picky teens, even with the unsweetened coconut. I baked them in silicone tartlet cups, which made nice sized portions and easy peasy clean up. I subbed a Tbsp brown sugar for some of the sweetener. Making a double batch next time. Thanks!

  7. Heather @ Shards of Lavender says

    These magic bars look just perfect! Chocolate and coconut pair so well together and I love how you manage to make everything healthier:) Can’t wait to read your upcoming blog post that has been taking up so much of your time!

  8. Jordan @ The Balanced Blonde says

    Ummm now I’m really, really excited for your blog post tomorrow. (And I think I know what it is!!!!). I also so admire your patience with writing blog posts and then waiting to post them. I don’t always (or really ever)… have it in me to do that! Also, did you know coconut and chocolate chips are pretty much my two fav things ever? Love love it!! These might have to go down in my kitchen this week.

  9. Alex says

    delicious!! I subbed half the oil for applesauce and half the chocolate chips for chopped up dates and it worked perfectly! well, they were a little crumbly but I don’t think I pressed them down firmly enough so that might have been the reason. I’m having a very hard time not eating the whole thing right now!

  10. Shaun Marsh says

    What beautiful fall pictures! Again I want to compliment you on the photos. Yum! I am going to have to try these recipes. I have been a fan of the chocolate cookie for a couple of years, but with coconut… What a great idea!!!!

  11. Andrea says

    These look delicious and cannot wait to try them! Is whole wheat flour usefull too? what can i use if i dont have oat flour ?

  12. CRV driver says

    Finally found a healthy granola bar my kids love. Making a second batch this weekend for their lunch boxes at school! Thanks for all the great recipes!!

  13. Darine says

    Loving this blog.. can’t wait to try out some of the recipes, which I have noticed lack dairy.
    Almost all healthy recipes I see online do not include milk. As a person who is adapting to a healthy diet, why is skimmed milk avoided?

  14. Norma says

    These are so good that 2 teenagers (who love slurpees and cotton candy) ate about half the batch this morning. My husband avoids sweets but he liked them, too. I only had sweetened coconut on hand so used just 1/3 of an individual packet of NutraNaturals stevia. Just right. Pleasantly sweet but not cloying. Next time I will use a whole packet of stevia and unsweetened coconut. And before freezing I will grease the pan with coconut oil or put parchment in to make them easier to remove.

  15. randi says

    i made these tonight using coconut flour in the place of the oat flour. not a good move. they came out very dry and crumbly. however, the taste is good, so i can see that these are probably excellent if made according to the directions as written. oh well, i’ll still eat it all…

  16. Granny Carol says

    Katie, I love your recipes. You are very inventive and the recipes are yummy. Keep up the good work.

    I’m A Big Fan,
    Granny Carol

  17. Alexandra says

    THESE ARE SO DELICIOUS OMG!! I love baking healthy but they normally turn out gross or with a weird consistency but these are awesome. I used canola oil instead of vegetable and it still turned out great. My parents (and I) have huge sweet tooths and i made them and they both loved them!! When i told them they had NO added sugar, refined flour, butter and eggs, they were shocked! This shows them that baking healthy can be easy, delicious, and good for you! Thanks so much for the recipie, I am definitely making these again soon! 🙂

  18. Jacklyn says

    Been doing your recipes for nearly 2 years now 🙂 I think it drives my husband nuts that I make all his favourite things healthy. I made the Oreos once as I don’t buy them because of palm oil. Wondering if you avoid palm oil as well as you always have such good alternatives in your recipes.

  19. Morgan says

    Absolutely love these! I make a quadruple batch and they last about a week in my family of five. To be fair I do hide them in the back of the fridge or they would be gone longer. 😉 Perfect alternative to purchased bar snacks.

  20. Samantha says

    These were so good! They taste like fresh-baked chocolate chip cookies! How do i make sure they don’t fall apart?

  21. Karen Becker says

    I made these tonight and they turned out great! I went with the baked version and used honey for the sweetener and coconut oil. I am so glad I found your website 🙂

  22. Karen Becker says

    These bars are great! I have tried them baked and no bake, but I prefer them baked. Easy to make and the whole family loves them.

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