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!
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 “Magic” Granola Bars
Print This Recipe
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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.
Question of the Day:
What is your favorite way to procrastinate?
Link of the Day:
h. r .b says
those bars looks amazing-can’t wait to try them!!!!!!!
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.
Jessica says
My procrastination is reading recipe sites…I may only use them for inspiration but I can easily kill an hour! iPhone games help too…darn BeJeweled…
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!!!!!
Chocolate Covered Katie says
If using the coconut oil, either works well 🙂
Katherines Corner says
these are super. So yummy and filled with good things. Hugs!
Love Low Fat says
I love getting stuff done while I’m avoiding trying to do something else, so funny but true! Oh and by the way the bars look amazing! 🙂
jenna @ just j.faye says
These look delicious and super easy! I might try to make them today!
Ana @ Ana's Rocket Ship says
Well, my favourite way to procrastinate? Now that would be reading your blog Katie!
Chocolate Covered Katie says
🙂
Ella says
Cooking is the death of me when I need to get stuff done! I think “Oh, I’ll just take a quick break to whip this up…” And it ends up taking like an hour. LOL the struggle.
http://www.youtube.com/sparklesandsuch26
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.! 🙂
Maryea {Happy Healthy Mama} says
These look awesome! Coconut and chocolate is one of my favorite combos! You’ve got me craving it now. 🙂
Sprinkles of Sweetness says
My favorite way to procrastinate is reading other blogs! I always have to say one more post one more post… until I realize its almost night!
Bethan says
These look great as a morning snack to take to work!
Jen says
You need this shirt!!! My sister bought me one because I do the same exact thing! 🙂
http://www.zazzle.com/procrastibaking_t_shirt_with_black-235031518184250077
Christina @ The Beautiful Balance says
Yes!! These are so perfect and I love that there is minimal sugar in these.
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!
K says
Ick coconut? I would like to see one comment of yours that isn’t negative
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.
Jules @ WolfItDown says
These look fantastic Katie! And don’t stress about the blog post, we’ve got your back 🙂 x
Lisa | Mummt Made.It says
My procrastinating is my baking! When I should be doing book work or even writing up posts I end up in the kitchen….I look forward to reading your next post!
Brittany@FunonaBudgetBlog says
This look delicious and easy! We have family flying in next week, and this might be the perfect travel snack to send home with her. 🙂
Sara says
Does it have to be quick oats? I have everything on hand except that – how do you think rolled oats would turn out?
Carrie (This Fit Chick) says
These sound delicious, Katie!! Excited to try them!
Jennifer @ Show Me the Yummy says
I love magic bars! I love these even more, because I can have them for breakfast! 😉
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!
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!
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!
abby - little city adventures says
Looks so yummy! Pinning!
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.
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!
Caralyn @ glutenfreehappytummy says
can’t wait for your post!!
Dani @ DaniCaliforniaCooks says
I love this idea! I really appreciate the short list of ingredients too. Can’t wait to try!
melissa says
These granola bars were super, super, super delicious!!!
Thanks so much for posting!
Matea says
I’ve been wanting to make Seven Layer Bars for quite some time now! Maybe I should make these instead 🙂
Shirley @ gfe & All Gluten-Free Desserts says
Love these, Katie! Especially that there’s both a frozen and baked option. 😉 I like these bars so much that I just featured them over at All Gluten-Free Desserts. 🙂
Thanks for the recipe!
Shirley
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!!!!
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 ?
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!!
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?
Deb says
These are delicious. I used maple syrup and coconut oil. Thanks!
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.
Diane says
Made these last week and they were delicious – a big hit with my boys. Thanks for sharing the recipe.
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…
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
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! 🙂
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.
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.
Samantha says
These were so good! They taste like fresh-baked chocolate chip cookies! How do i make sure they don’t fall apart?
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 🙂
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.
Caitlin says
Wondering if subbing nut butter for the oil would work? Thoughts?