Chewy Granola Bars with Almond & Coconut
Chewy, chocolatey, almondy, coconuty, peanut buttery, sweet perfection is what these granola bars should be called. However, some of those words are made up, and that is also a ridiculously long name for such a tiny bar.
But it’s so true! I made these granola bars yesterday for Nick and I to take to work for breakfasts, and they instantly became a fast favourite. I used a granola cereal for the bars this time because I had a small amount that I wanted to get rid of. The cereal is a bit processed and does have some sugar, but aside from that, there is no added sugar, and no processed ingredients. Also, next time, I would just use plain rolled oats, so start off by using those if you wish for completely non-processed granola bars! These bars are also no-bake, so they come together super quick and just need some time to set in the fridge.
I’m on a bit of a mission to try and find ways to cut sugar out of our diets. I’m not going to attempt to do it all at once, or with everything - because that will most certainly backfire on me. I think a more gradual change towards making an effort to cut out sugar will be great, and easier to stick with.
These granola bars were only the first step in my slash sugar plan. I was also inspired by A Beautiful Mess to create my own sugar free coffee creamer. I used Emma’s recipe but made my own date syrup! I’m going to be trying it out tomorrow morning in my coffee; probably with a granola bar on the side 😉
This recipe is also great because there are a number of different things that you could add in as well. Try adding a dried fruit like cranberries, or currants. Change up the type of nut that you use, or use a different nut butter. The flavour combinations are endless! Also, I went around grabbing random things from my pantry to put these bars together. So if you don’t have something like flax seed or chia seeds - skip it. Customize the bars to your unique tastes to ensure that you love every bite.
Chewy Almond Coconut Granola Bars
Time: 30 mins active + 30-45 mins cooling time.
Yield: 12 bars
Difficulty: Easy
Ingredients
1 rounded cup unsweetened coconut flakes
1 1/2 cups dates - chopped
1/3 cup honey
1/2 cup natural peanut butter (or other nut butter)
2 tsp pure vanilla extract
1/3 rounded cup toasted almonds (or other toasted nut)
1/2 cup granola (or rolled oats)
1/4 cup almond flour
1 tsp chia seeds
1 tbsp ground flax seeds
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 - 1/3 cup chopped dark chocolate (I used 70% cocoa)
Method
- Line a 9×9 baking pan with plastic wrap so that it hangs over on all sides. Set aside.
- In a non stick frying pan over medium low heat, toast the coconut until most of it is golden brown. Transfer to a large bowl.
- Wipe the pan clean and empty in your chopped dates, honey, peanut butter and vanilla.
- Stir until the dates have started to break apart and the mixture has come together. Total time about 5-7 minutes.
- Add this mixture to the bowl with your coconut.
- To the coconut -date bowl, add the rest of the ingredients. Stir until the mixture is uniform. The chocolate will melt, which I liked. If you don’t want your chocolate to melt. Refrigerate the mixture for about 10 minutes before adding in the chocolate.
- Transfer the mixture to your lined baking pan and pat down so that it is level and reaches all corners.
- Allow to set in the refrigerator for 30-45 minutes before slicing into 12 bars and serving! Store the bars in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 weeks.
I was so so happy with how these came out, especially since I’ve never made granola bars before. The dates are just the perfect ingredient to hold the bars together, and have a delicious caramel-like flavour. The chia seeds and coconut give the bar an amazing texture, and the whole almonds give it a nice crunch.
I think these bars are a great first step towards reducing the amount of refined sugar that we eat. I’d love to hear any suggestions for more refined sugar free recipes to add to my collection. Also, feel free to let me know what you think of my almond coconut granola bars 🙂
xo, tess.
These look delicious and perfect as a travel snack too.
Thank you Sophie! They would make a great travel snack, good thinking 🙂
These look SO good <3 Going to make these with Almond Butter
Thank you Mandi! I’m sure they will be delicious wit almond butter 🙂 I’d love to know what you think of them !
These look so delicious! Pinning this to try soon!!
Thank you so much Rachel 🙂
These look so pretty and delicious!
Thank you so much Malena 🙂
These look fantastic, great photos too xxx
Thank you so much Gillian!
Thanks Tess, I think I’ll try them!
Great! Let me know what you think 🙂
This is perfect! I’ve been thinking about making granola bars for quite some time now!
Thank you Amanda! Let me know what you think if you do make them 🙂
I’m very fond of making homemade foods for my children that are better for them with no chemical ingredients and less sugars. These are a perfect little recipe to try. I bet they would be a hit in the lunch boxes. I’m pinning it as well.
Thank you Trish, I’m sure they would be 🙂 I’d love to know what you think if you do make them!
Liked your presentation:) And I know this will taste good because of the coconut flavor 🙂 looks delicious!
Thank you Uma! Yes the coconut adds great flavour, and also texture 🙂
I’ve never made granola bars but these look very delicious! The perfect snack! Pinned it for later 🙂
Thank you so much Jennifer! This was my first time making them and they were super easy!I’d love to know how you like them if you make them 🙂
Love the packaging and that they’re chewy! I’m craving these now! Pinned for later!
Thank you Sarah, I like that they’re chewy too!!
Those granola bars look amazing and I bet they taste great! I loved the way you presented them.
Thank you so much! They do 🙂
Ok these look divine. Pinning to make later! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Haha thank you Sarah! I hope you like them 🙂
So yummy and I love how you wrapped them up
This look amazing! I’m always experimenting with homemade bars to keep the processed and refined sugar out of them. Thank you for sharing!
This looks amazing! I need these in my life asap!
Isn’t wrapping these up so fun!? I have a similar recipe on my blog and I love it because it dresses it up!
Yes! Sticky, bun fun! I love the look of wrapping them in the parchment - so cute 🙂
This looks like a great and healthy snack! Thanks for sharing!
Thank you so much Jared!
These look so delicious! A perfect snack!!
Thank you so much Emily!!
Your timing is perfect! My SO and I were just discussing how I should be making homemade granola bars since I try to make everything else lol! And those things are not cheap eh? Will definitely try these!
No they’re definitely not cheap. I’d love to know what you think of my homemade version Jolina 🙂
These are so cute! Love the photos
Thank you so much Sofia!!
I love granola bars! And the way you package them is absolutely adorable! Great recipe! And beautiful pictures too 🙂
Thank you so much! Me too 🙂
Yum! I’m excited to try these!
That’s great Pamela! I’d love to know what you think 🙂
Yum!! These look SO good. Pinned 😉
Thank you Christine! 🙂
These look really good and easy to make!
Thank you Vivi! They are 🙂
These look delicious and i love the presentation too!
Thank you so much Agnes!
Ahh, these are so cute and delicious! I love healthy homemade granola bars! I just bought nuts and oats so I am gonna give some a shot tonight!
Thank you so much! I do now too 🙂
This looks like an awesome recipe! I love how you wrapped them with the little bit of paper and string. So cute!
Thank you so much Rachel, I thought it was pretty cute too haha 🙂
I’d love this for my mid-afternoon snack. I’m trying to snack better and more efficiently!
Same here Christine! I’ve been eating these whenever I crave something sweet, so I feel like my snacking is improving!
These granola bars look delicious! I’m going to make these the next time we go on a hike!
Thank you so much Jamie! I’d love to know what you think of them 🙂
Tess I absolutely LOVE your food styling right here! I have a protein bar recipe that I plan to shoot in a few weeks and you’ve just given me some great inspiration - these look so cute and delicious!
Thank you so much Taylor! I know right, the cuteness factor is my favourite part 😛 Can’t wait for your recipe!
I need to make these! I’m an absolute lover of coconut everything, so that’s perfect 🙂
Me too Sarah! Hope you enjoy them 🙂
These look great!
Thank you!
These look so yummy I seriously need to make these.
Thank you! They are yummy, and so good for you!
A sweet tooth should like 🙂 Looks quite appetizing!
Thank you!
[…] people can really see themselves making the scrap fabric geometric pillows that I share, or using my granola bar recipe to try and eat healthier […]
Hi Angean,
I love making my own bars at home, they are perfect for snack! As for cutting sugar, I usually replace it with honey and ripped fruits. This gives the perfect sweetness to my recipes. Your bar recipe is amazing and I cannot wait to try it. Thank you!
Zaria
Yes they definitely are! Thank you so much Zaria 🙂