I wanted to make a big, fancy two layer yellow cake today, but reality set in and I realized I wouldn’t have time to go buy cake flour and frosting ingredients. Luckily, I did have a hodgepodge of other ingredients and was able to make my new favorite Chewy Chocolate Chip Granola Bars.
Granola Bar Ingredients
These bars are made with coconut, oats, wheat germ and a few other pantry staples. For more flavor, you toast the oats, coconut and wheat germ lightly before blending with butter, peanut butter, brown sugar and honey.
Adding Chocolate Chips to Granola Bars
Because the mixture is quite hot, it is cooled slightly before the chocolate chips are added. I learned that the hard way many years ago when I first started making granola bars. The chips melt right away and lose their shape. I also think mini chips are great for granola bars, but "regular" size chips are fine too.
Recipe
Chewy Coconut Chocolate Chip Granola Bars
Ingredients
- 2 ½ cups quick cooking oats**
- 1 cup sweetened flaked coconut
- ¼ cup wheat germ I used toasted
- 4 tablespoons butter salted
- ¼ cup light brown sugar
- ¼ cup honey
- 6 tablespoons extra-crunchy peanut butter
- 1 teaspoon of vanilla
- ½ cup mixed white and dark chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
- Line a 9 inch square metal baking pan with nonstick foil or parchment paper.
- Spread oats evenly on a large rimmed parchment-lined baking sheet and bake at 350 for 5 minutes. Add the coconut and wheat germ to the baking sheet and continue toasting for another 5 to 8 minutes, stirring every so often, until the coconut starts to brown. Remove from oven and let cool.
- Meanwhile, combine butter, sugar and honey in a large microwave-safe mixing bowl. Heat on high for 30 seconds. Stir until butter is melted and sugar is dissolved. Add the peanut butter and vanilla and stir until smooth. Let cool slightly, then stir in the cooled oat mixture and the chips
- Pour into the lined square pan and press tightly into the pan. Bake for about 15 minutes.
- Let cool for about 30 minutes, then lift from the pan and score (do not cut) into bars. Put the scored bars in the refrigerator until firm, then carefully break them apart along the scored edges. Chilling the bars will help them hold together when sliced. You can the bars into square or make 8 long bars and trim the edges.
Erin says
I don't usually have wheat germ on hand but use ground flax and/or chia seeds with great success.
These look like great bars. I will be trying soon.
Anna says
Christine, thanks for pinning and sharing!!
Marci,
The wheat germ adds a really nice flavor and probably helps hold the bars together since it forms a matrix with the liquid ingredients. However, I think you could just leave it out and the bars would still be great. Good luck!
Marci says
Is there anything I could sub for the wheat germ? Thanks! 🙂
Christine from Cook the Story says
These would be perfect for a lunch box treat! Pinned and shared!
Rynda says
That makes more sense!
Anna says
Rynda, sorry! It's flaked "coconut" not flaked granola.
Chloe @ foodlikecake says
I love homemade granola bars- these look good!
Rynda says
What is "flaked" granola?