You know those times when you start making a recipe and then realize you don’t actually have the right ingredients, but you’ve already started melting the butter in the pan? Yeah. That was me on Saturday. I had already promised Alex he could help me make granola bars, and if you have a 2 1/2 year old, you know you don’t go back on your word because they get so excited to “help mommy make somfing”. So, we tried it anyways, and wouldn’t you know? The chewy bars wouldn’t stick together. I was so ready to just call it and say we could eat our granola bars with a spoon this time around when an idea hit me. Maybe if I bake them, they will stick together. The results: some seriously delicious chocolate chip granola.
I’ve been making these delicious homemade chewy bars and this real food granola for quite some time now. This recipe takes from a little of each of these. There are no refined/processed ingredients except for the chocolate chips, but I mean, c’mon. Those are necessary. So, you know what that means? That means you can eat it all day without guilt, amiright?
I wanted to make sure I documented this mistake because this granola is so tasty and also because I did something that wasn’t an epic failure when not using a recipe! In case you are wondering, I’m no chef/baker. I don’t have the attention span for it. One time when I was younger, I put 3/4 cup of baking soda in my peanut butter cookies (instead of 3/4 tsp) and my mom’s sweet best friend ate two so I didn’t feel bad about it. Love you, Beth! But really though, I’m proud that this turned out, so humor me.
So, now that you know my shortcomings we can continue on to the recipe!
Ingredients:
3 cups quick oats
2 cups old fashioned oats
1/2 c unsweetened shredded coconut
1/2 c butter (or coconut oil)
1/2 c honey
1 tsp vanilla
1/4 c mini chocolate chips (optional)
Directions:
Preheat oven to 270 deg F and lightly grease a 9×13 baking pan.
Melt butter (or coconut oil) in a saucepan over med/high heat.
While that is melting, mix the oats and shredded coconut in a large mixing bowl and set aside.
Once the butter is melted, add the honey and heat until the boil reaches all the way around the edges of the pan. Allow to boil for 2 min 15 sec, then remove from heat and add vanilla. Pour the mixture over the oats and stir until all the dry ingredients are well coated. Add chocolate chips and stir again.
Dump your granola mixture into your 9×13 pan and press down firmly.
Note* I put mine in the fridge for 30 mins at this point because I was trying to make granola bars. Not sure if that matters at all. 🙂
Bake in preheated oven for 60-70 minutes, until golden brown. Let cool completely, then run a spatula under the granola to break it up. Store in an airtight container.
I hope you guys like it! You can add milk and eat it as cereal, sprinkle some on your yogurt or just snack on it. I can’t. stop. eating. it.
Thanks for stopping in today! I hope you all have a fantastic Monday!
xo
Sam
