Looking for affordable food on the go? Chewy Dark Chocolate + Coconut Granola Bars are perfect for the commute to work or hike. These bars are a fun, protein packed homemade option to the sugar laden store bought bars.
Hey, friends! What a couple of week it has been! I started a lovely new job at RBC as a Sr. Campus Recruiter and am slowly getting into the routine of things. I am getting used to commuting to work again, as when I worked with Deloitte I worked from home. I was a bit worried at first, but it had been fun getting up each morning to do my hair and makeup, put on a cute outfit and drive in to the office to a carefully curated high-energy (and slightly mismatched) playlist of Fleetwood Mac, Will Smith, Beyonce and Supertramp. The one thing I struggle with is breakfast. When I worked from home everyday I would log-on, review my emails and see what I needed to accomplish for the day. I would then run down to the kitchen, steep a pot of tea and make a peanut butter and banana toast. This would all be before 8 am and it set me up for a successful day. Now, I start at 9 am, halfway across the city and with the need to look polished and professional everyday, I have been guilty of just grabbing a banana and gulping down a quick cool glass of water. Not the most inspiring breakfast.
My Husband reminded me of my homemade granola bar recipe I was playing with before I broke my finger a year and a half ago. I was making homemade peanut butter, cranberry and walnut granola bars every week for him to take to work and for us to eat on the trails on the weekend. I was going to post them in 2016 (how have I had my blog over 2.5 years already?!?!) but my cooking style had to dramatically change when I made the mistake of flubbing a football catch resulting in a damaged tendon and bone fracture. I couldn’t chop easily, put much pressure on my hand or even deal with messy doughs or sticky mixtures since my finger was splinted for months. As such, my homemade granola bars were forgotten about as they take a few strong hands to make sure they set!
Anyways, I decided to jazz them up a bit from thee original flavour profile I was playing with. I am headed off to Cuba in two weeks and have been loving all the tropical flavours. Coconut was then, obviously, a must. I am also one of the biggest chocolate fiends I know, so I had to go all-out with 80% dark chocolate and coco powder to get the right amount of chocolate to curb a craving. The result is a chewy, flavourful and protein packed (7 grams per serving, friends) breakfast that is perfect for those on the go. How about giving these a try?
Chewy Dark Chocolate + Coconut Granola Bars
Ingredients
- 2 cups large oats
- 1/2 cup liquid honey
- 1/2 cup natural smooth peanut butter
- 1 tablespoon cocoa powder
- 1/3 cup unsweetened coconut flakes divided
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- pinch salt
- 4 squares extra dark chocolate (80%) 10 g sqaures, roughly chopped
Instructions
- Line small 8 inch square pan with parchment paper and set aside. Lightly pulse oats, in two batches, through food processor. Add to medium sized bowl. Meanwhile, over medium heat, heat honey in small saucepan.
- Add half of the unsweetened coconut flakes, cinnamon and salt to bowl of oats and stir until well mixed.
- Once honey is heated through and lightly bubbling, remove from heat and stir in natural peanut butter and cocoa powder. Whisk until smooth. Add honey, peanut butter and cocoa mixture to oat mixture and stir well.
- Transfer mixture to parchment paper lined pan and press down firmly to pack the granola bar mixture. Place in fridge for five minutes to cool.
- Remove pan from fridge and sprinkle dark chocolate chunks and remaining coconut flakes on top of granola bar mixture Once again, press down firmly to pack the topping. Return to fridge for minimum one hour.
- Remove pan from fridge and lift out the contents from the pan. Cut into 10 equal sized pieces using a large butcher's knife (non serrated) and wrap individually in parchment paper and then place in plastic sandwich bag or in plastic wrap. Keep refrigerated. Enjoy your breakfast on the go!
- Play around with different sized pans for thickness of bars! Large loaf pans also work well. These are also great chopped up into 20 equal sized squares as a quick snack for coffee breaks or in between running errands.
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Did you make these Chewy Chocolate + Coconut Granola Bars at home?
If so, take a picture and tag it with #PeppersAndPennies! I love seeing your creations and will gladly share your photo!
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