Homemade Chewy Granola Bars

Stop whatever you're doing and go get these ingredients. I'm telling you they are that good! And if you don't come to the same conclusion, call me and I'll be over in a jiff to take them off your hands.

As usual, this recipe is super easy to make. If you've ever made "No-Bake Cookies" before, you will notice the method for these bars is very similar. We've been making these non-stop for ourselves and friends ever since I quit the baking to find healthier options for our family. And this is the only healthier option I've found that keeps not only me, but my husband and kids coming back for more. {The sweet potatoe/spinach/black bean quesadillas just were not cutting it with the fam.} This recipe was found from flythroughourwindow.com.

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I melted the peanut butter, coconut oil, and honey...

Measured my nuts and coconut combo...

Mixed it together...

Chopped up some chocolate chips since I didn't have mini ones...Had a little help with spreading it into our pan...

Chilled in the refrigerator for 2 hours and then I cut them into bars...

Homemade Chewy Granola Bars

1 cup peanut butter {or sunflower butter}

2/3 cup honey

1/2 cup coconut oil

2 cup oats

2 total cups of a combination of coconut flakes, sunflower seeds, & pumpkin seeds
{or your own combination of nuts & dried fruit}

Mini chocolate chips to sprinkle on top

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In medium size sauce pan melt together peanut butter, honey and coconut oil.

Remove from heat and add oats, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds and coconut. Stir well.

Press mixture into pan {I used a pan slightly smaller than a 9x13 and it was perfect.}, if you use a 9 x 13 you don’t have to fill it all the way, just spread to your desired thickness and sprinkle {while still warm} with chocolate chips. {I like to press the chips in a little and sometimes I sprinkle with coconut flakes too.} Chill for 2 hours in fridge and cut into bars.

Notes:

In case you - like me - have never used coconut oil this is what it looks like...

It can't be found at Wal Mart, but I found it easily at Reasor's (our equivalent to Publix out here) in the shortening/oil section on the baking aisle. It was pricey, but I was able to squeeze 4 batches of these bars out of one jar.

I threw in flax seed into my nut and coconut combo...