No Bake Chocolate Chip Granola Bars (kid favorite)
by Jenny Jiles
We used to eat the Quaker Chocolate Chop granola bars ALL. THE. TIME. But of course they are filled with excess sugar and C.R.A.P. (chemicals, refined ingredients, artificial colors/flavors and uber processed). Here is a simple copy cat version that is super easy to make and no bake too!
Ingredients:
2 cups of organic rolled oats
2 cups of brown rice crispies
1/2 teaspoon salt
4 tablespoons of coconut oil
1/4 cup coconut sugar, packed (brown sugar works too)
1/3 cup of honey (make sure it’s a flavor you like because the flavor comes through in the bars)
1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract
1/4 cup of any dried fruit or chocolate chips (minis are extra adorable here)
Combine oats, cereal and salt together in a large bowl.
In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt coconut oil, sugar and honey together. Stir until sugar is dissolved. Let is bubble for about 2-3 minutes. Add vanilla extract to mixture. Remove it from the heat and pour onto cereal mixture. Stir to combine, and then stir in your dried fruit or chocolate chips. The chips will melt a bit if you do this right away, so want to wait a few minutes to let the mixture cool before you add the chips, do that. Press mixture into an 8×8 parchment lined pan. Use the back of the measuring cup, sprayed with olive oil, to press and compact the mixture. Put them in the fridge for a minute of 30 minutes. Cut and enjoy. Keeping them cooler helps them stay together so keep that in mind.
Jenny is a writer, cooking coach, and host of Cliffs Notes Kitchen, where she shows how simple, bite-sized shifts with minimal effort, can create lasting changes in your health. You can find more of her articles here.
