Homemade Chewy Bars

Last year (or was it the year before?) I found a recipe for homemade chewy bars.  I knew I had to try them!  I was thrilled that I found a recipe with ingredients that were whole foods and not preservatives and refined sugars. I followed the recipe exactly the first time I made them, but I was looking for a different consistency.  So I did what I always do and started tweaking the recipe to make it work better for us! 

After sharing with friends and family I think it is ready to share with you all!

So here you go!

Homemade Chewy Bars

3 cups Regular Oats

3 cups Quick Oats

3 cups nut mixture (I use coconut flakes, sunflower kernels, peanuts, chocolate chips)

3/4 cup Coconut Oil

1 cup Honey

1 1/2 cups Peanut Butter

Prepare your pan by greasing all of the sides.  

The pan I use is quite large, about 16x12.  If you don't want that much halve the recipe and use a 9x13 pan.

First measure out the oats and mix well.  I like using the different oats to help out with the consistency.

 

Next mix the nut variety in a separate bowl.  When I do mine I use about 1 1/4 cups coconut flakes, 1/4 cup chocolate chips, 3/4 cup sunflower kernels, 3/4 cup peanuts.  You can add raisins or other nuts or fruit.  As long as it is three cups total you really can't go wrong!

In a stock pan mix the coconut oil, honey, and peanut butter over low heat until they are a smooth liquid.  I always measure the coconut oil first so my measuring cup as a little layer of oil to help get the honey out!

 

Turn off the stove and quickly add in the oats mixture.  

 

Once the oats are thoroughly coated add in the nut mixture.  Mix well, if you are using the chocolate chips they will most likely melt.  That's okay!

Pour mixture into your prepared pan.  Smooth out to the edges with a spatula.  Make sure the thickness is consistent throughout the pan.

Put in refrigerator to cool.

When cool slice into bars.  I make 32 bars with this recipe.  Wrap in a small sheet of plastic wrap and store in a basket in the refrigerator.  Ours usually don't last long, but they have been known to keep for several weeks.

Enjoy!

Until next time,