Homemade Chewy Chocolate Coconut Granola Bars {Paleo, GF, DF, & Nut Free}
This post may contain affiliate links. Read disclosure policy.
When life gives you lemons you go out and buy yourself chocolate, coffee, flowers,and make granola bars. Wait, that’s not right.
Sometimes life is just hard. I feel bad complaining about it, cause I know how lucky we have it. But, today was THAT day. Our dryer broke, our dishwasher is broken (we don’t have a microwave and cook everything from scratch, so when you mix those three things together, it’s awful), baby girl won’t nap, and you are trying not to lose your mind. So, I went out and bought myself flowers, chocolate, coffee, and made these awesome granola bars. All of those things did make it a little better, I swear. Made me realize I may be a little materialistic. When I woke up this morning to find the dryer broken, I was mad and just wanted to go buy myself something special. We all have our days.. and weaknesses. I’m not perfect and, most of the time, I don’t pretend I am. Haha.
There is something oh-so-comforting about these granola bars. They kind of have this peanut buttery taste, even though there is no peanut butter in them. I found out I was allergic to peanuts almost two years ago, and so I’ve dearly missed peanut butter and this recipe hit the spot. But, since I haven’t had it in so long, maybe I’ve just forgotten what peanut butter tastes like. You may not think these taste like peanut butter at all. My hubby said he really didn’t taste the peanut butter, so hey… to each their own. You try them and let me know what you think.
Save This Recipe
We'll get it sent to your inbox! Plus, get new recipes from us every week.
This recipe couldn’t be simpler. It only takes a few ingredients and about ten minutes to whip up. They make ten generously-sized granola bars. If you bought them at the store, the going rate would surely be out of your budget. Because granola bars are so dang expensive. Who’s with me? They’re one of those things that are so easy to make. Why not just add that to my weekly list of things to do? Kind of kidding. I may not make them every week… maybe every other. Talk to me again when our dishwasher is replaced and maybe this will become a weekly thing.
My sweet child that refused to sleep on this fine granola day got to test out this sweet snack, and boy, she loved them. Gobbled them right up and asked for more. Success!
Homemade Granola Bars - Paleo, DF, GF, Grain, & Nut Free
Save This Recipe
We'll get it sent to your inbox! Plus, get new recipes from us every week.
Ingredients
- 2 cups sunflower seeds separated
- 1 cup unsweetened coconut flakes
- 1 cup pitted dates
- 3 squares of dairy free chocolate
- 1/3 cup honey
- 2 Tbs coconut oil softened or melted
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- a pinch of salt
Instructions
- Place dates and chocolate squares into a food processor and pulse until finely crumbled.
- Add in 1 cup of coconut flakes and 1 cup of sunflower seeds and process until finely chopped (almost smooth).
- Add in remaining sunflower seeds and pulse 1-2 times quickly to leave some larger chunks.
- In a separate large bowl, whisk together honey, coconut oil, vanilla extract, and salt.
- Add sunflower seed mixture into wet ingredients and combine well.
- Pour mixture into an 8x8 or an 8x6 pan lined with parchment paper and press down with hands into each corner so that they are evenly distributed.
- Top the granola bars with extra coconut flakes and chocolate shavings (optional).
- Cover and refrigerate for 15 minutes before cutting and serving.
- Store in the refrigerator.