Crunchy Coconut Granola Bars

I love that I am able to take a recipe and create multiple twists on the one recipe. It all started when I made Crunchy Granola Bars for the first time. Then I wanted a peanut butter variety so I created Crunchy Peanut Butter Granola Bars. And now I have a coconut variety, a delicious crunchy coconut granola bar. I guess I need to start working on another flavor.

Crunchy Coconut Granola Bars

Ingredients:

• 3 1/2 cups old fashioned rolled oats
• 1/4 cup canola oil
• 3/4 cup whole almonds
• 6 tablespoons honey
• 6 tablespoons packed brown sugar
• 1/2 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 3/4 cup coconut

Directions:

1. Adjust the oven rack to the middle of the oven and preheat the oven to 375º F.
2. Line an 9x13 baking dish with aluminum foil.
3. In a large bowl combine the oats and oil until well mixed and oats are evenly coated with oil.
4. Spread the oats out into an even layer on the prepared baking dish.
5. Bake for 20-25 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes.
6. Remove the oats and reduce the oven temperature to 300º F.
7. Place the nuts into a food processor and process until coarsely chopped.
8. In a small saucepan combine the honey and brown sugar. Cook over medium heat for about 5 minutes, or until the sugar is completely dissolved, stirring constantly. Remove from the heat and stir in the vanilla.
9. In a large bowl, with a rubber spatula, stir together the oats, nuts, honey mixture and coconut until everything is evenly coated with the honey mixture.
10. Spray the foil in the baking dish with cooking spray.
11. Spread the oat mixture on the prepared baking dish spreading it into an even layer. Spray the bottom of a measuring cup with cooking spray and firmly press the oat mixture into the baking dish, creating a firmly packed even layer.
12. Bake until golden brown and coconut is toasted, about 35-40 minutes.
13. Cool in the baking dish, on a cooling rack, for 10-15 minutes, then cut into bars. Make sure you cut all the way through and then allow the bars to cool completely.
14. Do not wait longer than 15 minutes to cut the bars as they harden up significantly as they cool and you will have a very difficult time cutting them into bars.
15. Store the bars in an air tight container on the counter for up to 2 weeks.

Enjoy!!!

Nutrition Facts
Servings: 12
Amount Per Serving
Calories: 230
Total Fat		9g
Saturated Fat		2.2g
Polyunsaturated Fat		2.1g
Monounsaturated Fat		4.1g
Trans Fat		0g
Cholesterol		0mg
Sodium		31.9mg
Potassium		110mg
Total Carbohydrates		35.5g
Dietary Fiber		3.2g
Sugars		17.8g
Protein		5.8g
Vitamin A 0% Vitamin C 0%
Calcium 1.3% Iron 6.4%
*Nutritional information will vary depending on the brands you use.