Dark Chocolate Cherry Coconut Oat Bars Recipe
Delight in these wholesome Dark Chocolate Cherry Coconut Oat Bars, a perfect blend of chewy oats, rich dark chocolate, tart dried cherries, and sweet coconut, all naturally sweetened with honey. Ideal for a nutritious snack or a healthy dessert, these bars are easy to prepare and bake to perfection for a satisfying treat.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 12 bars 1x
- Category: Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups rolled oats
- 1 cup dark chocolate chips or chopped dark chocolate
- 3/4 cup dried cherries, chopped if large
- 3/4 cup shredded sweetened or unsweetened coconut
Wet Ingredients
- 1/3 cup honey
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure it’s ready for baking the bars evenly.
- Prepare Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the oats, dark chocolate pieces, dried cherries, and shredded coconut. Mix thoroughly to distribute all ingredients evenly.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Pour honey over the dry mixture and stir well until all ingredients are evenly coated and begin to clump together.
- Press into Pan: Line an 8×8 inch baking pan with parchment paper or grease lightly. Transfer the mixture into the pan and press it firmly and evenly to compact the bars and ensure they hold together once baked.
- Bake: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 18-22 minutes or until the edges turn golden and the bars feel set to the touch.
- Cool and Cut: Remove from oven and allow the bars to cool completely in the pan. Then, lift out using parchment paper and cut into squares or bars as desired.
Notes
- Use rolled oats for the best texture; quick oats can make the bars mushy.
- Adjust honey based on preferred sweetness; maple syrup can be used as an alternative.
- For a nut-free version, ensure the dark chocolate contains no nuts and avoid adding nuts to the recipe.
- Store bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week or refrigerate for longer freshness.
- Customize by adding nuts or seeds for extra crunch and nutrition.
Keywords: dark chocolate cherry bars, oat bars, healthy snack, homemade granola bars, coconut oat bars, honey sweetened bars
