Oats and toasted coconut are coated in peanut butter and honey and mixed with mini chocolate morsels to make a delicious copy cat of your favarite chewy chocolate chip granola bars.
PREPARE: Preheat the oven to 325˚ F. Line an 8 x 8-inch square baking pan with parchment paper and set it aside.
TOAST THE COCONUT: Spread the coconut evenly over a sheet pan and cook in the preheated oven for 4 minutes. Remove the pan and stir or flip the coconut and cook for an additional 3 minutes. Allow to cool for 2-3 minutes.
MIX DRY INGREDIENTS: In a large bowl, toss together the oats and toasted coconut and set aside.
MIX THE WET INGREDIENTS: In a small saucepan, add the peanut butter, honey, and coconut oil. Heat the pan over medium heat and stir the ingredients until they have melted together. Simmer an additional 2 minutes and then remove from heat and then stir in the vanilla and salt.
COMBINE EVERYTHING AND CHILL: Pour the melted mixture over the dry ingrendients and fold together until fully combined. Chill the regridgerator for 30 minutes or until cool enough not to melt the chocolate.
STIR IN CHOCOLATE CHIPS AND SET: Stir in the chocolate chips and pour into the prepared pan. Press into the pan until an even layer form on the bottom and is pushed into all the edges and corners. Sprinkle with additional chocolate chips if desired. Cover and allow the bars to cool in the fridge for an additional 1-2 hours.
CUT INTO BARS: Once the mixture is fully set, use the parchment to remove the bars from the pan. Cut the square into 12 bars and store in an airtight bag or container for up to 3 months.