Healthy-ish Chocolate Oatmeal No-Bake Bars

Everybody loves something that is immersed in chocolate, well, most everybody.  The bonus of this recipe is that while it tastes as if it is the worst for you, it is actually kind of healthy.  The only unhealthy ingredients are the chocolate chips and possibly the shredded coconut if it is sweetened.  Even so, these are a healthier alternative to other chocolate-based recipes.

Ingredients

1 cup peanut butter

1/2 cup honey

1/2 cup coconut oil (I substituted butter)

2 cups oats

1 cup shredded coconut

1/2 cup chopped nuts, raisins, or dried fruit (like cranberries)

1 1/4 cups chocolate chips (dark chocolate or semi-sweet)

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

In a large bowl, combine the oats, shredded coconut, chopped nuts / raisins / cranberries and chocolate chips.  Measure out the peanut butter, honey, and coconut oil (or butter) into a saucepan and melt over medium-low heat.  Watch this carefully and stir frequently to avoid burning it.

Pour the dry ingredients into the melted ones (or the other way around it doesn't matter).  Stir the mixture until all of the chocolate chips are melted. TIP: Don't add more chocolate chips! They will all melt and completely coat the mixture to eventually look like the picture.

Grease a 9 x 13 pan.  The one I used was a bit larger, which I don't recommend.  If you don't have a 9 by 13 pan, go smaller, but not by much.  I'd rather have thick bars than super thin ones.  Pour the chocolate oatmeal mix into the pan, and spread it to completely cover the bottom and be mostly even on top.

Cool the bars in the refrigerator until they are hard.  Be sure to store them in the refrigerator as well, as they will start to melt in a room temperature environment.

Personally, I would have left the cranberries out, and probably will next time.  They are bad, they just don't suit my tastes.  I would probably try making them with nuts and see if that works for me, but they are good without either anyway.

Enjoy!!