½cup(43g)shredded coconut, sweetened or unsweetened
1cupsliced or chopped almonds
3tablespoonscacao nibs, optional
½cup(170g)honey
¼cupextra-virgin coconut oil
½cup(128g)creamy peanut butter
1teaspoonvanilla extract
¼cup(21g)natural unsweetened or Dutch-process cocoa powder
½cup(85g)semisweet or bittersweet chocolate chips
Instructions
In a large mixing bowl, stir together the oats and salt.
In a 10 or 12-inch skillet over medium heat, add the coconut, almonds and cacao nibs, if using. Toast the ingredients, stirring often to prevent burning, for 5-6 minutes until the aroma is nutty and the coconut and nuts are turning slightly golden. Toss the mixture with the oats.
In a medium saucepan, combine the honey, coconut oil, peanut butter, vanilla, cocoa powder and chocolate chips. Heat the mixture over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture is melted and smooth.
Pour the chocolate mixture over the dry ingredients and stir until well combined.
Using a cookie scoop or two spoons, scoop the mixture into tablespoon-sized mounds onto a parchment-lined baking sheet. Let the little mounds sit for 10 minutes or so until they have cooled and are less sticky.
Roll the mounds into balls using firm pressure with the palms of your hands.
Refrigerate the granola bites for 1-2 hours to set up. They can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks (or freeze for several months). They taste great out of the refrigerator but are even better if left to sit at room temperature for just a few minutes before eating.
Notes
Almonds: if using whole almonds, be sure they are chopped into fairly small pieces. I've made the mistake of leaving the almonds a tad bit too chunky and it makes the granola mixture more difficult to form into balls that stick together. Oats: I haven't used regular old-fashioned oats. If you do so, consider pulsing them in a blender or food processor very lightly so they break down just a bit. Cacao Nibs: if you aren't familiar with cacao nibs, they are basically raw pieces of chocolate that haven't been ground and sweetened yet (they are slightly bitter like cocoa powder).