Description
Delicious and nutritious Apricot Coconut Pecan Bars featuring dried apricots, shredded coconut, and crunchy pecans, sweetened naturally with honey or maple syrup and bound together with coconut oil. These bars offer a perfect balance of sweet, nutty, and tropical flavors and make a great snack or breakfast option.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 1 cup dried apricots, chopped
- 1 cup shredded coconut, unsweetened
- 1/2 cup pecans, chopped
Wet Ingredients
- 1/4 cup honey or maple syrup
- 1/4 cup coconut oil, melted
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper to facilitate easy removal of the bars once baked.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a medium-sized bowl, mix together the chopped dried apricots, shredded coconut, and chopped pecans until evenly distributed.
- Melt and Mix Wet Ingredients: In a small saucepan over low heat, melt the coconut oil. Once melted, remove from heat and stir in honey or maple syrup, vanilla extract, and salt until fully combined.
- Mix Wet and Dry Ingredients: Pour the wet mixture over the dry ingredients. Stir thoroughly to ensure all dry ingredients are well coated with the wet mixture.
- Prepare for Baking: Transfer the combined mixture into the prepared baking pan. Press it down firmly and evenly to create a compact layer that will hold together once baked.
- Bake: Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the edges of the bars turn golden brown and firm to the touch.
- Cool and Cut: Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan to set properly before cutting into 9 to 9 bars for serving.
Notes
- Ensure the baking pan is lined well to prevent sticking and make bar removal easier.
- You can substitute pecans with other nuts like walnuts or almonds if preferred.
- For a vegan option, choose maple syrup instead of honey.
- Store bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for longer freshness.
- Pressing the mixture firmly into the pan is key for bars that hold together well.
