Pineapple Coconut Bars are also lovingly known as Pina Colada Bars. They are three layers of tropical goodness that just happen to have a fun name. Pineapple coconut filling in the middle and all layers are easy to make.
Pina Colada Crumb Bars are layers of sweet goodness that just happen to have a fun name too. I think bars can be for breakfast, snacks, or dessert.
Wouldn't three layers with the middle layer being a pineapple coconut filling be perfect with a cup of coffee in the morning?
Normally breakfast bars are packed full of granolas and other wonderful ingredients but, hey, once in a while you can go a little crazy ... and these do have oats, you know.
If I like appetizers for dinner then you know I like snacks for breakfast. If you cook these with the intention of freezing them for quick snacks - have no fear.
💭 Can you freeze coconut bars
- The pineapple coconut bars freeze perfectly so it is one of those things that you can grab right out of the freezer as you are running out the door.
- They also defrost in no time so they are wonderful for a grab and go.
- I thought I was going to freeze some but it turns out that Ed really really really likes them.
- The bars aren't all gone but they will be fine in the fridge for the few days that they are going to last.
- I will admit Ed isn't eating them all. You know I have to test them. So I tested them three times!
The crumb topping is crumbly and perfect and all layers are very easy to make.
🥘 Ingredients
- Whole wheat flour adds fiber and nutrients to the main base for these pina colada bars.
- Dairy-free butter adds needed liquid and a buttery taste.
- Rolled oats give extra protein and a chewy texture.
- Brown sugar sweetens the bottom oat base.
- Baking soda is a leavening agent.
- Macadamias have a rich buttery flavor.
- Coconut sugar adds a different type of sweet flavor in a very understated way.
- Cornstarch is a thickener and binder.
- Dried pineapple cooks into the nicest jammy center.
- Water helps dissolve the sugar when it is heated.
- Unsweetened shredded coconut adds more texture and chewing satisfaction.
🔪 Instructions
- I used the food processor to cut up my dried pineapple and it actually made it all roll up into a ball because it was chopped so fine and it stuck altogether.
- That is good because when it is cooked it will be a smooth filling.
- If you want to chop it by hand into small bits - that is good too. It will just be a little more textured filling.
For the filling:
- In a small saucepan add the water, coconut sugar, cut up dried pineapple, and cornstarch.
- NOT the coconut - yet.
- Cook over medium-high heat until sauce thickens.
- Take off the heat and stir in the coconut.
- It will thicken even more as it cools. It takes about 5 to 10 minutes.
- Set aside.
For the crumb mixture:
- To a large bowl add the flour and butter.
- Cut the butter into the flour until it is like a coarse meal.
- To this mixture add the oats, brown sugar, and baking soda.
- Mix well and I use my fingers to really get it well incorporated.
- Take out ½ cup of the mixture. Add the nuts to this ½ cup and set aside.
- Press the remaining mixture into an ungreased 8x8x2 or 9x9x2 inch baking pan.
- I used 8x8x2 but I will tell you the different cooking times at the end during the baking instructions.
- Spread your filling evenly all over this layer.
- Sprinkle the crumb mixture that you set aside all over this filling mixture.
- Spread it out evenly and press, lightly, with your hand.
- Bake at 350° for 30 to 35 minutes for a 9x9x2 pan and 35 to 40 minutes for an 8x8x2 pan.
- The 8x8x2 pan will make your bars a little taller as in my photo.
- Let the bars cool completely in the pan.
- I cut all around the edge of the pan to separate to get anything unstuck.
- The whole piece actually lifted out of the pan and I was able to place it on a cutting board and cut it there.
- I made three slices in each direction and got 16 nice size square bars.
📖 More homemade bars
You came to the right place. Not only are dessert bars delicious but you can freeze some for On-the-Go snacks.
- Cranberry Date Breakfast Bars have three different kinds of dried fruit inside.
📋 Recipe
Pina Colada Crumb Bars
Ingredients
- 1 cup whole wheat flour
- ½ cup dairy free butter
- 1 cup rolled oats
- ⅔ cup brown sugar packed
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ cup chopped macadamias, walnuts or pecans - your choice - to keep with the theme I used macadamias
For the middle layer:
- 1 tablespoon coconut sugar
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- ¾ cup dried pineapple chopped fine or processed in a food processor
- ¾ cup water
- ½ cup unsweetened shredded coconut
Instructions
- I used the food processor to cut up my dried pineapple and it actually made it all roll up into a ball because it was chopped so fine and it stuck all together. That is good because when it is cooked it will be a smooth filling. If you want to chop it by hand into small bits - that is good too. It will just be a little more textured filling.
For the filling:
- In a small saucepan add the water, coconut sugar, cut up dried pineapple and cornstarch. NOT the coconut - yet.
- Cook over medium high heat until sauce thickens.
- Take off the heat and stir in the coconut. It will thicken even more as it cools. It takes about 5 to 10 minutes.
- Set aside.
For the crumb mixture:
- To a large bowl add the flour and butter.
- Cut the butter into the flour until it is like a coarse meal.
- To this mixture add the oats, brown sugar, and baking soda.
- Mix well and I use my fingers to really get it well incorporated.
- Take out ½ cup of the mixture. Add the nuts to this ½ cup and set aside.
- Press the remaining mixture into an ungreased 8x8x2 or 9x9x2 inch baking pan.
- I used 8x8x2 but I will tell you the different cooking times at the end during the baking instructions.
- Spread your filling evenly all over this layer.
- Sprinkle the crumb mixture that you set aside all over this filling mixture.
- Spread it out evenly and press, lightly, with your hand.
- Bake at 350° for 30 to 35 minutes for a 9x9x2 pan and 35 to 40 minutes for an 8x8x2 pan. The 8x8x2 pan will make your bars a little taller as in my photo.
- Let the bars cool completely in the pan.
Kim (Feed Me, Seymour)
Ok, definitely pinning these. They look so sweet and perfect. I die for anything pina colada flavored!
Brenda@SugarFreeMom
How different and unique!
Lauren @ Healthy Delicious
I love these! What great flavors for a bar!
Ginny McMeans
Thanks Kim! Aren't pineapple and coconut a perfect combination?
Ginny McMeans
Thank you Brenda. That makes me feel good!
Ginny McMeans
Great Lauren! Thanks so much!