You can use large flake oats or quick oats for this recipe. If using large flake oats, you want to make sure that they are not too hard. (Some health-food brands of large flake oats or rolled oats can be thick and hard when uncooked.) Quaker oats work well in this recipe.

Unsweetened coconut works best. Shredded coconut comes in two forms: sweetened and unsweetened. The sweetened shredded coconut can technically be used but will create a very sweet “dessert-like” bar, rather than a healthier snack.

Use parchment paper to help you press the bars into the pan. Having trouble spreading the bars evenly into the pan? Grab a piece of parchment paper and use it to press down on the batter in the pan. This will prevent the batter from getting stuck to your fingers and will make it easier to spread out.