Wholesome granola bars loaded with oats, nuts, seeds, and natural sweeteners for a nutritious snack.
# Components:
→ Dry Ingredients
01 - 3 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
02 - 1 cup crispy rice cereal
03 - 1/2 cup raw sunflower seeds
04 - 1/2 cup chopped nuts (almonds, walnuts, or pecans)
05 - 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips (optional)
06 - 1/2 cup chopped dried fruit (cranberries, raisins, or apricots)
07 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
08 - 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
→ Wet Ingredients
09 - 1/2 cup honey or maple syrup
10 - 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter or almond butter
11 - 1/4 cup unsalted butter
12 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
# Directions:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 9x13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang for easy removal.
02 - In a large bowl, mix rolled oats, rice cereal, sunflower seeds, chopped nuts, chocolate chips if using, dried fruit, salt, and cinnamon until evenly blended.
03 - In a small saucepan over medium heat, stir together honey, peanut butter, and butter until melted and smooth. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract.
04 - Pour the melted mixture over the dry ingredients and stir thoroughly to coat evenly.
05 - Transfer combined mixture to the prepared pan and press down firmly and evenly with a spatula or measuring cup bottom.
06 - Bake for 18 to 20 minutes or until edges turn golden brown.
07 - Allow to cool completely in the pan. Lift bars out using parchment overhang and cut into 16 bars.
08 - Store bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week or freeze for extended storage.
