Chewy granola bars with oats, nuts, dried fruit, and honey for a nutritious, easy snack.
# What You Need:
→ Dry Ingredients
01 - 2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
02 - 1 cup crisp rice cereal
03 - 1/2 cup chopped mixed nuts (almonds, walnuts, or pecans)
04 - 1/2 cup dried fruit (cranberries, raisins, or chopped apricots)
05 - 1/4 cup unsweetened shredded coconut, optional
06 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
→ Wet Ingredients
07 - 1/2 cup honey or maple syrup
08 - 1/3 cup creamy peanut butter or almond butter
09 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
→ Optional Add-Ins
10 - 1/4 cup mini chocolate chips
11 - 1 tablespoon chia seeds or flaxseed meal
# How to Make:
01 - Line an 8-inch square baking pan with parchment paper, allowing overhang on sides for easy removal of finished bars.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, combine oats, rice cereal, chopped nuts, dried fruit, coconut, and salt. Mix until evenly distributed.
03 - In a small saucepan over low heat, combine honey and peanut butter. Stir continuously until melted and smooth, approximately 2-3 minutes. Remove from heat and blend in vanilla extract.
04 - Pour warm binding mixture over dry ingredients. Stir thoroughly until all components are evenly coated.
05 - If incorporating chocolate chips, allow mixture to cool for 2-3 minutes before stirring them in to prevent melting.
06 - Transfer combined mixture to prepared pan. Press firmly and evenly using a spatula or measuring cup, creating uniform density throughout.
07 - Sprinkle additional chocolate chips or nuts on surface if desired, pressing gently into mixture.
08 - Refrigerate for minimum 1 hour, or until mixture is fully set.
09 - Lift bars from pan using parchment overhang. Cut into 12 uniform bars. Store in airtight container in refrigerator for up to 1 week.
