Wholesome granola bars with oats, seeds, nuts, and a touch of honey for nutritious snacking.
# What You'll Need:
→ Dry Ingredients
01 - 3 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
02 - 1 cup crispy rice cereal
03 - 0.5 cup raw sunflower seeds
04 - 0.5 cup chopped nuts (almonds, walnuts, or pecans)
05 - 0.5 cup mini chocolate chips (optional)
06 - 0.5 cup chopped dried fruit (cranberries, raisins, or apricots)
07 - 0.25 teaspoon salt
08 - 0.5 teaspoon ground cinnamon
→ Wet Ingredients
09 - 0.5 cup honey or maple syrup
10 - 0.5 cup creamy peanut butter or almond butter
11 - 0.25 cup unsalted butter
12 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
# Step-by-Step Guide:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 9x13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, ensuring an overhang for easy removal.
02 - In a large bowl, mix oats, rice cereal, sunflower seeds, chopped nuts, chocolate chips if using, dried fruit, salt, and cinnamon until evenly combined.
03 - In a small saucepan over medium heat, stir together honey, peanut butter, and butter until smooth and melted. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract.
04 - Pour the melted mixture over the dry ingredients and stir thoroughly until all are uniformly coated.
05 - Spread the mixture evenly into the prepared pan and press firmly with a spatula or measuring cup bottom.
06 - Bake for 18 to 20 minutes until edges are golden brown.
07 - Allow bars to cool completely in the pan. Lift out using the parchment overhang and slice into 16 bars.
08 - Store bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week, or freeze for extended storage.
