Chewy granola bars rich in oats, seeds, nuts, and honey for wholesome healthy snacking.
# List of Ingredients:
→ Dry Ingredients
01 - 3 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
02 - 1 cup crispy rice cereal
03 - ½ cup raw sunflower seeds
04 - ½ cup chopped nuts (almonds, walnuts, or pecans)
05 - ½ cup mini chocolate chips (optional)
06 - ½ cup chopped dried fruit (cranberries, raisins, or apricots)
07 - ¼ teaspoon salt
08 - ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
→ Wet Ingredients
09 - ½ cup honey or maple syrup
10 - ½ cup creamy peanut butter or almond butter
11 - ¼ cup unsalted butter
12 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
# Step-by-Step Directions:
01 - Heat oven to 350°F. Line a 9x13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang to facilitate removal.
02 - In a large bowl, mix oats, rice cereal, sunflower seeds, chopped nuts, chocolate chips if used, dried fruit, salt, and cinnamon until evenly distributed.
03 - Warm honey, peanut butter, and butter in a small saucepan over medium heat, stirring until smooth and fully melted. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract.
04 - Pour the warm wet mixture over the dry ingredients and stir thoroughly to coat all components evenly.
05 - Transfer mixture into the prepared pan and press firmly and evenly with a spatula or the bottom of a measuring cup.
06 - Bake for 18 to 20 minutes until the edges turn golden brown.
07 - Allow to cool completely in the pan, then lift out using the parchment overhang and cut into 16 bars.
08 - Keep bars in an airtight container at room temperature up to one week or freeze for extended storage.
