Quick and Easy Chewy Granola Bars

These wholesome, whole-food, plant-based granola bars will help you save some money and avoid unnecessary packaging, refined sugars, and oils. Tuck them into school lunches, your yoga or gym bag, or your coat pocket and you’ll never be caught “hangry” and unprepared again!

Recipe makes one 8” square pan equalling 8 bars. Easily doubled— just use a 9”x 13” pan.

1 1/4 cup quick-cooking oats

1 cup flaked cereal (such as ancient grains, wheat flakes, or try crispy brown rice)

1/4 cup unsweetened coconut flakes

1/4 cup chopped unsalted almonds or pistachios

1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1/4 teaspoon sea salt

1/3 cup creamy, natural peanut butter (or other nut or seed butter)

1/3 cup pure maple syrup

1/4 cup chopped, pitted dates

1) Combine the first 6 ingredients (oats through sea salt) in a large bowl.

2) Combine peanut butter, maple syrup, and dates in a saucepan over medium heat. Cook, stirring, for 3 minutes or until the peanut butter melts and the dates blend in.

3) Pour peanut butter mixture over the oat mixture and stir well to combine. Press into an 8” square baking pan lined with parchment paper. [Tip: crumple the paper first and then smooth it into the pan for a better fit.] Press mixture down firmly to form a compact, even layer of granola bar mixture.

4) Put in the freezer for 10 minutes. Remove and cut into 8 bars with a large, sharp knife. Wrap in parchment or wax paper or store in an airtight container.