Chewy granola bars with oats, nuts, dried fruit, honey, and peanut butter for a quick, nutritious snack.
# What You'll 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
# Directions:
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, mixed nuts, dried fruit, shredded coconut, and salt. Stir until evenly distributed.
03 - In a small saucepan over low heat, combine honey and peanut butter. Stir constantly until melted and smooth, approximately 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract.
04 - Pour the warm honey mixture over dry ingredients. Mix thoroughly until all components are evenly coated and no dry patches remain.
05 - If using chocolate chips, allow mixture to cool for 2 to 3 minutes before stirring them in to prevent melting.
06 - Transfer mixture to prepared baking pan. Press firmly and evenly across the entire surface using a spatula or the back of a measuring cup.
07 - Sprinkle additional chocolate chips or nuts on top if desired, pressing them gently into the surface.
08 - Refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or until the mixture is firmly set.
09 - Lift the entire slab from pan using parchment paper overhang. Cut into 12 equal bars using a sharp knife. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
