(Pea)Nutty Chewy Granola Bars

I decided to make homemade granola bars the same way I made Rice Krispie Treats as a young adult. Since I periodically added peanut butter to the marshmallows when I made Rice Krispie Treats, I figured why not make granola bars in the same fashion. Nutty Chewy Granola Bars emerged from this inspiration. For this recipe I used OnceAgain Creamy Peanut Butter and Creamy Almond Butter.

BASE INGREDIENTS:
4 Cups of Uncooked Oats
2 Cups of Peanut (or other NUT butter) Butter
1 Cup Honey
1/2 Cup Ground Flax Seeds
OPTIONAL:
1/2 Cup Diced Dried Fruit (I try to use unsweetend and unsulfered)
1/2 Cup Chopped Nuts (have nuts correspond with the nut butter used)
2 Scoops Gluten Free Protein Powder
1/2 Cup Sunflower Seeds

Instructions:
1. Prepare a glass baking dish 13x11, 9x11, or the size that works best for you by spraying it with Coconut Oil or Olive Oil.
2. Melt the nut butter in a large saucepan. Stir the entire time so it does not burn. Remove from heat. Add the remaining ingredients. Stir to combine.
3. Transfer chewy mixture to the baking dish. Spray the back of a spatula with Coconut Oil and use the back of the spatula to press the granola mixture into a solid form in the pan.
4. After it cools, cut into bars the size of your liking.

HINT: If you wish to use them as a snack when you travel, make them with ALMOND or CASHEW butter as you may encounter fellow passengers on a plane or train that have a peanut allergy.

HINT: For a flavorful variation, use 2 different nut butters…1 cup of each.

Using Almond Butter and Dried Cheeries:

Take to work or school or on a trip. Carry in a small plastic container and enjoy while on the go! You can always enjoy for breakfast with a smoothie or piece of fruit!