Wholesome bars with oats, seeds, nuts, and honey for nutritious snacking and prep.
# What you'll need:
→ 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 mixed 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
# Method:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 9x13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, ensuring overhang for easy removal.
02 - In a large bowl, mix oats, rice cereal, sunflower seeds, nuts, chocolate chips (if using), dried fruit, salt, and cinnamon until evenly distributed.
03 - In a small saucepan over medium heat, stir together honey, peanut butter, and butter until melted and smooth. Remove from heat and incorporate vanilla extract.
04 - Pour warm wet mixture over dry ingredients and stir thoroughly until fully combined and coated.
05 - Transfer mixture into prepared pan and press firmly and evenly 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. Use parchment paper overhang to lift bars, then cut into 16 equal pieces.
08 - Store bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week or freeze for extended shelf life.
