You have got to try these. They are so good!

These granola bars do not last long when I bring them to share for a picnic or a weekend cabin trip with friends or family. In our house, these are condsidered treats for the amount of sugar in them. Really, the title could read “No Bake Oatmeal Cookie Bars.” But, they are packed with energy and you can manipulate the ingredients used as long as you substitute similar items for the same quanities. For example: a fat for a fat like grass fed butter for coconut oil, or granulated type sugar like xylitol for coconut sugar and so on.

ENJOY!

Serves 24

You will need:

9×13 inch pan

4 cup rolled oats
2 cup crispy rice cereal
1 cup Craisins (or other dried fruit)
1 cup chopped almonds (or other nuts)

1 cup Coconut sugar (OR brown sugar OR half surgar/ half erythritol or xylitol)
1/2 cup honey
1/2 cup coconut oil (or butter or organic palm shortening)
1/2 cup natural peanut butter or any nut butter like almond butter
4 teaspoons vanilla extract

1 cup chocolate chips (optional)

How to:

In a large bowl, combine the oats, crispy rice cereal, dried fruit and nuts.

In a saucepan, combine the coconut sugar, honey, coconut oil and peanut butter on low-medium heat. Stir until the coconut sugar is dissolved. Turn off heat, add the vanilla.

Pour the sugar/oil mixture over the dry ingredients and stir until all dry ingredients are coated.

You have two options for the chocolate chips step:

1. You can add the chocolate chips  and stir into the mix, although they may melt a little,  then press it all firmly into a 9×13 inch pan OR
2. first press the mixture into the 9 x 13 inch pan firmly, then sprinkle the chocolate  chips on top and press them in.

Refrigerate for 1 hour. Cut and enjoy!

Learning how to use my video software: my first video 😀

Adapted from: Chewy No Bake Granola Bars