Chewy Granola Bars

Chewy Granola Bars

• • 2 cups old-fashioned oats

  • 2/3 cup pecans, chopped

  • 1/2 cup bittersweet chocolate chips

  • 2 tablespoons flax seeds

  • 2 tablespoons chia seeds

  • 2 tablespoons sunflower seeds

  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon

  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

  • 2/3 cup natural almond butter

  • 1/3 cup raw honey

Notes:

*If you like, you can toast the oats, nuts and seeds first on a baking sheet to bring out more flavor.

*You can add any type of seeds, nuts, coconut and dried fruit (preferably, raw, unsalted and unsweetened) to this recipe to suit your taste.

*Peanut butter, or another nut butter, can be substituted for the almond butter.

*You might even try adding a teaspoon of vanilla or maple extract.

In a bowl, combine the oats, pecans, chocolate chips, seeds, cinnamon and salt. Stir in the almond butter and honey until the mixture is evenly coated and very thick and sticky.

Line an 8 or 9 inch square baking dish with parchment paper. Firmly press the granola into the dish. Chill for about an hour, then remove from the dish by lifting out the edges of the paper. Cut into bars and wrap each bar in wax paper. Store in the refrigerator in an airtight container to keep fresh for several weeks.

Yields 10 adult-sized bars or 20 child-sized bars

Recipe from Curly Girl Kitchen