Peanut Butter and Chocolate Chip Granola Bars
 
Prep time
Total time
 
Peanuts, pumpkin seeds, oats, rice cereal, Chia seeds, and chocolate chips are held together with peanut butter and brown rice syrup. Easy and delicious! [Vegan & gluten-free]
Author:
Recipe type: Snack
Serves: 10-12 bars
Ingredients
  • 1½ cups oats
  • 1¼ cups rice cereal
  • ¼ cup raw pumpkin seeds
  • ½ cup unsalted peanuts, finely chopped
  • ¼ cup vegan chocolate chips
  • 1 T. Chia seeds
  • ¼ t. salt
  • ½ cup brown rice syrup (should be with the honey and agave in most grocery stores)
  • ¼ cup natural creamy peanut butter (unsalted & unsweetened)
  • 1 t. vanilla extract
Instructions
  1. Line a 9 x 9" baking pan with parchment or wax paper.
  2. In a large bowl, combine the dry ingredients.
  3. In a saucepan over medium heat, or in a microwave-safe bowl heated in 30-second increments, heat the brown rice syrup and the peanut butter until liquefied and smooth. Add the vanilla extract and stir to combine.
  4. If the liquid mixture is hot, allow to cool to warm (you don't want to melt the chocolate chips). Pour the liquid over the dry ingredients and stir until completely combined. It should be difficult to stir.
  5. Transfer mixture to the lined pan and spread evenly. Cover top with a sheet of wax paper and press down firmly with your hands. Use the side of a can to roll and press all the way to the edges of the pan. The firmer you press, the more likely your bars will stay together.
  6. Place pan into the freezer for 10-15 minutes to firm.
  7. Remove pan from freezer, lift parchment paper and bars out of pan, and transfer to a cutting board. Using a large, sharp knife or a pizza cutter, cut granola square into 10-12 bars, depending on how large you want them.
  8. Eat right away, or transfer to an air-tight container and keep in the fridge to stay firm, or leave at room temperature for a softer bar.
Recipe by Daily Dose of Greens at https://dailydoseofgreens.com/2015/04/10/peanut-butter-and-chocolate-chip-granola-bars/