No Bake Granola Bars

I have been wanting to make my own granola bars and finally tried tried it out! These were easy and delicious. Everyone loved them! They did not last long at my house.

No Bake Granola Bars
2 cups old fashioned oats
1/2 cup sunflower seeds
1/2 cup almonds (I used slivered)
3/4 cup peanut butter
1/2 cup honey
2 teaspoons vanilla
1 pinch salt
1 1/2  tablespoon canola oil
1/2 cup dried cranberries,raisins or other dried fruit
1/4 cup mini chocolate chips (optional)
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spread the oats, sunflower seeds and almonds into a single layer on a cookie sheet. Toast in the oven for about 10 minutes.  Remove from oven and place in a large mixing bowl.

While the toasting is happening: Combine the peanut butter, honey, vanilla, oil and pinch of salt together in a saucepan.  Over medium heat, stir until peanut butter is melted and everything is smooth and mixed well.

Pour mixture over the oat mixture and stir to mix well.  Add oil and cranberries and stir until well blended.*At this point you can add 1/4 shredded coconut with the dried fruit if you would like.

Put mixture in the fridge for about 15 minutes or until the mixture is cool enough for the chocolate chips to not melt.
Stir in the chocolate chips and pour mixture in a 9 x9 or 8 x11 pan that has been lined with wax paper.
Press mixture firmly into the pan. You may have to dampen your fingers a bit! 

Refrigerate for 3-4 hours before cutting into bars.

* If you cut them into 16 bars: Each bar has 180 calories, 2 g fiber and 5 g. protein.

Enjoy!!