Granola Bars

 Ingredients

1 cup oats

1.5 tbsp flax meal

1 tbsp sesame or hemp seeds

1.5 tbsp pumpkin seeds

¼ cup puffed rice cereal

Dash of salt

¼ cup brown sugar

½ cup agave nectar

4 tbsp butter (dairy or plant based) or olive oil

½ cup peanut butter

1 tsp cinnamon

¼ cup dried nuts and fruit of your choice

Directions

1. Combine all of the dry ingredients (not brown sugar). 
2. In a small pot, add brown sugar, agave, and butter. 
3. Bring the mixture to a boil and then reduce heat to simmer until thick. 
4. Add the nut butter and cinnamon and stir to combine. 
5. Fold the syrup into the oat mixture. This will be sticky and rubber gloves will help to minimize  the mess.
6. Prepare an 8x8 in a pan lined with plastic wrap or sprayed with pan release.
7. Once the ingredients are fully combined, press into the prepared pan. 
8. Cover in plastic wrap and push down on the top of the bars to compress. . 
9. Let the bars cool completely.
10. Cut into even sized bars.

Recipe adapted from the Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts by Lolita Sereleas