Salty & Sweet Granola Bars

These ‘throw ‘em together’ homemade granola bars are the perfect blend of sweet and salty. And so easy to make gluten-free!

Feel good knowing exactly what’s in your snacks. No crazy junk, no extras. Just everything nutritious…minus a little sugar in the chocolate chips of course. :)

Ingredients

1/2 cup honey

2 T. sunflower seed butter (or natural peanut butter works)

1 T. coconut oil

3/4 cup old fashioned oats (be sure to get certified gluten-free if needed)

1/2 cup crispy rice cereal (be sure to get certified gluten-free if needed)

1/2 cup pretzels, crushed (be sure to get certified gluten-free if needed)

1/4 tsp. salt

1/2 cup dried fruit (such as raisins or cranberries)

1/2 cup pumpkin seeds (like these)

1/3 cup chocolate chips (mini ones work well like these)

directions

1. Line an 8x8 baking pan with a sheet of aluminum foil or parchment paper, ensuring the sides are covered for easy removal. Generously spray it with cooking spray and set aside. (Some pans don’t require this such as those from Caraway.)

2. Add the honey, sunflower seed butter, and coconut oil to a microwave-safe bowl to fully melt the ingredients, about one minute. Allow to cool and thicken.

3. Combine the remaining dry ingredient in a mixing bowl.

4. Pour cooled, wet ingredients into bowl with dry ingedients and mix until fully incorporated.

5. Transfer the mixture to the prepared pan and spread it evenly, pressing down firmly. Hold a piece of parchment paper as your press down to help prevent it from sticking to your fingers or utensils.

6. Cover with foil and place in the refrigerator to set for at least two hours.

7. Use knife to cut into individual bars and store in the refrigerator for best results and to help them hold together.