SUPER EASY - no bake Granola bars

A great sweet healthy treat, my kids LOVE these!  They are also perfect to add to your food storage ingredients.

2 1/2 c. Rice krispies
2 c. quick cooking oats
6 T. Flax meal, hemp seed or other ground seeds or wheat germ (for added protein)
1/2 c. dried fruit (cherries, blueberries, strawberries, cranberries, raisins, whatever you like)
1/2 c. chopped nuts (almonds, walnuts, peanuts, pistachios, whatever you like)
1/2 c. sweetener, liquid (brown rice syrup, honey, maple syrup, molasses) I like brown rice syrup it gives it a caramel taste and texture.
4 T. sucanate or dark brown sugar
2/3 c. nut butter (almond, cashew, soynut, peanut or whatever you like) I like almond butter it has a deeper flavor and taste then peanut butter.
2 t. vanilla extract
1 t. ground cinnamon

mix the rice krispies, quick oats, flaxseed meal (or other), dried fruit and nuts in a large bowl.

Over med high heat bring liquid sweetener of choice and brown sugar or sucanat to a boil, stir constantly.  Remove from heat, and stir in nut butter and vanilla until blended.

Pour warm nut butter mixture over cereal mixture and stir until coated.  Press mixture firmly into a 9x13 pan that has been lightly oiled.  Let cool in pan.  cut into 24 bars, wrap in saran wrap and store in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.


There are other variations you can make up your own favorites:

GERMAN CHOCOLATE BAR: Add chocolate chips or carob chips, with coconut flakes

CHERRY CHOCOLATE BAR: Add Chocolate chips or carob chips with dried cherries.

PEANUT BUTTER BAR: Add roasted peanuts with peanut butter and use honey as sweetener.

CHERRY ALMOND: Add dried cherries, almond butter and chopped almonds and use almond extract in place of vanilla, if you like.

APPLE PIE: Add chopped dried apples and rice syrup or honey with walnuts or pecans and cinnamon.

PECAN PIE: Add pecans, almond butter, rice syrup, dates and cinnamon.

TROPICAL BAR: add pineapple and mangos, with brazil nuts or macadamia nuts and Almond butter or macadamia butter. use almond extract.