Homemade Granola Bars

I have been making my own granola bars for a few years now.  They are easy, taste good, and make a great snack.  However, it always seemed like something was not quite right.  Sometimes they seemed too sweet, sometimes too dry, etc.  So, I have been playing with the recipe every so often and finally have a version I really like!  For now....no guarantees it will not change again at some point. :)

Granola Bars

3 cups rolled oats
2 cups trail mix (I make my own, see below)
3 tablespoons coconut
3 tablespoons sunflower seeds
1 1/2 tablespoons chia seeds
2 tablespoons flaxseeds (grind, then add)
1 1/4-1 1/2 cups peanut butter
1/4 cup honey
1/4 cup coconut oil

Mix all of the dry ingredients together.  Mix together the peanut butter, honey, and coconut oil.  (Melt the coconut oil if needed.) Stir the peanut butter mixture into the oats mixture and make sure all is well mixed.  Pour into a greased pan (I use 7"x11") and press down.  Chill, then cut into desired sizes. I tend to cut these small. Store in the refrigerator.

Note: any combination of nuts or dried fruit can be used in place of the trail mix and in place of the seeds and coconut.  Almond butter can be used in place of peanut butter.

Trail Mix

6 cups mixed nuts (OR 1 cup each peanuts, almonds, cashews, pecans, Brazil nuts, hazel nuts)
1 cup walnuts
1 cup raisins
1 cup dried cranberries
1 cup dried apricots (cut into smaller pieces)

Mix together!  This is great as is for snacking, or used in other recipes.  Chocolate chips are a fun addition but not so great for having trail mix stashed in the car for emergency snack needs as the chocolate might melt. :)  Trail mix really is open to endless creativity.  Any combination of nuts and dried fruit or seeds can be used.  I am not a fan of seeds or coconut in trail mix because they fall to the bottom.

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