Homemade Granola Bars — Mary Ann Freeman Yoga

I made these bars on Saturday before leaving to visit our good friends upstate for the night and I knew when I returned home on Sunday, I would want something healthy to have as a snack. I am all about having healthy snacks to grab throughout the week when I need a pick me up but don't want to indulge in anything too sweet or junky. These are the perfect balance and they are a healthy and nourishing snack.

Dry Ingredients
1 1/2 cups old fashioned oats
3/4 cup rice crisp cereal (I buy mine at Whole Foods-365 Brown Rice Crisps)
2 tablespoons chia seeds
1/4 cup pepita seeds
1/4 cup sunflower seeds
1/4 cup slivered or chopped almonds
1/4 cup ground flaxseed
1/3 cup dried cranberries or cherries
2 tablespoons organic, unsweetened dried coconut flakes
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon sea salt (optional)
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup maple syrup
3 tablespoons organic honey
1/4 cup almond butter
1 tablespoon coconut oil

Lightly grease a 9X9 inch square pan with coconut oil or you can line the pan with parchment paper, leaving enough paper to overhang on the sides for easy lift out.
In a large bowl combine and stir together the dry ingredients (oats, rice crisp cereal, chia seeds, pepita seeds, sunflower seeds, almonds, flax and dried cranberries).
In a small saucepan, stir together the brown sugar, maple syrup, honey, almond butter, coconut oil and sea salt. Stir the mixture until it is warmed through and smooth. Remove from heat.
Immediately pour the mixture over the dry ingredients and stir with a large wooden spoon or spatula until the oats are fully coated with the wet mixture. You don't want to have any dry patches.
When thoroughly mixed, scoop the mixture into the prepared pan and spread it out evenly. Press gently with your hands or use a piece of parchment paper to press down on the mixture until even and smooth. The more the mixture is packed down, the better the bars will hold together and won't fall apart when cut into bars. Place a piece of plastic wrap over the pan and allow to sit for 1 - 2 hours or overnight to set. When they seem firm, cut into squares. Wrap each bar separately or keep cut bars in a storage container for up to 2 weeks. Enjoy your snack bars!