Easy Chewy Granola Bars

Giving food a label or category has, I fear, made so many of us afraid to try things that are totally delicious and a lot easier to make.  A LOT easier.  Purely because the ingredients are simple and from the earth, they don't need much special treatment.  These bars are vegan, but, well everything on this site is. So, label it vegan or just darn delicious and easy. 

If you haven't tried making homemade granola bars before (don't worry, you're not alone, but seriously, join the fun, it's easy and SO MUCH BETTER FOR YOU than those packaged ones) I'd recommend starting with these ones.  

Sweetener, Nut/Seed Butter, Oats.  

That's it. 

*Chocolate topped bars: Yes, you read me correctly.  Chocolate topped!!  They were so good that I didn't have time to grab a pic.  Just make the recipe below as per usual.  Then mix up a quick batch of my easy peasy chocolate ganache sauce to pour overtop and then freeze. I mean HELLO amazing. 

Easy Chewy Granola Bars

2 cups oats (or 1 cup oats and 1 cup mixture of nuts, seeds, dried fruit, chocolate chips, coconut flakes, etc.)
1/3 cup peanut butter (or any nut or seed butter - recommend Sunflower Seed Butter for nut-free!)
1/3 cup maple syrup
sprinkle of sea salt

What do do:

1) Mix all your dry oats and nuts and things together in a bowl and set aside. 

2) In a small saucepan, heat maple syrup over medium heat until it comes to a boil. Stir often!  Let it boil for 1 minute then remove from heat.  Add peanut butter and sea salt.  Stir to evenly combine.

3) Add maple peanut butter mixture to your oat mixture.  Stir well and fast before it cools too much, ensuring it is evenly combined.  

4) Line a square pan with parchment paper.  Pour and flatten your granola mixture into the pan until it is flat and ready to harden.  Refrigerate for 30 minutes and then slice it up to enjoy!  Should keep in the fridge for a while. Keeps on the counter in an airtight container for about a week or so... but honestly, I don't really know, they are gone before we reach this amount of time.. :)